How to navigate a strike in Rome (and in Italy!)

Whether it’s your first trip to Italy or you’re a seasoned traveler already, there’s always one thing that is consistently going to come your way when you land (and no, we’re not necessarily thinking of great food!): strikes. More specifically, public transport strikes are likely to happen during your stay. Yes, they’re that frequent!

Why are strikes so common in Italy?

Be it protests against the current government’s latest piece of legislation or a not-so-subtle reminder that a contract for a specific category of workers has long expired, strikes are a fact of life in Italy, and locals are generally unfazed by them.

Rome is somewhat of an exception — as the capital and seat of government, strikes have a greater impact on the city. They are usually accompanied by protests, which plunge the city into chaos — albeit temporary.

That’s right: Italian strikes only last for a few hours, after which everything goes back to normal. Unfortunately though, those “few hours” may be the exact time when your plane lands or your train is due to depart. What should you do then? In this blog post, we’ll teach you the basics of strikes in Rome and Italy.

What are strikes like in Rome (and Italy)?

As mentioned, strikes can be called for a number of reasons, which is why they are frequent. They always take place for a set number of hours, for example, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the local media will notify you in advance about an upcoming strike. If you can’t access the local news or an English-language media outlet reporting on Italy, there is a government-run website that collects all strike-related information. A web-based translation will be necessary.

Note that the website only covers a few months at a time because strikes are tied to government decisions and are not announced a year ahead of time. On this note…

Where to check for strike information

Beyond the official government website we have listed above, tourists should monitor:

• Local transport authority websites: Each city has its own transport company (ATAC in Rome, ATM in Milan, etc.)
• Trenitalia and Italo websites: For high-speed train-specific strikes when moving from city to city
• Local news apps: Many have English versions or are easily translatable

Strikes: essential information for first-time visitors

You should know that even during strikes, essential services are guaranteed. For example, with transport strikes, some buses or trains will still operate during peak commuting hours, although with reduced frequency.

While other types of strikes are always possible (think hospital strikes), transport strikes are more likely to impact tourists. These can affect different modes of transportation independently or simultaneously:

• Local public transport (buses, trams, metro)
• Regional and long-distance, high-speed trains (companies involved include Trenitalia, Trenord, Italo…)
• Air traffic controllers or airport luggage handlers (affecting flights)
• Ferry services
• Taxis (less common, but possible)

Practical strike survival tips

If you find out that a strike is going to occur while you are visiting Italy, we recommend the following:

• Book flexible tickets: choose refundable/changeable tickets when possible
• Plan ample buffer time: if you have a flight or important appointment, consider arriving a day early if there’s a strike announced
• Download city transport apps: the majority of Italian cities have official apps showing real-time service updates
• Keep cash handy: taxis may be your only option, and demand (and prices) surge during strikes. This is also true for Uber services available in Italy (UberBlack, UberVan…)
• Consider alternative routes: Rome’s metro system has three lines – if one is on strike, the others might still operate, especially if the strike was called by a small union.

Strike etiquette for tourists

• If you come across a protest, don’t take photos of participants without permission
• Avoid large gatherings, especially in Rome’s city center
• Be patient – locals are dealing with the same inconvenience
• Ask for help – Italians are generally helpful to confused tourists during strikes!

Red flag dates for strikes in Italy

Certain times of the year see more frequent strikes:

• September-October (back to school/end of summer leave for many categories of workers, including… government officials)
• Before major holidays when contract negotiations intensify
• During significant political events or budget discussionsIt’s also worth noting that strikes are forbidden by law between the end of July and the start of September, as to avoid major disruptions during peak tourist season.

Refunds and ticket changes

If your flight or high-speed train is affected by a strike, don’t panic! Airlines and train companies (Trenitalia, Italo, Trenord…) are required to post a list of guaranteed services online for each strike, so you can always check in advance to see if you’re impacted.

A train-related example: your train will have a code number (e.g., “FR 9642”), which you would look for on the page about guaranteed services. If the number doesn’t show up on there, your train is affected by the strike. If your train’s number isn’t listed, then your train is affected by the strike. While this can always change—for example, a train conductor may decide not to participate in that particular strike—it is safe to assume that your train won’t depart at all.

At this point, you have options. Again, this is a train-specific example, but expect plane travel during a strike to go roughly the same way.

• Show up at the train station in time for your original departure: information will be available live there, and personnel will be able to guide you and update you on whether your train has been impacted or not
• If you’ve booked a refundable ticket, change it to be able to board a non-impacted train on the same day of the strike
• If you’ve booked a refundable ticket, opt to leave one day before or one day after the strike
• Ask for a refund

Important refund information in case of a public transport strike

Let’s get this out of the way: a refund for a public transportation ticket for local transport, such as a bus or subway ticket in Rome, is not possible.

Conversely, with city-to-city high-speed (or other types) trains and planes, a refund is very possible, but depends on a number of factors such as ticket type, advance notice of the strike, and availability of alternative services.

Your best bet is to contact customer service directly – whether it’s an airline like ITA, or a train company like Trenitalia or Italo – as soon as you learn about a potential strike. They can explain your specific options and help you navigate their policies.

In very general terms, you can be refunded from the moment the strike is announced until the day of the strike. Once the strike begins, you can no longer request a refund, and you’ll only receive one automatically in case of cancellation. Note that some companies may offer you a voucher valid only for purchasing another one of their tickets instead of refunding your money.

Emergency alternatives in case of a strike

When strikes hit unexpectedly in a city like Rome:

• Walking: city centers are compact and walking means discovering off-the-beaten path sites and landmarks
• Bike sharing: the majority of cities offer short-term bike rentals
• Tourist bus services: hop-on hop-off buses will continue operating as they are not a publicly funded service
• Of course you can consider a taxi and other similar ser

Bottom line: surviving in the event of a strike while in Rome

The key to surviving Italian strikes as a tourist is preparation and flexibility. Check for strike announcements, always have a plan B for important journeys, and remember that this too shall pass – usually within a few hours!