Train strike in Italy

Posted by Maggie (Boscombe, Dorset, UK) on 10/15/08 02:33 AM

I've booked a non refundable hotel in Venice for Nov 8-10 and have to get to Milan by 11 am on Nov 11 for our flight home. My original plan was to leave Venice on the 10th and catch the train fron Venice to Bergamo, where we would spend the night and get to the airport in the morning.

Now, thanks to a post on this website, I've found out that there is going to be a 24 hour strike on Trenitalia set from 9pm Nov 9th- 9pm Nov 10. So I'm wondering how on earth we can get to Milan (Bergamo airport)on Nov 11, by 11am. There doesn't seem to be any bus service; and we are reluctant to travel all night. We are going there for my 60th birthday, which is on the 9th. My lovely OH (Other Half) says it looks like it's going to be an interesting birthday! He is the master of understatement.

Anyone got any suggestions? I'm stuck in panic mode at the moment!

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

10/15/08 05:58 AM

15110 posts

Fly. Alitalia has numerous flights between Venice and Bergamo during the day. (No-nonstops, you have to change planes in Rome.) Fare about $210/person.

Drive. Rent a car. Pick it up outside of Venice and leave it at Bergamo Airport. It's about 240 km/140 miles. Motorway the entire way. Tolls are about 12 Euro.

Posted by Angela

Chicago/Rural WI

10/15/08 08:16 AM

811 posts

To add to what Frank advised, I would say if you decide to drive, then book your car immediately (and reconfirm it before you go).

We were in Florence trying to get to Cinque Terre when a rail strike was announced last year. The owner of our hotel very helpfully tried calling every single car rental agency in the area, and we couldn't even find a used Yugo with 100,000+ miles on it to rent! We ended up just going to the train station to suss out the situation, and oddly enough, some trains were actually still running. An Italian explained to us (whether this is correct or not) that even during strikes some trains must still run, because the train companies are not allowed to fully disrupt entire towns (by cutting off the only transit option available to many in the local workforce).

However, since you may not have any way of knowing beforehand which trains might still be running, I'd not take the chance and drive (or fly)!

Or, is there any way you could change your return flight home to leave from Venice, instead?

Either way, good luck!

Posted by Susan and Monte

Granite Bay, CA

10/15/08 08:20 AM

225 posts

We needed to get from Venice to Florence on a day where they were stiking. When I went to buy our ticket (two days ahead of time) I was told of the strike. They told me there were two trains guaranteed to run. So, I bought tickets on that train. It ended up being a couple hours later than I wanted, but we had no trouble at all. You may want to check and see because I think they always still have some trains running.

Posted by Tim

Minneapolis, MN, USA

10/15/08 09:04 AM

8700 posts

Yes, there are trains that are guaranteed to run during a strike. According to trenitalia.com, one of those is the IC Plus train #606 which runs between Venezia Santa Lucia and Torino. It leave Venezia Santa Lucia at 07:52 and stops at Milano Centrale at 10:55 on its way to Torino. Another is the IC Plus train #622 which leaves Venezia Santa Lucia at 14:51 and stops at Milano Centrale at 17:55 on its way to Torino.

Posted by Maggie OP

Boscombe, Dorset, UK

10/15/08 09:25 AM

964 posts

Thank you so much for these posts. I am much relieved. This website and the folks here- pure gold! Thank you again. I'll be raising a glass to you all in Italy! Cheers, Maggie