Strikes and Travel - What to Do?
Without getting into the reasons for the strikes in France (there're plenty of news reports about that), here's how I'm dealing with my already-in-motion travel plans.
First, some background: the strikes are mainly affecting trains, plus some flights (and garbage collection). They started in February, but became significant in March. The strikes (and protests) got worse after the law passed, and there is no end in sight. One forecast said it would continue at least through the end of March.
Second, my planned travel: I have all my tickets to go to the US in mid-April. These are non-refundable train and air tickets. I thought I had worked out a pretty smart plan to get there - a same-day train to Paris, public transportation to Orly airport, afternoon flight to San Francisco. Plenty of time...
Third, probabilities: I've been watching the multiple train websites (SNCF/InOui/OUIGO/TER/TGV) to see how often my trains have been affected, and what alternate trains were still available at the last minute. (TGV - InOui and OUIGO - are fast long-distance lines; TER lines are local. SNCF is the company.) They usually tell you about cancellations of TGV lines 2-3 days in advance, and TER trains by 5pm the night before. Usually, my OUIGO train is left alone, and the TER I need is cancelled (but there would be a really early, very crowded option). But now and then, it is all cancelled. So, it seems prudent to have a backup plan.
Fourth, the possibilities: What if my train is cancelled? I looked at buying a different ticket at the last minute - that was iffy. Basically, if I had some leeway, I would leave it at that. But missing my train to Paris means the entire trip is lost. So, I looked at other means.
- I could drive 8 hours, by myself, the day before, get a hotel, and arrange parking for a month. The advantage is that it wouldn't cost anything if I didn't need it. The disadvantages? I would have to drive back instead of using my train ticket (one plus is that I could stop at a couple of interesting towns for breaks). It would be extremely stressful, exhausting, and expensive (250€ plus gas and tolls in both directions) - I could do it, but it's my least favorite option.
- I looked at BlaBlaCar (a ride-sharing scheme), but didn't see anything useful.
- I could try for a last-minute ticket on an overnight bus from Montpellier to Paris. I saw some via Flix bus for ~100€, leaving at 2am. Add in a taxi to the bus for another 100€, and things start to add up!
Fifth, insurance: not your classic trip insurance, since that wouldn't get me there. Rather, do something proactive! I could buy an alternate ticket, just in case, and just eat the cost if I didn't need it. Buying in advance instead of at the last minute means paying less and having more options. Bingo!
- A OUIGO train the day before, plus a cancelable hotel reservation would cost 29€. It would be relaxing and easy. But, even if the probability of both trains being cancelled is spread out, it's still a possibility 🙄. It would be a catastrophe if that happened! So, back to the drawing board.
- Flix bus had better options in advance; an earlier bus (9pm instead of 2am) meant I could get a bus to the Flix station instead of a taxi, and an advance ticket is 55€ - looking better!
- BlablaBus had no last-minute options, but quite a few in advance; I could still get a bus to Montpellier, and public transportation from Paris to Orly. But the overnight bus is only 25€! That's some pretty good insurance! I bought the ticket...
Sixth, what about all the other legs?
- if I can't get RER (local Paris train) to Orly, I take a taxi
- if my flight is cancelled, I work out something with the airline 🤞
- if my return train is cancelled, I take a later one (no real time pressure, but it could mean an extra hotel)
What now? I may actually be able to get a good night's sleep!
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