Strike in Italy on 20 and 21 November: what travellers need to know about trains and flights
A general strike has been announced in Italy for 20 November, while separate union actions have been called for rail and air travel over the weekend. Travellers are advised to check the status of their transport before departure.
The Italian trade union confederation CGIL has called a national general strike for Friday, 20 November 2026. It includes workers in the public and private sectors, but railway and airline companies were subsequently exempted from the action.
That, however, does not mean that all traffic over the weekend will run smoothly. A separate strike in rail transport is scheduled from Friday evening to Saturday evening, and on Saturday a four-hour work stoppage by staff of the air navigation service provider ENAV is also planned.
Trains: from Friday evening to Saturday
According to the Italian Ministry of Transport's calendar, a separate national strike in the railway sector has been announced from 21:00 on Friday, 20 November, until 20:00 on Saturday, 21 November. Cancellations and timetable changes are possible, depending on the operator and staff turnout.
The operator Trenord warns that the strike could affect regional, commuter, long-distance and rail links to airports. For Saturday, it lists a limited number of guaranteed trains between 6 am and 9 am and between 6 pm and 9 pm, subject to the conditions set out in its notice. This does not mean that all trains will be running during those periods.
If trains to Milan's Malpensa Airport are not running, Trenord is providing replacement buses on certain routes. Passengers should check their specific departure and boarding point.
Flights and local transport
Air transport is exempt from the CGIL's general strike on 20 November. However, according to the ministry's calendar, a separate national strike by ENAV staff is scheduled for Saturday 21 November from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Passengers flying on that day should follow updates from their airline and the airport. Specific cancellations or delays depend on how the strike is implemented and have not been confirmed in advance for all flights.
On Friday, there may also be disruptions to local public transport, but the extent depends on the city, the operator and any exceptions. For example, Trentino Trasporti states guaranteed service times for its bus and cable car services from 5:30 to 8:30 am and from 4 pm to 7 pm. This timetable cannot be applied to the whole of Italy.
What to check before travelling
Before you set off, check the status of your train or flight directly with the carrier, including the list of guaranteed services and any options for changing your booking. If you are travelling to the airport by train or public transport, allow extra time and check alternative transfer arrangements in advance.
Announcements may change, so it is advisable to check the notices again just before travelling. The information in the article refers to data available on 14 November 2026. All times are given in local time in Italy.
Find more practical travel information in the section Travel Tips.
