Returning from holidays could be more complicated than expected for thousands of travellers. In fact, a national strike in the railway sector is scheduled between Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 September 2026, with possible repercussions on regional connections, high speed and long-distance trains.
The protest comes precisely in the days in which many people return to work and resume their usual journeys after the summer break. For this reason, before travelling, it is advisable to check the status of your train and check whether it is among the guaranteed connections.
When does the strike start and end?
According to communications released through official channels of the railway sector, the agitation is scheduled from 9.18pm on Monday 7 September until 9.00pm on Tuesday 8 September 2026.
During this window, cancellations, route changes, delays and scheduling changes may occur. Furthermore, the effects of the strike can also be reflected in the service in the hours immediately preceding the start of the protest or after its conclusion.
The operators affected include the companies of the FS Italiane Group, Trenord and Italo, with potential consequences on different categories of rail connections.
Which trains risk cancellations and delays
The strike does not only affect local services. The repercussions may in fact concern:
Not all trains will necessarily be cancelled, some trains will continue to circulate because they are included in the lists of guaranteed services, while others may undergo changes or be cancelled. To find out the situation of your connection it is therefore advisable to consult the official websites and applications of the individual companies shortly before departure.
The guarantee bands for regional trains
For regional transport, the usual time slots to protect commuters on weekdays are envisaged.
Essential services are guaranteed approximately: from 6:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00.
The bands concern in particular the regional services of Trenitalia and Trenord. Even at these times, however, it is always advisable to check the individual train in advance, because the actual scheduling depends on the lists prepared by the railway companies.
High Speed and long distance: how to check guaranteed trains
For Frecce, Intercity and other long-distance connections it is not sufficient to refer to the time slots valid for regional transport.
In fact, Trenitalia publishes a specific list of long-distance trains guaranteed in the event of a strike, which can be consulted on its official website. Italo also provides a dedicated list of convoys that will continue to travel during the unrest on 7 and 8 September. Those who have already purchased a ticket should therefore check the exact number of their train and compare it with the official lists before reaching the station.
What can those who have already purchased a ticket do
In the event of a strike, passengers may have different options depending on the company, the type of ticket purchased and the connection situation.
In the case of Trenitalia, in certain circumstances it is possible to cancel the trip and request a refund or choose an alternative solution, compatibly with seat availability and the conditions provided by the carrier. For Italo passengers, it is advisable to consult the official updates or contact customer support directly to find out the options available on your ticket.
