What Counts as a Cancellation?
A cancellation includes:
- A train removed from the timetable before departure
- A train that departs but does not complete the full route (partial cancellation)
- A train replaced by a substitute service (e.g. bus replacement) without prior notice at the time of booking
A train running 59 minutes late is not a cancellation — it is a delay. The compensation rules differ. See our guide on delay compensation for more.
Your Rights When a Train Is Cancelled
Right 1: Full refund
If your train is cancelled and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket price, regardless of the ticket type. This includes non-refundable Advance Purchase and Sparpreis tickets. The cancellation overrides the ticket's normal refund conditions.
You do not need to show any reason for not travelling. The cancellation itself is sufficient grounds for a refund.
Right 2: Re-routing at no extra cost
If you choose to continue travelling, the operator must offer you the earliest available alternative route to your destination at no extra charge. This includes:
- The next train on the same route (even if it is a different service class)
- An alternative route via different stations
- A different operator's service if that is the fastest option
You cannot be asked to pay a supplement for a faster or higher-class alternative if it is the earliest available option.
Right 3: Delay compensation on arrival
If the cancellation caused you to arrive at your final destination 60 or more minutes late, you are entitled to both the refund AND delay compensation on the ticket price. These are separate claims — a refund does not prevent you from also claiming delay compensation.
Example: Your ICE train Frankfurt-Munich is cancelled. You are put on the next train 90 minutes later. You arrive in Munich 80 minutes after your scheduled time. You can claim 25% of your original ticket price as delay compensation.
Right 4: Care and assistance
If you wait more than 60 minutes for an alternative service, the operator must provide:
- Meals and refreshments appropriate to the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary
- Transport to and from the hotel
Keep receipts for any refreshments you buy while waiting. If the operator fails to provide them, you can claim reimbursement.
Right 5: Free return journey
If you are stranded at an intermediate station and there is no viable alternative to reach your destination on the same day, you can request a free return journey to your origin station.
How to Claim After a Cancellation
If you chose not to travel: Contact the operator or retailer (Trainline, Omio, etc.) directly for a full refund. For non-refundable tickets, cite the cancellation explicitly — most ticketing systems have a dedicated cancellation refund workflow.
If the operator failed to provide care and assistance: Submit a separate claim for reimbursement of expenses with receipts. This is distinct from the compensation claim.
- Full refund is available for any cancelled train, including Advance tickets
What About 'Part-Cancellations'?
If the train is running but only to a certain point — for example, your train terminates at an intermediate station due to a fault — this counts as a cancellation for the portion you could not complete. You are entitled to:
- A full refund for the portion not travelled
- Re-routing from the termination point at no cost
- Delay compensation if you ultimately arrived 60+ minutes late
Summary Checklist
- [ ] Get a full refund if you don't travel — applies to all ticket types
- [ ] Board the earliest alternative at no extra cost if you do travel
- [ ] Keep receipts for refreshments and hotels provided at your own expense
- [ ] Claim delay compensation separately if you arrived 60+ minutes late
- [ ] Submit within 90 days (EU) or 28 days (UK)
Frequently Asked Questions
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