Railway workers in Italy will stage a 24-hour nationwide strike starting at 9:18 p.m. on September 7 and ending at 9:00 p.m. on September 8, 2026. The action involves major operators including Trenitalia, its subsidiary Trenitalia Tper, private high-speed carrier Italo, and regional operator Trenord. Labor unions supporting the strike include CUB Trasporti, SGB, ORSA Ferrovie, and the Assemblea nazionale del Personale di Macchina e di Bordo.
Rail Network and Service Coverage
The strike will disrupt operations almost across the entire Italian railway system, impacting routes serviced by both state-owned and private operators. It will affect Trenitalia’s and Trenitalia Tper’s regional services, the private high-speed
Italo trains, and Trenord services in Lombardy. Frecce high-speed trains on the Alta Velocità network will also face disruptions. Affected cities on the high-speed routes include Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Salerno.
Guaranteed Train Services and Exceptions
Italian law mandates “fasce di garanzia” during rail strikes. Regional trains will guarantee service during two weekday intervals: from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. High-speed and Intercity trains, including Frecce services, do not have guaranteed operating times during the strike. Passengers must review carrier-specific details to confirm which trains run during the strike periods. Trenitalia, Italo, and other operators
have published lists of guaranteed trains to be operated.
Passenger Guidance on Refunds and Rebooking
Passengers with canceled trains due to the strike are eligible for full refunds obtained through online forms on operator websites by entering ticket codes. Refunds typically process within a few business days. Alternatively, travelers may rebook on another train at no extra cost, generally no later than four hours before the original departure. Delay alone does not warrant automatic refunds; only confirmed cancellations qualify for ticket reimbursement. Passengers should verify live train status via carrier apps or websites before travel.
Regional Protests and Additional Transport Strikes
Alongside the national rail strike, regional rail worker protests will begin
in Piedmont and Trentino-South Tyrol on the afternoon of September 7, potentially affecting local trains and bus services. Public transportation in South Tyrol is also expected to be suspended. Other strikes in Italy are scheduled throughout September 2026, including aviation sector strikes on September 13 and 30, public transport strikes on September 15, and a general strike on September 26, which may contribute to widespread travel disruptions.
The strike action originates from labor union demands for improvements in wages, working conditions, workload management, shift scheduling, and safety standards. These issues have prompted coordinated action across both state-run and private rail
operators, impacting key regions and train types over the two-day period.
