SNCF Strike: Which Trains Are Canceled for Christmas? What Are the Alternatives?

SNCF controllers’ strike will impact TGV and OuiGo train traffic leading up to Christmas. But in case of cancellations, carpooling or buses can make up for it.

This couldn’t come at a worse time. The SNCF strike continues even as Christmas approaches. The reason: disgruntled controllers unhappy with their working conditions, sometimes alone on a train carrying hundreds of passengers. Although without union approval, many controllers will indeed strike this Christmas week. This will affect many trains across numerous regions.

Which trains are operating for Christmas during the SNCF strike?

Thus, SNCF announced the traffic forecast from December 22 at 8 p.m. to December 26, 2022. They specify that an average of 2 out of 3 TGVs will run on Friday, December 23, a situation that is “expected to” continue on Saturday and Sunday. This will mainly impact the North region, with only 1 train out of 2 running, compared to 3 out of 4 in the East and towards Switzerland, and 2 out of 3 on the Atlantic axis.

The social movement also affects Ouigo trains, with 3 out of 4 scheduled. Cancellations occur either departing from or arriving in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, or Montpellier. The details can be checked and viewed on this page.

https://www.ouigo.com/faq?question=mouvement-social-information-circulation

What options if my train is canceled?

The nightmare: just days before Christmas, your holiday plans fall apart because your train is canceled. What to do? First instinct, try to find a seat on another train, via SNCF Connect or another platform like Trainline. Also note that Intercités and international trains are not expected to have disruptions during these days.

But since many trains are already full or too expensive, you need to find an alternative. For other public transport, buses are a solution. Check routes on lines BlaBlaCar Bus and Flixbus. These journeys will likely be longer, but also more affordable compared to a TGV fare.

Also know that many cars will be on the road this Christmas period, either with only the driver or partially empty. Thousands of drivers have already listed their trips on carpooling platforms like BlaBlaCar. A way to save money and especially reduce the carbon footprint of a car already on the road.

As a last resort, car rental can save you at the last minute. However, short-term rental companies like Avis, Hertz, or E.Leclerc Location are in high demand and prices are steep.

Also read: Paris-Barcelona by train: what is the price for the new TGV line?