A strike does not cost you the price of your ticket. Your rights, though, vary a lot by mode of transport and, above all, by who is on strike. This guide sets out the main rules; for each case, the terms of the operator you bought from are authoritative.
Trains
Rail travel is covered by EU regulation 2021/782 on passenger rights, in force since June 2023, together with the terms of Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord.
- Train cancelled, or you give up the trip because of a strike: you can claim a full refund or travel on another train (rebooking), including guaranteed trains.
- Late arrival: if the train runs but arrives late, you are owed 25% of the fare for delays of 60 to 119 minutes and 50% for 120 minutes or more.
- The regulation excludes compensation for some extraordinary circumstances, but not for strikes by the railway company's own staff: if the delay comes from the carrier's own strike, compensation is still due.
Claims go through the operator's channels (website, app, ticket office) within the deadlines in its terms. To see whether a train is affected, see the guide to guaranteed trains.
Flights
Air travel is covered by regulation (EC) 261/2004. If your flight is cancelled you can always choose between a refund (within seven days) and an alternative flight, plus care at the airport (meals, and a hotel if needed) while you wait.
Cash compensation (250, 400 or 600 euros depending on distance) depends on who strikes: it is owed when the airline's own staff walk out, and normally not when outside staff such as air traffic controllers strike. It is also not owed if the airline tells you about the cancellation at least 14 days before departure. Full details are in the guide to air passenger rights.
Long-distance buses
For bus journeys of at least 250 km, EU regulation 181/2011 applies: if the service is cancelled or departs more than 120 minutes late, you can choose between a full refund and an alternative journey. If the carrier fails to offer that choice, you are also owed compensation of 50% of the ticket price.
Buses, trams and metro in town
There is no EU rule for local public transport: the operator's service charter and terms apply. Some practical points:
- time-based tickets that are not validated stay valid for another day;
- monthly or annual passes usually do not give a refund for a single strike day, though some operators offer forms of compensation: check the service charter;
- taxis or other alternatives taken instead are not refunded by the transport company.
How to claim
- Keep your ticket, booking and cancellation notice.
- Claim through the operator's official channel rather than intermediaries if you want to avoid fees.
- If there is no reply or it is negative, use the operator's complaint procedure and then the Transport Regulation Authority (for trains and buses) or ENAC (for flights).
The best way to avoid needing a refund is knowing in advance: dates already called are on the upcoming strikes page.