The Renfe Rail strike

[Julie H]

I just received notification about the coming rail strike September 11, 14 & 15. I was booked to be travelling from Barcelona to Pamplona on the 15th and this may now be disrupted. Can anyone advise me what other way there is to get to Pamplona and then to St Jean. I plan to start walking on the 16th, and have made a reservation at Orisson that night. Many thanks for any suggestions.

 

[PANO]

Bus-services: ALSA (https://www.alsa.es/en/), Monbus (http://www.monbus.cat/en/)
Flight: Unfortunately, Vueling has ceased to serve Pamplona and Iberia etc all fly BCN via MAD, just as long as the bus-ride and expensive.
Car-share: www.blablacar.es (Cheap if you can match timing, and you should speak at least some Spanish)
Car-Rental: make sense especially when you are several people.

Bonne chance

 

[Julie H]

Bus-services: ALSA (https://www.alsa.es/en/), Monbus (http://www.monbus.cat/en/)
Flight: Unfortunately, Vueling has ceased to serve Pamplona and Iberia etc all fly BCN via MAD, just as long as the bus-ride and expensive.
Car-share: www.blablacar.es (Cheap if you can match timing, and you should speak at least some Spanish)
Car-Rental: make sense especially when you are several people.

Bonne chance

Many thanks PANO, I will investigate all of the above. The adventure begins.......Just a bit earlier than planned

 

[Julie H]

Managed to acquire a seat on a bus through ALSA. Thanks again PANO for that info.

 

[Neil Thomas]

For anyone concerned. Legislation requires a large percentage of trains run during a rail strike. Simply look to the schedules. If your journey is scheduled, it runs. The indication on the RENFE site, if not running in the circumstances, is 'Tren no circula' or similar.

 

[Josephina81]

For anyone concerned. Legislation requires a large percentage of trains run during a rail strike. Simply look to the schedules. If your journey is scheduled, it runs. The indication on the RENFE site, if not running in the circumstances, is 'Tren no circula' or similar.

Thank you for this clarification! We are planning a train trip on the 15th, and it is scheduled, so I wasn't sure how that would work.

 

[Neil Thomas]

Thanks for the thanks.

 

[IngridF]

For anyone concerned. Legislation requires a large percentage of trains run during a rail strike. Simply look to the schedules. If your journey is scheduled, it runs. The indication on the RENFE site, if not running in the circumstances, is 'Tren no circula' or similar.

Good to know..tx

 

[Julie H]

Good news for any one concerned I just got confirmation that the Renfe rail strike was called off as if Sept. 11. All good for rail travel again. I made alternate bus travel arrangements thanks to PANO's advice. And fly out tomorrow will be on the trail September 16, and am totally beside myself with excitement now...my bags are packed and I'm ready to go.....

 

[Anniesantiago]

I would suggest anyone traveling in Western Europe to plan an extra day or two just in case of rail or bus strike, which can happen at any time.
Sometimes, you can team up with others and hire a taxi to get you to your destination.
But it's a lot more fun to just be flexible.

 

[DDG]

I just received notification about the coming rail strike September 11, 14 & 15. I was booked to be travelling from Barcelona to Pamplona on the 15th and this may now be disrupted. Can anyone advise me what other way there is to get to Pamplona and then to St Jean. I plan to start walking on the 16th, and have made a reservation at Orisson that night. Many thanks for any suggestions.

Hi
We are also taking train from Barcelona to Pamplona that day. What time is your trip?
How are you getting from Pamplona to SJDP?
How did you make train reservations?
Thanks
Diana

 

[Anniesantiago]

Also, Barcelona is a spectacular place to visit.
LOTS to see there!
You could just hang out there a few days until the strike has passed.

 

[Caminofácil]

For anyone concerned. Legislation requires a large percentage of trains run during a rail strike.

The spanish expression for this is "servicios mínimos" (minimum services). Just in case you need to ask about your train.

 

[Julie H]

Hi
We are also taking train from Barcelona to Pamplona that day. What time is your trip?
How are you getting from Pamplona to SJDP?
How did you make train reservations?
Thanks
Diana

Hi Diana, As it turned out I ended up booking a bus from Barcelona to Pamplona then on to SJPDP, (it connected beautifully,) as I was worried that the strike would make a mess of my reservation in Orisson on the night of the 16th. The options to SJPDP (from Pamplona) are the bus, service runs up to 5:30pm, and after that, a taxi, if you need to get there fast, but this is a bit pricey. Look back in this thread for PANO's advice on the bus. I used the ALSA bus company and was able to get seats easy. They say the rail strike is cancelled now, so it's still possible to book a train. (My original ticket was booked through LOCO.) Hope we can meet up somewhere that day. I will have both feet on the ground and be standing up right.....