Train drivers in Spain have called two separate strikes that land on the next few long weekends. The first, at Renfe, falls on Thursday 29 October. The second, at the low-cost high-speed operator Ouigo, runs on six days between 30 October and 8 December.
What’s happening
Renfe, Thursday 29 October. The drivers’ union Semaf has called a 24-hour strike across the Renfe Group, from 00:01 to 23:59. It covers driving staff, so high-speed AVE and Avlo, long-distance, medium-distance and Cercanías commuter trains (Rodalies in Catalonia) could all be affected. Semaf says safety and staffing commitments agreed in February have stalled. Renfe says it has kept to that agreement and regrets the possible impact on passengers.
Ouigo, 30 October to 8 December. Semaf has also called Ouigo drivers out in a separate dispute over the company’s collective agreement. Full-day strikes are set for Friday 30 October and Monday 2 November. Partial stoppages follow on Friday 6 November, Monday 9 November, Friday 4 December and Tuesday 8 December, from 06:00 to 12:00 and from 18:00 to 23:59. Ouigo runs high-speed services linking Madrid with Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Seville and Málaga, among others. It says it remains open to talks.
As of the latest reports, the Ministry of Transport had not published minimum service levels for either strike. Those decide how many trains still run. Iryo, the third high-speed operator, is not on strike.
What it means for your weekend
The dates cluster around Spain’s holiday weekends. All Saints’ Day falls on Sunday 1 November, so 29 October to 2 November is a busy travel window. 9 November is a holiday in Madrid, and the December dates frame the Constitution Day and Immaculate Conception holidays.
If you’re flying into Madrid or Barcelona for a city break and staying put, the main risk is Cercanías trains from the airport on 29 October. A Madrid–Barcelona or Madrid–Seville rail hop on a strike day is the plan most exposed. Strikes can still be called off if talks make progress, and not every train will be cancelled.
What to do
- Keep your ticket for now. Reports advise waiting for the operator to confirm if your train runs, then using the change or refund options offered if it’s cancelled.
- Check renfe.com or ouigo.com/es in the days before travel, and again on the morning itself.
- On a strike day, consider an Iryo train, or travel the day before.
- Keep booking confirmations in case you need to claim.
Planning Spain this autumn? See our Barcelona guide, Seville weekend guide and best holiday destinations in Spain. More updates are on our news page.
Sources
- SEMAF strike notice, 16 Oct 2026: https://www.semaf.org/informaciones/huelga-grupo-renfe-29-octubre/
- Merca2, Renfe strike details and Ouigo stoppage hours (18 October 2026)
- Artículo14, Ouigo strike calendar (8 October 2026)
- Demócrata, Renfe’s response to the strike call (16 October 2026)
- Merca2, Ouigo’s position and minimum services request (17 October 2026)
- Euro Weekly News, strike overview (16 October 2026)
