Train delays in July 2026: up to 6 hours between Rome and Milan, here's why

Summer 2026 is proving to be particularly challenging for train travelers in Italy. Delays, diversions, and cancellations are affecting the main railway lines, with peaks of six hours of travel on the Rome-Milan route where 3 hours and 40 minutes usually suffice. The main reason is the infrastructure work to replace the "Ponte al Pino" overpass at the Florence hub, but not only that.

From Sunday, July 5th: Florence blocked for the Ponte al Pino bridge

The most impactful construction site concerns the replacement of the road overpass “Pine Bridge” in Florence, under which the tracks of the high-speed line pass. The works, managed by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), involve the interruption of traffic between the stations of Florence Campo di Marte, Florence Rifredi and Florence Santa Maria Novella in two separate windows:

• 5-10 July: from the evening of Sunday, July 5th to the early hours of Friday, July 10th
• 26-30 July: final phase to complete the launch of the new structure

Trenitalia has activated a replacement bus service between the Florentine stations, but travel times may increase up to 2 hoursMany high-speed trains are diverted along the Tyrrhenian line, a longer route that forces high-speed trains to travel at reduced speeds.

Rome-Milan: from 3 hours and 40 minutes to 6 hours

The most affected route is the Rome Termini-Milan Central StationAccording to data from the treniamo.it portal, the average delay on this line is 12,3 minutes, with peaks of 103 minutes. In July, with construction work in Florence, the journey can take up to 6 hours versus the standard 3 hours and 40 minutes (or 3 hours and 10 minutes for the Frecce without stops).

Also the Roma-Bologna, normally completed in just over 2 hours, will take up to 4 hours and 50 minutes during blackout windows.

Delay figures: only 1 high-speed train out of 5 is on time

The data disseminated by treniamo.it paint a critical picture: across the entire railway system, only 20% of trains arrived on time, considering absolute punctuality. Official Trenitalia data, which considers a "delay" only to be anything exceeding 15 minutes, speak of a punctuality of 80% for the high-speed trains (meaning that 1 in 5 trains is not on time).

On the air front, according to Eurocontrol, the percentage of on-time flights in Europe is 76%, while in Italy it stops at 63%.

Not just Florence: other construction sites and network saturation

In addition to the Ponte al Pino, summer 2026 will bring other planned inconveniences:

• 10-17 August: 8-day closure on the Milan-Bologna high-speed line between Piacenza Est and Melegnano for switch renewal, with trains rerouted to the historic line
• 10-28 August: works in Chiusi, Tuscany

But there is also a structural problem: the network saturationHigh-speed and regional trains coexist on the same line, and Trenitalia has increased its commercial offering even during low-demand time slots, reducing the margins for recovery in the event of delays. A third operator is expected to arrive in 2027, which could make the situation worse before it improves.

Currently, approximately 16.700 km of trains are circulating on the RFI network. 9.000 trains per day, a number destined to grow.

What the Government Says: Salvini and the Political Controversy

The Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini He called the disruptions "temporary," explaining that there are €264 billion in construction sites underway, a figure never reached in the history of the Republic. Among the projects: the Florence high-speed rail link, the Brescia-Verona line, the Naples-Bari line, and the high-speed rail link in Sicily.

According to ministry data, punctuality is improving: high-speed trains from 74,1% to 77,1%, regional trains from 88,9% to 90,7%. The Democratic Party has launched a social media campaign citing "7 and a half years of train delays in the first six months of 2026."

What to do if you travel by train in July 2026

For those who need to travel in the coming weeks, here are some practical tips:

• Check the Trenitalia website before leaving, in the scheduled works and infomobility section
• Evaluate alternative routesThe Tyrrhenian line guarantees 2 trains per hour from Rome to Milan/Turin, but with an extension of up to 2 and a half hours.
• Don't trust standard timetables: check the status of the train on the same day
• Consider refund: for delays exceeding 60 minutes, Trenitalia provides compensation
• From NaplesHigh-speed train connections to Rome, Milan and Northern Italy are affected by the construction sites in Florence, with possible lengthening of travel times.

FAQ on train delays in July 2026

Why are trains late in July 2026?

Mainly due to the replacement work on the "Ponte al Pino" overpass in Florence, which will block the railway hub from July 5th to 10th and from July 26th to 30th. Added to this are the network congestion and other summer construction sites.

Which lines are most affected?

The Rome-Milan and Rome-Bologna routes are the most disrupted. Travel times can double.

How long does the lockdown last in Florence?

Two windows: July 5-10 and July 26-30. During these periods, service is interrupted between Florence Campo di Marte, Rifredi, and Santa Maria Novella.

Is there a replacement service?

Yes, Trenitalia has activated replacement buses between the Florence Santa Maria Novella and Florence Campo di Marte stations. The increase in travel time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Do regional trains also experience delays?

Yes, but to a lesser extent. Regional traffic is experiencing disruptions, especially in the Florence hub and in Emilia-Romagna, where services were also adjusted in early July due to weather warnings.

Is a refund expected?

For delays exceeding 60 minutes, Trenitalia provides compensation according to the conditions of the transport contract.