France November 5 SNCF Strike: Four Rail Unions Walk Out on the Eve of the TGV M Launch — TGV, Intercités, TER and RER Services at Risk — National Day of Action and CGT General Strike Call Add Pressure — What Travellers Should Do Now

Four SNCF unions have called a nationwide rail strike for Thursday, November 5, the day before the new double-deck TGV M’s first run. It lands on a national day of strikes and demonstrations, and the CGT is now pushing for a general strike. How many trains will actually be cancelled isn’t known yet, but if you have French rail travel that day, now is the time to plan.

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Key facts (as of October 24, 2026):
Strike date: Thursday, November 5, 2026, nationwide.
Rail unions: CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots, in a joint call announced on October 16.
Trains that could be hit: TGV, Intercités, TER and, in Île-de-France, SNCF-operated RER and Transilien lines.
National action: Five confederations (CFDT, CGT, FO, UNSA, FSU) called a national day of strikes and demonstrations on the same date against the 2027 budget. The CGT is now calling for a general strike.
Paris metro: No RATP strike notice had been published as of October 23.
Forecast: SNCF builds its plan from individual strike declarations filed 48 hours ahead. A first forecast is expected around November 3.
Not yet known: How many trains will be cancelled.

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Why Now

The rail unions are striking over pay: a general wage rise, higher bonuses and a full 13th-month payment for permanent and contract staff. They also object to the opening of rail to competition, to austerity in network funding and to staffing levels.

The date is deliberate. It falls the day before the TGV M’s first commercial run on Paris–Marseille, and it coincides with the national interprofessional day of action. Rail workers are also holding a rally on Tuesday, November 3, in front of SNCF’s headquarters in Saint-Denis, which is the same day as a salary meeting with management. Commentators note that the meeting could change things, so the strike isn’t certain to go ahead in full.

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What Could Be Disrupted

Disruption depends on how many staff declare themselves on strike. The strike call doesn’t mean every train stops. The likely exposure:

Airport links: The RER B’s northern section, which serves Charles de Gaulle, is SNCF-run. In the June 2025 SNCF strike it was cut to one train in two in the north. Don’t assume a normal service on November 5.

Eurostar: I found no announcement. Check Eurostar’s travel updates, especially for journeys that connect with French domestic trains.

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Also Check October 31

World in Paris reports that a large demonstration is expected in the capital on October 31, with several RER stations possibly closed and trains not stopping there. That is a single source, so treat it as a warning rather than a confirmed closure.

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What To Do

1. If you can, travel on November 4 or 6. Moving by a day avoids the strike window altogether. After November 5, no follow-up national strike date had been announced as of mid-October.
2. If you must travel on the 5th, book the earliest departure and a flexible fare, and have a backup plan.
3. Watch for SNCF’s forecast. It’s usually published a day or two ahead, so check SNCF Connect and the SNCF app from November 3.
4. Allow extra time for airport transfers and consider taxis or pre-booked transfers.
5. Don’t tie tight onward connections to a French rail leg that day, for example a flight or Eurostar departing soon after a TGV arrives.
6. Keep your tickets and any cancellation notices for refund claims.

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Your Rights and Insurance

Refund or exchange: SNCF normally offers exchange or refund when a train is cancelled. I couldn’t confirm the terms for this specific strike, so check when SNCF publishes its forecast.

EU rail rules: Regulation (EU) 2021/782 gives passengers refund or rerouting rights, and compensation for delays of an hour or more. Whether a strike counts as an exemption depends on the circumstances, so don’t assume cash compensation. Unlike aviation, rail has no fixed payment tied to strikes.

Insurance: The strike was announced on October 16, so a policy bought now is unlikely to cover it. If you were already insured, check your wording on strikes, cancellations and missed connections.

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Contacts

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Summary: France Rail Strike, November 5

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Posted By : Vinay

As a lead contributor for Travel Tourister, Vinay is dedicated to serving our Tier 1 audience (US, UK, Canada, Australia). His mission is to deliver precise, fact-checked news and actionable, data-driven articles that empower readers to make informed decisions, minimize travel risks, and maximize their adventure without compromising safety or budget.