Need to get from Aix-en-Provence to Avignon via train on Sunday, October 1st for a river cruise. How much notice is usually given for a rail strike? Enough to book a private driver in the event of a strike? Would “surge pricing” bite me?
Wondering if I should book a private driver anyway since it’s critical I arrive on time. I prefer not to arrive in Avignon the day before if at all possible.
gparvin,
In case you hire a driver, it takes about 1 1/2-2 hours from Aix-en-Provence to Avignon. Don't know about cost, but the driver has to return to Aix empty, so I am guessing it isn't cheap. There is a TGV train that takes just under half an hour. Be aware that there are 2 train stations in Avignon, one for TGV and one Avignon centre. I don't know which one would be best for your cruise departure location.
Re strikes, I don't know how much lead time there is in notification.
Train strikes in France must be announced at least five days in advance, giving plenty of time to adjust travel plans if one should occur. For most train strikes, the notice is given weeks in advance.
During the train strike on May 5, 90 percent of all high-speed TGV trains ran on schedule . Some local trains are guaranteed to run even during a strike.
Really no need to worry about a strike at this point in time.
Thank you Judy & Kenko. I appreciate your response. Didn't realize that much notice is given.
The unions may announce they have filed a strike motion weeks in advance (partially as a way of pressuring the government to negotiate in the interim). I think the absolute latest they can file a strike motion is five days before they plan to strike.
By law, the union workers who plan to actually strike have to notify their management by 48 hours ahead of the planned strike.
At that point, the SNCF (French rail company) takes that info (the declarations by each employee who plans to strike) assesses it, and creates its alternative minimum service schedule, which is usually released the evening (about 5 pm) before the strike.
The hard thing to guess at is : some strikes end up being a huge deal, and some totally fizzle. And of course it's impossible to know ahead of time. (People who have been around a while watching these things can make educated guesses, but of course that is not an advantage afforded the visitor.) So - just because a strike has been announced doesn't mean it will be problematic. On the other hand, it definitely CAN be!!!
Just returned from France and we were affected by a couple transit strikes. Didn't want the headache of not knowing if the train we wanted would be affected, so we used Flixbus three times. Comfortable, with an emergency on-board toilet. And it has to be loads cheaper than a private driver.
