This is a silly question most likely. But I'm wondering if there is a way to know if there will be a rail strike ahead of time. Or they don't post this information until it's very close to the strke date?
Thanks for being kind.

TTT

They usually don't post any information about strikes until the day it happens (at 5 am when all the trains start). Same thing with the Paris Métro and RER. Go to http://www.infolignes.com/ to find out about delays and strikes. It will tell you (usually), which trains are cancelled. http://www.ratp.info/orienter/trafic.php will tell you about Métro and RER strikes, and www.abcdtrain.com will show you schedules during a strike.

Thanks for the reply, TransitBuddy. I posted this question on another site and I got conflicting information. Some say the same as you that strikes happen all the time. But the long-distance trains do still run just not as frequent. Others say that July is vacation time and strikes haven't occured during July. So I'm still left wondering. I guess I should just take my chances...

Here in Spain, Renfe website use to announce the strikes with a bit of advance, maybe 15 days.
But even on strike , as someone told you, long-distance trains run everyday, just not so frequent. (example, if there are 5 trains, sure 2 will run. If there's only one, it will run for sure).
And yes, it's very strange a strike in July-August when most employees are on vacation
Just don't worry too much for strikes, they are not so often, I swear it

Thank you Kenderina. I am becoming paranoid unnecessarily!

Hi franc,

>..strikes happen all the time. But the long-distance trains do still run just not as frequent.<

That is true whenever there is a strike of any sort. They don't shut down everything. If they did, people would demand that they stop striking all the time.

I should have considered that first, Ira! Thanks.

Actually, it's generally announced some days before. But I don't know if they mention strikes on their web sites (it's normally announced on radio, TV, etc..).

Also, the strike can be more or less complete. Yes, part of the long distance trains might be still running. But how many???

Legally I was thinking that they have to announce the strike a certain amount of time in advance- this could be only 24hrs. Strikes are so frequent in France- especially with the SNCF, I almost go to the gare expecting one. Go to SNCF's website and that is where you will find any information on upcoming "greves" or strikes.

That's what I was afraid of. If you need to be at your destination (long-distance) the day of the strike then you're stuck?! The SNCF website posts news but in French only. Their English site is so limited. And no use to email them as they don't seem to respond.

No, you don't have to be stuck. You just ask in your hotel the day before, they should know or they can call SNCF for your peace of mind. And the coach buses jump of joy when the trains are on strike, they usually put more buses to cope with the demand It's not as confortable but..

Sorry, I meant the coach companies !!

Thanks again kenderina. But my journey is over 3 hours by train. It's from Paris to eastern France.

Dear f,

Don't obsess over something that might not happen.

Go. Enjoy. If there is a train strike, you will work something out.

When we were in Italy in Sept, 2003 the power went out for the entire country. No trains were running anywhere.

We were able to hire a car.