Can I get a refund for a late train?

Yes, you may be entitled to a refund or compensation for a late train, but it depends entirely on where you are traveling and the specific train operator. The rules vary significantly between regions. In the EU and UK, there are legally established compensation schemes. In the US, Amtrak does not generally offer refunds for delays, except for missed guaranteed connections or as a goodwill gesture.

  • European Union (EU): legally entitled to 25% of ticket price for delays of 60-119 minutes, and 50% for delays of 120 minutes or more, plus assistance such as meals and accommodation
  • United Kingdom (UK): Delay Repay scheme allows you to claim compensation for delays starting from 15-30 minutes, with the process being simplified under Great British Railways
  • France (SNCF): TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS offer 25% compensation for delays of 30 minutes to 2 hours, 50% for 2-3 hours, and 75% for over 3 hours
  • United States (Amtrak): no general right to refund for late trains; only protection for missed guaranteed connections where Amtrak will provide alternate transport or hotel accommodations
  • Spain (Renfe): announced in January 2026 that it would stop compensating delays caused by speed limits imposed by the infrastructure manager Adif, potentially breaching EU rules

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Detailed Answer

How It Works

Your right to a refund for a late train depends on the legal framework in your region. Unlike airlines, which are often subject to strict passenger rights regulations, train compensation varies widely. In the European Union, clear compensation structures exist for delays and cancellations. In the United Kingdom, the Delay Repay scheme provides similar protections, with recent changes making it easier to claim compensation. In the United States, however, there is no federal regulation requiring Amtrak to provide refunds for late trains. Amtrak's terms of service explicitly disclaim liability for delays except in specific circumstances.

Understanding your rights, the process for claiming compensation, and the exceptions that may apply is essential before you travel.

By Region and Operator

European Union

Under EU law, passengers are entitled to compensation for train delays and cancellations. The compensation rates are as follows:

  • For a delay of 60 to 119 minutes: 25% of the ticket price
  • For a delay of 120 minutes or more: 50% of the ticket price

Passengers are also entitled to assistance during the delay, including meals, refreshments, and accommodation if necessary. A common form is available for passengers to use when submitting compensation claims.

However, there are exceptions. Member States can exempt certain types of services from the compensation rules, particularly urban, suburban, and regional rail services. Passengers should check whether their specific journey is covered.

United Kingdom

The UK operates a Delay Repay scheme, which requires train operators to compensate passengers for delays. The specific compensation threshold depends on the train operator, but typically starts at delays of 15 to 30 minutes.

Significant changes are underway under Great British Railways (GBR), which will simplify the compensation process. Passengers will be able to claim compensation directly from their ticket retailer, including third-party apps like Trainline, rather than having to navigate a complex system across 14 different train companies.

Passengers have up to 28 days after their journey to submit a Delay Repay claim.

France (SNCF)

SNCF offers compensation through its G30 guarantee for TGV INOUI, TGV International, and INTERCITÉS trains.

  • For delays of 30 minutes to 2 hours: 25% compensation
  • For delays of 2 to 3 hours: 50% compensation
  • For delays of over 3 hours: 75% compensation

For delays over 1 hour, passengers can choose between a bank transfer or travel vouchers. For OUIGO trains, compensation of 25% is provided for delays of 1 to 2 hours, and 50% for delays of over 2 hours.

Spain (Renfe)

In January 2026, Renfe announced it would stop compensating delays caused by speed limits imposed by Adif, the infrastructure manager, for tickets purchased from 31 January onwards. This decision has raised concerns about potential breaches of EU passenger rights law. The European Commission has been questioned on whether this exclusion is compatible with EU law.

United States (Amtrak)

Amtrak's official policy is that it does not provide refunds for late trains. The company's terms of service state that fares, time schedules, equipment, and services are not guaranteed, and Amtrak specifically disclaims liability for delayed trains.

The only exception is when a delay causes a passenger to miss a guaranteed Amtrak train connection. In that case, Amtrak will provide alternate transportation on Amtrak or another carrier, or provide overnight hotel accommodations, at Amtrak's sole discretion. The connection must be on a single reservation (one ticket) to be protected.

There is currently a bill in Congress (H.R. 769) that would require Amtrak to provide refunds for trains cancelled or delayed by more than three hours due to Amtrak's failure. However, this bill has not yet passed.

That said, Amtrak has sometimes offered refunds or travel credits on a case-by-case basis as a goodwill gesture, particularly in response to poor customer service or significant disruptions.

What You Need to Know

  • In the EU and UK, you are legally entitled to compensation, but you must usually claim it proactively by submitting a form to the train operator
  • For Amtrak in the US, there is no legal right to a refund for a late train; only missed guaranteed connections are protected
  • If you are traveling on a connecting train journey in the US, always book it on a single reservation to ensure the guaranteed connection policy applies
  • The process and deadlines for claiming compensation vary; in the UK, you typically have 28 days to claim, while in France you can claim up to 3 months later for Eurostar delays
  • New EU rules introduced a common form for compensation claims, making the process more consistent across member states
  • Some services are exempt from compensation rules, particularly regional and suburban services in the EU

Major Transit Hubs and Regional Considerations

  • Europe (EU member states): Strong legal protections under EU law, but enforcement varies by country and operator
  • United Kingdom: Delay Repay scheme offers robust compensation, with upcoming changes under Great British Railways to streamline the process
  • United States (Amtrak): No guaranteed compensation for delays, except for missed guaranteed connections
  • Spain (Renfe): Recent policy changes have reduced compensation for delays caused by infrastructure issues, potentially conflicting with EU regulations
  • France (SNCF): Well-defined compensation scheme under the G30 guarantee for high-speed and intercity services

Real Traveler Experiences

"We had a sleeper from Seattle to Chicago, then a connection to Cleveland. We arrived in Chicago so late that we missed the connection. Amtrak put us up in a hotel and fed us, then we took the next day's train. It was all covered, but we were downgraded to coach since no sleepers were available. It was frustrating, but at least we got home." Amtrak passenger, Forum post

"I had a delay of over 90 minutes on a TGV in France. I submitted my claim online with my booking reference, and within two weeks I received 25% of my ticket price back via bank transfer. The process was straightforward." SNCF passenger

"In the UK, I claimed Delay Repay for a train that was 45 minutes late. I filled out a simple form on the operator's website, attached a photo of my ticket, and received a partial refund within 10 days." UK rail passenger

Pro Tips

  • Always keep your ticket and booking reference until your journey is complete; you will need these to claim compensation
  • For Amtrak connections, always book the entire journey on a single reservation to ensure the guaranteed connection policy applies
  • In the EU and UK, submit your compensation claim as soon as possible after your journey to avoid missing deadlines
  • Check if your train operator has a specific mobile app or online portal for submitting delay claims; this is often faster than using paper forms
  • For Amtrak, if you experience a significant delay or poor service, it is worth contacting customer service; while not guaranteed, Amtrak has sometimes offered refunds or travel credits as a goodwill gesture
  • If you are traveling in Spain on Renfe, be aware that delays caused by infrastructure speed limits may not be compensated as of January 2026
  • For EU journeys, use the common compensation form available on the European Commission website to ensure your claim meets all requirements

Related Questions

Sources

AskTravel.org gives you the answer first, then the detail. Every answer is built from official sources and updated when rules change. See how we answer: How We Answer.

AskTravel.org is an information website only. Always check local regulations and operator policies before traveling, as rules change frequently.

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