I have train reservations from Brussels to Paris may 31 and from Paris to Lyon June 2. Thoughts on how this could affect me?
I'm confused--how what could affect you? Have you been notified by SNCF of cancellations/delays? If not, proceed with your trips as scheduled. If you're concerned about strikes, the next one is scheduled for June 6.
Ah, I see, there is a transportation strike planned on May 31. The same advice goes, I think--SNCF will notify you if your train has been cancelled.
The SNCF strike is May 31, but Brussels to Paris is on Thalys trains, not SNCF. If you haven't received a notice of cancellation, nothing has changed.
BTW, SNCF does go from CDG airport to Brussels. Thalys goes between Paris and Brussels.
No strike on June 2.
However, Thalys (which is now part of Eurostar group) is majority owned by SNCF, so those trains can be affected when there are SNCF strikes.
To the OP: they won't be able to tell you anything until tomorrow evening at the earliest; however, you can take heart in knowing that the recent strikes have not been as heavily subscribed, thus meaning that only a percentage of trains have been cancelled. Which in turn means that even if your train ends up being cancelled, they usually offer you options on a train at a different time.
While that can still be annoying, of course, after you have carefully planned, it's a lot better than being left high and dry.
I hope you won't have any issues this week !
Didn't know that, Kim.
What bus companies go between Brussels and Paris in case the OP has a cancelled train?
BlaBlaCar ride-sharing is another possibility. I used it during a strike in April.
Just went through this trying to get to Berlin from Amsterdam and our train was on a strike day -- strike got called at last minute but our train still didn't run. I spent a lot of time on line finding alternatives. One thing I found was that all buses were sold out for my trip on the days I needed. When it finally settled down, literally the morning of my trip -- my train was cancelled but I was able to get there on an earlier train with a different transfer point -- ended up in Berlin close to my original plans.
You need to know how it all works. IN Germany you don't rebook, you can book seat reservations for a price separate and I ended up with 3 sets before it was done -- but you just use your original ticket on any train going your way.
I am not sure how the Thalys works as luckily our Thalys leg was not on a strike day, but it would be useful to find that out and also research the schedule, so if your train is called off, what else could you take and how would you do that?
Well, the good news is that it's already after 8 pm here in Paris, and checking the Thalys website, I don’t see any indications of strike disruptions for you tomorrow.
There are a few mechanical issues causing problems this evening, but hopefully those will be wrapped up overnight and you can travel smoothly tomorrow.