Italy On Strike! Transportation Info for Travelers

Bus strike today, airline strike tomorrow, train strike this weekend. This might seem bizarre and really far fetched to most people outside of the little peninsula or Italy, but this, although an extreme example could sometimes happen so it’s best to be prepared, flexible, and aware.

When it comes to strikes, most Italians will wonder what all the fuss is about simply because strikes here have become more of an inconvenience to those who are not Italian rather than anything that really should be concerned by the local population. Strikes in Italy are well publicized in most papers, news broadcasts, and within the actual mode of transportation that will be effected (i.e. signs posted on bus stops or within the buses themselves). But if you don’t know it’s happening it can be a bit frustrating. Most strikes will rarely last for more than a few hours, so it’s possible to simply wait it out in a bar or cafe enjoying a beverage or people watching. Sometimes there is the chance that it can last for up to 24 hours, but this situation is rare.

So what can you do to make sure that your trip to Italy is still enjoyable? Simple: CHECK THIS WEBSITE. Here you will find a list of the strikes that will be happening within a 2 week time period, generally. The website is updated often so you can bookmark it and check back as often as you like. I have it bookmarked on my computer for reference and check it whenever I’m traveling throughout the country or even across town.

Sometimes only the employees of a certain labor union for a specific company will be on strike so you might not be effected at all. Always remember: Traveling is an adventure!