The good news: you didn’t miss your train.
The bad news? The train is missing.
Train delays and cancellations happen. Yes, even in countries like Switzerland, Germany, and Austria — a trio known for their prompt and well-oiled service — you might not make your train due to no fault of your own.
But you’re not here to point fingers or play the blame game. All you want to know is how you can get a refund for a canceled or delayed train in Europe and if that process is going to create even more of a headache.
Consider this your guide to getting a refund for a cancelled or delayed train in Europe.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Rob Kints. Image Location: The Hague, Netherlands
What is the compensation for train cancellations in Europe?
Compensation for train cancellations in Europe varies based on the country and carrier. In some cases, you can contact Trainline and we’ll help you determine whether you’re entitled to a cash refund, a voucher, or if there is no refund option available from that carrier.
Keep in mind that different rail operators in the same country may have unique compensation rules for train cancellations in Europe.
| Country | Train Company | Refund |
| 🇬🇧 UK 🇬🇧 | All | Full |
| 🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷 | INOUI | Contact us |
| 🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷 | TER | No |
| 🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷 | Eurostar | Full (minus fees) |
| 🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷 | OUIGO | Exchange/Voucher |
| 🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷 | TGV Lyria | Full |
| 🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷 | Intercités | Contact us |
| 🇩🇪 Germany 🇩🇪 | Deutsche Bahn | Full |
| 🇮🇹 Italy 🇮🇹 | Trenitalia | Contact Trenitalia |
| 🇮🇹 Italy 🇮🇹 | Trenord | Contact Trenord |
| 🇪🇸 Spain 🇪🇸 | Renfe | Full |
| 🇪🇸 Spain 🇪🇸 | Iryo | Full/Double |
| 🇪🇸 Spain🇪🇸 | OUIGO | Full |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇧🇪 | SNCB | Contact us |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇨🇭 | SBB | Contact us |
| 🇦🇹 Austria 🇦🇹 | OBB | Contact us |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇱 | NS | Contact us |
What is the compensation for train delays in Europe?
Compensation for train delays in Europe is tied to how many minutes the train was delayed, but there is no general delay compensation rule. Each train company dictates their own compensation schedule.
For instance, you can get 100% refund if a Merseyrail train is delayed by 30 or more minutes; but for Grand Central Railway delays, you can only receive a maximum refund of 50-75% if the train is delayed beyond 59 minutes.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld. Image Location: St Moritz, Graubunden, Switzerland
Compensation for train delays in the UK have the following schedule:
|
🇬🇧 Railway 🇬🇧 |
15 - 29 Mins |
30 - 59 Mins |
60 - 119 Mins |
120 + Mins |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
N/A |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
N/A |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
N/A |
N/A |
50% |
75% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
N/A |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
N/A |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
N/A |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
N/A |
100% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
N/A |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
| See website | See website | See website | ||
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% | |
|
25% |
50% |
100% |
100% |
This is the compensation schedule for delayed trains in Europe:
|
Train Company |
Country |
Delay Timetable |
Compensation |
🇨🇿 Czechia 🇨🇿 |
60 - 119 Mins 120 + Mins |
25% 50% | |
🇱🇺 Luxembourg 🇱🇺 |
60 - 119 Mins 120 + Mins |
25% 50% | |
|
Deutsche Bahn |
🇩🇪 Germany 🇩🇪 |
60 - 119 Mins 120 + Mins |
25% 50% |
|
🇩🇰 Denmark 🇩🇰 |
30 - 59 Mins 60 - 89 Mins 90 + Mins |
50% 75% 100% | |
|
🇫🇷 France & UK 🇬🇧 |
60 - 119 Mins 120 - 179 Mins 180 + Mins |
25% (30% e-voucher) 50% (60% e-voucher) 50% (75% e-voucher) | |
|
🇮🇹 Italy 🇮🇹 |
60 - 119 Mins 120 + Mins |
25% 50% | |
|
🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇱 |
60 - 119 Mins (Intl) 120 + Mins (Intl) |
25% (Intl) 50% (Intl) | |
|
🇦🇹 Austria 🇦🇹 |
60 - 119 Mins 120 + Mins |
25% 50% | |
|
Renfe |
🇪🇸 Spain 🇪🇸 |
15 - 180 + Mins | |
|
🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇨🇭 |
60 - 119 Mins 120 + Mins |
25% 50% | |
|
🇧🇪 Belgium 🇧🇪 |
60 + Mins |
100% | |
|
🇫🇷 France 🇫🇷 |
30 + Mins | ||
|
🇫🇷 France & Switzerland 🇨🇭 |
30 - 120 Mins 120+ Mins |
25% 50% | |
|
🇮🇹 Italy 🇮🇹 |
30 - 59 Mins 60 + Mins |
25% 50% | |
|
🇦🇹 Austria 🇦🇹 |
60 - 119 Mins 120 + Mins |
25% 50% |
How do you claim for train delays or cancellations in Europe?
First rule of claiming compensation for train delays in Europe: claims must be processed from the train operator itself, not from the point of purchase (such as Trainline). Most train operators have a claims form that you’ll fill out; if your refund is approved, they’ll let you know when to expect your refund or voucher.
Unsure of which train operator you need to hit up? Let us help: check your ticket details through the “My Bookings” section on our website or in the “My Tickets” section in the Trainline app.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Aaron Chen PS2. Image Location: Switzerland
What to do if you’re not happy with the response
So, your train to the airport was delayed by 59 mins, and not only did that cause you to miss your flight, but since it was one minute short of the compensation qualification, you’ve got no refund to show for it…
These situations happen and it’s perfectly acceptable to be less than happy about it. Every train operator should have a way to formally file a complaint; typically either via email or through an online form.
🚆 Trainline Tip: Before you go full-blown Karen and demand to speak with a manager, always check the Rail Passenger Rights. You have legal rights, but the train operator also has rights and if a zero-refund policy is part of the terms and conditions that you agreed to when buying the ticket, then your complaint might not yield the result you want.
What happens if you miss your train?
So you did miss your on-time train? Join the club; you’re basically a local now that you’ve missed a train in Europe. Unfortunately, many tickets aren’t refundable unless the train operator caused you to miss your train (eg: a delay or cancellation). Sometimes, you can change your ticket date and time, so long as you use the original departure and arrival stations. Other tickets are good for any time period within a set date or timetable.
Double check the flexibility of a ticket before you purchase it. Advance tickets are super cheap, but the freedom of Anytime tickets might be worth the extra expense if you’re afraid of missing a set-in-stone train time departure.
Don’t chance missing the train you want because you’re trying to navigate your way from the ticket kiosk to the platform. Download the Trainline app, purchase your tickets in advance, and walk directly onto your train.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Porto, Portugal
