What are the odds? In the 24-hour window that a train strike is scheduled (June 21-22), we have tickets to take the ES train from Rome to Florence. What are our other options? Our hotel in Florence does not have a vacancy for us to arrive there a night earlier, but we are contemplating booking another hotel and just taking the train a day earlier. What are our bus options? Of course I never planned for this, and we leave in a week. Any advice is appreciated!

90% of trains, and well over 90% of train passengers travel according to schedule, during a rail strike in Italy.

And the others are delayed.

Rome-Florence trains run pretty much hourly.

Best wishes,

Rex

In other words, Rex, you would not suggest we change our plans? We have reserved seats on a Eurostar train, if that makes any difference. Perhaps I misunderstood what a "rail strike" meant. Thanks.

Their will be rail workers walking a picket line, saying they are on strike, and indicating their grievance.

But most trains will operate on schedule. and passengers will re-schedule for those trains that do not.

It taps into public awareness, but inconveniences minimally.

I didn't realize that I strike meant trains would still run. Thanks so much for clarifying!

Hi M,

Strikes very rarely shut down the whole system.

It is possible, but not likely, that your train will be canceled. In that event, you will be ticketed on another train.

However, there is a bus from Rome Tiburtina station to Siena. See http://www.senabus.it/

You can then take a SITA bus to Florence. The bus station is about 2 blocks from Florence SMN station.