I've read all the posts here, and on other sites. Since the October 20 is a national general strike, held annually, is there any chance that it actually would be canceled? It is for buses, ferries, and trains. So buying a bus ticket to avoid a train delay doesn't make sense to me. For trains, the strike is from 21:00 on the 19th through 19:00 on the 20th. Our Italo train #8924 for Venice leaves Florence at 8:39am and I'm almost sure it's on the "guaranteed list" but that list also states if there are stops made after the protected times of 6 - 9am the train may stop at an interim station and dump you there. If I leave the day before I have to rebook my Venice airbnb (very few that are available for my dates) and a guided tour. Decent hotel rooms are now incredibly expensive (and also difficult to find for my dates). This is my first time to Italy and I am so confused by all the conflicting information out there. I planned so far in advance to get good rates for accommodations - ugh! My questions: 1. Do "guaranteed" trains stop? 2. For those who have traveled on strike days on a "guaranteed" train, were there any delays? Thank you for any clarity you can provide.
According to this site strikes is from 00.01 to 23.59 including the first shift for shift workers, for motorways from 22.00 on 19/10 to 22.00 on 20/10, for railways from 21.00 on 19/10 to 21.00 on 20/10. https://www.cgsse.it/calendario-scioperi/dettaglio-sciopero/331360#intervento.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1721 posts
- In case of strike, a minimum level of service must be guaranteed; some long distance trains will be guaranteed; regional trains will run in protected times. Long distance trains may be rerouted or assigned extra stops, but once they leave they should get to destination. Protected times are only for regional (short distance) trains.
- Your train is on guaranteed list; also, Italo engineers are less likely to go on strike.
- You should have a look to which union is calling the strike. Without a knowledge of Italian politics, the relative power of unions may be elusive, but it is a necessary knowledge to understand the strike list. So, if you see that the strike is called by mass unions like CGIL, CISL, UIL, it could be a serious disruption; but the Oct. 20th strike is called by small unions that should not have the power of paralyzing the system. So my guess (mind you, a guess) is that the strike will have limited consequences on your travel. I would be more concerned if you had, say, to board an expensive international flight after the train run. But you have all the day in front of you just to get to Venice.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thank you SO MUCH for this information, I'm confident now I can keep to my current arrangements and just be aware my arrival may be delayed. BTW the unions calling the strike currently are Adl, cub, sgb, and Yes Cobas. This forum is so very helpful!
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1721 posts
Just to make my mind clearer: a combined CGIL+CISL+UIL+UGL railway strike in April was endorsed by 80% of workers. While CUB and COBAS are strong in urban bus services, I do not think they can command more than 20% of railway workers, probably not even that - this would mean regular long distances services and some cancellations in regional services. Add on top that your train is included in Italo's guaranteed services, so they will try their best to actually run it. So my guess is that you have more than 90% probability of getting to Venice without troubles; in the really really worst case, that I consider unlikely, you could be stranded in Florence and you would have to add an extra night in Florence. But it would make little sense to change plans and spend money now just to fix an unlikely outcome; spend it only if you really get in trouble. Had you a 2000 USD airline tickets' worth for the morning of 20th, I would say stay on the safe side and travel a day in advance; but if only a day accomodation is your maximum damage, I would keep the plans. - This would be my personal guess for myself, but it is always difficult to give advice.
Another idea: as your train starts from Rome at 6:55am, have a look at https://italoinviaggio.italotreno.it/en (or on the Italo app) around 7:15-7:30am on the day of travel and you will have an idea of its progress way before it gets to Florence. This is always a good idea even if no strikes are planned.
Posted by
2 posts
I hope it is ok if I jump in to ask about the strike. I have a flight from Naples to Dublin to US on Oct 20. If this strike happens will all flights be grounded? I asked air lingus about changing flight to next day but as of. now it will cost me $400. I wonder if you have any advice for me? I will be staying in Sorrento and planning on taxi to Naples morning of Oct 20. What I am thinking now is to book a single night at hotel for Oct 20 in Sorrento (with free cancellation by Oct 19), if strike happens, looks like there is a lot of room on same flight on Oct 21, that I'm assuming I'll be switched to, and if I know strike is cancelled before Oct 19 I can cancel the room. Does this plan sound reasonable? Thanks!