Calendar as of 26 October 2026
| Date | Strike | Effect on trains | Status on 26 October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 29 and Saturday 31 October | Possible effects of the 30th strike | Cancellations and delays possible | CP notice of 21 October |
| Friday 30 October | SFRCI union strike at CP | Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, International, InterRegional and Regional possibly affected | Called; hours, minimum services and cancelled trains not found |
| 28 and 30 October | Lisbon metro, partial strikes 5 am to 10 am | Lisbon only, not Porto | Announced |
| November to January | No other CP strike found | No effect | Nothing announced on 26 October |
| 3 June 2026 (past) | General strike (CGTP) | 235 of 1,061 trains cancelled before 7 pm | Shows the effect of a strong strike |
How CP strikes work
- Notice: 10 working days in public transport; CP publishes the notice on its website and in its app.
- Minimum services: without agreement, an arbitration court sets them, usually a few days before; CP then publishes the list of trains.
- Length: depending on the union, from a few hours to a full day, sometimes with effects the day before and the day after.
- Where to look: cp.pt (notices), the CP app and São Bento or Campanhã station.
Refund and rights
- Refund or free exchange: in the after-sales area of cp.pt or "My trips" in the app, at least 15 minutes before departure from the origin station (according to CP).
- At the ticket office: before or after the trip, up to 10 days after the strike ends.
- Refund form for delay or cancellation: it exists, but CP warns that the reply may take longer.
- Exchange: the replacement train must be of the same category and class. EU regulation 2021/782 also gives you the right to rerouting and to care while waiting.
Alternatives between Porto and Lisbon
CP takes close to 3 hours on the Alfa Pendular; the alternatives are the coach (about 3.5 hours), the plane (about 1 hour of flight, plus airports) and a door-to-door private transfer. To decide, read Lisbon from Porto: train or excursion and Porto or Lisbon. To get around Porto, see Transport in Porto. For the general strike rules and other dates, read Strikes and disruptions in Porto and Portugal, the general strike in Portugal and the TAP and airport strike.
What to do safely during the transport strike
Here is a plan B to keep your trip going without taking risks.
- Outing that does not depend on the strike: Douro Valley with boat trip and tasting, organised trip with transport included, no train or bus to book yourself.
- Airport transfer: transfer from Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro) airport, no train, metro or bus to catch.
- Calm hotel, free cancellation: hotels in Foz do Douro, quiet area, refundable if your plans change.
FAQ
Is there a train strike in Portugal on 30 October?
Yes: CP has warned of a strike by the SFRCI union for Friday 30 October 2026, with possible effects on the 29th and 31st. We found no minimum services as of 26 October.
Can I get my CP ticket money back?
Yes: CP offers a full refund or free exchange on its website, in the app or at the ticket office. Do it at least 15 minutes before departure.
What should I do if I need to go from Porto to Lisbon that day?
Book a coach or a flight with free cancellation, or a private transfer. The train may partly run, but nothing is guaranteed.
Sources consulted on 26 October 2026: CP (notice of 21 October, reported by Postal), Rádio Renascença and Observador (June 2026), ECO (18 May), Conselho Económico e Social (case ARB/25/2026). This page will be updated when CP publishes the affected trains.
