Several European spring and summer destinations will experience train disruptions this year, so visitors need to be aware and plan ahead.
Across the continent, transportation strikes aren’t uncommon. National and/or regional occurrences often impact both locals and tourists. This year, travel disruptions and inconveniences during spring and summer are compounded by the European Union’s transition into and establishment of its Entry/Exit System (EES).
On April 11, national 24-hour railway union strikes in Italy will cause multiple disruptions to the country’s national railway network. According to Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the trade unions striking on that day are the National Assembly of RFI (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana) Infrastructure Maintenance Workers, and those affiliated with COBAS (Confederazione dei Comitati di Base). An additional COBAS-connected strike will also occur nationwide on April 13 for 4 hours. Various unions have scheduled strikes impacting local and regional public transport throughout the rest of the month and into mid-May.
Between April 7 and 10, De Lijn, the bus and tram operator in Belgium, went on strike, disrupting travel in the Flanders region, home to Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges. The United Kingdom currently has an advisory for its citizens, warning them that across Belgium, “Strike action is an ongoing issue that can cause travel disruption.” The U.K government further claims that strikes in Belgium may be announced and extended at short notice. Moreover, travelers to Belgium should “Monitor local news and check with your provider regarding potential delays and closures.” Also, per the source, tourists should know that strikes in Belgium “can coincide with demonstrations and protests,” though mostly peaceful.
How To Prepare For And Navigate Europe’s Train Disruptions
One of the best ways to safeguard your itinerary is to reserve flexible travel options at the time of booking, especially if you already know that transit disruptions in Europe will affect your train vacation.
For the smoothest travels, remain up to date with information from the train service or rail operator that you’ll be traveling with. The faster you get information from them that impacts your itinerary, the quicker you’ll be able to pivot, rebook, or plan accordingly. Also, pay attention to national transportation news in your travel area, as you’ll want to stay aware of the status of ongoing or upcoming strikes. Taking these measures will help you know when and where train routes will be disrupted.
To get real-time updates, strongly consider downloading your train carrier’s official app. You’ll likely find it a useful and supportive tool both before and during your travels. At the bare minimum, store the transportation operator’s customer service information so you can contact a representative if necessary. You can also regularly check for updates on social media, though you may need to translate some posts. Always rely on information sourced directly from the train operator itself or legitimate news sources.
Another helpful safeguard is having a detailed backup plan. Before traveling, you’ll want to fully understand what that alternative will look like in terms of logistics, execution, route, and convenience. In practical terms, map out where you might need to pivot from your anticipated train route. Doing so will help you feel confident that even if you can’t travel by train or your itinerary experiences delays, it won’t ruin the entire trip. Moreover, you’ll be more mentally prepared in the event you do face disruptions and the need to reroute. Alternate travel options may include rail, buses, or cars.
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