On Friday 28 November 2025, the 24-hour nationwide strike in Italy is causing widespread disruption, especially in rail, air travel and local public transit. For expats living, working or travelling in Italy today, this means major disruption to mobility: many trains and flights are cancelled or delayed, public transport is unreliable, and some cities are witnessing demonstrations and sit-ins.
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Railways & Major Stations: cancellations, delays and uncertainty
The railway strike started at 21:00 on Thursday 27 November and runs until 21:00 on Friday 28 November.
- All major rail operators — including Trenitalia, Italo, Trenord and regional carriers — are involved.
- Only “guaranteed services” are scheduled to run: typically limited commuter or long-distance trains during 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00. Outside those windows, many trains are cancelled or subject to severe delays.
- Several major stations — in Rome, Milan, Florence and other big cities — are reportedly seeing chaos: travellers stranded on platforms, crowded waiting rooms, queueing for information, and difficulty reaching final destinations.
- Even for “guaranteed” trains, disruptions may happen: changed schedules, shorter trains, or last-minute cancellations are possible.
Airports and Flights: many cancellations, limited numbers of flights guaranteed
The strike impacts also the air transport sector: ground staff and airport services are involved.
- Some carriers — for example ITA Airways — already cancelled dozens of flights. Reports mention 26 flights cancelled, including key national domestic routes (e.g. Milan–Naples, Rome–Bologna, among others).
- Official “protected windows” for flight operations are defined (often early morning and late evening), but even within them, passengers should double-check status. Outside those windows, departure or arrival is far from guaranteed.
- If you have a flight scheduled today: expect long lines, potential delays at check-in or boarding, or cancellations. Airlines are offering rebooking or refunds for cancelled flights.
Local public transport (bus, metro, tram): limited service, big uncertainty
In many cities, urban transport services are severely reduced or interrupted. For example, in the capital — ATAC in Rome — bus and metro services are guaranteed only until 08:29 in the morning, then resume (if at all) from around 17:00 to 19:59. Outside those intervals, service is uncertain or suspended.
Similar reductions and possible cancellations are expected in other major cities: trams, metro lines, bus networks may be non-operational or running on very limited schedules. For expats relying on public transit for commuting, errands or reaching airports/stations — the reality today is disruptive: lack of reliable service, long waits, possible inability to reach destination.
Protests, Demonstrations and Sit-ins: added disruption in urban centres
The strike is part of a broader protest by a coalition of grassroots unions (USB, CUB, SGB, COBAS, among others), targeting the 2026 Budget Law — denouncing cuts to public services, increased military spending, lack of investments in welfare, and calling for better labour conditions.
In many cities, protests and sit-ins are underway or planned: these may lead to traffic disruptions, blocked roads, restricted access to certain urban zones, and additional pressure on already strained transport services. The combination of transit stoppages and protest-related disruptions means that even travellers who avoid trains or flights may still struggle to move around cities.
What This Means Right Now For Expats in Italy
If you live or work in Italy, or if you had plans to travel or commute today, here are the immediate take-aways:
- Expect widespread disruption. Many trains and flights are cancelled — don’t assume you’ll be able to travel even if you have a ticket.
- If you must travel: check status early. Use official apps/website of the operator (rail or airline) before leaving home. For flights: check with your airline and arrive early. For trains: verify that your train is in the “guaranteed” list — and still check again close to departure.
- Avoid relying on local public transport, especially outside morning and early evening hours — consider alternatives (taxi, rideshare, carpool, if viable).
- Plan extra time (or postpone). With both transit disruption and possible demonstrations, reaching airports/stations or moving across the city may take much longer than usual.
- Be flexible. If your journey is not urgent, consider postponing. If it’s essential — keep backup plans: alternate routes, flexible bookings, more time, awareness of delays.
Why It’s Happening The Context Behind the Chaos
The strike is coordinated by several grassroots unions, protesting against the recently proposed 2026 Budget Law, which according to them shifts funds away from public services (transport, health, education) in favour of increased military spending. They demand investment in public services, renewal of labour contracts, fairer wages and better working conditions. The strike is meant as a broad denunciation of austerity on public welfare — and not just a “transport issue”: that’s why it involves multiple sectors (rail, air, public transit, ports, schools, public administration). For many workers and users, the strike is a way to protest what they consider a neglect of essential public services amid rising cost of living and social inequality.
