Thursday 5 November is shaping up as a difficult day to travel by train in France. All four representative unions at SNCF, the national rail operator, have called staff out on the same day, a rare united front from CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots.
What’s happening
The rail call is part of a wider national day of strikes and demonstrations on 5 November. The CGT rail federation describes it as a "great joint, cross-sector day of strikes and demonstrations". SUD-Rail is calling for "a total strike on the railways". The CFDT has also filed a strike notice for public-sector staff on the same day.
The rail unions are asking for a general pay rise, higher bonuses and an extra month’s salary for all rail workers. They also cite staff shortages and cuts to network budgets. A union rally is planned for Tuesday 3 November in Saint-Denis, where SNCF has its headquarters.
As of 24 October, no start or end times had been published. The union calls we checked describe a one-day action, not a rolling strike.
Which trains could be hit
French press reports say TGV InOui, Ouigo, Intercités and regional TER trains could all be affected. Some international services run jointly with SNCF may be hit too. In and around Paris, RER and Transilien suburban lines are also at risk. As of 23 October, no strike notice had been announced at RATP, which runs the Paris metro.
How many trains run will depend on how many staff walk out. Staff must give 48 hours’ notice, and SNCF usually publishes its revised timetables by 5pm the day before. For this strike, that means Wednesday 4 November.
What it means for your weekend
A Thursday strike mostly affects anyone starting a long weekend early: a Thursday TGV from Paris to Lyon, Bordeaux or Marseille, or a Thursday train to the airport. Friday-to-Sunday trips should be largely unaffected unless the strike is extended, which nobody has announced.
Things can still change. Talks on pay are due before the strike, and press reports say the call could be reviewed if they produce concrete offers.
What to do
- Check SNCF Connect from 5pm on Wednesday 4 November for your train’s status.
- If you can, travel on Wednesday or move your departure to Friday.
- For Paris airport transfers on Thursday, allow extra time, as RER B to Charles de Gaulle may run fewer trains.
- Eurostar and international passengers should check their operator’s travel alerts before leaving.
Planning France this autumn? See our Paris weekend guide, things to do in France and Christmas markets by train from London. More updates are on our news page.
Sources
- SUD-Rail (union), "Le 5 novembre une grève totale dans le ferroviaire": https://sudrail.fr/LE-5-NOVEMBRE-UNE-GREVE-TOTALE-DANS-LE-FERROVIAIRE
- CGT-Cheminots (union) news page, 5 November call: https://www.cheminotcgt.fr/
- CFDT, public-sector strike notice for 5 November 2026 (20 October 2026): https://uffa.cfdt.fr/sinformer/mobilisations/mobilisation-du-5-novembre-2026-preavis-de-greve
- The Connexion, French rail unions join growing 5 November strike (20 October, updated 24 October 2026)
- TourMaG, SNCF unions call a strike on 5 November (16 October 2026)
- Sortiraparis, SNCF strike on 5 November, latest updates (23 October 2026)
