Italy strikes in November 2026 and what tourists should know

Italy faces a wave of transport strikes in November 2026, with a general strike on 20 November and rail, air traffic control and local transport walkouts on 21 November. Learn more about the strike calendar, guaranteed services, passenger rights and where to check your train or flight

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Travellers heading to Italy in November 2026 face a dense calendar of transport strikes affecting trains, buses, metros and flights. According to Adnkronos, the hardest days will be 20 and 21 November, when a nationwide general strike is followed by a 23-hour rail strike, an air traffic control walkout and local transport stoppages in several cities.

The strike calendar is kept by the Osservatorio sui conflitti sindacali at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT), and Italian media rely on its data. As Wanted in Rome notes, strikes can still be cancelled, postponed or added, so dates are worth checking close to departure.

Is your trip to Italy planned around a train or a flight that a strike could cancel?

Strikes, delays and missed connections can disrupt any itinerary, and medical bills abroad can add to the stress. Travel insurance from Visit World covers medical expenses abroad and helps you travel with confidence. Get your policy online before you leave.

Why are workers in Italy striking in November 2026?

According to AGI, the CGIL trade union has called a full-day general strike on 20 November across the public and private sectors, from transport to schools. The union says the government has not responded to the rising cost of living driven by higher energy prices.

Quifinanza lists the strike's demands: higher wages, renewed contracts, decent pensions, more progressive taxation and more funding for healthcare, education and social policy.

What are the main strike dates in Italy in November 2026?

Early and mid-November

• 6 November (already passed): ENAV air traffic controllers in Bari stopped work from 13:00 to 17:00. Travel Trade Journal also reported a 24-hour strike by easyJet staff, which other sources do not mention.
• 9 November: the Genoa city transport company AMT strikes from 11:30 to 15:30 (called by CUB Trasporti); AMAT staff in Palermo strike from 11:00 to 15:00; RFI maintenance and engineering staff in Verona strike from 9:01 to 17:00.
• 10 and 11 November: rail freight strike.
• 13 November: 24-hour strikes at ATM in Milan and ATVO in Venice. ATVO buses link Venice with its airports, as Rich Travel Magazine points out.
• 14 or 16 November: AMTAB in Bari. Sky TG24 and Corriere Adriatico give 14 November, AGI gives 16 November.
• 16 November: ANM in Naples strikes from 11:00 to 15:00, which may affect buses, the metro and other ANM services.

AGI had reported an eight-hour strike by Italo staff on 9 November, from 9:00 to 16:59, but Adnkronos and Sbircialanotizia later reported it was cancelled and that Italo trains run on schedule. Passengers should confirm directly with Italo.

20–22 November: the peak of the strikes

• 20 November: CGIL general strike for the whole day.
• From 21:00 on 20 November to 20:00 on 21 November: a 23-hour rail strike called by CUB Trasporti and SGB Ferrovie, covering all rail companies, freight included. Sbircialanotizia gives a start of 21:00 on 19 November.
• Night of 20–21 November: according to scioperiitalia.it, citing MIT, the Assemblea nazionale PdM/PdB Gruppo FSI has called a strike of Ferrovie dello Stato train drivers and crews, also from 21:00 to 20:00.
• 21 November: CUB Trasporti and SGB Ferrovie strike for a full shift at some local transport companies, including GTT, Ferrovie Sud Est, SAD, Trentino Trasporti, EAV, Ferrotramviaria and Ferrovie della Calabria; Rich Travel Magazine expects disruption in cities such as Turin and Naples.
• 21 November: an additional rail strike in Verona from 9:01 to 17:00, called by Orsa Ferrovie.
• 21 November: a nationwide ENAV air traffic control strike from 13:00 to 17:00, called by FILT-CGIL and UGL-TA; departures may be affected.
• 22 November: a 24-hour ENAV strike at Milan Malpensa airport, called by Fast-Confsal-AV, and a strike by Sicuritalia IVRI staff at Venice Marco Polo airport.

Looking further ahead, transferbnb.com, a commercial secondary source, reports national strikes on 4 December and 15 January 2027 in the official calendar.

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Which trains, buses and flights are guaranteed during strikes?

Italian law requires carriers to run part of their services at peak times even during large strikes, according to Quifinanza.

• Trenitalia regional trains: 6:00–9:00 and 18:00–21:00 on weekdays, 7:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00 on public holidays. Trenord says these hours also apply on Saturday.
• Long-distance trains: carriers publish lists of guaranteed services, so check your train number.
• Trains already travelling when a strike begins reach their destination.
• Flights departing between 7:00 and 10:00 and between 18:00 and 21:00 are guaranteed; the civil aviation authority ENAC publishes the list. Quifinanza adds island connections and state, humanitarian and medical flights.
• Local public transport: guaranteed hours are set locally and differ from city to city.

What are passenger rights if a train or flight is cancelled?

Trains

• Trenitalia refunds passengers who give up a journey because of a strike, with no deductions.
• Trenord accepts refund requests within 30 days.
• According to scioperooggi.it, a refund can be requested until the train departs; for some Trenitalia tickets the deadline is midnight the day before. Free rebooking is an alternative.
• Conditions depend on the carrier that issued the ticket and differ for national and regional tickets.

Flights

Under EU rules, as explained on Your Europe, a passenger whose flight is cancelled always has the right to a refund, rerouting or a return flight, plus assistance. Compensation is not due if the airline proves extraordinary circumstances, but it must still offer a refund or rerouting and care such as meals and accommodation.

A strike by the airline's own staff is not an extraordinary circumstance, while strikes by air traffic controllers or airport staff may be. According to CMS, fixed compensation under Regulation 261/2004 ranges from 250 to 600 euros; a reform of the regulation was politically agreed on 15 June 2026, and the sources do not say when it takes effect.

How should travellers plan trips around the Italy strikes?

• Check the MIT strike calendar and carriers' lists of guaranteed trains from Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord.
• Request train refunds online or in the carrier's app.
• A strike notice does not mean a flight is cancelled: check the flight status with the airline.
• On routes between Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan, Naples and Venice, check bookings before setting off.
• On 21 November, avoid tight connections: the rail strike overlaps with the air traffic control strike.

Strike days in Italy can leave travellers waiting at stations and airports far from home. With Travel insurance from Visit World, you get medical cover abroad for the whole trip. Buy your policy online now.

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