When a train is cancelled, you usually have two basic options: a refund of your unused ticket or taking another service (rerouting) at no extra cost.
The exact process and deadlines depend on where you travel and who sold the ticket.
Below is a practical, region-by-region guide with official sources so you can claim correctly the first time.
Know Your Core Rights
Confirm the legal basis.
European Union (EU)
Under Regulation (EU) 2021/782, passengers whose service is cancelled or expected to be delayed by more than 60 minutes at departure have two choices.
- Reimbursement of the full ticket price (for the unused part and for the part already made if the journey no longer serves its purpose)
- Rerouting at the earliest opportunity or at a later date of your choosing.
The Regulation also sets compensation thresholds for arrival delays at your final destination (25% after 60–119 minutes; 50% after 120+ minutes).
The European Commission maintains the legal texts, Q&A, and a common claim form you can use for reimbursement/compensation.
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
If your train is cancelled and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a fee-free full refund from the retailer that sold the ticket.
If you travel on a different train and arrive late, most operators pay compensation through Delay Repay, and many require you to claim within 28 days.
National Rail explains refund vs. compensation and the claim routes.
United States (Amtrak)
Amtrak’s refunds depend on fare type and timing. Policies specify when you receive money back to the original form of payment vs. an eVoucher.
For example, cancellations within 14 days of departure return 75% as a non-refundable eVoucher with 25% forfeited.
Premium products like Private Rooms have their own schedule (e.g., full refund ≥121 days before departure; partial refund or eVoucher closer in).
India (IRCTC / Indian Railways)
Refund rules set by Indian Railways/IRCTC detail when you receive full refunds and when you must file a TDR (Ticket Deposit Receipt).
If a train is running more than 3 hours late at your boarding station, you can file a TDR before the train departs for a full refund.
IRCTC’s published circulars also explain timelines, charges for voluntary cancellations, and the requirement to credit refunds back to the payment account.
City/metro systems
Some networks have their own rules.
For example, Transport for London allows refunds for Tube/DLR journeys delayed 15+ minutes, with exclusions for factors outside their control.
Step-by-Step: What to do When Your Train is Cancelled
Follow each step.
Claim from the right party
Retailer vs. operator matters. In Britain, unused ticket refunds for cancellations are claimed from the retailer that sold the ticket (this includes third-party sites).
Delay Repay compensation (if you travelled and were delayed) is claimed from the operator that caused the delay.
EU claims go to the railway undertaking you travelled with; Amtrak and IRCTC handle claims directly through their sites/apps.
Watch the deadline
Many UK operators require claims within 28 days. IRCTC sets explicit time limits for cancellations and TDR filings.
Amtrak’s entitlement depends on how many days before departure you cancel.
If you’re in the EU, you should submit claims “without undue delay,” and you can now use the Commission’s common form to standardise requests.
Keep proof
Keep original tickets, booking confirmations, and any operator notifications showing cancellation or delay.
UK consumer guidance stresses keeping tickets and submitting on time; photos or scans are fine when claims are online.
Choose how you want the money
Wherever possible, ask for a refund to your original payment method when you did not travel because of the cancellation.
In the U.S., read Amtrak’s fare page to see when refunds are cash/card vs. eVoucher credit.
If a company offers a voucher, you can usually decline it and request cash/card if your rights say you’re due a refund for a cancelled service.
If you travelled anyway, claim compensation
In the EU, compensation is 25% of the ticket price for 60–119 minutes’ arrival delay and 50% for 120+ minutes, separate from the refund choice.
In Great Britain, Delay Repay pays set percentages based on thresholds (often 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the operator).
Operator pages detail how to submit the claim and how they pay (bank transfer, card, PayPal).
Region-Specific Tips
Each country has its own policy.
EU (cross-border and domestic)
Use the Commission’s “Rail passenger rights” hub to find the legal basis, Q&A, and the new common reimbursement/compensation form.
Note that Member States can apply exemptions to certain services, so always check local notes or ask the National Enforcement Body (NEB).
United Kingdom
Start with National Rail’s refunds/compensation page to confirm whether you claim from the retailer or the operator (Delay Repay).
ORR’s “Know your rail rights” is a concise overview, and ORR tracks operator response times for claims.
If you’ve complained to the operator and are not satisfied after it has had a chance to resolve the issue, you can escalate to the Rail Ombudsman.
United States (Amtrak)
Check the Refund and Cancellation Policy for your fare bucket before cancelling.
Some fares are refundable to the original payment method; others convert to eVouchers or carry fees depending on how close you are to departure.
You can change/cancel online or in the Amtrak app; policy pages set out the exact percentages and time windows for each product.
India (IRCTC / Indian Railways)
If the train is cancelled or running 3+ hours late at your boarding station, IRCTC allows a full refund when you submit a claim/TDR within the stated time limits.
Refunds are credited back to the same account used to book.
The official IRCTC PDFs outline cancellation charges for voluntary cancellations (by time bands) and the specific TDR rules and deadlines.
Urban/metro networks
For systems like TfL in London, claim online for delays ≥15 minutes where eligible.
Many metros worldwide use similar portals—check your operator’s refunds page for thresholds and exclusions.
Bottom Line
Start with who sold your ticket, then apply the rule that fits your region.
Claim promptly, attach proof, and specify your preferred refund method.
If the operator or retailer doesn’t resolve it, take your case to the appropriate enforcement or ombudsman body using the official links above.
