Italian strikes that can affect your travel plans in July

Pretty much every transport sector will express their labour grievances, so watch out for these dates

Are you heading to Italy this month? If so, it’s better to pay close attention to some of the strikes scheduled to take place in July in the country’s public transport sectors.

The first strike is expected to take place tomorrow, 7 July, and it will be pretty massive, lasting 24 hours. Everything from trains and ferries to metro services are expected to be affected so plan accordingly. There’s a bit of a silver lining though, as the city transport services in places like Rome and Milan will still happen during rush hours. That is – early mornings until 8:30, then evenings between 17:00 and 20:00.

On 7 July, ground staff at airports including Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, and Amerigo Vespucci in Florence will also be walking out, which is expected to lead to airport delays.

Next week, the Italian calendar has more transport strikes on its agenda. On Tuesday, 13 July, staff from national rail operator Trenitalia and private operator Italo will walk out for 23 hours. This is more than sure to result in disruptions and delays in train trips, however, it may also vary according to region.

On Saturday, 15 July, staff at Italy's main air traffic control operator ENAV are going on strike for 24 hours. There aren't yet many details on what disruption this walkout is likely to cause but it could cause cancellations and delays at airports across the country.

What to do in the event of strikes?

Summer is the time for frantic suitcase packing, swimsuit shopping and sunscreen skin slathering, but in Europe, it’s also increasingly the time for transport sector strikes. And on a continent where taking a summer leave and going on a getaway is a time-honoured tradition, well almost even a sacred right, these labour grievances have the power to make or break the holiday plans for thousands of people at a time.

The best thing you can do is to plan ahead and stay informed when preparing for your vacation, especially if you’re doing it independently. If your holiday was booked through an agency or an operator, it will be their responsibility to stay informed of such events and provide contingency plans.

A good idea is to opt for travel insurance with terms that specifically provide for inconveniences arising from unexpected strikes and labour dispute actions.

And best of all, take it in stride, and part of the experience of a European holiday. Think of it as another tradition that is inextricable from the local culture. And why not – inform yourself about the specific grievances of the transport workers. It may bring a newfound sense of solidarity and understanding, which may help you let go of your feelings of frustration.