The Italy Guides

Italy Rail and Milan Public Transport Strikes Hit 15–16 May 2026

· 3 min read Travel News
Travellers waiting at an Italian train station platform

Contents

  1. What is affected
  2. What to do
  3. Planning ahead

Italy is experiencing a fresh wave of transport disruption today and tomorrow, 15–16 May 2026, with rail services across the country and Milan’s public transport network both subject to strike action. For anyone currently in Italy or arriving in the next 48 hours, this is worth knowing before heading to a station or metro platform.

Today’s action affects rail services on several lines, with Trenitalia and regional operators reporting cancellations and delays across the network. Milan’s metro, tram, and bus services — operated by Atm — are also running reduced timetables. The disruption continues into 16 May, with Milan’s public transport the most severely affected for a second day.

This is the third significant transport disruption in Italy this month alone, following the aviation strike on 11 May that cancelled roughly 38% of ITA Airways short-haul flights, and a separate rail dispute earlier in May. A further national rail strike is already confirmed for 28–29 May.

What is affected

  • Rail services: Long-distance Frecciarossa and Frecciargento trains, as well as regional and InterCity services, face cancellations and delays. Under Italian law, a guaranteed minimum timetable must be maintained during morning and early-evening peak hours — but midday and afternoon departures carry the highest risk of cancellation.
  • Milan public transport: Metro lines, trams, and Atm buses are running reduced services throughout the day. Airport express trains connecting the city to Malpensa and Linate airports may also face disruption.

What to do

If you are travelling today or tomorrow, we recommend the following:

  • Check the Trenitalia or Italo app for live status on your specific train before leaving for the station
  • Allow significantly extra time for any journey involving central Milan, including airport connections
  • If heading to or from Malpensa, consider a taxi or pre-booked transfer as a backup in case the Malpensa Express runs irregularly
  • Avoid planning tight connections through Milan today if an alternative routing is available

If your train is cancelled due to strike action, you are entitled to a full refund or free rebooking at no extra charge. Our guide to Italian flight and rail delay rights explains exactly how to claim under Italian and EU passenger protection rules.

Planning ahead

The cluster of strikes in May 2026 is unusually dense. If you have travel dates still to lock in, our Italy in May guide covers the full picture of when disruptions fall and the best ways to plan around them. For a broader overview of travelling by train, bus, and regional transport across Italy, our getting around Italy guide covers what to expect at different times of year — and what your options are when services go down.

Travellers using Milan as a base or transit point should note that the city’s transport network has experienced repeated stoppages in 2026. Our Milan guide includes advice on getting around the city and reaching its airports when disruptions are in play.

Strike durations and coverage can shift at short notice. We recommend checking Atm’s website for Milan transport and Trenitalia or Italo for rail updates on the morning of travel.