Renfe to go on strike: Major travel disruption alert in Spain

Renfe train drivers have called a 24-hour strike for Wednesday October 29 , raising the risk of cancellations and delays across Spain’s rail network, including Cercanías services (commuter trains) that many residents rely on for daily travel.

The Sindicato de Maquinistas Semaf announced the action this Friday. It will run from 00:01 to 23:59 and covers all driving staff in the Renfe Group. That means the stoppage applies to Cercanías (and Rodalies in Catalonia), Media Distancia, long-distance and high-speed trains.

Semaf says talks through the conflict commission failed and a meeting the same day with the Transport Ministry, Adif, the rail safety agency AESF and Renfe confirmed an “administrative blockade” of earlier agreements. The union wants progress on railway safety measures, weather-emergency protocols, hiring of new drivers, support after accidents or run-overs, and the reliability of trains. It claims the situation is still as stalled as it was in May.

Renfe has pushed back. The company says it has met all the commitments in a February agreement reached after the Adamuz accident (the deal that previously cancelled February strike plans). It highlighted the recruitment of up to 1,200 additional staff and said many remaining issues sit outside its direct control or are already moving through administrative channels. Renfe also said it regrets the possible impact on passengers.

The Renfe stoppage comes just before a separate series of strikes at Ouigo. Those include full 24-hour walkouts on 30 October and 2 November, plus later partial stoppages, timed around autumn long weekends. The two sets of action could add to travel uncertainty on some key routes.

Other major strikes to watch this month

• Ouigo drivers (Semaf): Full 24-hour strike on 30 October (plus 2 November and later partial days). Affects high-speed routes to/from Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Malaga, Sevilla and others.
• Barcelona-El Prat Airport (Groundforce ground handling): Ongoing indefinite strike since August. Minimum services until end of November; protests planned in Terminal 1 on 19 and 26 October. Can affect baggage and some flights.
• Madrid-Barajas Airport: Partial strikes by baggage-system maintenance staff on selected days, continuing until 30 November.
• Murcia Region: 24-hour bus and tram strikes every Thursday in October, including 22 and 29 October.
• Madrid public education: Indefinite teachers’ strike in Community of Madrid public schools and institutes, under way since around 14–15 October, with associated protests. Watch this, as it could easily spread to other regions.
• Doctors/healthcare: Coordinated medical actions (indefinite in some regions) around mid-October; status varies by autonomous community.
• A larger national general strike called by unions UGT and CCOO is set for 11 November (over wages, housing and prices).

What train passengers should do

Minimum services for the Renfe strike have not yet been decided. While high-speed and long-distance trains are often hit hardest in these actions, Cercanías and Rodalies services can also face significant reductions or cancellations, depending on driver turnout and the final minimum-service order. Commuters who depend on these local trains should plan accordingly. If you have travel plans or a regular commute around 29 October:

• Check the Renfe website or app regularly for updates on Cercanías, Media Distancia and other services.
• Prefer flexible or refundable tickets if you have not yet booked longer journeys.
• Consider alternatives such as Iryo (on high-speed routes), buses, metro or driving where available. (So far not on strike)
• Watch for official announcements from Renfe, Adif and the Transport Ministry closer to the date.
• Also monitor airport and local transport updates if travelling via Barcelona, Madrid-Barajas or Murcia around the same period.

The strike can still be called off if talks produce a deal, or its impact can be limited once minimum services are set. This is breaking news, so we will update this story as more information becomes available.