Europe Travel Set to Freeze as Greece Joins France, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain with New Strikes Disrupting Peak October Travel Frenzy, Everything You Need to Know

Published on
September 27, 2025

By: Rana Pratap

Europe’s journey is about to return to a standstill this October, as Greece faces nationwide strikes that can paralyze transport and tourism, adopted by main disruptions in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, all of that are set to cripple journey throughout the continent. These disruptions are set to freeze a few of Europe’s busiest airports, railways, and public transport, proper in the course of peak journey season. Massive rail and flight cancellation and delays are in playing cards as strikes are set to freeze Europe’s iconic locations. Whether you’re flying, taking the prepare, or attempting to maneuver round cities, October’s journey chaos goes to be an actual headache for a lot of.

From nationwide strikes in France and Italy to focused airport walkouts in the Netherlands and Spain, vacationers throughout Europe are about to face unprecedented disruptions. Not to say, a brand-new border entry system launching simply because the chaos hits. It’s going to be a tricky month for anybody crossing borders or attempting to catch a flight.

But don’t fear — we’ve obtained you coated with every little thing you want to find out about these strikes and the best way to navigate them. Keep studying to seek out out which international locations are hitting pause on their transport networks, how this may have an effect on your journey plans, and what you are able to do to remain forward of the insanity.

Greece: Life Pauses on October 1

If you’re heading to Greece firstly of October, circle October 1 in purple — as a result of the nation will mainly cease transferring that day. We’re not speaking about one team of workers strolling out for just a few hours. This is a full-blown, nationwide common strike the place public sector unions, personal sector unions, and even the seafarers’ federation are all on the identical web page. That means ferries, trains, faculties, hospitals, authorities places of work — the entire system — will really feel it.

So what’s obtained everybody so fired up? A brand new labor legislation. Buried inside it’s a rule that will stretch shifts as much as 13 hours a day. Unions are calling it a throwback to the “dark ages.” On prime of that, they wish to carry again the additional month salaries staff misplaced through the austerity years, push via severe pay raises to maintain up with inflation, and lock in a 35-hour, five-day workweek. In quick, they’re not simply offended, they’re drawing a line within the sand.

Here’s what that appears like in actual life:

• Ferries: From midnight to midnight, each ferry within the nation stays tied up. If you had plans to hop between Athens and the islands, it’s not occurring.
• Athens transport: The metro, buses, trolleys — all disrupted. Even taxis will probably be skinny on the bottom.
• Hospitals: Emergency rooms keep open, however when you’ve obtained an appointment or non-urgent surgical procedure, anticipate it to be canceled.
• Schools: Teachers are in on it too, so school rooms will probably be locked up.
• Public providers: Government places of work gained’t be operating.
• Protests: Expect large marches, particularly in Athens. They’re normally noisy however peaceable — although Greece has a historical past of those rallies boiling over, so finest to steer clear when you’re a customer.

Bottom line? October 1 goes to be tough. Greece will really feel prefer it’s on pause, and when you’re touring, you’ll want a Plan B. Move ferry journeys to a different day, keep away from Athens metropolis middle, and don’t rely on “just winging it.”

Why this strike stings extra in 2025

What makes this walkout sting even more durable is timing. Greece is in the course of considered one of its busiest journey years ever. Airports and ports are packed, and the numbers show it:

• By the tip of August 2025, Greek airports had already dealt with about 57 million passengers, almost 5% greater than final 12 months.
• In simply the primary seven months, visitors throughout all 39 industrial airports topped 44.7 million individuals — one other almost 5% bump.
• International arrivals alone hit 10.3 million by June, up nearly 6% from 2024.
• If you rely all inbound journey (air + land), Greece pulled in round 11.7 million guests within the first half of the 12 months.

So, the skies and seas are busier than ever — which implies when the ferries dock and transport freezes, far more persons are stranded than in years previous. A day-long strike now ripples out to tens of thousands and thousands of vacationers and an financial system that relies upon closely on easy tourism flows.

France: Two Waves of Chaos in Early October

If you thought Greece stopping for a day was unhealthy, France is about to double down. October is shaping as much as be brutal right here, with two separate nationwide strikes within the house of ten days. First comes an enormous common strike on October 2, and simply when issues can’t really feel worse, the air visitors controllers plan to close down French skies from October 7–10.

October 2: The common strike that stops every little thing

On Thursday, October 2, almost each main union in France is teaming up for what they’re calling a “black day”. The coalition, generally known as the intersyndicale, contains all the large names — CFDT, CGT, FO, UNSA, and extra. They’ve been constructing momentum since September, when protests already drew as much as one million individuals. This time, they’re aiming squarely on the authorities’s austerity-heavy price range plans for 2026.

Their calls for are clear: scrap the pension reform, cancel civil service job cuts, reverse unemployment insurance coverage adjustments, and stroll again something that chips away on the French social mannequin. For unions, this isn’t nearly pay or working hours — it’s about blocking a political program they see as unfair.

Here’s the way it will hit:

• Trains: Expect huge cancellations throughout France. Unlike smaller strikes the place most high-speed trains nonetheless ran, this one has all 4 essential SNCF rail unions united. That means long-distance TGVs, regional TERs, and inter-city trains are all in danger.
• Paris metro & RER: Heavily disrupted. Most traces will barely run, aside from the totally automated ones (Lines 1, 4, and 14). Suburban traces just like the RER B, C, and D will probably be badly affected.
• Schools: Many main and secondary faculties will shut down. Unions representing lecturers have already voted overwhelmingly to strike.
• Hospitals: Emergency providers will keep open, however routine appointments and non-urgent care will probably be pushed again.
• Airports: While not an air visitors management strike, participation from public service staff may nonetheless trigger delays.
• Streets: An enormous protest march is deliberate in Paris, with street blockades doable.

In quick, France on October 2 will really feel gridlocked — trains not operating, faculties closed, providers frozen.

October 7–10: The skies shut

Just 5 days later, the chaos shifts to the skies. The highly effective SNCTA union, which represents most of France’s air visitors controllers, is strolling out from the morning of October 7 via October 10.

This is a nightmare situation for Europe, as a result of a couple of third of all European flights move via French airspace. Even in case your airplane isn’t touchdown in Paris, chances are high it flies over France — and through this strike, meaning rerouting, delays, or outright cancellations.

The SNCTA isn’t putting over politics like the final strike. Their battle is about pay will increase to match inflation and years of what they name “brutal management” by France’s aviation authority. Talks broke down, and now they’re taking essentially the most disruptive step doable.

The fallout:

• French airports: Expect mass cancellations and lengthy delays.
• European airspace: Knock-on delays throughout the continent, even for flights that don’t contact France.
• Scale: Airlines estimate round 1 million vacationers will probably be hit. Ryanair alone has already warned of greater than 700 cancellations.
• Economic hit: Industry losses are pegged at over €120 million from this one strike.

Put merely: October 7–10 might be the worst European air disruption in years.

Why this hurts extra in 2025

France remains to be considered one of Europe’s busiest journey gateways, and whereas I couldn’t discover a excellent 2025 passenger quantity, the developments inform the story:

• French airports noticed a 3.6% rise in passenger visitors within the first half of 2025 in comparison with final 12 months.
• Paris Charles de Gaulle alone dealt with 70.3 million passengers in 2024, making it one of many world’s busiest hubs — and 2025 visitors is operating greater.

So, shutting down French trains and skies in a 12 months of rising demand means one factor: the ripple impact will probably be monumental, not simply inside France however throughout Europe.

Italy: A Month of Rolling Travel Chaos

Italy is about to expertise one of the vital disruptive months of business motion in years, and all of it kicks off with two huge strikes on October 2. But that’s just the start. Get prepared for rolling disruptions all through the month, as unions goal every little thing from railways to airports and public transport. If you’re planning to journey via Italy in October, that is positively a state of affairs the place you’ll wish to concentrate and alter your plans accordingly.

October 2–3: Rail and General Strikes

On October 2, Italy’s rail community goes to grind to a halt. A 24-hour nationwide rail strike will have an effect on each regional and long-distance providers, and when you had plans to get round by prepare, you’re going to must rethink issues. It begins at 21:00 on October 2 and goes via till 20:59 on October 3. While there are assured providers (a small variety of trains will nonetheless run), the fact is that the majority will probably be canceled. Expect delays when you’re touring from metropolis to metropolis, particularly for these long-haul rides.

But the rail strike isn’t alone. On October 3, there’s a common strike that features private and non-private sector staff. So, whereas the trains are already struggling, the remainder of Italy’s providers gained’t be a lot better. Public providers, faculties, healthcare, and extra will probably be affected, that means there will probably be widespread closures and disruptions all through the nation.

October 2–3: Here’s what you possibly can anticipate

• Trains: Major disruptions throughout the nation’s rail community. This contains high-speed (Frecciarossa), inter-city, and regional trains.
• Public transport: Local transport in Rome, Milan, Florence, and different main cities might be hit exhausting, particularly the metro and buses.
• Schools: Widespread closures anticipated as lecturers and public sector workers be part of the strike.
• Public providers: Government places of work and a few hospitals will probably be closed, and non-urgent appointments could also be canceled.
• Airports: While it’s not a full aviation strike, disruptions in different public sectors (like air visitors controllers and floor workers) may trigger delays or longer traces.

Rolling Strikes: Airport and Local Transport Disruptions

If you thought the chaos would cease after October 3, suppose once more. The remainder of the month brings a collection of focused strikes designed to maintain up the stress and trigger most disruption to journey and transport. Here’s the way it seems:

• October 10: A public transport strike in Rome will have an effect on bus and metro providers. If you’re counting on metropolis transit, you’re in for delays.
• October 13: Airport staff at Rome Fiumicino, Pisa, and Florence airports will strike, inflicting important delays. The Rome strike lasts 4 hours, whereas the others run for a full 24 hours. Expect disruptions to check-in and boarding.
• October 29: Another blow for vacationers: Milan Linate airport will see a 24-hour strike by floor handlers from Swissport, affecting check-in, baggage dealing with, and boarding processes.

Why this issues for journey

These strikes are nationwide, and the ripple results will probably be huge. If you’ve plans to journey via Italy this month, don’t rely on easy transport. Trains, buses, and even airports will probably be closely impacted at a number of factors in October. Keep your plans versatile, guide journey with choices to reschedule, and maintain a detailed eye on the strike dates.

Italy’s Travel Boom in 2025

To make this much more disruptive, Italy is within the midst of a huge surge in air visitors. Italy is at present main airport passenger visitors development in Europe, with 5.7% development within the first half of 2025. Here’s a take a look at why this strike will probably be additional painful for vacationers:

• In early 2025, Italy skilled 9% development in worldwide flights — a transparent signal that an increasing number of persons are flocking to the nation.
• Airports have already been packed: Italy’s large airports have seen sturdy development in worldwide visitors, with Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa as main hubs for incoming flights.
• With vacationers flocking to Italy in report numbers this 12 months, it’s no shock that these strikes could have a large affect — we’re speaking about hundreds of vacationers and enterprise vacationers caught in the course of these walkouts.

The Bottom Line

Italy in October is a logistical nightmare for anybody attempting to journey via, between cities, or overseas. Between the rail shutdowns, airport strikes, and public transport disruptions, it’s not going to be straightforward to get round. So, when you’ve got plans to be in Italy, maintain your schedule free, double-check transport choices, and plan for delays — and be sure to keep up to date on which strikes will have an effect on your route.

Netherlands: Targeted Disruption at a Key European Hub

The Netherlands is probably not dealing with countrywide strikes like France or Italy, however Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is about to really feel the sting of a focused strike that might ship ripples throughout Europe’s busiest air routes. On October 1, KLM floor workers — together with baggage handlers, check-in personnel, and ramp staff — will stroll out for eight hours, ranging from 06:00 to 14:00 native time.

The large query: What does this imply for vacationers? Here’s the lowdown.

Why are they putting?

The concern is straightforward: pay. The unions, together with the FNV (Netherlands Trade Union Confederation) and CNV (Christian National Trade Union Federation), are combating for higher wages and dealing circumstances. Specifically, they’ve rejected KLM’s 2.25% pay enhance supply over two years, arguing that it doesn’t even come near matching the rising value of residing. With inflation nonetheless climbing and workers feeling the pinch, the strike is a final resort after talks broke down.

What will probably be disrupted?

• Flight operations: While KLM isn’t grounding all flights, anticipate main disruptions. Flights will probably be delayed, and cancellations are extremely possible, particularly throughout peak hours within the morning and early afternoon. If you’re flying on October 1, you’ll wish to test your flight standing earlier than heading to the airport.
• Baggage dealing with: Expect longer waits at baggage declare. If you’re touring with KLM, baggage delays might be a difficulty, as floor workers are key to getting baggage on and off planes.
• Check-in and boarding: With floor workers out, anticipate a bottleneck at check-in counters. Lines will probably be longer, and the method would possibly take longer than traditional.
• Other airways: While this can be a KLM-specific strike, different airways working out of Schiphol may really feel the results as effectively. If you’re flying with associate airways or different carriers utilizing the identical terminals, anticipate some delays, although the disruption will primarily hit KLM flights.

Why does this matter for journey?

Amsterdam Schiphol is considered one of Europe’s busiest airports, dealing with round 66.8 million passengers in 2024. The airport is a significant hub for worldwide connections, and any disruption right here doesn’t simply have an effect on passengers flying into or out of the Netherlands — it causes ripple results all through Europe. The morning and early afternoon hours, specifically, will probably be hit exhausting, as that’s when the busiest flights land and depart.

This isn’t a one-off disruption both. It’s solely 8 hours, however in a hub like Schiphol, that may be sufficient to create a snowball impact for your complete day. With tons of of flights counting on easy floor operations, delays or cancellations at this airport will nearly definitely have a knock-on impact throughout the continent.

The Netherlands’ Busy Travel Landscape in 2025

Although this strike is only a quick, 8-hour window, its timing is especially unhealthy for vacationers. Schiphol sees visitors numbers which can be steadily rising every year, with 2024 seeing an 8% development over the earlier 12 months, dealing with 66.8 million passengers. Here’s why the timing of this strike is so disruptive:

• Schiphol Airport has seen strong visitors development, with thousands and thousands of passengers coming out and in of the Netherlands each month.
• Given that Schiphol is a main hub for worldwide flights, delays or cancellations right here don’t simply harm KLM passengers. Other European and intercontinental airways utilizing Schiphol as a stopover or departure level are certain to really feel the results.

What’s extra, the Netherlands stays an necessary journey hub for anybody heading to or from Europe, with its central location and well-connected air routes to main locations. A strike at Schiphol ripples out far past the airport’s rapid neighborhood, affecting not simply the Dutch home market but additionally worldwide vacationers.

How to Handle the Disruption

If your journey plans carry you thru Amsterdam on October 1, right here’s what you want to do:

• Check your flight standing: KLM flights would be the most affected, so be certain to regulate flight delays or cancellations through the KLM web site or app.
• Be versatile together with your journey time: If doable, attempt to reschedule your flight to keep away from the strike window (06:00–14:00).
• Allow additional time on the airport: With delays in check-in, boarding, and baggage dealing with, you’ll wish to give your self additional time at Schiphol, particularly when you’re connecting to a different flight.
• Look for alternate airports: Depending in your vacation spot, think about flying into one other close by airport, like Eindhoven or Rotterdam, if doable. They’re smaller and fewer prone to be hit by disruptions, although they’ll nonetheless see some affect from the broader journey chaos.

The Bottom Line

The October 1 strike within the Netherlands isn’t a national shutdown like in France or Italy, however it is going to nonetheless trigger main complications for anybody touring via Schiphol Airport. With KLM on the middle of the strike, anticipate flight delays, cancellations, and baggage delays. Schiphol handles thousands and thousands of vacationers yearly, and a disruption like this may ripple out throughout Europe’s air visitors.

If you’ve obtained flights via Amsterdam that day, test your schedule, keep up to date together with your airline, and put together for potential delays. Flexibility is essential.

Spain: Sustained Disruption for Travelers in October

If you’re flying in or out of Spain this October, put together for a month-long saga of partial strikes which can be prone to trigger ongoing complications for anybody touring with Ryanair. Unlike the one-off, large-scale strikes we’ve seen in France and Italy, Spain’s industrial motion is extra of a sustained marketing campaign, with recurring strikes each Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all through the month. This means a continuing stream of disruption, primarily aimed toward Ryanair’s floor dealing with providers throughout 12 main airports.

The Ryanair Baggage Handler Strikes

These strikes are being organized by the FeSMC-UGT union, which represents baggage handlers and floor workers working for Azul Handling, a subsidiary of Ryanair. The key concern right here is staff’ grievances over working circumstances, together with pay, lengthy hours, and poor therapy. In specific, workers are pushing for fairer scheduling, higher job safety, and higher working circumstances for part-time workers.

What will probably be disrupted?

• Airports affected: Major Spanish airports like Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza, Malaga, Seville, Tenerife, and Valencia will all expertise disruptions. These usually are not simply minor regional airports; these are main hubs for worldwide and home journey, and so they serve thousands and thousands of passengers every month.
• Ryanair operations: The main goal of those strikes is Ryanair. Expect important delays and cancellations, notably through the peak hours within the morning (from 05:00 to 09:00). This will have an effect on each baggage dealing with and boarding processes, that means passengers will seemingly face lengthy waits at check-in counters, delays in getting baggage, and extra time spent navigating crowded terminals.
• Duration of disruption: These partial strikes will occur repeatedly all through the month, so vacationers who’re flying on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays can anticipate these disruptions to proceed for the foreseeable future.

Impact for Travelers

• Flights: If you’re touring with Ryanair, anticipate delays. Frequent partial strikes, particularly throughout peak journey instances, imply that each Wednesday via Sunday will seemingly carry the danger of cancellations or lengthy delays for Ryanair’s passengers.
• Baggage Handling: The strikes will primarily have an effect on check-in, baggage, and boarding providers, which implies those that are touring via Spain may face bottlenecks at check-in counters and wait instances to gather baggage. If you’re planning on connecting to a different flight, these delays can have a cascading impact, inflicting tighter layover home windows to shrink even additional.

This ongoing disruption is prone to frustrate vacationers all through your complete month of October, and with no fast decision in sight, it’s finest to anticipate the worst when flying with Ryanair in Spain.

Spain’s Growing Passenger Traffic: More Disruption Ahead

What makes this even worse for vacationers is the truth that Spain’s airports are bustling greater than ever. The newest numbers present that Spain’s airports noticed a 4.5% enhance in passenger visitors within the first half of 2025, making it one of many prime international locations in Europe for air journey development. Here’s why this strike comes at a horrible time for vacationers:

• Summer 2025 forecasts: Spain noticed an anticipated 2.7% rise in worldwide vacationer arrivals for the summer time of 2025 in comparison with 2024, which implies extra persons are coming via the airports simply when these disruptions are hitting.
• By August 2025, Spain’s worldwide arrivals hit 75.4 million passengers — up 5.9% over final 12 months, reflecting Spain’s main function as a vacationer hotspot.

These numbers aren’t simply statistics. With so many extra individuals touring to Spain this 12 months, the ongoing strike will hit not simply Ryanair passengers, however anybody passing via Spain’s busy airports. Whether it’s lengthy delays or missed connections, vacationers in Spain could have a a lot more durable time transferring easily in and overseas this month.

What This Means for Your October Travel Plans

For anybody planning to fly via Spain this month, be prepared for ongoing disruption. The Ryanair baggage handler strikes will goal airports in Spain frequently, that means you possibly can face delays, longer waits, and the type of journey stress that makes you would like you possibly can have averted this month altogether.

• Plan your flight instances rigorously: If you’re flying out on a Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, you’re operating a better threat of disruptions. Try to choose flights earlier within the day, when you might have a greater shot at avoiding the height of strike-related chaos.
• Check for cancellations: Stay up to date with Ryanair’s schedule and be ready for last-minute adjustments. Make certain to arrange alerts so that you’re not left scrambling on the final minute.
• Allow additional time: If you’re connecting via a Spanish airport, give your self loads of time between flights. The mixture of delays and heavy visitors can go away you with little room for error.

In quick, October goes to be a tricky month for anybody touring via Spain. With Ryanair on the middle of the storm, when you’re flying with them, put together for an unpredictable and nerve-racking expertise.

The Bottom Line

Spain’s journey disruptions in October are predictable, however no much less irritating. With repeated strike days, packed airports, and an already booming tourism market, there’s little doubt that vacationers will face important points this month. Whether you’re flying into Madrid, Barcelona, or any of the most important hubs, there’s a excessive likelihood that your expertise will probably be marred by delays or cancellations.

Make certain you’re ready, maintain a versatile schedule, and double-check your flight standing usually. With these strikes persevering with all through the month, Ryanair passengers are the almost definitely to be affected, however different airways may see some delays as effectively on account of congestion.

Europe’s New Entry/Exit System (EES): What You Need to Know

Just while you thought the journey chaos from strikes was sufficient, Europe is about to make a significant shift in how they course of non-EU vacationers. Starting October 12, 2025, the European Entry/Exit System (EES) will go reside — and it’s going to vary every little thing about the way you enter the Schengen Area.

Now, this technique’s all about making borders smoother and safer in the long term, however right here’s the factor — it would trigger delays at first. You’re gonna wish to arrive sooner than traditional, particularly on the busiest airports or prepare stations. It’s new, so there’ll be some rising pains, and also you would possibly end up caught in longer traces.

Europe’s Tourism Boom in 2025

Now, regardless of the strikes and all the brand new techniques being rolled out, Europe’s tourism is bouncing again sturdy in 2025. People are nonetheless flocking to Europe, and the numbers are telling the story:

• First half of 2025: 340 million worldwide vacationers — that’s a 4% enhance from final 12 months and 7% extra than in 2019.
• Q1 2025: International arrivals jumped by 4.9%, and persons are sticking round just a little longer — 2.2% extra in a single day stays.
• Q2 2025: Tourism slowed down a bit (by 0.7% for nights stayed) on account of issues like Easter timing, nevertheless it nonetheless grew by 3.3%.
• Across the entire EU, there have been 1.279 billion in a single day stays — up 2.3% in comparison with 2024.

So, yeah, it’s clear persons are actually touring to Europe regardless of every little thing occurring.

Notable Country Highlights

Some international locations are shining brighter within the tourism increase, and right here’s the place issues are actually popping:

• Malta: It noticed a 13% soar in in a single day stays.
• Latvia: Had a 12.8% enhance.
• Finland: Notched a 12.3% rise in overseas stays.
• Romania: Crushed it with 14 million arrivals in 2024 — up by 4.5%.
• Croatia: It’s set to have a record-breaking tourism 12 months in 2025 after being named Europe’s prime journey vacation spot.

Tourism Revenue Projections

On prime of all this development, Europe’s tourism market is about to rake in $305.96 billion in 2025. Package holidays are anticipated to be the large winner in that, so anticipate journey corporations to maintain providing up these candy offers.

So yeah, regardless of the journey complications, Europe remains to be thriving. The strikes are a ache, however when you’re planning to go to, know that tourism is bouncing again sturdy, and issues are solely getting busier. If you’re heading over quickly, simply be prepared for a little bit of a bumpy trip at borders and airports, however relaxation assured, Europe’s nonetheless the place to be!

Europe’s journey is about to freeze this October as Greece faces nationwide strikes, together with transport and tourism shutdowns, adopted by main disruptions in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, all paralyzing journey throughout the continent throughout peak season.

As October unfolds, vacationers throughout Europe ought to brace for a wave of disruptions brought on by widespread strikes in Greece, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. With transport techniques grinding to a halt, airports fighting delays, and border controls altering with the new Entry/Exit System, journey throughout peak season will probably be more difficult than ever.

While Europe’s tourism trade is experiencing a sturdy restoration, these strikes spotlight the stress between employee calls for and the continuing financial challenges confronted by governments. Whether you’re heading to the long-lasting streets of Paris, the seashores of Spain, or the traditional websites of Greece, it’s important to remain knowledgeable and versatile together with your plans.

Keep up to date on strike schedules, guide versatile tickets, and permit additional time for connections — this October, persistence will probably be key as Europe navigates a historic journey freeze.