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Strike dates May 2023: days to avoid booking holidays and what to do if you are travelling
A fresh set of rail strikes for May is already underway and has caused major disruption to train services - and there are more to come this month and beyond.
Members of the PCS Union who work for the Home Office have also voted in favour of more strike action - which could see walkouts by Border Force and passport office staff in the coming weeks.
If passport office workers do go on strike, this could have a knock-on effect for anyone hoping to get a passport in time for May half-term or the summer holidays. Walkouts are yet to be confirmed.
To help you avoid disruption, we’ve rounded up key travel strike dates below in key holiday destinations as well as the UK. We’ll update this regularly. And if you already have travel planned, we'll advise on what to do and your rights if your journey is delayed or cancelled.
In this article:
- When are passport office staff striking?
- Upcoming border force strike dates and ports and airports affected
- What can I do if Border Force strikes mean I miss my ferry?
- When are the airport strikes in the UK?
- When are the airport strike dates in France?
- What are my rights if I miss my flight due to strike action?
- Airline cancellation and delays compensation and refund advice
- Will I get compensation for flight delays and cancellations?
- Can I cancel my flight or holiday if it's on a strike date?
- When are the next train strikes taking place in the UK?
- Advice and refund information when rail strikes affect travel
- European rail strike dates to note
- Advice and refund information when train strikes affect travel
- Advice and refund information when strikes affect Eurostar services
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Are passport office staff striking and will it delay passports?
Around 2,000 passport office staff walked out between 3 April and 5 May, according to PCS Union.
Further strikes are likely as a recent ballot saw 91% of union members from the Home Office vote in favour of further action. No dates have yet been announced. Therefore, we'd advise renewing your passport as soon as possible if you know you're heading away this summer to ensure you aren't caught out.
UK Border Force strike dates in May: what you need to know about ferries and airports
Border Force Staff recently walked out on 28 April - one day before the early May bank holiday weekend. Further strike dates haven't yet been confirmed but are likely.
What can I do if Border Force strikes mean I miss my ferry?
If Border Force staff strike at ports, allow extra time as queues at the UK border, in France, are likely to be longer than usual.
It’s worth packing extra water and food, especially for those passengers driving as you may be stuck in your car for a long period. Make sure your phone is charged and you are able to access roaming, as you may need to rebook an alternative crossing via an app or website.
Ahead of last month's strike dates, Irish Ferries told Which? that if your service is cancelled, it 'will likely transfer you, where possible, to the next available departure.' P&O Ferries told passengers to 'expect some delays as immigration processing will be impacted'. DFDS told passengers to 'allow plenty of time to complete pre-boarding checks'.
Be aware that if your journey is delayed, you won't receive compensation. Industrial action and disputes are classed as 'extraordinary circumstances', meaning ferry companies won't payout.
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Airport strikes in France in May and June
A nationwide strike has been called for June 6. This is likely to cause cancellations and delays if air traffic controllers join the walkout. Check with your airline before travelling if you're due to fly to or from France around 6 June.
There may also be disruption to road or travel travel (see below).
This continuing coordinated strike action is in response to the government’s plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Read our reviews on the best and worst airlines - as rated by Which? readers
How can I check if my flight is affected by strikes, and what are my rights if I miss my flight?
Firstly, check your airline’s website to see if your flight is delayed, as well as the airport website - often the latter is updated faster.
If security staff strike, long queues may mean you miss your plane. Try and kick up a fuss if you are in the security queue and your flight is departing soon. Security staff may fast-track you. Alternatively, contact your airline before the flight departs to tell them you won’t get through security in time - some, like British Airways, offer free rebooking.
If you miss your flight during airport staff strikes due to queues, you may be able to claim against the airport under the Frustrated Contracts Act, but this would likely require going to court.
You could try to claim on your travel insurance if it includes missed departure, provided you followed airline advice and arrived at the airport at the right time. Keep hold of evidence proving what time you turned up to the airport (such as car park or train tickets) in case you can claim.
If airline staff go on strike, it can lead to long queues at check-in and bag drop. If, while queuing, it becomes apparent that you may miss your flight, call your airline before departure to see if you can move to a later flight for free. Unlike with security queues, if you do miss your flight due to long check-in and bag drop queues, the airline is responsible.
You may be able to claim for a missed flight under the Consumer Rights Act or via your insurance policy. Find out more about your rights if you miss your flight because of disruption at the airport.
Airline cancellations and delays refund and compensation advice
If an airline cancels your flight for any reason, you are covered under the Denied Boarding Regulation, provided you are due to fly with a UK or EU airlines, or any carrier departing from a UK or EU airport. You must be offered a refund or rerouting (either on the next available flight on any airline or at an agreed future date, although this is often difficult to enforce).
Your airline is also obligated to offer assistance if your flight is delayed by more than two or three hours (it depends how far you are flying). That includes vouchers for food and drink, and if required overnight accommodation. See more on what you’re entitled to in our strikes compensation guide.
Will I get compensation for strike delays and cancellations?
It depends on the reason your airline had to cancel or delay the flight.
If an airline cancels your flight because its own staff are striking, you’re entitled to compensation - unless you are informed of the cancellation at least two weeks before departure. There are other rules on compensation, check our denied boarding regulations advice guide.
If, however, a flight is cancelled because of airport staff, border force or air traffic control strikes this will be classed as an extraordinary circumstance. You are entitled to a refund or rerouting but not compensation.
Can I cancel and get a refund for my flight or holiday if it’s due to take place on a strike date?
If you choose to cancel a flight-only booking, it’s unlikely you’ll get a refund. It is better to wait and see if the airline cancels first.
If you want to move your package holiday however, some companies are more flexible than others. Check the final column in our best flexible package holiday provider table - this details the costs involved with moving or cancelling your holiday when you no longer wish to travel.
When are the next train strikes in the UK?
Strikes will take place on 12, 13 and 31 May, aswell as 3 June. This has already caused serious disruption with very few services running on 12 May.
Be aware that services often begin later on the day after a strike day.
There is also a drivers' overtime ban on 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 May, as well as 1 June which could cause last-minute cancellations. Check your journey on National Rail to see if it's running before setting off.
Advice and refund information if rail strikes affect travel
If you have an advance ticket booked for a strike day and your service is no longer running, is delayed or rescheduled, you are entitled to a date change or refund. Request this from the retailer you purchased your tickets from.
If your specific journey isn’t affected but falls on a strike day and you no longer wish to travel, you will usually be charged an admin fee of £10 to amend or cancel your ticket. You may be able to travel on the days either side of the strikes without charge - but check National Rail's disruption updates page nearer the time.
If you have a monthly or yearly season ticket and you can’t travel due to strikes, then you can claim money back via Delay Repay. For other season ticket refund questions check the FAQs on National Rail.
European rail strikes in May and June to mark in your calendar
Italy
A nationwide general strike is due to take place on 26 May. It is not yet clear if this will affect railway lines. However it will affect bus, tram and metro lines.
However, in Italy the law states that there must be a guaranteed minimum service level between 6am and 9pm on public transport. But be aware that any services that do run may be crowded.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Italy.
France
The next strike due to take place in France is not until 6 June.
Disruption to trains is likely - but we don't know how many cancellations or delays there will be just yet. Check French public transport provider sites such as SNCF (trains) and RATP (Metro and buses) for updates on which lines are affected. Strike timetables become available at 5pm the day before.
Eurostar has not yet announced if its services will be affected. See Eurostar’s travel news page for updates.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in France.
Advice and refund information if rail strikes affect travel
If you have to travel on a strike day, check whether your train will run before you set off. Coach operators, like National Express, sometimes put on extra services and can offer an alternative. There are often long waits for these services on strike days, including for essential airport routes.
Remember that Uber (and equivalents) may increase rates on strike dates due to a surge in demand. Regular taxis booked in advance may be cheaper.
For peace of mind, you could book a hotel near the airport the night before flying to avoid travelling on a train strike day.
Advice and refund information for Eurostar services on strike days
If your Eurostar train is cancelled, you can claim a refund, accept a Eurostar voucher valid for 12 months or choose a new travel date for free. If a strike is called, see Eurostar’s travel news page to check whether your train is running.