Italian train strike 10/27

Just because Trenitalia allowed you to purchase tickets does NOT mean the train will run. No, your ticket will not be honored if the strike actually does happen, and you have accomplished no "precautions" by purchasing. A few trains run even during strikes so hopefully you will be able to find a seat on a different train going to your destination.

If you cannot get on a different train and cannot use your ticket you can apply for a refund.

Need to understand Italian train strikes. First, Many are announced, few are held. Second, every if the strike is held, a number of trains will still run. It may not be your train but another one close to that time. It will be a bit of a hassle but you will get a new ticket from the ticket office.

Well, Tim, it's nice to know I've accomplished nothing. My thought was that ticketholders might find seats more easily when the train starts running at 9 pm, vs. travelers who have no tickets at all. But hopefully Frank is right and we'll be able to grab a train close to when we'd planned. Or maybe it will be canceled. But it's a big strike; planes, trains and everything.

Sounds quite confusing. I definitely don't think it is helpful to buy an advance ticket, no reason to think an advanced ticket holder will be given better treatment for a train that doesn't run than a last minute ticket buyer.

The linked article below is a good read even if it doesn't really answer a specific question
https://www.italiarail.com/strike-information

If you can alter your plans to leave a day earlier or later I would do that instead of waiting to see how it plays out. The strike may never end up happening or your train may not be affected but I wouldn't take that chance.

Where are you trying to go?? What type of train ticket -- fast, IC, Regionale - did you purchase? The response will be a little different depending on train ticket purchased.

PS Have been through five or six announced train strikes in Italy that were never held - doesn't prove much. Did get caught in a Spanish train strike that shut down everything for a couple of days. Fortunately the bus went to the same place.

IMHO it is not easy to interpret strike schedules, and in any case you must understand which union would be on strike and where. You need to know the alphabetic codes and what they mean. If I read the strike list for Oct. 27th, I can see trouble coming for airplanes - there is an ENAV (flight controllers) strike, declared by the major unions (CGIL/CISL/UIL) and the RSA (local union office) of ENAV personnel at Fiumicino. As the flight controllers at Fiumicino control a sizable share of Italian air traffic, this strike has the potential to do some real damage.

As for trains, I see only a national strike by CUB and COBAS, that are minority unions (mainly those who consider CGIL, CISL and UIL as too moderate), I guess no more than 20% of personnel is going to strike.

When there is a strike, first personnel is allocated to run the guaranteed trains, then if extra personnel is available other trains will be run. Regional trains out of the guaranteed hours are lower in pecking order so they will be the last ones to have personnel assigned. - But it is not as simple as it sounds, as train engines and cars are assigned to do outbound and inbound runs from their base; if the outbound is cancelled, the inbound will have to be cancelled too. On this ground I would not trust that trains would be run exactly on timetable as soon as the strike ends, as after a stop the trains may end in the wrong places.

My personal bet on this strike is that it could affect a few long distance trains and some regionals.

Just realized that I'd neglected to write down what train I'm talking about...it is the regional Milano Centrale to Varenna-Esino train (2558)...thanks, Lachera, for the info. The tickets only cost 6.70 euro so if I have to find another way to get there I'm not out much!!!

In 2009 a friend and I were caught by a strike on that very train line. We had planned to take a train around 1 PM. Seeing that the train was canceled, I waited (almost an hour) in the ticket office line at Milano Centrale to find out that there was a strike, and it would probably be over at 5 PM. Sure enough it was, so we, along with EVERYONE else, tried to get on the next train. We were actually able to get seats by going to the very end of the platform, so when it pulled in we were among the first ones on. My friend felt very claustrophobic even with a seat as there were standees all around us. Of course, we made sure to call our hotel to alert them of our (previously unplanned) late arrival, so they wouldn't give away our rooms (they were quite unconcerned, but we didn't want any trouble). As you see, in the end it worked out fine for us, but of course we didn't have non-refundable plane tickets we were racing to use, or something similar.

Because that train line is unreserved, having advance tickets means nothing in regards to a strike. If there is one, all you can do is work around it.

I have seen where almost all regionale trains were cancelled from about 9 am until 5pm. Same with buses. High speed had less cancellations. I've learned that it depends on which unions are striking. I have had to rent a car once in Bologna because no regionale trains or buses were running and we had tickets to the Lamborghini factory. Thanks for posting. I'll be in Bologna before this but my husband will arrive early morning of the 26th.

I see on the Trenitalia site that there are what they consider "essential" hours, between 6 and 9 am and between 6 and 9 pm. I wonder if that will apply to the Milano-Varenna regional train as well. Our 10:20 am tickets can be used up to 4 hours earlier (or later) so maybe we should just show up at Milano Centrale early in the a.m.

Unfortunately you have purchased Regionale train tickets on line that come with additional restrictions. So if you are out side the window on the ticket, you will need a new ticket. Second, generally advice to all you should not - because there is not advantage -- purchase Regionale train tickets on line. These tickets come already validated and can only be used within the four hour window. A Regionale ticket purchased at a machine or in the station (or travel agency) is NOT valid until you validate it (time stamp) in one of the little blue/green/yellow boxes. That ticket gives more flexibility for situations like this.

I will have to see what is happening when I arrive. We get to Milan on October 25th, so I will ask for advice then. If I have to purchase another sort of ticket; I will. As I said earlier, these tickets cost less than 7 euro each.

For those experienced with such strikes, will this pose a problem for my arrival in Rome on 10/28 (arrive around 9 AM)? Will their be residual delays the morning following the strike? I saw someone mention it involves air traffic controllers further up the thread. I've heard about strikes like these and have very little knowledge of them. It will be my first time in Italy, so I'm not familiar with other travel options, the area, etc.

Thanks in advance. We've been planning this trip for quite some time. Hopefully this doesn't throw a wrench in our plans.

Forget the money you wasted buying the regionale on-line. Go to the station before 9 am, buy a ticket and get on one of the trains that run during commuters hours and that are guaranteed even during a strike.

Your tickets can't be used 4 hours earlier, only later.

I can also exchange the tickets at a Trenitalia ticket office...may do that when I arrive, if strike is still as scheduled.

For those experienced with such strikes, will this pose a problem for
my arrival in Rome on 10/28 (arrive around 9 AM)?

canderson1027, the strike does not include the 28th so all should/will be running normally. Also, if you are just coming into the city from the airport, there are multiple ways to do that which are not subject to strikes. For instance, service for the Leonardo Express is guaranteed although buses may be substituted for trains.

http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en/Services/Fiumicino-Airport

Remember all Regionale train tickets are the same regardless of when and where the ticket was purchased. No discount for advance sale or on-line ticket.

Thank you for the reassurances, Kathy. I didn't know if there would be residual delays by the time we got to FCO or any thing of the like. When I hear "strike" I think of days long halts in service. It seems like this is a somewhat regular occurrence in Italy (among other places) and something I shouldn't worry too much about. Thanks again!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I was able to return my 10:20 am train tickets and get new ones for 7:20 am on the Trainline.com site...will leave Milan for Varenna at 7:20 am during the 3-hour guaranteed train window...if strike is over we can use the same tickets later on in the morning.