Two Days Out, France’s Strike Still Hasn’t Said Whether Your Train Runs

A multi-union general strike is set for Thursday, November 5, and travelers heading through France are still waiting to learn how bad it will be. Five major union confederations called the walkout over wages, purchasing power, public services and the government’s proposed 2027 budget, and rail, education, health and civil-service workers have all been urged to join.

Rail is the clearest exposure. All four representative SNCF unions have backed the call, which puts TGV InOui and Ouigo services, Intercités, regional TER lines and Paris-area commuter trains at risk. International TGVs toward Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland could also be cut or slowed. SNCF is expected to publish detailed forecasts roughly 48 hours ahead, and as of Tuesday those numbers had not appeared.

The air picture is less settled. Air traffic controllers are covered by public-sector strike notices, and aviation unions have encouraged participation, so reduced staffing at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly could force flight restrictions and cancellations. Aviation authorities were expected to clarify on Wednesday. No separate Paris metro strike notice had been confirmed, though marches could close stations and divert traffic in the center.

The practical advice from travel outlets is to avoid planning anything tight on November 5. Check your airline and SNCF for updates on Wednesday, keep flexible tickets where possible, and do not count on the train or RER to reach an airport that day. Expect knock-on delays on November 6 as schedules recover.

Sources: TravelMole, Deep Arrival