Design Week in Milan Jeopardized by Transportation Strikes

Travel Disruptions Loom Over Salone del Mobile 2025

Milan is preparing to welcome the world’s top designers, creatives, and style-savvy travelers for Salone del Mobile, the city’s iconic international furniture and design fair, taking place from April 8–13, 2025. But this year, the excitement is clouded by a series of national transportation strikes set to impact planes, trains, and local transit—potentially throwing a wrench into Design Week plans.

April 9 – Airport Strike

On Wednesday, April 9, air travelers should brace for delays and cancellations due to a four-hour strike by airport staff, called by the CUB Trasporti union. Scheduled from 12:00 to 16:00, the strike may affect flight departures, check-in procedures, and baggage services at airports across Italy—including Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Linate (LIN).

April 11–12 – Train Strike

Train service will be severely limited starting Friday, April 11 at 03:00 until Saturday, April 12 at 02:00, as railway workers from Trenitalia, Italo, Trenord, and Trenitalia Tper stage a 23-hour strike.

This will affect travelers staying outside the city limits. It should not affect local public transport.

While a minimum number of services will be guaranteed, many regional and long-distance trains are expected to be delayed or cancelled. Visitors planning to travel to Milan by train during this period should double-check timetables and consider alternative transportation.

April 26 – Local Public Transport Strike

Although outside the main dates of Design Week, a four-hour public transport strike is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, which will affect subways, trams, and buses in Milan and other cities. Timetables and affected routes are expected to be announced closer to the date.

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What This Means for Design Week Travelers

Visitors attending Salone del Mobile and the many Fuorisalone events around the city are advised to plan ahead:

• Arrive early in the week to avoid the midweek airport strike.
• If arriving or departing on April 11–12, consider alternative transport options or expect delays.
• Allow extra time for getting to events, especially if traveling between neighborhoods such as Brera, Tortona, and Isola.

Despite the disruption, Milan remains ready to celebrate design in all its forms. Travelers should stay informed, flexible, and—true to Milanese spirit—stylishly adaptable.

Stay tuned to MilanoStyle.com for updates, insider tips, follow us on social media or subscribe here.

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