ROME — Travelers with Italy on their weekend itinerary should brace for a rare double whammy of disruption: a nationwide transport strike that begins late Thursday and a series of demonstrations expected to clog Rome’s historic core on Saturday. The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued the warning earlier this week, urging visitors to Rome and other Italian destinations to build extra flexibility into their plans.
Rail stoppage starts Thursday night
The 24-hour industrial action officially runs all day Friday, Oct. 3, but the ripple effect begins at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, when many long-distance and regional trains are scheduled to leave depots. According to the FCDO notice, services “from midnight and throughout Friday” may be canceled or curtailed. Italy’s transport strikes typically involve multiple unions and can affect everything from Trenitalia and Italo trains to airport ground staff, local buses, metro lines and even some ferry routes. By law, a skeleton service must operate during peak commuter periods, yet those windows and the level of coverage vary by region. Rome’s Metro and suburban rail lines, for example, usually guarantee trains from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Milan and Naples follow slightly different timetables. Because staff walkouts are coordinated nationwide, visitors connecting through hubs such as Florence Santa Maria Novella, Bologna Centrale and Venice Mestre may also experience cascading delays. Airline passengers should pay particular attention to flights requiring rail connections to Italy’s largest airports—Fiumicino, Malpensa and Marco Polo—which rely heavily on train and coach transfers.
How to check if your train or flight is running
- Monitor the Trenitalia and Italo websites beginning 24 hours in advance; both operators publish dedicated strike pages in English.
- If you booked through a third-party platform, verify departure status directly with the carrier; automated notifications are not always synchronized during industrial actions.
- For regional buses and trams, look for alerts on the local transit authority’s social channels—ATAC in Rome, ATM in Milan, ANM in Naples.
- Keep hard copies of tickets. Conductors sometimes waive reservation requirements to fill open seats on the limited trains that do run.
Protests to snarl central Rome on Oct. 4
No sooner will the strike wind down than large rallies are expected to occupy Piazza Venezia, Via dei Fori Imperiali and other arteries near the Colosseum on Saturday, Oct. 4. “Demonstrations are planned in Rome for Saturday, October 4. This is likely to attract a large number of protestors and cause disruption to roads and transport in the city centre,” the FCDO said in a statement. Although protest routes are subject to change, experience suggests that buses will be diverted away from the Roman Forum, taxi journey times will balloon, and pedestrian bottlenecks will pop up near barricaded squares. Museums and archaeological sites normally remain open, yet time-ticket holders should arrive early in case entrance procedures slow down.
Navigation work-arounds for the Eternal City
- Use Metro lines A and B—which run mostly underground—to bypass street closures; the Colosseo, Cavour and Barberini stations sit outside common protest zones.
- Download the “Muoversi a Roma” app for real-time rerouting of buses and trams.
- If your accommodation is in the historic center, plan to walk the last segment rather than rely on a taxi drop-off.
Jubilee crowds loom from December 2024 onward
The FCDO alert also looks ahead to the Catholic Church’s Jubilee 2025, set to run from Dec. 24, 2024, through Jan. 6, 2026. The Holy Year traditionally draws millions of pilgrims seeking to cross Rome’s holy doors and attend papal events. Hotel and apartment inventory inside the Aurelian Walls is already tightening for major liturgical dates such as Christmas 2024, Easter 2025 and the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29. Rome’s municipal government is rushing to complete infrastructure upgrades—among them widened sidewalks on Via della Conciliazione and revamped tram lines—but inevitable construction snags may further complicate mobility. Visitors booking travel during that eighteen-month window should secure accommodations early, favor properties near Metro stations and allow generous buffers between activities.
Tips for Travelers
- Build an umbrella day: If you plan to depart Italy on Oct. 3, consider moving the flight forward to Oct. 2 or back to Oct. 4, when operations should normalize.
- Keep a digital map offline: Cellular networks around protest marches can slow, so download city maps beforehand.
- Carry cash: Ticket machines and card readers occasionally go offline during strikes because technical crews are among those walking out.
- Leverage luggage storage: With trains sporadic, left-luggage facilities at Roma Termini, Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Venezia Santa Lucia allow you to roam without bags until your rescheduled departure.
- Use second-tier airports: Low-cost carriers at Rome Ciampino or Milan Bergamo may be less exposed to delays than flagship hubs.
FAQ
Will my Eurail or Interrail pass be refunded if a train is canceled?
Passholders can board the next available train without extra cost, provided seat reservations—where required—are reissued. Refunds for missed segments are rare.
Are taxis affected by the strike?
Taxi drivers often join separate, sector-specific walkouts. During a general transport strike they usually remain on duty but expect longer queues and surge pricing.
Is it safe to attend or photograph the protests?
Italian demonstrations are typically peaceful, yet police occasionally restrict movement. The British advisory urges tourists to avoid gatherings altogether.
Could airlines also strike?
The current action targets ground and rail staff. However, Italy’s labor calendar is unpredictable; check your airline’s travel alerts in case flight crews announce separate stoppages.
What if I already booked non-refundable tours?
Many tour operators in Italy offer “force-majeure” rescheduling during strikes. Contact providers as soon as you learn of changes to secure alternate slots.
Does the Jubilee affect only Rome?
Most Holy Year ceremonies occur in Rome, but satellite events are planned for Assisi, Loreto and other pilgrimage towns. Accommodation demand will surge in those areas as well. Travelers who keep a close eye on carrier updates, stay flexible with itineraries and plan for heavy foot traffic in Rome’s center should still be able to enjoy Italy’s renowned art, cuisine and fall foliage—just pack extra patience alongside that passport. — as the FCDO said in a prepared statement.
