Rail travel across Europe is convenient, but a serious delay can change your plans quickly. Your exact rights depend on the journey and ticket, so keep your ticket, reservation and receipts for necessary and reasonable extra costs.
If a delay of at least 60 minutes is expected
If you are informed at departure that you will reach your final destination at least 60 minutes late, EU rules generally give you a choice between reimbursement of the ticket (and, where the trip no longer serves its purpose, a return to your initial departure point) or continuing/rerouting to your final destination under comparable conditions at no extra cost.
Compensation for delay
If you continue the journey and arrive late, you may be entitled to 25% of the ticket price for a delay of 60–119 minutes and 50% for a delay of 120 minutes or more. Exceptions apply, including where you knew about the delay before buying the ticket, chose reimbursement, or the railway proves applicable extraordinary circumstances.
Meals, accommodation and alternative transport
For delays of at least 60 minutes, you are entitled to reasonable assistance, including meals and refreshments proportionate to the waiting time. If an overnight stay becomes necessary, the rules provide for hotel or other accommodation where physically possible, plus transport between the station and accommodation.
There is also an important practical threshold. If the railway company does not inform you about available rerouting options within 100 minutes of the scheduled departure of the delayed train, you may make reasonable alternative arrangements using public transport — rail, coach or bus — and claim reimbursement of necessary, appropriate and reasonable costs.
Be careful with connections
Protection for a missed connection is strongest when the whole journey is covered by a through-ticket. Before buying, check whether separate train legs form one through-ticket. If you travel on individual tickets, the full missed-connection rights may not apply.
What to do
Keep your ticket and evidence of the disruption. Ask the railway for rerouting options and assistance. Keep receipts for necessary reasonable expenses. Submit reimbursement or compensation requests directly to the railway using its claim system or the applicable EU-wide form.
Important for 2026
This guide was checked against official EU information on 15 September 2026. National rules or a railway's terms may provide more favourable conditions. Check the rules for your specific journey before arranging alternative transport yourself.
