Blog
Train rights, compensation tips, and operator guides.
guides
TrainOwed vs. Claiming Yourself — Which Is Better?
DIY claims are free but have a 8–12% rejection rate and take weeks of form-filling. TrainOwed costs 25% of what you recover but handles everything — submission, appeals, and escalation. For most passengers, TrainOwed recovers more with less effort.
Published 4 April 2026
guides
TrainOwed vs. Other Train Compensation Services — Honest Comparison
Most train compensation services charge 20–35% of recovered compensation. TrainOwed charges 25% with no minimum payout and covers all major German operators including S-Bahn networks. Key differences are fee structure, operator coverage, and whether the service handles appeals.
Published 4 April 2026
passenger rights
Deutsche Bahn Cancelled Your Train — Your Rights and Compensation
If Deutsche Bahn cancels your train, EU Regulation 2021/782 gives you three choices: full refund, rerouting at the earliest opportunity, or rebooking for a later date. If you're rerouted and arrive 60+ minutes late at your destination, you can claim 25–50% compensation on top. Schienenersatzverkehr (replacement bus) does not remove your right to a refund or compensation.
Published 29 March 2026
passenger rights
BahnCard 100 and Season Ticket Delay Compensation — Calculation Guide
If you hold a BahnCard 100, Streckenzeitkarte, or other DB subscription, your delay compensation is calculated on the proportional daily journey cost. Divide your pass price by the number of journeys in the period to get the per-journey value, then apply 25% (60–119 min) or 50% (120+ min). Batch multiple delays if individual payouts fall below €4.
Published 29 March 2026
passenger rights
Deutsche Bahn Missed Connection: Step-by-Step Claim Guide
After a DB missed connection on a through ticket, document the delay at your final destination. Your compensation is based on total delay to the final destination. Submit your claim to DB within 90 days. If DB tries to split the claim across operators, escalate to the söp — on a through ticket, the issuing operator is responsible.
Published 29 March 2026
country guides
German Train Delay Compensation — DB, ICE, S-Bahn & All Operators (2026)
EU Regulation 2021/782 covers every train journey in Germany — ICE, IC, RE, RB, and S-Bahn. A 60-minute delay entitles you to 25% of your ticket back; 120 minutes gets you 50%. Deutsche Bahn alone paid out €196.8M in compensation in 2024. Most passengers never claim. You have 90 days.
Published 28 March 2026
passenger rights
How Long Do You Have to Claim Deutsche Bahn Compensation? (Germany Deadlines)
In Germany, you have 90 days from your date of travel to file a Fahrgastrechte claim with Deutsche Bahn or other operators. DB deletes journey records after 90 days, making late claims very difficult. The legal civil limitation period is 3 years, but in practice you must claim within 90 days. File as soon as possible while your ticket and journey details are to hand.
Published 28 March 2026
passenger rights
Your Rights as a German Train Passenger Under EU Law (2026 Guide)
Under EU Regulation 2021/782 (in force in Germany since June 2023), you are entitled to 25% of your ticket price for delays of 60–119 minutes and 50% for delays of 120+ minutes. Deutsche Bahn strikes are NOT force majeure — you can always claim. The claim deadline in Germany is 90 days. DB must respond within 30 days. You can insist on cash, not a Gutschein.
Published 28 March 2026
passenger rights
DB Streik: Can You Still Claim Train Delay Compensation After a Deutsche Bahn Strike?
Strikes by Deutsche Bahn's own staff (GDL, EVG) do not cancel your right to compensation under EU Regulation 2021/782. DB staff strikes are explicitly not force majeure — you are entitled to 25–50% of your ticket price. DB cannot legally reject your claim citing a strike by its own employees. This guide explains why and how to claim.
Published 28 March 2026
sustainability
TrainOwed's Climate Commitment: Why We Give 1% of Revenue to Carbon Removal
TrainOwed has joined Stripe Climate, committing 1% of revenue to carbon removal technologies. Trains emit up to 90% less CO₂ per passenger-kilometre than flying. This post explains our climate commitment, the science behind train travel's environmental advantage, and why we think this matters for the future of travel in Europe.
Published 28 March 2026
compensation passenger rights
Deutsche Bahn Has Not Replied to My Claim — What Do I Do?
Deutsche Bahn is legally required to respond to your Fahrgastrechte claim within 30 days and give a final decision within 3 months. If they haven't replied, escalate for free to the söp (Germany's transport ombudsman) or the Bundesnetzagentur. You don't need to keep waiting — silence is a breach of EU Regulation 2021/782.
Published 25 March 2026
compensation passenger rights
Deutschlandticket Delay Compensation — How to Claim as a Monthly Pass Holder
Deutschlandticket holders (€49/month) can claim train delay compensation under EU Regulation 2021/782, but individual delays often produce payouts below the €4 minimum. The solution: batch multiple delays into one claim. Three delays that each produce €1.50 combine to €4.50 — above the threshold. This guide explains the batching strategy, calculation method, and submission process.
Published 25 March 2026
compensation passenger rights
Who Do I Claim From — DB, Trainline, or Omio?
Always claim from Deutsche Bahn — not from Trainline, Omio, or any other booking platform. The ticketing agent sells you the ticket; the railway undertaking (DB) is responsible for the journey and compensation. Your DB booking reference works regardless of which platform issued the ticket.
Published 25 March 2026
compensation passenger rights
Zug ausgefallen: What Deutsche Bahn Owes You When Your Train Is Cancelled
A cancelled DB train entitles you to choose between: (1) full ticket refund, (2) rerouting to your destination at the earliest opportunity, or (3) rebooking for a later date. If rerouted and arriving 60+ minutes late, you can additionally claim 25–50% compensation. Keep your ticket — you need it for any claim.
Published 15 March 2026
compensation passenger rights
Booking via Trainline or Omio for Germany — Who Do You Claim From?
If you booked a DB train via Trainline or Omio and experienced a delay, you claim from Deutsche Bahn — not the booking platform. Trainline and Omio are ticketing agents, not the operator. The EU standard claim form (EUAntragFGR@deutschebahn.com) works regardless of where you bought the ticket.
Published 12 March 2026
compensation passenger rights
How to Claim DB (Deutsche Bahn) Delay Compensation
If Deutsche Bahn delayed your train by 60 minutes or more, you can claim 25-50% of your ticket price under EU Regulation 2021/782. DB handles roughly 200,000 delay compensation claims per year. This guide walks through the DB Fahrgastrechte process step by step, including what to do when DB rejects your claim.
Published 10 March 2026
compensation passenger rights
How Long Does Deutsche Bahn Take to Process a Fahrgastrechte Claim?
Deutsche Bahn must legally respond to your Fahrgastrechte claim within 30 days under EU Regulation 2021/782. In practice, DB typically processes claims in 4–8 weeks. If DB hasn't responded after 30 days, you can escalate for free to the söp or Bundesnetzagentur. Payment is usually by bank transfer (SEPA) or, if you insist, by cheque.
Published 8 March 2026
compensation passenger rights
Missed Connection Compensation in Germany — Deutsche Bahn Rules Explained
If you miss a connection on a Deutsche Bahn through ticket due to a delay, your compensation is calculated on your total delay at the final destination, not the delay of each individual train. DB's Umsteigegarantie may cover certain connections. You don't need to claim from multiple operators — DB is responsible for the whole journey on a through ticket.
Published 5 March 2026
Looking for something specific? Try our frequently asked questions, passenger rights guide, or claim guides.