Short answer: a transport strike in Paris rarely closes the airports, but it makes getting to them slower and less predictable. The weak point for Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the RER B, whose airport section is run by the SNCF: on rail strike days, trains often run at a reduced frequency. Orly is easier, because metro line 14 links it to central Paris and is run by the RATP. Check the forecasts published the day before from 5 pm, leave at least one hour earlier than usual, or book a car in advance so you do not depend on trains or the taxi queue.
Last updated: 6 November 2026. We update the "Current situation" box when new strike dates or forecasts are published.
Travelling in the next few days? We operate 24/7, strike days included, from €110 per vehicle between CDG or Orly and central Paris, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. Message us on WhatsApp, we usually reply within 30 minutes.
Current Situation (6 November 2026)
Latest strike day: Thursday 5 November 2026, a national strike and protest day. The next date to watch is Saturday 7 November: the Police Prefecture has banned the Yellow Vests' gathering at Place de la Concorde, a union march goes from République to Nation at 2 pm, and at least 14 metro stations close.
RER B: the forecast for 5 November was one train in two between Gare du Nord and CDG, and two in three south of Gare du Nord. We have seen no new rail strike date at the time of writing.
Evenings: separately from the strike, on many evenings this autumn the RER B stops between Châtelet-Les Halles and CDG from 10:45 pm for engineering works, with replacement buses.
Metro and Orly: the RATP expected a normal metro on 5 November, including line 14 to Orly, but 25 stations closed from 11 am at the request of the police, including Madeleine on line 14.
Flights: the civil aviation authority asked airlines for no flight cuts at CDG or Orly on 5 November. Delays were possible at check-in and security.
How Strikes Work in French Transport
Strikes in French transport are announced, not sudden. Unions must file a notice in advance, and since a 2007 law, rail and public transport staff must tell their employer at least 48 hours before they join a strike. This lets the SNCF and the RATP plan a reduced service and publish a reliable forecast at least 24 hours before the strike starts. In practice, the detailed timetable for the next day is usually published from 5 pm the day before.
Air traffic controllers have followed a similar 48-hour rule since a law passed in late 2023. When they strike, the French civil aviation authority (DGAC) asks airlines to cancel a share of their flights at the affected airports, usually announced one or two days before.
What this means for you: on the evening before a strike day, you can know which trains will run. What you cannot know in advance is how crowded they will be, and how busy the roads will get as people switch to cars and taxis.
Getting to CDG on a Strike Day
RER B: the most exposed option
The RER B is shared between two operators. The section between Gare du Nord and the airport is run by the SNCF, so a rail strike hits it directly. On past strike days, this section has often run one train in two, and passengers have sometimes had to change trains at Gare du Nord. Trains that do run are much more crowded than usual, which is hard with large suitcases. A single Paris Region Airports ticket costs 14 euros in 2026.
Metro line 14 and express bus 9517
The old Roissybus from Opéra stopped on 1 March 2026. To avoid the RER B, take metro line 14 to Saint-Denis-Pleyel, then the express bus 9517 to the airport. The bus depends on traffic, which gets heavier on strike days, when more people drive. Buses 350 and 351 are the other options.
Taxis and private cars
Taxis are not usually part of transport strikes. Paris taxis charge a flat fare between CDG and central Paris: 56 euros to the Right Bank and 65 euros to the Left Bank in 2026. On strike days, expect longer queues at the airport taxi rank on arrival, and fewer available cars in Paris when you leave. A pre-booked private transfer avoids both: the car is assigned to you in advance, and the price is fixed when you book.
Getting to Orly on a Strike Day
Metro line 14: the best public transport option
Since June 2024, metro line 14 has run directly to Orly airport, in about 25 minutes from Châtelet and 23 minutes from Gare de Lyon. It is run by the RATP and is fully automated, so it has generally kept running better than other lines during strikes. It is the first option to check for Orly.
Orlyval and RER B
The Orlyval shuttle connects Orly to Antony station on the RER B. On rail strike days, the RER B can be reduced, so this route is less reliable than line 14.
Taxis and private cars
Paris taxis charge a flat fare between Orly and central Paris: 36 euros to the Left Bank and 45 euros to the Right Bank in 2026. The same advice applies as for CDG: expect more demand, and book in advance if your flight time is fixed.
Will My Flight Be Cancelled?
A national strike day does not automatically mean flight cancellations. Flights are cancelled when air traffic controllers, airport staff or airline crews strike. Rail and metro strikes affect the journey to the airport, not the flight itself. If a flight strike is announced, airlines usually contact passengers one or two days before, after the DGAC sets the share of flights to cancel.
Your rights if your flight is cancelled
Under EU rules, if your flight is cancelled you can choose between a refund and a new flight to your destination, and the airline must provide meals and, if needed, a hotel while you wait. Financial compensation depends on the cause. A strike by the airline's own staff is not considered an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation is usually due. A strike outside the airline, such as an air traffic control strike, can be considered extraordinary, and then no compensation is due. The refund or new flight and the care remain due in both cases.
How to Plan an Airport Transfer During a Strike
Check the forecast the evening before on the SNCF Connect app for the RER B and the RATP website or app for line 14 and the buses.
Leave at least one hour earlier than usual. Roads are busier on strike days, especially in the morning and late afternoon.
Avoid march routes if your hotel is in the centre on a protest day. See our guide to protest areas to avoid.
Prefer Orly via line 14 over the RER B when you have the choice.
Book a car in advance if you travel with children, large luggage or a fixed connection. Our guide to the best and worst times to land or leave helps you choose a pickup time.
Arriving on strike day? A booked transfer means a driver waiting for you in the arrivals hall, without the taxi queue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RER B running during a strike?
The RER B usually runs a reduced service during strikes. Its section between Gare du Nord and CDG airport is run by the SNCF, so it is often affected by rail strikes. The forecast is published the day before from 5 pm on SNCF Connect and the RATP app.
How do I get to CDG airport during a transport strike in Paris?
Check the RER B forecast the evening before, and consider metro line 14 with the express bus 9517, a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer if trains are reduced. Leave at least one hour earlier than usual, because roads are busier on strike days.
How do I get to Orly airport during a strike?
Metro line 14 runs directly to Orly in about 25 minutes from Châtelet. It is run by the RATP and is often less affected by rail strikes than the RER B. Taxis and private transfers are the alternatives by road.
Are taxis on strike in Paris during transport strikes?
Taxis are not usually part of rail and metro strikes. They run as normal, but demand is higher, so queues at airports and waiting times in Paris are longer.
Were flights cancelled at CDG and Orly on 5 November 2026?
The civil aviation authority asked airlines for no flight cuts at CDG or Orly on 5 November 2026, so flights were expected to operate as scheduled. Check your flight with your airline the day before you travel.
Do I get compensation if my flight is cancelled because of a strike?
It depends on who is on strike. Under EU rules, a strike by the airline's own staff usually gives a right to compensation. An air traffic control strike can count as an extraordinary circumstance, and then no compensation is due. In both cases, you can choose a refund or a new flight, and the airline must provide care while you wait.
Does Samantha Travels operate on strike days?
Yes. Samantha Travels operates 24/7, including on strike days, for transfers to and from CDG, Orly and Beauvais.
Airport Transfers with Samantha Travels on Strike Days
Our airport transfers do not depend on train timetables. The price is fixed per vehicle when you book, from 110 euros in a Mercedes E-Class and from 150 euros in a V-Class or S-Class between CDG or Orly and central Paris (Beauvais on quote). Every transfer includes flight tracking, a meeting inside the arrivals hall and 60 minutes of free waiting after landing. The evening before, you receive an SMS with your chauffeur's name and number, and your chauffeur contacts you one hour before pickup. On strike days, we suggest a pickup time with enough margin for the traffic of the day.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup (see our booking terms). Send us your flight and hotel: book your transfer or message us on WhatsApp, we usually reply within 30 minutes.
Read Next
Sources
Sortiraparis: SNCF strike on November 5, 2026, the latest updates (23 October 2026)
Infostourisme: November 5, 2026 strike, which transport services will be affected? (14 October 2026)
The Local: France adopts new law to limit the impact of airline strikes (16 November 2023)
Région Île-de-France: line 14 puts Orly airport 25 minutes from central Paris
Sortiraparis: 5 November airport strike, what the DGAC is planning (4 November 2026)
Sortiraparis: 5 November demonstration, 25 metro stations closed (4 November 2026)
Sortiraparis: the RoissyBus is ending, the alternatives to reach CDG