Train delay compensation in Europe: the two tiers and the four exclusions

Per the Commission's Your Europe rail page, the ladder is:

• 25% of the ticket price — delay between 1 and 2 hours;
• 50% of the ticket price — delay of 2 hours or more.

The railway undertaking must pay the compensation within one month of your request. Railways must also offer reasonable re-routing conditions when the service breaks.

Source: Your Europe — Rail passenger rights (European Commission), read 6 September 2026.

Per the Commission's Your Europe guidance, you will not receive compensation if:

• you were informed of a delay caused by a train cancellation before you bought your ticket;
• the delay — after continuing on a different service or re-routing — is less than one hour;
• you opted for a refund of your ticket instead;
• the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Claims themselves run through each operator: some railway companies have their own online system or form for reimbursement and compensation requests.

Source: Your Europe — Rail passenger rights, compensation conditions, read 6 September 2026.

Rail passengers also hold information rights: operators must tell you the rules and conditions for the fastest trip, disruptions and delays (planned and in real time), accessibility and the availability of facilities for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, on-board services including Wi-Fi and toilets, bicycle capacity and rules, and the procedures for reclaiming lost luggage. For a mover crossing Europe with bags and a bike, those rights are worth as much as the refund tiers.

Source: Your Europe — Rail passenger rights, information duties, read 6 September 2026.