I noticed there is an upcoming strike on 5/15-16 in Lombardia and Toscana.
We are supposed to be leaving Cinque Terre and headed to Florence on the 16th with a few hour stopover in Pisa.
Traveling via train was the plan, but how do these strikes affect this? Should I plan to hire a driver instead?
Looking at the strike schedule, it appears the Lombardy and Tuscany strikes are scheduled to end at 2:00 and 2:30 AM on the 16th. So I would hope this means your travel plans on the 16th will be unaffected. No experience with this myself, however.
Heh I am ashamed to admit that I didn't realize the time was in 24hr format!
Since that is the case, hopefully we can move forward as planned.
If anybody else has any experience with this feel free to chime in!
Thanks Kat!
A few years back I experienced a train strike from Rome to Assisi. Passengers were asked to exit the train with their belongings due to a strike. I was in a panic - not sure what to do - we waited five minutes on the platform and then were asked to board the train. Strike over.
Your plans shouldn't be too affected by the strike.
Happy Travels!
Spello, You were on one of the few trains guaranteed to run up to the final destination even during a strike, it's not something you can always count on.
The strike is on the 15th. It ends at 2:30am of the 16th so you are good.
Oi! Thanks for the warning. On May 15, we plan to take the train from Milan to our Como accommodations. Since it's an hour-long trip and there are frequent trains, our original plan is to take the first train going to Como when we get to the station. Will that still work? Are regional trains affected by strikes the same way? Do all trains stop? Is it possible there might be a train to Varenna and once we got there, we could ferry to Como? Are buses an option or are they included in the strike? Are there any strategies we should be thinking of? I'm glad I've got some time to wrap my head around this. Our only fixed point that day is to get to Como and that might be more interesting than I thought. I'd be thankful for any advice people might have.
Are regional trains affected by strikes the same way?
It's the company running regional trains in Lombardy that's going on strike
Do all trains stop?
No, some are guaranteed to run, mostly during rush hours
buses are they included in the strike?
It's a railway strike
Are there any strategies we should be thinking of?
Take one of the few trains guaranted to run during a strike.
Fair enough, Dario. It's a Sunday and what would be considered the rush hour? If it isn't a complete shutdown, how do I know which trains would be guaranteed to run? If a train is listed on the board with a time, it will run or is it more serendipitous? I just like to be prepared. Strikes I've experienced in the US meant nothing moved. It seems a little different in Italy. If I know that eventually, if I'm persistent, I'll get to where I want to be, I can live with that.
The strike begins on the 15th at 15:00, but the 16th is a Monday and on working days the rush hour is 6-9 and 18-21.
Train companies have no way to know in advance who will strike and who won't. The only board you can trust Is the board hanging in the station during a strike: https://images.app.goo.gl/AFb1Cuy1EmGepVjj9
Dario, does the strike start time you mention - 15:00 mean 3:00 AM or 3:00 PM? I am landing in Rome at 7:45 on the 15th of May and have a reservation for a train to Florence at 11:35 AM. I have a feeling I might be in trouble. Which website is a reliable source for strike information?
15:00 = 3:00 PM
Thanks Christine! That would be excellent as our train is at 11:35 AM so we may just make it out as we arrive in Florence at 13:00ish. I am going to pray to whatever Saint is in charge of transportation that this will all work out! I still wonder where Dario is citing from as I have one source but I am not sure it is reliable. Does anyone else have a good website on strike info?
That would be Saint Christopher but his existence is questionable
Ha, Ha! Yes, I remember some drivers used to put him on their dashboard!
The only thing I am still confused about is that another poster, Roberto, stated that "the strike is on the 15th and It ends at 2:30 AM on the 16th. My understanding is that many of these strikes last 24 hours so wouldn't that mean the strike would start at 2:30 AM on the 15th? If Roberto is correct then I'm screwed! Or am I time challenged? This is why I would like to see a link to the actual site where this info is posted.
I am landing in Rome at 7:45 on the 15th of May and have a reservation for a train to Florence at 11:35 AM
jeanrose, you are flying into Rome and taking a Trenitalia (or Italo) high speed train to Florence.
As I wrote: It's the company running regional trains in Lombardy (and Tuscany) that's going on strike. Different trains, id not different companies.
The only thing I am still confused about is that another poster, Roberto, stated that "the strike is on the 15th and It ends at 2:30 AM on the 16th
Roberto is right and I was wrong about the times . The site says:
From 03:00 AM of May 15 to 02:00 AM May 16 Company: Trenord
From 03.31 AM of May 15 to 02.30 AM of May 16 Company: Trenitalia.
Ps I don't know where I copied "15:00" from on the Strikes site, but I am sure I copied and pasted it! The guaranteed time-slots I pasted are right: https://www.trenord.it/assistenza/informazioni-utili/in-caso-di-sciopero/
Thanks for clarifying Dario. Unfortunately that is bad news for me and no amount of praying to Saint Christopher is going to help as I am smack dab in the middle of that timeframe!
I may also suffer on May the 20th as I read there is a national strike of ALL public and private entities. I am supposed to rent a car on that day from Europcar in Florence. I called Europcar today and they knew nothing about the national strike and said that they wouldn't expect it to affect them. I hope the agent I spoke to is right. I am getting such a sinking feeling about this trip.
I am smack dab in the middle of that timeframe!
But you are takin a national high speed train from Rome. At the worst your Trenitalia high speed train won't go past Florence. If you want to be 100% sure just take an Italotreno train to Florence: they never strike.
I may also suffer on May the 20th
I doubt the Strike on May 20 will affect high speed trains workers and rental companies offices.
All is possible, of course, but it would be a first time for such a small Union. They are strong among Trenitalia Regionale workers, I can't see why the manager of a rental agency should shut his business down only to make an obscure Union happy.
Thanks again Dario. Italy is one confusing place in terms of scioperos!
Can you recommend the best website to follow updates for strikes. I've been going to the Minister for the Public Administration - Dashboard of Strikes in the Public Sector (https://www.commissionegaranziasciopero.it/calendario-scioperi). Is this a good site?
