Italy is set for significant travel disruption as unions call nationwide strikes across transport sectors in late November and mid-December. A 24-hour general strike on 28 November will involve both public and private sector workers, affecting long-distance trains, local transportation, ferries and airport connections.
A second major walkout follows on 12 December, with Italy’s largest union, CGIL, staging a 21-hour national strike expected to heavily impact rail operations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The strikes stem from union opposition to the government’s budget plans, which they argue cut essential public services and leave key labor contracts unresolved. Worker groups cite rising living costs, staffing shortages and delays in negotiations as reasons for mobilization.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the timing of the December strike, suggesting unions were seeking an extended weekend, though organizers maintain the walkouts aim to address long-standing structural issues.
For travelers, the most severe disruption is expected on rail routes connecting major cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence and Turin. High-speed and regional services may see widespread cancellations, forcing passengers to adjust plans or seek refunds.
Ferry services between mainland Italy and islands like Sardinia and Sicily may also face interruptions due to a separate two-day strike from 9 to 11 December. Although flights are not formally included in the national strikes, connections to and from airports could be affected by reduced train availability.
Additional localized actions on 17 December involving ground handling staff, airline crews and air traffic controllers may create temporary delays at airports. Italy’s aviation authority notes that certain flight windows remain protected during strikes, but bottlenecks are still likely.
Travelers are encouraged to check updated schedules as operators publish guaranteed service lists in the days leading up to each walkout.
