Transport Strikes in Europe: What to do when you’re affected

In recent times, transport strikes have been on the up. It often feels like a week doesn’t go by when there isn’t a train or airport strike in Europe. And when you’re traveling on affected days, it can add extra stress to your journey.

If your trip has been delayed or canceled because of strike action, we’ll do what we can to help make things easier. From general rules about industrial action across Europe to what we can do to help manage your affected journey. 

How to stay informed on train strikes, bus strikes and air strikes

Omio is your go-to platform for staying informed about transport strike action, rail strikes and industrial action in the EU. We understand the frustration of having your travel plans affected by strikes, so we’re here to help you on the way.

At Omio, we keep you updated on train and railway strikes, bus strikes, air strikes and ferry strikes. Our comprehensive resources cover dealing with disruptions effectively, ensuring your journey remains as smooth as possible even during challenging times.

You can find more detailed information and guidance on service disruptions related to strikes through our dedicated Help Center pages:

• Visit our Service Disruptions Help Center at Service Disruptions Help Center. 
• Explore specific sections, such as Train Strike Information and Other Service Disruptions for targeted assistance.

For a quick overview of our strike-related information, you can check out these pages:

• Strike Related Information
• Disruption Related Information
• Service disruptions

We strive to provide you with the most up-to-date and helpful resources so that you can easily navigate any disruptions caused by strikes. Trust Omio to be your travel companion during challenging times.

Navigating travel disruption: smooth journeys despite delays

Traveling can be an exhilarating adventure, but it’s not without its challenges. From unexpected transport disruptions to unforeseen delays, your journey can sometimes take unexpected turns. At Omio, we understand the frustration that comes with travel delays and disruptions. We aim to help you navigate these obstacles smoothly, making your travel experience as seamless as possible.

Whether it’s addressing travel delays, for compensation, or providing real-time updates on transport disruptions, we’ve got you covered. We strive to minimize travel disruption and rail strike impacts and keep you informed every step of the way. 

Train Strikes: Information on railway strikes

Train strikes are one of the most common transport strikes across Europe. Railway strikes are often a result of industrial action, which might lead to no trains or severely reduced services. 

If a train strike is called on the day of travel, it can cause severe disruptions to your journey. If a railway strike affects your trip, please check our help center, as you’ll find the most up-to-date information about delays or cancellations there. 

Booked your tickets with Omio? Our Customer Service team will reach out to you via email. If you need to travel on a strike day, use the Omio app to find potential bus, flight, or ferry routes to your destination. 

Bus Strikes information

Bus strikes, although rare, can happen and when they do, they’ll cause disruptions or cancellations to regular bus or coach services. If you’re traveling on a strike day, we suggest contacting the company you’re traveling with to get the most up-to-date information. If you bought a ticket through Omio, our Customer Service team will contact you with more details on the bus strike, and information about your ticket. 

If you need to travel on the day of the bus strike, use Omio to discover alternative ways to your destination.

Air Strikes, Airport Strikes, Airline Strikes and Pilot Strikes Information

Air strikes can severely impact your travel plans. If an air strike or airport strike is announced on the day you’re scheduled to travel, it can lead to significant disruptions in your journey. In the event of an air strike affecting your trip, we recommend checking with the airline or travel provider you’re flying with for the latest updates on delays or cancellations. If you’ve booked your tickets through Omio, contact our Customer Service team and they will help you. Should you need to travel on a day affected by an air strike, use the Omio app to explore alternative transport options such as bus, flight, or ferry routes to reach your destination.

Ferry Strike Information

Ferry strikes, although relatively rare, can disrupt travel plans, leading to delays and inconvenience for passengers. In the event of a ferry strike, passengers should first consult the official communication channels of the ferry company, such as their website, to get the most up-to-date information regarding the scheduled service. If you have booked your ferry ticket via Omio, you can contact our help centre. We also recommend exploring other transportation options, such as buses, trains, or flights, to reach your destination if ferry services are affected. 

How to reclaim your travel tickets in case of strikes and disruptions

We’re here to help if a travel strike or service disruption affects your journey. 

If you’re traveling in Europe and the UK, you have certain passenger rights or possibilities to rebook or cancel your tickets. Usually, a solution can be worked out where you can claim compensation. In the UK, the national scheme Delay Repay helps reimburse passengers for unexpected delays, cancellations and disruptions. Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about strikes and disruptions in the UK and Europe below. 

• What should I do if my service is canceled because of a strike?

  When a travel company announces a strike, they will either send you an email directly to tell you your trip may be impacted, or they will inform us, and we will send you an email with all the information you need. If you’re informed that your trip was or will be canceled, please contact our Customer Service team for further assistance. Find more info here.

• When can I claim compensation for a delayed or canceled service?

  If your booking includes a single ticket for multiple connections operated by the same EU train operator, then the EU train operator should guarantee your connection by offering you either a full reimbursement or a rerouting option at no additional costs (except in some cases, such as force majeure events). You can find more detailed information about your rights here. If your booking includes at least two tickets corresponding to the various legs of the journey combined at Omio’s initiative, you may not have the option to be rerouted without extra charges, as each of your tickets represents a different transport contract, and you might need to buy a new ticket to continue your journey. It’s important to keep in mind that any compensation claims should be submitted separately for each transport contract. Omio will inform you before and after you finalize your booking if your connection(s) is not guaranteed. You can contact our Customer Support team via our contact page, and they can give you more information on how to make a claim.

• I booked a train journey in the EU, and my train was delayed. What compensation am I entitled to?

  In case of delays, you can request compensation from the EU train operator as below 25% of the value of the affected part of the journey, for a delay between 60 and 119 minutes included. 50% of the value of the affected part of the journey, for a delay of 120 minutes or more. You can contact our Customer Support team via our contact page, and they will provide you with more information on how to make a claim.

• What if I miss a connection due to a strike or disruption?

  If it is a through ticket (one operator for the whole trip) then the travel company will usually allow the customer to catch the next connection. 

  If it is a connected journey (where the connections are not guaranteed) then nothing will be offered, other than the usual compensation for the delay of the affected leg, if within conditions. 

  Find more info in the “Through-Ticket and Connected Journey” section on the Passenger Rights Regulations page.

• What are my passenger rights?

  Read about your passenger rights on this page.

• Can I get a refund or travel on a different day?

  Depends on the type of disruption, and what the conditions of the travel company are. You can contact our Customer Support team via our contact page, and they will provide you with more information on if and how to make a claim.

• Can I get a refund for a delayed or rescheduled journey?

  Depends on the length of delay, and the travel company you are traveling with.

• Can I use my Standard Class ticket to travel in First Class if my journey is disrupted?

  Not usually. This depends on the conditions set out by the travel company.

• Will you refund my taxi or hotel if strike action affects my service?

  Some travel companies will offer additional compensation depending on the severity of the disruption.

• I need to get to an alternative train station to start my journey because of strike action. Will my car park season ticket be valid?

  This would be a question for the car park company you have the season ticket with. Please contact them to find out more.

• Will I be able to get a full refund on my tickets if I do not travel?

  Yes, if you did not complete your journey, you can request a refund via our Customer Service team.

• I have a season ticket. Can I get a refund for the days I can’t travel because of a strike?

  For UK Rail, it depends on the train operator and the type of disruption. Delay Repay might be possible to claim compensation or a discount. 

  For other travel companies, it depends on the conditions of the season ticket.

• Can I use my ticket to travel on another day if I cannot travel because of a strike?

  Usually yes, but it depends on the travel company’s validity conditions. This information will be shown in the help center when a disruption is announced.

• I have a Flexi Season ticket, can I claim a refund?

  For UK Rail, it depends on the train operator and type of disruption. Delay Repay might be possible.

• Will rail tickets be valid on local bus services?

  Not usually. Depends on the conditions set by the travel company, so please check directly with them.

• Can I use an off-peak ticket to travel on any train?

  Any off-peak train, yes. Off-peak times vary depending on the train company.

• Can I book passenger assistance to travel?

  Yes, find more info on our FAQ page here.

• Can I buy a ticket on strike days?

  If there are still trains running, yes. However, expect delays and busy services.

• What is Delay Repay?

  Delay Repay is a UK national scheme, utilized by train companies to reimburse passengers for unexpected delays and cancellations. If your National Rail service causes you to arrive late at your destination because of such disruptions, you are eligible to claim Delay Repay compensation. The compensation amount varies based on the train operator and applies to delays of either 15 minutes or 30 minutes, calculated against the normal or pre-published amended timetable. Claims can be made up to 28 days after the journey, irrespective of the cause of the delay.

• Which train operators offer Delay Repay?
  • Avanti West Coast
  •  C2C
  • Caledonian Sleeper
  • Chiltern Railways
  • CrossCountry
  • East Midlands Railway
  • Gatwick Express
  • Grand Central Railway
  • London North East Railway
  • London Northwestern Railway, Lumo
  • Merseyrail
  • Northern
  • ScotRail
  • Southeastern
  • Southern
  • South Western Railway
  • Greater Anglia
  • Great Northern
  • Great Western Railway
  • Hull Trains
  • Thameslink
  • TransPennine Express
  • Transport for Wales
  • West Midlands Railway
  • Stansted Express.
• How much is Delay Repay?

  UK train companies have varying compensation schemes based on factors like delay duration, ticket type, and fare cost, ensuring passengers can claim compensation when trains are delayed, with options including monetary refunds, rail vouchers, and adherence to the National Rail Conditions of Travel and individual operator’s Passenger’s Charter guidelines.

• What do I need to claim Delay Repay?

  To claim Delay Repay efficiently and accurately, you’ll typically need to complete a claim form on the train company’s website and have ready: a scan or photo of your ticket (including the barcode for e-tickets), a scan of your photo card for season ticket holders, your e-ticket receipt or booking confirmation with details like the booking reference, journey specifics, and fare paid, and if you’ve lost your ticket, a receipt showing journey details and the price paid.

• If I abandon my journey due to disruption, should I claim Delay Repay compensation?

  No, if the journey was not completed then customers cannot claim Delay Repay. You will need to contact our Customer Service team.

 How can travel union strikes cause disruptions?

One of the main reasons rail strikes, train strikes, flight strikes or even ferry and bus strikes happen is because a union called for a strike. This can be for many reasons, such as pay disputes or wanting better working conditions. For example, when a train driver union or pilot union calls a strike, the union members are expected to join the strike. This means there isn’t anyone to drive the trains or planes, and it can also mean there isn’t anyone to man stations or airports. This can cause disruptions to services, as well as have a knock-on effect on other services. 

• Why have there been strikes?

  Train strikes, rail strikes and flight strikes normally happen because a union has called for one. This is because they have a dispute over pay or working conditions.

   

• What other reasons can cause travel disruptions?

  Industrial action isn’t the only reason for disruptions. There are many other reasons for cancellations or delays. These include: 

  • An extreme weather event
  • Construction work 
  • Technical issues 
  • Staff shortages 
  • Traffic Control issues (applicable to flights only)
• What to do if a strike or disruption in the EU affects you?

  If a strike has affected your journey, there are several things you can do. If you still need to travel on the day of the industrial strike when you can rebook tickets for another transport type.
  
  You’ll also receive an email from Omio or the company you’re traveling with, explaining how to claim a refund. It’s always worth checking your passenger rights, as you could be eligible for vouchers or expenses when you’ve had to wait for your journey. 

• How can I avoid cancellations?

  Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can’t avoid a strike or cancellation.
  However, there are a few things you can try:

  • Book the earliest train: delays can have a knock-on effect, so later journeys are more like to be canceled or delayed.

  • Book a direct route: having to change can be stressful if there is a delay on one leg of your journey

  • Choose a route with multiple journeys that day: in case of delays, you can take the next available journey
  • Buy flexible tickets: yes it’s annoying to have to pay more, but if the time comes, they’re a godsend.
• Reasons for strikes and travel disruptions

  Why have there been strikes? There are many for strikes and travel disruptions, but the most common reasons are: 

  • Construction work
  • Technical issues
  • Staffing shortages 
  • Union, worker and employer strikes 
  • Security issues
  • Traffic control issues
  • Technical issues
  • Weather and nature events
• Tips to avoid strike effects

  There are some things you can do to avoid the stress of a rail strike (or any industrial strike, for that matter). 

  • Avoid peak travel times: when strikes happen, they’re often over weekends or busy travel periods, as this is when they cause the most disruptions. If you can, travel on quieter days and times. 
  • Get flexible tickets and/or insurance: If a strike happens when you’re traveling, at least you’ll have peace of mind about getting a refund.
  • Consider another way to travel: Say there’s a rail strike, perhaps you could take a bus to your destination instead? With Omio, you can easily search for alternative ways to travel during a strike.