Bought etickets online from Trenitalia website a month ago. Just found out will be strike until 9pm, on day we are to travel. (already checked website for the trains that still run on strike day & ours is not one of them) I just changed hotel rez to leave next day. Can we use the ticketson the train the next day? How do the Trenitalia conductors etc on the train react, or deal with these strike issues? (We will be in Bellagio & there on no train station to exchange or request refund.)
thanks
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23660 posts
Many announced strikes are not held so you may have to wait till that day.
Posted by
OP
Palo Alto, CA, USA
6 posts
I know that, but I have found in the past 10 years, when this website states there is a train strike, ... there IS a strike!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
This is exactly why I try to avoid train travel in Italy on a Sunday. The strikes (when they happen) usually start Saturday evening and go for 24 hours.
Posted by
OP
Palo Alto, CA, USA
6 posts
I am sorry, but the date of travel is a Tuesday, not a Sunday
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23660 posts
How about share this magic web site with us?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Frank, the website is actually www.trenitalia.com. Links to information on train strikes has always been a feature right on their main web page. By Italian law and agreements with the unions, many trains will still run during the strike. Links will take you to the pages that show which trains are running and what times they depart. Last I saw these pages, they were in Italian.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32402 posts
Sandra, Are you travelling to Bellagio via Varenna? Before you go to Bellagio, one possibility might be to stop in the Tivano Tours Travel Agency just below the station in Varenna. They should be able to sort out the ticket situation for you. Another option would be to stop at the ticket office at Milano Centrale or other station, and try to exchange your tickets. @Frank, This is one site that I use to check on strikes: http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/italy_transport_strikes/ Good luck!
Posted by
OP
Palo Alto, CA, USA
6 posts
Sorry for my delay in replying, but I do have an & some websites. 2 are in Italian, but you can use Google Translate. 1- Lists of strikes http://www.cgsse.it/ 2-Minister of Transport (it says strikes of national importance) http://www.mit.gov.it/mit/site.php?p=scioperi On the Trenitalia website, they show the "essential services" that will occur on strike days http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2bb0f8fcf75ca110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD I think I got the sites from the SlowTravel website - excellent http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/italy_transport_strikes/ I got a reply from the author of the SlowTravel blog on the SlowTravel Forum who told me that he 'understood' that the strike was only of support personnel & the trains might run.
So, finally, I wrote the "Customer Service" section of Trenitalia. They replied the next day saying exactly what the SlowTravel guy said. Yes - there was a National Train Strike, but it was only of support people (like those cleaning the cars) & all trains would run that day.