So far i had been in luck with the strike schedule. Then i noticed yesterday that someone said there was one on june 25th. I do not know what to do. I am supposed to take a train that day to florence from venice. I have hotel reservations for that night in florence, as well as a tour of tuscany that leaves early that next morning. What are my options? I really do not want to drive.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
According to www.goneonstrike.com, a website that tracks such things, there is a 24-hour train strike planned for June 25th in Rome. Don't know if this will affect trains out of Venice, maybe it won't.
At least you can use that website to keep updated.
Italian transport strikes are frequently postponed or canceled.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17245 posts
The strikes affect mainly local and regional trains.
If you go on the Trenitalia website, it shows the IC and Eurostar trains from Venice to Florence running normally on 25 June. (EDIT: Tim has pointed out that this doesn't mean what I thought it did. They are showing fares, but it doesn't necessarily mean th etrains are running. You will need to check locally when you arrive.)
On the other hand, the same website shows "NA" for all morning trains between Lucca and Pisa, and many between Lucca and La Spezia (but one or 2 are running there).
The "strike" website someone posted on Jill's other thread says the 25 June strike is nationwide, if I read the Italian correctly, But again, it seems it will affect mainly the regional and local trains.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If it's a nationwide strike, long-distance trains can be affected, too.
According to the Trenitalia site (Italian only), there is one train for Venezia-Firenze that is guaranteed to run during a strike. It is ES 9425 and it leaves Venezia Santa Lucia at 18:27 and arrives at Firenze S.M.N. at 20:30.
It looks like this will be a local strike which won't affect long-distance trains. However, you could find out for sure as soon as you arrive in Italy. Then, if necessary, buy a ticket for ES 9425 immediately.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17245 posts
Tim---it is a nationwide strike (the website says "nazionale" but affecting "Trasporto pubblico locale, ferroviario e servizi".
That's why I'm thinking it won't affect the IC and ES trains betwen Venice and Florence. Wouldn't the Trenitalia site show the trains as "NA" if they weren't going to run that day?
I'm trying to help Jill but also trying to figure it out muyself, as we will be in Italy then too (and using regional trains!)
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Lola,
What I wrote was misleading. While a national strike can affect long-distance trains, it doesn't necessarily do so. From the quote you found in Italian, it certainly appears that for this particular strike long-distance service will not be affected. However, when in doubt, ask.
The "N/A" message for a regional train on the Trenitalia timetables is in reference to the fare. It does not mean that the train is not running. It means that you are checking a date too far in advance for fares to be shown. Enter a date within the next few days and the fare will appear.
You see fares for some particular 25 June departure times for Lucca-La Spezia because one leg is not on a Regionale train.
The timetables only show what is "normal." They won't change just because there is a strike.
The links on this page on the Trenitalia site will show you which regional trains are guaranteed to run during a strike. Click on the region(s) of your choice.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17245 posts
OK, thanks. It was confusing, because for the same day (June 25), they show all the fares for the Venice to Florence trains that Jill needs; no fares at all from Lucca to Pisa (which is where we will be), and a few, but not many, for Lucca to La Spezia.
But you are correct---it doesn't show fares for 22 June or even 20 June either.
I guess we better think about renting a car (or using bicycles) on 25 June if we want to leave Lucca.