European passenger rail operators are using different responses to the June 2026 heatwave, ranging from formal “do not travel” advice in Britain to infrastructure monitoring, speed limits, water distribution and passenger guidance in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Hungary.
The strongest operational response
identified so far is in Britain, where National Rail and LNER are advising
passengers to avoid non-essential travel on the hottest days. Continental
operators are generally keeping services running while adding heat-specific
controls around infrastructure, rolling stock and passenger welfare.
United Kingdom: National Rail and LNER reduce travel demand
National Rail has issued network-wide hot
weather advice for England and Wales, with temperatures of up to 38°C possible
and red and amber Met Office warnings in place until Thursday 25 June.
Passengers travelling on 24 and 25 June to, from or within the red warning zone
are being told to travel only if absolutely necessary.
Ticket easements are part of the response.
Tickets for 23, 24 and 25 June can be used instead on Friday 26 June, while
passengers choosing not to travel on those dates can claim a full refund
without an administration fee. National Rail is also advising passengers to
travel before midday where possible, carry water, wait in shade or waiting
rooms, and check journey planners before departure.
The technical risk identified by National
Rail includes sagging overhead lines, lineside fires and rail buckling. Speed
restrictions may be introduced, causing delays and cancellations.
LNER has issued separate advice for the
East Coast Main Line, telling passengers booked on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25
June not to travel following a red heat warning. The operator says Network Rail
may introduce speed restrictions, increasing journey times and requiring LNER
to reduce services on both days. Tickets for 24 and 25 June can be used on LNER
services up to and including Tuesday 30 June, or refunded in full.
© Yoann STOECKEL – Group SJR – VHM – IDFM
France: Île-de-France prepares for speed limits and service changes
Île-de-France Mobilités is warning that
high temperatures can disrupt RER, train and tram operations because overhead
power cables may slacken or break and rails may expand. It says rail
temperatures can reach 50–60°C when outside temperatures exceed 37°C.
The Paris regional transport authority says
operators may introduce speed restrictions once temperatures exceed 30°C.
Services may also be cancelled or reorganised where rail deformation creates a
safety risk. SNCF Réseau and RATP teams are inspecting track and monitoring
trains, trams and RER operations in real time.
Passenger guidance focuses on avoiding peak
hours, checking traffic information before travel, carrying water and choosing
air-conditioned routes where available. Île-de-France Mobilités says 100% of
trams, 75% of trains and RER trainsets, 60% of buses and coaches, and 50% of
metro trains had air-conditioning or refrigerated ventilation in June 2026.
© NS
Netherlands: NS focuses on preparation rather than travel bans
NS is presenting its heat response as an
operational preparation exercise. The Dutch operator says warm days can affect
both passengers and railway systems, and it prepares extra measures before high
temperatures arrive.
The company’s approach is centred on
monitoring services, preparing staff and informing passengers. NS is not using
the same “only travel if necessary” message seen in Britain in the material
reviewed, but its communication places emphasis on planning journeys and being
ready for disruption during warm weather.
© SBB
Switzerland: SBB increases infrastructure control and uses local cooling
SBB’s heat response is mainly
infrastructure-led. The Swiss operator says main lines are inspected every two
to four weeks by trained route inspectors, with additional regular checks
intended to identify heat-related track deformation quickly. In most cases, SBB
says the immediate measure is a local speed reduction, followed by track
correction or rail replacement if needed.
SBB also uses concrete sleepers more widely
because they absorb lateral forces better than wooden sleepers when rails
expand in heat. Where this is not enough, rails can be cooled with water from
tank wagons, particularly on exposed sections, older track or after maintenance
work.
The operator does not generally paint rails
white. SBB says tests by SBB, DB and ÖBB found a rail-temperature reduction of
around 5°C, which it considers too limited given the effort and disadvantages,
including more difficult crack detection.
Passenger communication is handled through
station and onboard displays, announcements and online channels. SBB says
disruption and delays remain possible during high temperatures, particularly
where heat coincides with construction work.
© MÁV-csoport
Hungary: MÁV distributes water at stations
MÁV Group has activated passenger welfare
measures during Hungary’s second-level national heat alert, running from 20
June to 23 June. The company is distributing free bottled water during the
alert period under an order from the transport ministry.
Water is available daily from 10:00 to
17:00 at Budapest’s Déli, Keleti and Nyugati stations and at major regional
stations including Debrecen, Győr, Miskolc, Nyíregyháza, Szeged, Pécs,
Székesfehérvár and Szolnok. MÁV is also using mist gates at busy stations
including Nyugati, Déli, Debrecen and Pécs, with further locations planned.
The company is asking passengers not to
travel without enough drinking water and to avoid standing in direct sun where
possible. Timetable changes caused by weather are being updated through
MÁVINFORM.
Europe-wide pattern
The operational split is clear. Britain is
using demand management, ticket flexibility and reduced service plans ahead of
the hottest days. France and Switzerland are emphasising infrastructure
protection through monitoring, speed limits and technical measures. Hungary is
focusing on passenger welfare at stations. The Netherlands is communicating
preparation and passenger guidance without a travel-ban message in the material
reviewed.
The common technical risks are rail
expansion, track deformation, overhead line sagging and power-supply
disruption. The common passenger-facing measures are journey checks, water,
shade, flexible travel and warnings that short-notice changes remain possible.
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