Train delay refund
Late or cancelled train? Pick your region, delay or cancellation, and ticket type — see likely compensation tiers, how to claim on the operator site or Delay Repay, what evidence to keep, and a copy-ready email. Complements the general refund playbook.
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Ticket type
Desk summary only — not legal advice. Operators, national schemes, and force majeure rules differ. Always read your ticket conditions and the carrier’s published Delay Repay or passenger-rights page.
Delay 90 min — compensation band applies
Likely tier: 60–119 minutes late — about 25% of the ticket price
EU desk bands commonly pay 25% of the ticket price for 60–119 minutes late.
Advance tickets are tied to a specific train — a delay or cancellation on that service is strong grounds to claim, but missed connections on a voluntary earlier/later train may not qualify.
Desk threshold table (EU)
| Situation | Typical % |
|---|---|
| Under 60 minutes lateNo routine compensation tier on this desk table; check operator goodwill policies. | — |
| 60–119 minutes late | 25% |
| 120+ minutes late | 50% |
| Cancelled (you still travelled on reroute/alternative)If you did not travel, you may be entitled to a full ticket refund instead — separate from delay compensation. | 50% |
Steps to claim
- Confirm the official delay or cancellation
Note the scheduled vs actual arrival (or cancellation notice) from the operator app, station screen, or onboard announcement — with date and train number.
- Find the right claim portal
Operator website → Passenger rights / compensation / delay form (often in the local language).
- Photograph or scan your ticket
Paper ticket, e-ticket PDF, or barcode in the app — plus any seat reservation. Redact payment card numbers if visible.
- Submit within the operator deadline
EU desk practice is often within a few months, but sooner is safer — check the operator’s published limit.
- Save the claim reference
Screenshot the confirmation page and log it in the refund tracker; note payout method (voucher vs original payment).
Evidence checklist
- Ticket or booking confirmation (photo/PDF) showing date, route, and price
- Train number and scheduled departure/arrival times
- Proof of actual arrival delay (operator app screenshot, station board photo, or GPS-timestamped note)
- Seat reservation if separate from the main ticket
- Claim submission confirmation and reference number
- Bank or app notification when compensation lands (or voucher email)
- Any reroute tickets or stamps showing the alternative service used
- Written cancellation notice (email/SMS) if the train did not run
Email template fields
Template email
Subject
Delay compensation / refund request — {{ref}} — {{date}}
Hello {{operator}},
I am writing to claim delay compensation under your published passenger rights / Delay Repay scheme.
Booking reference / ticket: {{ref}}
Journey: {{route}}
Date of travel: {{date}}
Delay or disruption: 90 minutes late at destination
I have attached (or will upload) a photo of my ticket and screenshots showing the delay. Please confirm the compensation amount ({{amount}} if applicable) and whether you will pay to my original payment method.
Thank you,
{{name}}Related Voykit tools
- Refund tracker — Log expected payout dates and chase missing refunds.
- Contact log — Record each email, chat, and call with the operator.
- Refund playbook — Broader refund steps when the whole booking was cancelled or bought via an OTA.