European train delays and cancellations: passenger rights guide

EU rail passenger rights generally apply to journeys within the EU, but countries may exempt some urban, suburban, regional, historical or non-EU services. First check whether the service is covered and whether your itinerary is protected by one contract of carriage.

The key threshold is an expected delay of 60 minutes or more at the final destination. It can trigger refund or rerouting options; if you continue, delay compensation may also apply.

Your options after a delay of 60 minutes

If cancellation or delay is expected to put you at your final destination at least 60 minutes late, you may choose reimbursement, rerouting at the earliest opportunity at no extra cost, or travel under comparable conditions at a later date. When the trip has lost its purpose, reimbursement can cover unused portions and completed portions that no longer serve a purpose, plus a return to the starting point.

Assistance, meals and accommodation

Where possible, the operator must offer food and refreshments proportionate to the wait. If an overnight stay becomes necessary, accommodation and transport between the station and accommodation may be due where physically possible. Extraordinary circumstances can remove compensation but do not automatically erase reimbursement, rerouting and assistance rights.

If no solution is offered within 100 minutes

If the operator does not communicate rerouting options within 100 minutes of the cancelled train's scheduled departure, you may arrange a necessary, appropriate and reasonable alternative using rail, coach or bus and seek reimbursement. This is not an unlimited right to a taxi or flight; the choice should be proportionate and documented.

The ticket structure decides a missed connection

A through-ticket can protect the journey as a whole. Two tickets shown in one basket may still be separate contracts. If a vendor failed to tell you before purchase that they were separate contracts, additional liability may arise. Keep the booking screen and confirmation email.

• Look for ‘through-ticket’, ‘single contract’ or equivalent wording.
• Capture the delay board and relevant announcements.
• Ask train staff for confirmation of the delay.
• File replacement-ticket, meal and accommodation receipts.

When compensation may not be payable

Compensation may not be due if you knew of the delay before buying, rerouting keeps the delay below one hour, or you choose a refund. An unavoidable extraordinary circumstance such as extreme weather, a major natural disaster or third-party conduct can also create an exception. A strike by the railway company's own staff is not treated as an extraordinary circumstance for this purpose.

How to prepare a claim

1. Attach the ticket, booking code and itinerary.
2. Document scheduled and actual arrival times.
3. State clearly whether you seek reimbursement, rerouting costs or compensation.
4. Attach legible receipts for reasonable extra expenses.
5. Use the operator's form first, then the common EU form where appropriate.