Anyone travelling in Italy in September should be prepared for disruption, with a series of strikes planned across the country’s railways, airports and local public transport. The walkouts come as millions of people return from the summer holidays and could affect both domestic journeys and international travel.
There will also be a 24-hour general strike later in the month, potentially extending disruption beyond transport to schools, healthcare and other public services.
The biggest dates for travellers are September 7-8 for the railways, September 15 for local transport in several cities, September 26 for the general strike and September 30 for air travel.
National rail strike on September 7-8
The first major stoppage will affect Italy’s railways from 9pm on Sunday, September 7, until 9pm on Monday, September 8.
Drivers and onboard staff at Trenitalia, Trenitalia Tper and Mercitalia Rail are due to take part in the 24-hour national strike. Freight services are also expected to be affected during September.
Regional strikes involving maintenance and infrastructure workers at RFI are planned for September 10-11, while a separate national strike is scheduled at freight operator Captrain Italia over the same period.
Passengers using trains on weekdays should benefit from the usual guaranteed service periods, with protected services generally operating between 6am and 9am and between 6pm and 9pm. Travellers should nevertheless check their specific service before setting out, particularly if they are connecting with flights or long-distance journeys.
Airport disruption throughout the month
Air travellers face several potential stoppages. On September 13, ground-handling workers at Pisa and Florence airports are due to strike between 11am and 3pm. Private security staff at Rome Fiumicino, Turin and Milan Malpensa airports are also scheduled to walk out during the same four-hour period.
The most significant disruption could come at the end of the month. A four-hour national strike by staff at Italy’s air traffic control operator ENAV and maintenance company Techno Sky is scheduled for September 30. Both strikes are planned for the afternoon, potentially causing delays and cancellations at airports across the country.
Even a relatively short air traffic control strike can have knock-on effects throughout the day, as aircraft and crews are displaced from their planned schedules.
Passengers travelling on September 30 should therefore allow extra time and check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport.
Read: Italian strikes – a survival guide for residents and visitors
Local transport strikes
Italy’s local public transport network will also see a series of strikes during September. Walkouts are planned in cities including Genoa, Venice, Vicenza, Trento, Bergamo and Perugia.
September 15 is likely to be particularly difficult, with public transport strikes listed in Florence, Prato, Ravenna, Naples, Venice and Pisa. The precise impact will vary between cities and operators, with some services continuing during guaranteed periods.
For visitors, the disruption could affect buses, trams and other urban transport, making it worth checking local operator announcements before planning journeys on strike days. All official transport strikes are recorded on the government website.
General strike on September 26
The most wide-ranging stoppage is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, when a 24-hour general strike is expected to affect a number of sectors.
Unlike the transport-specific strikes earlier in the month, the general strike could extend to schools, healthcare, public administration and other services as well as transport.
The exact level of disruption will depend on which unions and workers participate, but anyone planning to travel or attend appointments that day should check locally before making arrangements.
What are your rights if a strike cancels your journey?
Transport strikes do not automatically remove passengers’ rights. Under EU passenger protection rules, travellers whose trains or flights are cancelled because of strike action may be entitled to a refund or rerouting, depending on the circumstances and the type of service.
For flights, however, compensation for delays or cancellations is a separate matter. A strike by airline staff may be treated differently from industrial action by airport or air traffic control workers, so passengers should check the specific circumstances rather than assume compensation will be payable.
The safest approach is to check directly with the airline or railway operator before travelling.
