Situation today (27 October 2026)
- Announced strikes: none for GVB, NS or Schiphol in the sources checked on 27 October 2026. That guarantees nothing: Dutch unions sometimes announce only a few days ahead.
- Latest actions: a 24-hour national strike on 9 September 2026 (FNV Spoor, Streekvervoer and Stadsvervoer, against social security cuts, reported by Treinreiziger and RODI); a work stoppage in regional transport on 14 October 2026 over the public transport collective agreement (FNV); talks resumed on 22 October 2026 (FNV).
- Demonstrations: marches on the Dam or near the Blauwbrug have already diverted trams on rally days (NH Nieuws, various dates). No large rally announced for November in our sources.
- Travel advice: the UK Foreign Office (FCDO, updated 11 August 2026) lists no particular warning for the Netherlands.
Calendar to the end of January 2027
| Date | Event | What it means for you | Status and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 2026 to Jan. 2027 | GVB, NS or Schiphol strike | Nothing to report for now | None announced on 27 October (FNV, GVB) |
| No date | New FNV action over the public transport agreement | Regional buses, sometimes lines to Schiphol or the suburbs | Possible, not announced; last action 14 October (FNV) |
| Sunday 15 November (probable) | Arrival of Sinterklaas | Busy centre, tram and traffic diversions | Annual event; date from a listing (Kidsproof, 22 October), to be confirmed by the city |
| Late Nov. to Jan. (to be confirmed) | Amsterdam Light Festival | Canal boats in high demand in the evening | Annual event, dates to be confirmed |
| 25-26 December | Christmas | Sunday timetables, fewer trains and trams | Usual calendar, check GVB and NS |
| 31 December | New Year's Eve | Crowds and fireworks, special night services | Check the city and GVB plans in early December |
Weather and safety in winter
- Storms: the Dutch weather service (KNMI) issues yellow, orange and red alerts; in strong wind, Schiphol flights are delayed or cancelled and bikes and branches fall in the city.
- Ice and fog: possible from December to February, with train and tram delays.
- Threats: no specific warning for Amsterdam in the UK advice of 11 August 2026.
What to do: refunds, insurance, alternatives
- On a strike day: the centre is easy on foot or by bike (bike rental shops do not depend on GVB).
- Schiphol: the train is simplest; if NS stops, take a replacement bus, a taxi or a private transfer, and allow an hour of margin.
- On a rainy or strike day: an indoor guided visit or a covered tasting, such as an Amsterdam food tour, can be booked with free cancellation.
Keep your tickets, receipts and a screenshot of the announcement. For a flight, the airline must offer a refund or rerouting; the fixed compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 depends on the cause of the disruption and only applies to flights leaving the EU, or arriving in the EU with a European airline. Before booking anything non-refundable (hotel, train, excursion), read the cancellation terms.
What if you fall ill or get hurt during the trip? A disruption does not help when there is an accident. SafetyWing (bought online, for the length of the trip) covers medical costs and evacuation; it is not cancellation insurance, so read its trip-interruption terms before counting on it for a strike or a missed flight. See our travel insurance guide.
See also our safety and scams guide.
Flight cancelled or delayed by a strike: are you owed compensation?
- Who is covered: EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) applies to flights leaving the EU (any airline) and flights into the EU on an EU airline.
- Amounts: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km (or intra-EU flights over 1,500 km), €600 beyond 3,500 km, if the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or arrives 3 hours or more late. The amount can be cut by 50% if you are rerouted at times close to the original.
- Strike: the case on this page — Here, the strikes are by third parties. An air traffic control strike, an airport staff strike or a general strike is usually an extraordinary circumstance: no compensation, but the airline must still offer a refund or rebooking and care (meals, hotel).
- Claim for free: directly with the airline, using the form on its website; keep your boarding pass and all proofs. Deadline depends on the country — Netherlands: 2 years.
- Claims service: AirHelp checks your flight for free and handles the claim, taking a commission only if it wins (about 35% of the compensation, VAT included, plus 15% if legal action is needed). You can also claim yourself at no cost.
What to do safely during the general strike
Here is a plan B to keep your trip going without taking risks.
- Areas to avoid on protest days: Dam, Museumplein.
- Outing away from the marches: Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken, day trip, far from the squares where people march.
- Airport transfer: transfer from Amsterdam Schiphol airport, no train, metro or bus to catch.
- Calm hotel, free cancellation: hotels in Oud-Zuid, quiet area, refundable if your plans change.
FAQ
Is there a public transport strike in Amsterdam in November 2026?
None is announced as of 27 October 2026 in the sources checked. The public transport collective agreement is still under negotiation, though, and the FNV already struck on 9 September and 14 October.
Where should I check before leaving?
On the GVB journey planner, the NS app, 9292 and the Schiphol website, the day before and the morning of your trip.
Does a strike cancel my flight at Schiphol?
Not automatically: public transport strikes affect trams and buses, not planes. A ground staff or security strike is normally announced in advance.
Sources checked on 27 October 2026: FNV (14 October 2026), Treinreiziger, RODI (9 September 2026), NH Nieuws, FCDO Netherlands (11 August 2026). No strike announcement for November found; this page will be updated if a strike is announced.
See also: NS train strike, Schiphol and KLM strike.
