Transport strikes and disruptions: planning a plan B

Key rules

• Minimum services: Even during a strike, a set share of trains, buses and flights must still run, and the share changes with each strike.
• Strike news: Check your operator's app and the Ministry of Transport or regional transport department the day before you travel.
• Proof: Keep receipts and evidence of the disruption, because every claim needs them.
• Flight connections: Book one ticket for the whole journey so the airline is responsible if you miss a connection.

Strikes rarely stop everything

Strikes are legal in Spain, but transport is an essential service. The government must set a minimum service that still runs. Without a plan B you can still get stuck, so check ahead and have a backup ready.

What minimum services mean

The minimum is a share of normal service, set separately for each strike. Typical levels in 2025 were:

• Renfe long-distance and high-speed trains: about 62-80%.
• Cercanías (commuter trains): about 66-75%, higher at peak hours.
• Urban buses and metros: often 25-50% off-peak and 60-80% at peak hours.
• Flights: 100% on some routes, such as those to and from the islands and Ceuta and Melilla, and typically 50-80% on others.

The Ministry of Transport sets the minimums for national services like Renfe and flights. Regional or city governments set them for local services. Check the percentages for the strike you are facing.

Where to find strike news

• Ministry of Transport website: minimum-service decisions for Renfe, track operator Adif, air traffic and airports.
• Regional transport departments and official gazettes: local services.
• Operator websites and apps: Renfe, Ouigo, Iryo, Aena (airports), your airline, Metro de Madrid, TMB, EMT and other local operators.

Check your operator's app the day before and again before you leave. Strike notices usually appear several days ahead.

Getting money back

Flights. EU rules cover flights leaving an EU airport, and flights arriving in the EU on an EU airline. You can get €250, €400 or €600, depending on distance, if you arrive 3 hours or more late or the airline cancelled with less than 14 days' notice. There is no payment if the cause was extraordinary, such as a strike by outside staff or severe weather. Even then, the airline must still give you care (meals, accommodation if needed) and a refund or re-routing. Claim from the airline first. If it refuses, go to AESA, the Spanish air safety agency, or the courts.

High-speed trains. On Renfe high-speed trains you get 50% of the ticket back for a delay of 15-29 minutes and 100% for 30 minutes or more. This covers AVE, Avlo and Alvia. Ouigo and Iryo have similar rules under their own conditions. Claim on the operator's website or app, or at a station, within the time limit in the conditions. Cercanías and Media Distancia trains have a separate scheme that pays out after longer delays.

Your plan B

• Trains: Renfe usually sets up replacement buses. You can also try another operator on the same route (Renfe, Ouigo or Iryo).
• Long distance: coaches such as ALSA or FlixBus, car sharing such as BlaBlaCar, or a rental car.
• Commuting: ask your employer about working from home that day.
• Flights: the airline must rebook you on its next flight free of charge. You could also use a nearby airport or a train.
• Connections: allow extra time. Book the whole journey on one ticket so the airline is responsible if you miss a connection.
• Proof: keep receipts and evidence of the disruption (screenshots, notices, boarding passes) for any claim.

Use the decision, timeline and questions below to pick your next step.

Choosing between options

What should you do when a strike or delay hits your trip?

• Keep your plan and expect reduced service: Your service is covered by a minimum-service resolution, so a share of trains, buses or flights still runs, usually more at peak hours.

• Switch to another way of travelling: Your service is running at a low share or is cancelled. Try a coach, a replacement bus, another rail operator, car sharing or a rental car, or work remotely that day.

• Claim compensation or a refund: Your flight arrives 3 hours or more late or was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice and the cause was not extraordinary, or your high-speed train was delayed 15 minutes or more.

Check the minimum-service resolution first. If your service still runs, keep your plan. If not, switch, and keep receipts and proof of the disruption to claim afterwards. A strike by outside staff or severe weather can rule out flight compensation.

Timeline and deadlines

• Flight cancelled: compensation applies if the airline told you less than 14 days before departure: less than 14 days before departure

• Flight delayed: compensation applies if you arrive 3 hours or more late: 3 hours or more at arrival

• High-speed train delayed: ask for 100% of the ticket back: delay of 30 minutes or more

• Make the train claim on the operator's website, app or at a station: within the time limit in the ticket conditions

Frequently asked questions

Who sets how many services must run during a transport strike?

The government sets the minimum services by resolution: the Ministry of Transport for Renfe and flights, and the regional government for regional and urban services. Unions must respect it, though they can challenge the percentages in court. Percentages are set separately for each strike, so read the resolution for your strike.

Where can I find official strike dates and service changes?

Official minimum-service resolutions are published by the Ministry of Transport for Renfe, ADIF, air traffic and Aena, and by regional gazettes or transport departments for local services. Operators such as Renfe, Aena, airlines, Metro de Madrid, TMB and EMT post their service plans on their own sites and apps. Ouigo and Iryo do the same.

Can I claim compensation for a flight cancelled because of a strike?

Sometimes: compensation of €250, €400 or €600 is due for cancellations with less than 14 days' notice, unless there were extraordinary circumstances such as a strike by outside staff. The airline must still give you care and a refund or re-routing. Claim first with the airline, then with AESA, the Spanish air safety agency, or the courts.

How can I avoid being stranded if I miss a flight connection?

Book one ticket for the whole journey, so the airline is responsible if you miss a connection. Allow longer connection times when strikes are possible.