Passenger rights: what you are entitled to for delays

Basics: where the rights come from

Passenger rights in rail transport are based essentially on three levels:

• European rules: They govern rights for cross-border and – depending on implementation – also domestic journeys.
• National regulations: They supplement the European rules, especially for regional transport.
• Conditions of carriage of the company: They contain further details on refunds, care and ways to claim.

Because these levels work together, a journey on long-distance trains has different details than a journey on a tram or with a foreign provider.

Refund or onward travel

In the case of major disruptions, travellers often have a choice between two options:

• Onward travel: The journey continues to the booked destination on another connection – at the earliest possible time.
• Refund: The fare for the part of the journey not used is refunded; if the journey was not started at all, the full price can be repaid.

Where possible, agree the decision with the staff or customer service. If you rebook on your own or take a taxi, you risk the costs not being refunded.

In regional transport there are additional options: if you can foresee that you will arrive significantly later, another means of transport may sometimes be used. There is usually a maximum amount for the costs incurred. Ask the responsible transport association or company for details.

Care during long waits

If a journey cannot be continued as planned because of a disruption, the rules provide for support. This can include:

• information about the onward connection
• refreshments, if they are reasonably available
• an overnight stay, if you have to remain at the location
• support for people with reduced mobility

In practice, this does not mean that every wait automatically leads to a hotel stay. What matters includes the length of the disruption, the time of day and whether the journey can still be completed on the same day. If in doubt, ask actively and have it confirmed what is covered. Receipts are required here too.

Compensation

For delays at the destination, the rules provide for a fixed compensation. On German rail services, 25 percent of the fare from 60 minutes and 50 percent from 120 minutes are often provided. Details, calculation and the way to claim are on the page Claiming compensation.

Special types of journey

Season tickets and subscriptions

For weekly, monthly or annual tickets, compensation is calculated differently than for a single ticket. Often a proportionate daily value is used. The exact rules are in the conditions of the relevant fare.

Group travel

For group journeys, the claim is usually submitted by one person for the whole group. It is important to be able to prove all participants and the total price paid.

People with reduced mobility

Additional duties to inform and assist apply to this group. If help was promised and did not arrive, document this and report it to the company.

International journeys

For cross-border journeys, European rules usually apply. The company you bought the ticket from is responsible – for through tickets this may also be the first carrier. For journeys abroad, it is advisable to check the conditions of the foreign provider as well.

Limits of the claims

Not every delay leads to a claim. The rules provide for exceptions, for example in circumstances the company could not influence. These typically include extreme weather events, natural disasters or comparable emergencies. The company decides in each individual case whether an exception applies – so the reasons for a rejection should be checked carefully.

There are also deadlines. If you wait too long, you may lose your claim. Submit the claim promptly after the journey.

Official sources and contact points

Editorial team: Bahnverspätung Ratgeber Last checked: 26 October 2026 General information, not legal advice