What to Do If Train Strikes Threaten Your Europe Trip

What do you do when a train strike suddenly threatens your carefully planned trip? With some quick thinking and a bit of flexibility, you can overcome the hurdles of train strikes, ensuring your trip plans are as flawless as planned. Drawing from personal experiences, years of traveling and living across Europe, and tips from fellow travelers, here's a guide to keeping your Europe trip on track, even when the trains are not.

Avoid the Train Strikes in a Rental Car

If you catch wind of a looming strike, act fast and rent a car as soon as possible. Snag a rental car as soon as the news hits. National and international companies are readily available at airports and major cities, but remember to check regional options for potentially better deals.

Alternatively, you could opt for a modern app-based solution like Turo. If you're unfamiliar with it, consider Turo as the Airbnb for cars. It's an app that connects you with people looking to rent out their vehicles. Browse the app, find the perfect ride for your needs, book it, and voila – the owner provides instructions on where to find the car and how to unlock it.

We've used Turo in the US, Canada, and Australia with great success, and it offers a smooth and affordable alternative. (Keep in mind that Turo's availability in Europe is currently limited to the UK and France.)

Flixbus to the Rescue

This one's straight from our own travelogue! Last year's German train strike threatened to throw a wrench in our Christmas market plans. Just a day before our Frankfurt-bound train was due, a chat with fellow market-goers in Nuremberg revealed the news of the strike as well as the saving grace: Flixbus!

We snagged the last two seats on the first bus out the following day. Flixbus is your classic tour bus – show up 15-20 minutes early, let the driver handle your luggage, and settle into your assigned seat. Standard carry-on bags won't fit in the overhead compartments, so pack light and bring only a small backpack for your seat. All that's left for you to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Carpool with a Local with BlaBlaCar

Are you not up to driving on European roads? Try BlaBlaCar - the revolutionary carpool service akin to renting an Airbnb room in a shared Airbnb home but for shared rides. This service is incredibly popular in Europe, providing a novel approach to carpooling where you can book a seat with someone already heading in the direction you need to go. This isn't just carpooling; it's carpooling evolved into a new era.

Europe has embraced this innovative concept wholeheartedly, and it's easy to see why. It offers an outstanding opportunity to meet new people, share stories and experiences, and travel to your destination with a personal touch that's hard to find elsewhere. Whether looking for a cost-effective way to travel, eager to meet new people, or simply searching for an adventure on the road, BlaBlaCar has you covered.

Hire a Driver

If you want to go a little more buttoned up than a BlaBlaCar but still want to avoid driving yourself, we've got just the solution. With at least a few days' notice, consider hiring a private driver through Viator or GetTransfer! These services offers a highly personalized touch to your travel itinerary, allowing you to explore the sights at your own leisurely pace without the constraints of public transportation schedules or strikes. Perfect for a stress-free and personalized journey.

Fly Above the Train Strikes

In crunch times, catching a flight can become the ultimate solution. Surprisingly, flying can sometimes be more cost-effective than expected, especially for European international routes. While trains offer scenic journeys, flights provide speed and efficiency, which is particularly useful when pressed for time. Just remember, it's worth noting that getting to the airport might require a touch of creativity – consider using GetTransfer or a rideshare like Uber, Bolt, or FreeNow to get you to the airport during the strike.

Schedule In Flexibility

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, particularly when trains, those reliable symbols of punctuality and efficiency, decide to take an unscheduled break. This can throw even the most meticulously planned travel itineraries into disarray. If your vacation time allows for some wiggle room, consider building in a buffer of a day or two. Train strikes, though inconvenient, are often short-lived, typically lasting anywhere from 8-48 hours.

By incorporating a little flexibility into your plans, you might enjoy an unexpected extended stay in a city you've already grown to love. This can transform what could have been a stressful scramble for last-minute changes into an opportunity for deeper exploration and enjoyment. Not only does this approach save you from the hassle of rearranging your plans at the eleventh hour, but it also allows you to immerse yourself more fully in the culture and rhythm of a new place, turning a potential travel mishap into a memorable part of your journey.