Situation today (27 October 2026)
- Announced strikes: CP strike on Friday 30 October (SFRCI union, possible effects on the 29th and 31st; notice of 21 October, still listed on 27 October by Trânsito Agora); public-sector strike on Monday 2 November (STTS union, notice of 15 October); none at Metro do Porto, STCP or Porto airport in the sources checked as of 27 October 2026. Outside Porto: Lisbon metro on 28 and 30 October (05:00-10:00) and SATA in the Azores from 28 October to 3 November (Trânsito Agora, 27 October).
- General strike of 3 June 2026: called by the CGTP against the labour reform package. CP had cancelled 235 of 1,061 scheduled trains before 7 pm the day before the strike day; Metro do Porto kept only the yellow line and the common trunk between Senhora da Hora and Estádio do Dragão; no minimum service was set for STCP (Rádio Renascença, Observador, 1 June 2026).
- December 2025: the CGTP and the UGT had decided on a joint general strike, the first since 2013 (Portuguese press).
- STCP: an agreement with the STRUN union reportedly ended the strike on the last two hours of service (Notícias ao Minuto); the exact date is not given in the extract we read.
- Travel advice: the UK advice (FCDO, 11 August 2026) lists no strike or protest; it notes a high wildfire risk from April to October.
Calendar to the end of January 2027
| Date | Event | What it means for you | Status and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 30 October 2026 | CP strike (SFRCI union), possible effects on the 29th and 31st | CP trains possibly cancelled or delayed; refund or free exchange | Announced by CP on 21 October; hours and minimum services not found on 27 October |
| Sunday 1 November | All Saints (public holiday) | Sunday timetables, shops closed | Usual calendar |
| Monday 2 November | Public-sector strike (STTS union, 24 hours) | Public offices and services possibly disrupted; effects on transport not specified | Notice of 15 October (STTS) |
| No date | New day of action against the labour reform | Trains cancelled, reduced metro, buses possibly with no minimum service | Possible, not announced; last on 3 June (CGTP) |
| 1 and 8 December | Restoration of Independence and Immaculate Conception (Tuesdays) | Public holidays, possible long weekends around them | Usual public holidays, to be confirmed |
| 24-26 December | Christmas | Holiday timetables, few services | Usual calendar |
| 31 December | New Year's Eve on the Ribeira | Crowds and pedestrian streets, special night transport | Programme to check in early December |
Weather and safety in winter
- Atlantic storms: from November to March, strong winds and heavy rain; the IPMA weather institute issues yellow, orange and red alerts. Douro cruises are cancelled in bad weather.
- Floods: the Douro can rise in winter and affect the Ribeira quays.
- Threats: no specific warning for Porto in the UK advice of 11 August 2026.
What to do: refunds, insurance, alternatives
- On a strike day: the centre and the Ribeira are walkable (mind the slopes); the tram and the Guindais funicular may run a reduced service.
- Airport: taxi or private transfer if the metro is reduced; allow a margin of two to three hours.
- Rain or strike: a covered tasting or food tour can be booked with free cancellation.
Keep your tickets, receipts and a screenshot of the announcement. For a flight, the airline must offer a refund or rerouting; the fixed compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 depends on the cause of the disruption and only applies to flights leaving the EU, or arriving in the EU with a European airline. Before booking anything non-refundable (hotel, train, excursion), read the cancellation terms.
What if you fall ill or get hurt during the trip? A disruption does not help when there is an accident. SafetyWing (bought online, for the length of the trip) covers medical costs and evacuation; it is not cancellation insurance, so read its trip-interruption terms before counting on it for a strike or a missed flight. See our travel insurance guide.
See also our safety and scams guide.
Flight cancelled or delayed by a strike: are you owed compensation?
- Who is covered: EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) applies to flights leaving the EU (any airline) and flights into the EU on an EU airline.
- Amounts: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km (or intra-EU flights over 1,500 km), €600 beyond 3,500 km, if the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or arrives 3 hours or more late. The amount can be cut by 50% if you are rerouted at times close to the original.
- Strike: the case on this page — Here, the strikes are by third parties. An air traffic control strike, an airport staff strike or a general strike is usually an extraordinary circumstance: no compensation, but the airline must still offer a refund or rebooking and care (meals, hotel).
- Claim for free: directly with the airline, using the form on its website; keep your boarding pass and all proofs. Deadline depends on the country — Portugal: 3 years.
- Claims service: AirHelp checks your flight for free and handles the claim, taking a commission only if it wins (about 35% of the compensation, VAT included, plus 15% if legal action is needed). You can also claim yourself at no cost.
What to do safely during the general strike
Here is a plan B to keep your trip going without taking risks.
- Areas to avoid on protest days: avenida dos Aliados, praça da Liberdade.
- Outing away from the marches: Douro Valley with boat trip and tasting, day trip, far from the squares where people march.
- 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 strike in Porto in November 2026?
A public-sector strike is announced for 2 November (STTS union). Apart from the CP strike on 30 October, no train, metro, bus or airport strike is announced for November as of 27 October 2026 in the sources checked. The labour reform dispute is not settled.
Does the Porto metro run during a general strike?
Partly: on 3 June 2026 it kept only the yellow line and the common trunk between Senhora da Hora and Estádio do Dragão.
Where can I find strike announcements?
On the CP, Metro do Porto, STCP and airport websites, which publish minimum services a few days ahead.
Detailed pages: CP train strike, General strike in Portugal and TAP and Porto airport strikes.
Sources checked on 27 October 2026: Rádio Renascença and Observador (1 June 2026), Sábado, Notícias ao Minuto, Trânsito Agora (27 October 2026), Há Greve (27 October 2026), STTS (notice of 15 October 2026), FCDO Portugal (11 August 2026). This page will be updated if a strike is announced.
