Is There a Train Strike Today – UK Trains Running Normally

Travellers across the United Kingdom can expect largely normal rail services on Monday 20 April, according to current data from Transport for London (TfL) and National Rail. However, industrial action is scheduled to begin affecting London Underground services from Tuesday 21 April, with further disruption expected through the end of the week.

National Rail operators across the country are not reporting any widespread strikes today or on Tuesday, according to the latest updates available through official disruption channels. Passengers in London should prepare for significant reductions in Tube services from tomorrow, while those travelling through Manchester will encounter engineering-related amendments rather than strike action.

Anyone planning to travel by rail this week is strongly advised to check real-time service updates before setting out, particularly if journeys involve London Underground or any connections reliant on TfL services.

Is there a train strike today in the UK?

As of Monday 20 April, no National Rail operators are experiencing confirmed strike action. The focus of industrial unrest this week centres on Transport for London services, with planned action beginning Tuesday 21 April rather than today.

What passengers need to know right now

• No National Rail operators have confirmed strikes for Monday 20 April or Tuesday 21 April.
• London Underground is running normally on Monday but will face disruption from Tuesday onwards.
• Northern Rail services in the Manchester area are subject to late-night and early-morning amendments, not strike action.
• East London Bus and Coach services are experiencing industrial action through to 24 April as part of an escalation announced on 14 April.
• Passengers holding Advance tickets for potential strike days should check refund eligibility through the National Rail industrial action page.
• Real-time service status should be verified using the National Rail journey planner before travelling.

Train strike status today: London and Manchester

London Underground: normal service today

London Underground services are running normally on Monday 20 April, according to TfL’s official status reports. However, Tube drivers represented by the RMT union are planning two rounds of strikes that will significantly reduce services from Tuesday morning.

The first wave of industrial action runs from Tuesday 21 April through to Wednesday 22 April. A second wave is then scheduled to commence on Thursday 23 April and continue through Friday 24 April, according to information published on TfL’s strike information page.

In addition to Tube driver action, London Underground staff affiliated to the RMT union have action planned through Thursday 23 April, which may affect station facilities and customer services even on days when trains continue to run.

Manchester: no strikes, but service changes apply

Passengers travelling through Manchester do not face any confirmed train strikes this week, based on available data from the strike calendar and National Rail disruption feeds. Northern Rail, which operates many services in the Manchester area, shows no active strike-related alerts.

However, engineering works are affecting late-night and early-morning services to and from Manchester Oxford Road between Monday 20 and Thursday 23 April. Services between Manchester Airport and Blackpool North are also subject to amendments from Monday 20 through to Friday 24 April. These are scheduled works rather than industrial action, but they will alter timetables for passengers relying on those routes during unsocial hours.

Past disruptions on Northern Rail routes, including crew shortages and reduced coach availability noted on 16 March, have been resolved and are not related to current planned action.

Engineering works affecting other routes

Beyond Manchester, several engineering projects are in place across the National Rail network this week. These include bus replacement services between Llandrindod and Llandovery until 23 April, and Thameslink amendments affecting services to and from Sutton between 20 and 24 April.

Passengers travelling on routes connecting London Liverpool Street to Norwich, Southern services via Streatham Common, and Chester line services should check for amended timetables. Information on all of these disruptions is available through the National Rail disruption status page.

Train strike dates this week and tomorrow

Tuesday 21 April and Wednesday 22 April

Tuesday 21 April marks the beginning of the first Tube driver strike wave this week. Both Tuesday and Wednesday will see reduced London Underground services. National Rail services that interface with TfL infrastructure may also experience knock-on effects during these two days.

While no National Rail operator strike action is formally confirmed for these dates, the industrial action bulletins displayed within journey planners for affected operators indicate heightened awareness of the TfL disruptions. Advance ticket sales may be paused on days at risk of industrial action to prevent overselling.

Thursday 23 April and Friday 24 April

A second wave of Tube driver strikes is scheduled to begin on Thursday 23 April and run through to Friday 24 April. This means London Underground services face disruption across four of the five weekdays this week.

The RMT union representing London Underground staff has action running through Thursday 23 April, meaning station services and operational support could be impacted even beyond the direct driver strikes.

Broader engineering and network updates

In addition to industrial action, the wider National Rail network has engineering works running throughout the week. These include modifications to services via Streatham Common, changes to Thameslink routes serving Sutton, and amended Chester line services. Airport rail links including those serving Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton are not subject to rail strikes this week, according to the latest strike calendar data.

Passengers planning cross-country journeys should consult the Trainline industrial action information for an overview of how planned works and strikes may interact. Trainline last updated its general 2025–2026 strike information on 17 April and currently notes no new national rail strikes for this specific week.

Bus and coach services

While not directly affecting rail services, East London Bus and Coach services are experiencing industrial action escalated on 14 April and running through 24 April. This is being handled by UNITE union members over disputes concerning rota changes. Passengers in east London who rely on bus connections to rail hubs should factor this into their travel plans.

What this means for travel this week

The pattern of industrial action this week is concentrated on London’s Underground network rather than the wider National Rail system. Passengers in Manchester, the North West, and other regions outside London will find their services largely unaffected by strikes, though late-night and early-morning engineering works continue to alter timetables on selected routes.

For those travelling to or from London, the four-day strike window from Tuesday through Friday means Underground services will be significantly reduced. Alternative transport options, including rail replacement buses and overground services where available, are likely to face increased demand.

The dispute between London Underground staff and TfL management centres on working patterns and scheduling, matters that have triggered repeated industrial action over recent years. These disputes show no signs of immediate resolution, and further strike dates beyond this week cannot be ruled out without a negotiated settlement.

How to check for updates

Official sources should be the first point of reference for anyone needing to verify current service status. The TfL strike campaign page provides the most authoritative account of planned Underground and bus disruptions. National Rail’s journey planner and alerts system offer a national view of all confirmed strikes and engineering works.

Strike calendars are updated as announcements are made, so travellers should check back if journeys are planned for later this week or beyond. The CrossCountry Trains industrial action guidance also provides useful context on how individual operators manage service disruption around strike dates.

Confirmed and unconfirmed information at a glance

Some aspects of the current rail situation are clearly established, while others remain open to change depending on announcements from unions, operators, and TfL.

Background on this week’s rail disruptions

Industrial action on London’s transport network has been a recurring feature of the past several years. The RMT union, which represents both Tube drivers and station staff, has engaged in multiple rounds of strikes over disputes relating to rostering, pay, and working conditions. The current round of action affecting London Underground is rooted in a dispute over rota changes that TfL has sought to implement as part of its operational restructuring.

UNITE, another major transport union, has also escalated action affecting East London Bus and Coach services in recent days. While these bus strikes do not directly disrupt rail services, they compound travel difficulties for passengers in east London who depend on integrated bus and rail connections to reach their destinations.

Manchester has experienced operational challenges on its rail network in recent months, including crew shortages noted in March, but no evidence of strike action affecting the area this week. The engineering works currently altering late-night services are part of ongoing network improvements rather than industrial disputes.

Sources and official information

Industrial action bulletins appear in journey planners for affected operators; Advance tickets may be paused on potential strike days to avoid overselling.

— National Rail, Travel Information: Industrial Action

Tube driver strikes are scheduled for Tuesday 21 to Wednesday 22 April and Thursday 23 to Friday 24 April. London Underground services will be disrupted during these periods.

— Transport for London (TfL), Strike Campaign Page

Official sources consulted for this report include TfL’s dedicated strike information page, National Rail’s disruption and industrial action channels, the strike calendar database, Northern Rail’s service update feed, and Trainline’s industrial action overview. Each of these sources is updated as new information becomes available and should be checked directly for the most current status.

Summary and travel advice

Monday 20 April is not a rail strike day across the UK, with no confirmed National Rail action affecting services. London Underground is running normally today but will face significant disruption from Tuesday 21 April onwards when Tube drivers begin a two-wave strike action running through to Friday 24 April. Manchester and the wider National Rail network are not subject to strike action this week, though engineering works are altering late-night and early-morning services on selected routes.

Passengers travelling through London this week should plan for reduced Underground services and consider alternative routes. Real-time status should be confirmed using the official TfL and National Rail channels before setting out.