Great Western Railway (GWR) planned strikes 2026 timetable

There are no confirmed upcoming GWR strikes at the time of writing. The situation can, however, change quickly, and new industrial action can be announced with relatively little notice, so it’s always worth checking back a few days before you travel.

For the most up-to-date information, check out the links below:

• Great Western Railway’s JourneyCheck tool is updated as soon as new industrial action is confirmed and is the most reliable source for GWR-specific timetable changes and strike-day arrangements
• National Rail publishes network-wide disruption notices, and is useful for understanding the broader picture across all operators. Visit the National Rail Status & Disruptions page here.
• Trip.com's dedicated Great Western Railway page has live fare and timetable information, and you can use the Journey Planner to explore alternative routes if GWR services are disrupted.

Bear in mind that even once a strike is announced, the specific timetable for affected days is often not confirmed until just a few days beforehand. Services on the days immediately before and after industrial action can also be disrupted, so during a period of dispute, it‘s worth checking your journey even on non-strike dates.

There are no confirmed GWR strike dates at the time of writing. This page will be updated as soon as new industrial action is announced.

While there is no industrial action currently scheduled, it’s important to note that strike dates can be confirmed with as little as one to two weeks' notice, and the situation can change quickly during periods of active industrial dispute. Great Western Railway has been subject to repeated strike action in recent years involving both ASLEF and RMT, and passengers with upcoming travel bookings should monitor the situation regularly, particularly during peak travel periods such as bank holidays and school holidays when the impact of any disruption is greatest.

When strike action is confirmed, passengers on the GWR network can typically expect the following:

• Reduced intercity timetable: Long-distance services between London Paddington and Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and the South West are typically reduced to a skeleton timetable on strike days
• Limited regional services: Short-distance regional trains across the Thames Valley and to destinations such as Oxford and Reading may be significantly reduced or suspended entirely
• Overtime bans: Even on non-strike days, an ASLEF overtime ban can reduce the number of drivers available, leading to last-minute cancellations across the network
• Weekend disruption: GWR carries a high volume of leisure travellers at weekends, and strike action typically falls on Fridays, Sundays or Mondays to cause the most widespread disruption
• Day-after knock-on disruption: Services the day following a strike can also be affected as trains and staff return to their correct positions

Trains travelling on the network on strike days quickly become overcrowded as passengers from cancelled services attempt to board, making journeys during peak travel times particularly uncomfortable.

• Allow extra time: Even services listed as running on GWR strike days can be subject to delays and overcrowding
• Avoid peak departures: Mid-morning and early afternoon services tend to be less crowded than early morning and early evening trains
• Check first and last trains: Strike timetables often start later and finish earlier than usual, which is especially important for passengers travelling to remote destinations in Devon and Cornwall, where late-night alternatives might not be available.

Great Western Railway's expansive network means that alternative options for travel during strike action can vary considerably depending on where you are travelling. Here are the most practical alternatives by route type.

• For Bristol, Exeter and the South West:
  CrossCountry operates regular services from Birmingham New Street toBristol Temple Meads,Exeter St Davids and Plymouth, making it a useful alternative for passengers willing to travel via the Midlands. While this alternative route will add to your journey time, CrossCountry services can be a reliable way to access the South West when GWR trains from London Paddington are reduced.
• For Devon and Exeter:
  South Western Railway operates services fromLondon Waterloo to Exeter via Salisbury and the West of England Main Line. The journey takes longer than the Great Western Railway route, but provides a direct alternative for passengers heading to Devon when Paddington services are disrupted. You can compare times and availability on theTrip.com Journey Planner.
• For Heathrow Airport:
  Passengers travelling to or from Heathrow Airport can use the Elizabeth Line as a direct alternative to the GWR Heathrow Express. Operated by a separate network, trains run independently of Great Western Railway services from Paddington. Bear in mind the journey takes around twice as long as the Heathrow Express.
• Coach services for long-distance routes:
  National Express and Megabus operate long-distance coach services from London to Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Plymouth. Journey times are considerably longer than travelling by train, but coach travel can sometimes be cheaper.
• Splitting your journey:
  On some routes, splitting your journey across two separate operators can help you avoid the worst of the GWR strike disruption. For example, travelling from London to Bristol via Birmingham withAvanti West Coast and CrossCountry avoids Paddington entirely. Use the Trip.com Journey Planner to explore different routing options and to compare journey times and fares.

How far in advance are GWR strikes announced? 

Will GWR trains still run during strikes? 

Usually, trains do still run on strike days, but on a significantly reduced timetable. Great Western Railway typically operates a limited number of services, prioritising key intercity routes while regional and branch line services are often suspended entirely. The exact timetable is usually confirmed a few days before the strike date, so always check the JourneyCheck toolbefore travelling.

Can I get a refund if my GWR train is cancelled? 

Yes, if your train is cancelled due to strike action, you’re entitled to a full ticket refund. You can claim this through whichever retailer you booked with. If you choose to travel on an alternative service, you may be able to use your existing ticket, depending on the arrangements GWR puts in place for the specific strike. Always check the terms before booking a replacement ticket.

Do GWR strikes affect weekends and holidays? 

Yes, and often more severely than weekday disruption. Great Western Railway carries a high volume of leisure travellers at weekends and during school holidays, particularly on long-distance routes to the South West. Strike action falling on a Friday or Saturday can cause significant disruption to holiday travel, and with fewer alternative services available on rural routes in Devon and Cornwall, passengers can find themselves stranded if they haven't made alternative arrangements. 

If you're travelling over a bank holiday or peak holiday period and strike action is announced, check alternative routes and transport options early. Rebooking as soon as possible gives you the best chance of securing onward travel.