A communication system comprises: failure detection means that detects a failure on a first transmission path over which data transmission is being performed; transmission path setting means that, when the failure exists in a link or a node that is located immediately before its own node, sets a second transmission path as far as a transmission terminal node, the second transmission path that excludes a path from the transmission terminal node to a node that has detected the failure within the first transmission path; first failure notification means that transmits a failure notification signal as far as the transmission terminal node over the second transmission path; new path switching means that, upon receipt of the failure notification signal, switches a switch for data transmission so that a path for new data transmission is the same path as a transmission path for the failure notification signal; and data transmission means that, upon the transmission terminal node receiving the failure notification signal, switches the switch to the second transmission path and performs a new data transmission over the second transmission path.