Italy rail strike Sept 4 to 5, final guaranteed trains, airport links, refunds

Published on Sep 3, 2025, 8:31 am CDT

5 min read

Italy's national rail strike will run from 900 p.m. Thursday, September 4, to 600 p.m. Friday, September 5, local time. Trenitalia confirms the protected 600 to 900 a.m. window on Friday for regional services, and operators have now posted final guaranteed-train rosters. Trenord says departures after 6:00 p.m. Friday should resume. Italo has issued its strike-day list in PDF. Airport links include Leonardo Express service for Rome Fiumicino and Malpensa Express for Milan, with bus bridges planned if MXP airport trains are canceled.

Previous Coverage: Italy rail strike Sept 4 to 5: Trenitalia, Italo, Trenord guaranteed trains

Key Points

Why it matters: Nationwide disruption across high-speed, InterCity, and regional trains.
Travel impact: Morning commuter window 600 to 900 a.m. Friday, then service resumes after 6:00 p.m. Friday.
What's next: Watch operator feeds for last-minute cancellations and added guaranteed runs.
Airport links: Leonardo Express treated as a minimum service in Lazio, Malpensa Express has bus bridges if rail is canceled.
Refunds: Direct refund and claim paths are live for each operator.

Snapshot

The strike, called by SGB and impacting FS Italiane staff as well as Italo and Trenord, spans 21 hours from the evening of September 4 into September 5. As usual, regional "fasce di garanzia" protect essential commuter services from 600 to 900 a.m. on Friday, and operators plan to restore normal departures after 6:00 p.m. Italo has published its guaranteed schedule, while Trenitalia points travelers to its "treni garantiti" section and FSNews guidance on refunds and protected services. Trenord confirms airport-link contingencies, including non-stop buses for Malpensa Express if needed. Check your exact train against the posted lists, then shift earlier or later to stay inside protected periods.

Background

Italian strike law requires minimum services during certain time bands on workdays, typically 600 to 900 a.m. and 600 to 900 p.m. For Rome, the Lazio regional service contract explicitly classifies Leonardo Express airport trains as "servizi minimi," which helps keep the Fiumicino line moving during labor actions, though short-notice adjustments are still possible. Airport rail in Milan is handled by Trenord's Malpensa Express, which can be replaced by dedicated buses on strike days when rail service is canceled. Refund and delay-compensation rules differ by operator and fare class, so travelers should use the official refund or claim portals linked below.

Latest Developments

Final guaranteed trains and protected windows

Italo's strike-day PDF lists guaranteed high-speed services on core flows such as Turin, Milan, Rome, Naples, Venice, and Bolzano. Trenitalia reiterates that regional trains in the Friday 600 to 900 a.m. band are protected, and long-distance services may see targeted guarantees. Trenord states that trains scheduled to depart after 6:00 p.m. Friday are expected to run as planned, subject to network recovery. Always validate your exact train number against the operator lists before traveling.

Airport links, bus bridges, and how to route

For Rome, Leonardo Express between Roma Termini and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) is treated as a minimum service in the Lazio contract, so expect prioritized operations within protected bands, with possible spacing or substitutions. In Milan, if Malpensa Express is canceled, Trenord will activate non-stop buses between Milano Cadorna, via Paleocapa 1, and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), plus a Stabio to Malpensa bridge for the S50 cross-border link. Build extra time for airport transfers and monitor operator apps.

Refunds, exchanges, and delay compensation

Trenitalia's refund portal covers cancellations and strike-related non-use, and its policy page outlines monetary refunds and separate delay-compensation thresholds. Italo directs passengers to its "Gestione Reclami" page and FAQ for automatic delay credits and refund workflows, including Borsellino Italo credits. Trenord provides online refund and compensation request pages and a combined complaint/refund form. Use the links below to submit requests, and keep PNRs, receipts, and timestamps handy.

Analysis

For most travelers, the cleanest strategy is to avoid the core strike window entirely. If you must travel on Friday morning, target departures inside the 600 to 900 a.m. protection band and confirm your specific train in the guaranteed list, not just the route. High-speed markets, including Milan to Rome and Naples to Milan, have a limited number of guaranteed Italo services, but capacity will be tight and delays can cascade when rolling stock and crews are out of position. For airport access, Rome's Leonardo Express should receive priority as a minimum service, but you should still allow a buffer of at least 60 to 90 minutes door to platform. In Milan, save Trenord's bus pickup point at via Paleocapa 1 near Cadorna, and budget for highway traffic. Refund paths differ by operator and fare, so document disruptions with screenshots from the operator app or station boards, then file promptly. If your itinerary hinges on tight connections, consider shifting to the evening of September 5 after 6:00 p.m., when normal departures resume.

Final Thoughts

The 21-hour action will be manageable if you anchor your plan to the protected commuter window, verify guaranteed trains by number, and build generous buffers into airport transfers. Use the official refund and delay-compensation links below, and keep contingencies for Malpensa Express bus bridges and minor timetable changes on Leonardo Express. With a bit of padding and the right links, you can ride out the Italy rail strike. Primary keyword: Italy rail strike.