October 17, 2026 — Spain’s train drivers’ union, Semaf, has called a 24-hour strike across the entire Renfe group on Thursday, October 29. It would hit commuter, regional, long-distance and high-speed trains nationwide, and it comes a day before the first of several strikes by drivers at low-cost high-speed operator Ouigo.
Renfe strike: Thursday, October 29
- Union: Sindicato de Maquinistas Semaf, representing train drivers across all Renfe group companies.
- Hours: 24 hours, from 00:01 to 23:59.
- Services affected: Cercanías commuter trains (Rodalies in Catalonia), Media Distancia regional trains, and long-distance and high-speed services.
- Minimum services: Not yet set (TBA). In past strikes they have been published a few days beforehand.
- Why: Semaf says talks before the conflict commission failed and that the Transport Ministry, infrastructure manager Adif, the rail safety agency AESF and Renfe have confirmed an “administrative blockade” of earlier agreements. Its demands cover rail safety, emergency procedures for severe weather, hiring new drivers, support for drivers after accidents, and train reliability.
- Renfe’s response: Renfe says it has met its commitments under a February agreement reached after the Adamuz accident, including plans to recruit up to 1,200 more staff, and that it regrets the impact on passengers.
- Could it be called off? No agreement had been reached when the strike was announced; it could still be cancelled if talks succeed (TBA).
Other rail and national strikes ahead
| Date | Who | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 29 | Renfe drivers (Semaf) | 24 hours, all Renfe services |
| Fri Oct 30 | Ouigo drivers (Semaf) | 24 hours |
| Mon Nov 2 | Ouigo drivers (Semaf) | 24 hours |
| Fri Nov 6, Mon Nov 9 | Ouigo drivers (Semaf) | Partial stoppages, hours TBA |
| Wed Nov 11 | UGT and CCOO union federations | 24-hour general strike over housing |
| Fri Dec 4, Tue Dec 8 | Ouigo drivers (Semaf) | Partial stoppages, hours TBA |
Ouigo runs high-speed trains from Madrid to Barcelona, Zaragoza, Tarragona, Valencia, Alicante, Seville, Málaga, Córdoba, Valladolid and other cities. The November 11 general strike, the first joint general strike by Spain’s two largest union federations in 14 years according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, could also affect flights, metros and buses.
What it means for airline travelers
- If your trip depends on a train from Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat or another airport on October 29 or 30, plan a backup such as a bus, taxi or a domestic flight, and remember standby seats on domestic flights may fill as rail passengers switch.
- Airport rail links run on Cercanías/Rodalies lines, which are included in the October 29 strike. Check the minimum-service timetable once Renfe publishes it.
- Buy flexible or refundable rail tickets for late October and early November, and check Renfe and Ouigo for cancellations and rebooking options.
- Avoid tight connections between a flight and a train on any of the dates above.
- If you are thinking of a trip around November 11, build in an extra day in case of flight, metro and road disruption.
Sources
- Telemadrid — Convocada una huelga de maquinistas de Renfe para el 29 de octubre
- Euro Weekly News — Renfe to go on strike: major travel disruption alert in Spain
- Moncloa.com — Semaf convoca una huelga de 24 horas en Renfe el 29 de octubre: Rodalies de Catalunya, afectada
- Artículo 14 — Huelga en Ouigo durante tres puentes: Semaf convoca paros entre el 30 de octubre y el 8 de diciembre
- Majorca Daily Bulletin — Travelling to Spain next month? General strike could cause flight cancellations and transport delays
Get NonRev Travel News by email
A weekly recap newsletter, sent out every Sunday, with the airline, airport, cruise and travel-warning news that matters to airline employees and retirees. Free.
Subscribe free
