In Italy, can you request a refund if your train journey is axed due to workers' protests?
Strikes on national rail services in Italy are quite common. But what happens if your planned journey gets cancelled? Let's explore the refund policies for major operators Italo, Trenitalia, and Trenord in case of a strike.
Italo
Travel with private long-distance operator Italo and find yourself in a cancelled journey due to a strike? No worries! If you booked online or via their mobile app, Italo will automatically refund the full ticket price within 30 days in the form of a voucher for future purchases or travel credit in your Italo Wallet (for Italo Plus Program members).
In case you don't receive the refund within a month of cancellation, you can file a complaint to request it via the form at the bottom of this page, going to the Italo desk at the nearest train station, or contacting Italo's customer support center at 892 020.
Trenitalia
Venture with state-owned operator Trenitalia and its services such as Frecciarossa and Intercity? If a strike causes the cancellation of your journey and the amount to be refunded is over €4, you're entitled to a full refund. Refunds for amounts below €4 are not issued, meaning passengers lose the sum.
As of January 2025, refunds for electronic tickets are processed automatically for both regional and long-distance services. Passengers receiving a cancellation are notified via text or email containing instructions on how to claim the refund. Passengers have two options: either have the refund transferred to their bank account or credit card, or receive it in the form of a voucher for future purchases.
For physical tickets, passengers must request a refund at the Trenitalia desk of their nearest train station or by completing and submitting the online form.
Trenord
Hop on Trenord for regional services in northern Lombardy, connecting places like central Milan and Milan Malpensa airport? If your Trenord journey is cancelled due to a strike, you're entitled to a full refund over €4. Round-trip tickets may be refunded only if the cancellation affects the first leg of your journey.
Refund requests must be made within 30 days of the relevant cancellation and can be made at a Trenord desk, online (after setting up an account), or via the following form, to be sent with a valid ID document to Ufficio Rimborsi, Piazzale Cadorna 14, 20123, Milan.
Keep up with the latest updates
Make sure to follow your chosen operator's official channels and apps for the most recent information on train circulation during strikes. Check specific details regarding strikes on their websites or through customer service for the most accurate information.
Feel free to share your opinions, experiences, and questions about train travel during strikes in Italy. You can reach our journalists at news@our website and make sure to read our terms of use before participating.
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- Traveling with Trenitalia and experiencing a strike-caused cancellation on Frecciarossa or Intercity services requires a full refund for amounts over €4, but not for amounts below.
- For passengers using Trenord for regional services in northern Lombardy, a full refund over €4 is granted if a strike cancels their journey, and for round-trip tickets, only the first leg can be refunded if canceled.
- In case of a planned journey cancellation due to a strike while traveling with Italo, passengers will receive a full refund in the form of a voucher for future purchases or travel credit in their Italo Wallet within 30 days.
- In the context of Italy's economy and personal finance, it's important for travelers to keep updated on transport strikes, consulting the official channels and apps of their chosen operators for the most recent information.
- Follow the latest news on strikes in Italy's transport sector by subscribing to notifications from reliable sources such as news outlets or operator websites, ensuring you're well-informed during your travels and able to plan accordingly.
