Strike in Rome 2026 · Sciopero · what to do?

Last updated: July 18, 2026

Strike in Rome is fortunately rare. Here you can find tips for the case that a strike tumbles your planning.

Strikes are generally announced in a timely manner. Wild strikes and sudden sicknesses of the staff are extremely rare. A spectacular case, however, has occurred some years ago in Rome on the occasion of an important football match, which the staff wanted to watch rather than follow their work.

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Public holidays in Rome · Holiday calendar 2026

If you’re aware of a strike announcement, you should adjust your planning to spend your precious time not with the adverse consequences of the strike.

Strikes in Rome can be suspended at the last moment in the event of a storm or snow warning, major events or in particularly critical situations. Official strike announcements in Italy are published by the Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti.

Strike in Rome in public transport, ATAC, Metro and COTRAL

Strikes in Rome’s public transport are more frequent, but usually only last a few hours. The metro will be completely closed and there will be only a few buses and trams. In Rome, strikes in public transport are legally prohibited from the start of service until 8:30 am and in the evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Service is therefore guaranteed during these protected hours even on strike days.

Alternatives

Taxis are difficult to get on strike days.

Even if the regional trains do not run as often, they can be a great help in the event of a public transport strike in Rome. The line FL1 runs from the airport via Trastevere, Ostiense, Tuscolana and Tiburtina to the north of Rome, the lines FL3 and FL5 from Saint Peter’s to Termini, and the lines FL4 and FL6 to Ciampino. Even in case of a COTRAL regional bus strike, a train connection can often help.

Train strikes in Italy

Train strikes are extremely annoying because they can last quite a long time. During a strike, Trenitalia guarantees a fixed number of national and international trains. In some cases, alternative transport will be provided if a train stops before its final destination. For regional services, minimum operations are legally required during peak hours: on weekdays from 6:00 to 9:00 am and from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, on public holidays from 7:00 to 10:00 am and from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Outside these hours, service is not guaranteed.

Alternatives to the train

In the event of a strike announcement, you should check the regional bus timetable. If there are no suitable connections, you should not venture into the Roman countryside, for example to Tivoli, Ciampino or Nettuno, if you need a train for the return journey.

For the trip to the airport you can use shuttle buses, pre-booked taxis or a limousine service. In case of a strike, taxis are mostly booked out and you must pre-order.

General strikes in Italy

General strikes are extremely rare. In these cases, public transport and rail are affected. Sometimes air traffic controllers, airlines and handling companies also strike. Municipal and state museums, post offices and other public services may also be closed.

In these cases, the railways serve only an emergency timetable for regional traffic plus the high-speed trains. The Leonardo Express between Fiumicino Airport and Termini is also guaranteed, possibly with substitute buses.

The metro will be completely closed and there will be only a few buses, trams and trains. Regional buses also run only sporadically.

Your alternatives

In the case of a general strike, you should cancel all activities for which you need public transport. You can use private transport services: hop-on-hop-off buses, taxis, shuttle buses and limousine services.

But in Rome there is always plenty to experience. You can stroll through the alleyways and go shopping, visit the parks and churches and eat a good ice cream or sip a coffee in a piazza.

Strikes in air traffic

In air traffic, there may be a variety of strikes. It is extremely rare in Italy for air traffic controllers to strike. But ATC strikes in other countries also affect air traffic in Italy and can lead to flight cancellations or delays.

Strikes of handling personnel are rare and concern only some airlines. In this case there will be delays in check-in and baggage return. If you want to fly with checked luggage, allow several extra hours for baggage handling. If you are travelling with hand luggage only, get your boarding pass online in advance.

A bigger problem can be airline strikes. In these cases, it depends on the willingness and ability of the airline you have booked to provide alternative solutions.

Taxi strike in Rome

In Rome it is not always easy to find a taxi when you need one. During a strike it is practically impossible. You may then pre-book a limousine service or plan a public transport route.

Strike of the city police in Rome – Vigili urbani

Strikes of the city police are a curiosity. If there is no traffic light blackout, traffic flows better when there is no police on the street. In that sense, many Romans would probably wish that the city police went on strike more often.