Strikes & Disruptions · Spain and Italy

Spain and Italy rail strikes on 29–30 October: what's running

Renfe drivers strike on Thursday 29 October and Italy's rail strike runs to Friday evening, with a Pisa–Florence airport walkout also listed. Here are the minimum services and your options.

By Roamie News Desk · Published October 28, 2026 · Updated October 28, 2026

Travellers with suitcases waiting under the arched roof and departure boards at Milano Centrale station — Photo: Leonhard Lenz / Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Rail travel in Spain and Italy faces two days of strikes this week, just before the All Saints' long weekend. In Spain, train drivers' union Semaf has called a 24-hour strike across the Renfe group on Thursday 29 October (Renfe). In Italy, a national rail strike runs from 21:00 on Thursday 29 October to 20:59 on Friday 30 October, affecting Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord (Affaritaliani). A separate 24-hour ground-handling strike is also listed for Pisa and Florence airports on Friday (AirHelp).

What we know

Spain – Renfe, Thursday 29 October. Spain's Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has set the minimum services, according to Renfe:

High-speed and long-distance (AVE, Larga Distancia): an average of 73% of usual services.
Medium-distance (Media Distancia): an average of 65%.
Cercanías (commuter trains): 75% at peak times (06:00–09:00, 13:30–15:30 and 18:30–20:30) and 50% for the rest of the day.

Renfe says the trains included in the minimum services will run (Renfe). In Catalonia, the regional government sets a separate minimum service for Rodalies and regional trains: 66% at peak times and 33% off-peak, as reported by Hosteltur. Renfe calls the strike unjustified and says the union's demands, which include rules on driving time, fall outside the company's remit (Renfe).

Spain – Ouigo, Friday 30 October and Monday 2 November. Semaf has also called separate 24-hour strikes at the low-cost high-speed operator Ouigo on 30 October and 2 November (Hosteltur).

A Renfe AVE high-speed train at the platforms of Madrid Puerta de Atocha station — AVE high-speed trains at Madrid Puerta de Atocha. Renfe says about 73% of AVE and long-distance services will run on 29 October.Photo: Savh / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Italy – national rail strike, 29–30 October. The strike was called by the USB union and covers staff of the FS Italiane group (which includes Trenitalia), Italo and Trenord (Affaritaliani). It affects high-speed, Intercity and regional services (Ferrovie.Info). On weekdays, Trenitalia regional trains are guaranteed between 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00. Frecce and Intercity trains do not follow these time bands; Trenitalia instead publishes a list of guaranteed long-distance trains (Affaritaliani, Trenitalia). A train already running when the strike begins can continue if it is due at its destination within an hour of the start (Affaritaliani).

Milan Malpensa. If Malpensa Express trains are cancelled, replacement buses will run non-stop between Milano Cadorna and Malpensa Airport, and between Stabio and Malpensa (Ferrovie.Info). Trenord trains leaving by 21:00 on Thursday and due to arrive by 22:00 should run as normal (RusTourismNews).

Pisa and Florence airports, Friday 30 October. USB Lavoro Privato has filed a 24-hour strike, from 00:00 to 23:59, by staff of Toscana Aeroporti, GH Toscana and Consulta (AirHelp). That could affect check-in, boarding and baggage handling (Travel Gossip). Flights are normally protected between 07:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00, and Italy's aviation authority ENAC is expected to publish a list of guaranteed flights (AirHelp). Earlier Italian reporting described the airport action as uncertain, so check its status before you travel.

What it means for travellers

Fewer trains, fuller trains. In Spain, about a quarter of AVE and long-distance services may not run on Thursday (Renfe). The remaining trains are likely to be busier, especially on routes popular for the long weekend.
Italy is hit for most of Friday. Outside the guaranteed time bands, regional trains may be cancelled, and only listed Frecce and Intercity trains are guaranteed (Affaritaliani).
Airport transfers need a backup. If you're flying from Malpensa, allow extra time for the replacement buses (Ferrovie.Info). At Pisa and Florence, expect possible delays outside the protected flight windows (AirHelp).
Your rights. Under EU rail passenger rules, if you would arrive at least 60 minutes late you can choose a refund or re-routing. Compensation of 25% of the fare applies for a delay of 1–2 hours, and 50% for 2 hours or more. The EU states that strikes by rail company staff do not count as "extraordinary circumstances", but you won't get compensation if you were told about the delay before you bought your ticket (Your Europe). For flights, compensation is unlikely when the cause is a strike outside the airline's control (AirHelp).

What to do

Check your train number against the operator's list: Renfe for Spain, and the Trenitalia guaranteed-trains page for Italy. Check the Italo and Trenord channels too.
Don't cancel your own ticket early. If the operator cancels the train, you keep your right to a refund or re-routing (Your Europe).
Move flexible journeys. If you can, travel before 21:00 on Thursday or after 21:00 on Friday in Italy (Affaritaliani), and avoid Thursday in Spain.
Flying from Pisa or Florence on Friday? Check your flight status with your airline before leaving for the airport, and look for ENAC's list of guaranteed flights (AirHelp).
Keep receipts for meals, hotels or replacement transport in case you claim later.

What happens next

The next Ouigo strike in Spain is on Monday 2 November (Hosteltur). In Italy, the rail strike ends at 20:59 on Friday 30 October, but services may still be disrupted shortly before it starts and after it ends (RusTourismNews).

Sources

Establecidos los servicios mínimos para la huelga convocada por Semaf el 29 de octubre — Renfe
Treni garantiti in caso di sciopero — Trenitalia
Your rights as a rail passenger — Your Europe (European Union)
La huelga de maquinistas de Renfe tendrá unos servicios mínimos del 73% en alta velocidad — Hosteltur
Sciopero treni 30 ottobre, orari e fasce garantite — Affaritaliani
Sciopero treni 29 e 30 ottobre 2026 — Ferrovie.Info
Pisa and Florence airport handling strike — AirHelp
Italy train strike confirmed for October 30 as airport workers plan walkout — RusTourismNews
Rail and airport strikes to disrupt Spain and Italy travel this week — Travel Gossip