Published on : 03 Nov 2026
France’s inter-union day of strikes on Thursday, November 5 is confirmed for SNCF trains — TGV, Intercités, TER, RER and Transilien — while the picture for flights and the Paris metro will only become clear on Wednesday, November 4.
All four representative rail unions — CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots — have called their members out, on a day when the CFDT, CGT, FO, UNSA and FSU confederations are mobilising across public and private sectors over wages and the 2027 budget. The strike falls the day before the inaugural commercial run of the new TGV M from Paris to Marseille.
Because French law requires strikers to declare themselves 48 hours ahead, nobody knows exactly how many trains or flights will run until the operators publish their plans. Here is what’s confirmed, what isn’t, and what to do now.
Published: November 3, 2026 — Tuesday Strike date: Thursday, November 5, 2026 Rail: Confirmed — all four representative SNCF unions have called a strike; TGV, Intercités, TER, RER and Transilien could be affected SNCF plan: Expected on Wednesday, November 4, around 5pm Paris time Air traffic and aviation: A strike notice by FO DGAC covers DGAC, ENAC and BEA staff; controllers who want to strike had to declare by noon on November 3; no cuts to flight programmes had been announced in the sources I checked; clarity expected on November 4 Paris metro and RER: No dedicated RATP notice, but an open-ended CGT-RATP notice running since September 28 covers the day; RATP forecasts expected on November 4 Eurostar: Not named as striking in the sources I checked; connections through Paris and Lille on SNCF services could be affected Precedent: During the last big SNCF strike on June 10, about one in three TGVs and one in two Intercités were cancelled Advice: Don’t cancel yet — wait for the operators’ plans on Wednesday, then change or refund if needed
| Sector | What’s Confirmed | When You’ll Know More | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNCF — TGV, Intercités, TER | Strike called by CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots | SNCF’s transport plan, expected Wed Nov 4 around 17:00 | The number of trains cancelled depends on how many staff declare |
| SNCF — RER and Transilien (Île-de-France) | Could be affected | SNCF and Île-de-France Mobilités forecasts, usually published the day before | Includes some RER lines and suburban trains serving Paris |
| Paris metro, bus and tram (RATP) | No dedicated notice for Nov 5, but an open-ended CGT-RATP notice covers the day | RATP forecasts, expected Wed Nov 4 | The metro could be normal or disrupted — wait for the forecast |
| Air traffic and DGAC | FO DGAC notice covers DGAC, ENAC and BEA staff (filed Oct 30) | Controllers’ declaration deadline was noon on Nov 3; any DGAC request to airlines to trim flights could follow, with details expected Nov 4 | No programme cuts announced in the sources I checked |
| Eurostar and cross-border trains | Not named as striking | Check Eurostar’s and your operator’s notices | International services using French track, or connecting to SNCF trains, may be affected |
| Other public services | Schools, public-sector staff and others are being mobilised | Local announcements | Expect knock-on effects such as busier roads |
| When | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 3, noon | Deadline for air traffic controllers who want to strike on Nov 5 to declare |
| Tue, Nov 3 | SNCF unions meet management; DGAC may begin issuing flight-reduction requests |
| Wed, Nov 4, daytime | DGAC and airlines clarify any flight cuts; RATP publishes line-by-line forecasts |
| Wed, Nov 4, about 17:00 | SNCF publishes its transport plan for the strike day |
| Thu, Nov 5 | Strike day |
| Fri, Nov 6 | Commercial launch of the TGV M, Paris Gare de Lyon to Marseille |
Some French outlets suggest early indications on Tuesday; the detailed SNCF plan is normally released the evening before the strike.
| Situation | What Usually Applies | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| TGV, Intercités or TER cancelled | Exchange or refund under SNCF’s conditions | Use SNCF Connect or the app; check for free-change offers once the plan is published |
| Flight cancelled by an air traffic control strike | Refund or re-routing, plus care such as meals and hotels; compensation is usually not due when the disruption is outside the airline’s control | Keep boarding passes and receipts |
| Flight cancelled at DGAC’s request | Treated like air-traffic-related disruption in most cases | Contact the airline for re-routing or a refund |
| Missed connection (flight to train or reverse) | Depends on whether it was on one ticket | Book a long buffer, or use a single ticket where possible |
| Travel insurance | Policies bought after a strike is announced may exclude it | Read the strike clause |
General guidance, not legal advice. Check your carrier’s conditions and the rules that apply to your route.
The unions’ meeting with SNCF management could change the picture, and the plans due on November 4 will show how many trains, metro lines and flights are affected. We’ll update this article when SNCF, RATP and the DGAC publish their forecasts.
Posted By : Vinay
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