ROME — Italy’s shoulder-season travelers can expect a flurry of changes this autumn, from fresh air links and nostalgia-rich railway journeys to a calendar of transport strikes and a looming biometric border system. Here is what to know before you pack for Rome, Milan, Naples or beyond.
New flights widen Italy’s horizons
Italy’s main gateways are adding point-to-point service just in time for cooler weather and smaller crowds.
- Milan Malpensa–Strasbourg and Milan Linate–Porto will be connected by EasyJet in late October and early November.
- Wizz Air grows its Naples base with nonstop departures to Brasov, Chisinau and Tel Aviv, while extending the warm-weather route to Sharm el-Sheikh.
- At Rome Fiumicino, ITA Airways launches twice-weekly service to Mauritius starting in November, and EasyJet adds another Rome–Strasbourg option.
Why it matters: The new networks give visitors more non-stop choices and the chance to combine coastal or vineyard escapes with city culture without a layover. For example, Strasbourg’s Christmas markets begin lighting up in late November, while Porto’s wine cellars are quieter yet fully open.
Tourist-focused trains head to Italy’s hidden corners
Ferrovie dello Stato’s Treni Turistici Italiani program expands this fall, coupling vintage rolling stock and slower timetables with curated itineraries.
- Espresso Assisi begins in September, running Rome–Assisi to the Umbrian hilltop town famous for Saint Francis and frescoed basilicas.
- Espresso Langhe e Monferrato offers an overnight sleeper from Rome to Alba in Piedmont, home of white truffles and Barolo vineyards.
- Espresso Val d’Orcia e Siena links Rome with Siena via the postcard-perfect Val d’Orcia.
- The final run of the Treno delle Meraviglie (Railway of Wonders) between Ventimiglia and Tende is scheduled for Sept. 6.
- An Espresso Monaco: Oktoberfest Special connects Rome and Munich over two late-September and early-October weekends, ideal for beer-hall pilgrims who prefer rail to low-cost flights.
Pro tip: Many of these services include on-board regional tastings and guided off-train excursions. Seats sell quickly, so advance booking through FS’s English-language portal is wise.
Strikes resume when the summer truce ends
Italy’s annual franchigia estiva (strike moratorium) lapses in early September, and unions have already penciled in stoppages:
- A nationwide rail strike starts the evening of Thursday, Sept. 4 and runs until 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.
- Airline and airport personnel plan multiple walkouts on Saturday, Sept. 6.
- An additional 24-hour national strike by both airline and airport staff is slated for Friday, Sept. 26.
Because Italian law obliges unions to announce actions in advance, the Transport Ministry’s online calendar remains the most reliable barometer. Travelers should monitor their carrier’s app, avoid booking tight connections on the listed days and keep rail alternatives in mind.
Entry & Exit System: the next-generation passport check
The European Union’s digital Entry & Exit System (EES) is now scheduled for Oct. 12 2025. When the six-month rollout begins, non-EU visitors will register fingerprints and a facial scan the first time they cross a Schengen external border. The data remains valid for three years—or until the traveler’s passport expires—eliminating hand stamps and automating over-stay calculations. Key points for U.S., Canadian and British citizens flying to Italy:
- Expect EES kiosks at roughly half of Italy’s checkpoints within three months of go-live; full coverage follows by month six.
- EES applies only at external Schengen frontiers. A Venice–Berlin train trip will not trigger the scan, but a direct flight from New York to Milan will.
- The long-planned ETIAS travel authorization remains a separate system and is slated to arrive after EES.
Planning advice: Build extra time into your arrival, particularly if landing during the initial weeks when airport staff and travelers alike learn the new procedures.
Tips for Travelers
- Mix air and rail. Pair a low-cost flight into Milan with a scenic sleeper to Alba or Munich for a dual-city escape.
- Follow the strike calendar. If your dates coincide with announced actions, choose fully refundable fares or allow at least one buffer day.
- Book tourist trains early. Limited-capacity vintage coaches often sell out, especially the final Ventimiglia–Tende “Railway of Wonders” run.
- Mind the seasons. Autumn temperatures in Tuscany and Umbria are mild, perfect for countryside detours promoted by the new rail offerings.
- Prepare for EES. Keep your passport clean and machine-readable; smudged data pages may slow down the biometric process.
FAQ
Will the Milan–Strasbourg flights run daily?
No. EasyJet’s schedule beginning in late October shows several rotations per week rather than daily service. Consult the carrier’s timetable for exact days.
Are Interrail and Eurail passes valid on the new tourist trains?
Passes generally cover the base fare, but seat or sleeper supplements are mandatory and must be reserved in advance.
What happens if my flight is canceled during a strike?
EU Regulation 261/2004 outlines compensation rules, though extraordinary circumstances may change eligibility. Rebooking or refund offers are typically provided first.
Can I avoid EES by using an e-gate?
Eventually some Italian airports plan to integrate EES with automated e-gates, but the initial phase will likely require stopping at a staffed or self-service kiosk.
Bottom line
From Milan’s expanded flight map to Rome’s ever-creative heritage trains, Italy is reshaping how visitors move around the peninsula this autumn. Circle strike days in red, leave time for future biometric checkpoints and you’ll be poised to savor shoulder-season Italy at its most authentic.
