Lorraine Williamson
Train passengers across Spain are already adjusting their plans days before next week’s national rail stoppage, with commuters, students and holidaymakers preparing for uncertainty between 9 and 11 February. What began as a labour dispute has quickly become a source of everyday anxiety for people trying to get to work, catch flights or visit family.
For many travellers, the concern is not just whether trains will run, but how reliable services will be once minimum service levels come into effect. Even when partial timetables are announced, past strikes have shown that cancellations, delays and overcrowding often follow.
Plans changing before the strike even begins
Across major cities, commuters are exploring alternatives. Some are considering working from home. Others are planning to drive earlier than usual or share lifts with colleagues. Students with exams or lectures scheduled next week are also watching developments closely.
Families travelling during the February half-term period face a different dilemma. Many booked long-distance rail tickets weeks ago. Now they are weighing whether to switch to buses, hire cars or simply leave much earlier than planned.
Airport connections are a particular worry. Travellers relying on commuter trains to reach Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat or Málaga airport are being advised informally to allow far more time than usual. For early flights, some are already choosing to stay overnight near the airport rather than risk morning cancellations.
A familiar pattern of uncertainty
While the government will set minimum service levels, these do not always translate into predictable journeys. Reduced frequencies during peak hours can quickly lead to crowded platforms and longer waits. That uncertainty tends to be what unsettles travellers most.
Regular commuters say the lack of clarity in the days leading up to strikes often creates more stress than the strike itself. Many only discover the exact impact on their route 24 to 48 hours before travel.
Transport experts note that Spain’s rail network is heavily used for daily commuting as well as long-distance travel. When services are cut back, even temporarily, the knock-on effects can stretch well beyond the days of official industrial action.
Practical steps travellers are taking
Some passengers are now checking train updates several times a day. Others are booking refundable tickets or identifying backup routes in case their usual service is cancelled. Long-distance travellers are also monitoring coach and car-share availability, which tends to fill quickly during rail strikes.
For those with fixed commitments such as work shifts, medical appointments or exams, the safest option may be to travel earlier than usual or build in extra time. While not everyone can change plans easily, preparing for delays is becoming the common approach.
Waiting for clarity
Negotiations between unions and the government continue, but with only days to go, many travellers are assuming disruption is inevitable. Until final service levels and timetables are confirmed, uncertainty is likely to remain the dominant mood.
For now, the best advice being shared among passengers is simple: check routes regularly, have a backup plan and allow extra time. Even a limited strike can ripple across the network, and for thousands of travellers, the anxiety has already begun.
Sources: El País, Europa Press, Cadena SER