What to do if…
a strike or travel disruption is announced while you are en route and you may be stranded

What to do now

1. Move to the safest nearby base.
   Aim for a staffed, well-lit area with toilets, information screens, help points, and other passengers nearby. If you are already on a train, coach, ferry, or aircraft, stay with the vehicle or in the official waiting area unless staff tell you to move.

2. Check the disruption through an official source for your mode of travel.

   • Rail: station screens, announcements, National Rail, and your train company’s service updates.
   • Flight: airline app or desk, airport screens, and airport announcements.
   • Ferry or coach: operator app, operator website, terminal desk, or official customer service channel.
     If third-party apps, social posts, and official information disagree, treat the operator or official screens as the source to verify before moving.

3. Make a quick proof pack.
   Screenshot or photograph your ticket or booking, the disruption notice, your current station, airport, terminal, port, or coach station, and the current time if visible. Keep receipts for food, onward travel, accommodation, phone charging, or replacement tickets.

4. Ask staff or the operator three clear questions.

   • “Is my next service definitely running, and from where?”
   • “If it is cancelled or I miss it, what alternative route, operator, or later service can I use today?”
   • “What should I keep for a refund, compensation, expenses claim, or complaint?”

5. Choose one immediate path: continue, reroute, or stop safely.
   If there is no clearly confirmed onward service within a safe and realistic time window, switch to “stop safely” mode instead of hovering between options. That means finding a staffed waiting area, confirmed accommodation, a safe route home, or help from the operator.

6. If you are on UK rail, protect your ticket options before buying anything else.
   During disruption or strike periods, ticket acceptance, refunds, and changes can vary by ticket type, operator, route, and whether you travel. Ask whether your ticket is accepted on another route or operator. If disruption prevents you completing the journey for which your ticket is valid, ask the train company what alternative transport or overnight accommodation they can provide where reasonably possible.

7. If you are flying, separate “care” from “compensation”.
   For a delayed or cancelled flight covered by UK rules, the airline may have duties to provide care such as food, drink, communication, and overnight accommodation where the delay or rerouting requires it. Ask the airline what it is arranging before you book your own hotel or transport. If you are offered a refund, reroute, voucher, or credit, pause and check what each option means for the rest of your journey before choosing.

8. If you are travelling by ferry, ask about rerouting, refund, care, and accommodation.
   For a cancelled or significantly delayed ferry, the operator may have to offer information, rerouting, refund options, refreshments, or accommodation depending on the facts and the cause of the disruption. Ask the terminal or operator what applies to your sailing, and keep your sailing details, booking reference, receipts, and any written update.

9. If you are travelling by coach, keep the operator involved.
   Ask the coach operator or coach station staff whether the service is cancelled, delayed, moved to another stand, or replaced. Ask what later service, rerouting, refund route, or assistance they are offering before you pay for a private alternative.

10. If you may be stuck overnight, reduce risk first, then cost.
    Use staffed places and well-lit routes. If you are alone, with children, disabled, unwell, or very tired, tell staff and ask for practical help rather than trying to solve it silently. If you have travel insurance or card travel cover, check the emergency assistance route before booking expensive alternatives, where you can do that safely.

11. Send one clear update to someone you trust.
    Send your current location, what has changed, what you are doing next, and when you expect to check in again. Keep it brief so you can preserve battery and attention.