Delay Repay (UK)

Southeastern Delay Compensation

Know your rights. Claim what you're owed from Southeastern.

Southeastern Delay Compensation Guide

Southeastern is a United Kingdom train operator carrying 180 million annually passengers. Under Delay Repay (UK), passengers delayed 60 or more minutes are entitled to financial compensation, regardless of the cause in most cases. Only 67.2% of Southeastern trains ran on time in 2024, meaning a significant share of passengers have a valid claim each year. Compensation starts at GBP 0 for delays between 60 and 119 minutes, and increases for delays of 120 minutes or more. Claims must be submitted within 28 days of travel. Southeastern operates commuter and regional rail services in Kent, East Sussex, and into London. It also runs Javelin high-speed services to Ashford and Folkestone using High Speed 1, the UK's only high-speed domestic rail line. This guide explains what you are owed, how to file, and what to do if your claim is denied.

67.2%
On-time rate
Trains running on schedule in 2024
6.1 min
Average delay
Mean delay across all late services
1,200,000
Claims filed per year
Passenger compensation claims submitted annually
GBP 18.6M
Total paid out
Compensation paid to passengers in 2024
Manual claim required
Southeastern does not offer automatic compensation. You must submit a claim within 28 days of your delayed journey. Passengers who do not file within this window forfeit their right to compensation.

Southeastern Compensation Amounts

The table below shows the compensation thresholds that apply under Delay Repay (UK). Amounts are based on the ticket price paid and the duration of the delay.

Compensation Under EU Regulation 2021/782

DelayYou are owedExample
60-119 minutes25% of ticket priceEUR 25 on a EUR 100 ticket
120+ minutes50% of ticket priceEUR 50 on a EUR 100 ticket
CancellationFull refund or reroutingFull ticket price refunded
Missed connection25-50% based on total delayCalculated on full journey ticket

Minimum payout threshold: EUR 4. Claims must be submitted within 90 days. Source: EU Regulation 2021/782 on rail passengers' rights and obligations.

How to Claim Southeastern Compensation

  1. Check your delay duration. Confirm your train was delayed by 60 minutes or more. Under Delay Repay (UK), the 60-minute threshold triggers your right to claim.
  2. Gather your travel documents. Collect your ticket, booking confirmation, and any receipts for additional expenses caused by the delay.
  3. Submit your claim to Southeastern. File your claim within 28 days of travel via the Southeastern claim portal. Visit: https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/delay-repay
  4. Wait for the response. Southeastern must respond within 20 days. If your claim is rejected, you can escalate to your national rail regulator.

Popular Southeastern Routes

Delay compensation applies on all Southeastern routes. The following routes are among the most travelled and most likely to experience delays.

Your Rights with Southeastern

Under Delay Repay (UK), your right to compensation is statutory. Southeastern cannot waive this right through its own terms and conditions. If your train is delayed by 60 minutes or more at the final destination shown on your ticket, you are entitled to a partial refund of your fare. A 60 to 119 minute delay entitles you to 25% of the ticket price. A delay of 120 minutes or more entitles you to 50%.

You have 28 days from the date of travel to submit your claim. Southeastern cannot reject your claim on force majeure grounds under the applicable regulation. Keep your ticket and booking confirmation as evidence.

If Southeastern rejects your claim or does not respond within 20 days, you can escalate to your national Alternative Dispute Resolution body or rail regulator. Filing a complaint costs nothing and the operator is obliged to participate in the process. See our how it works guide, the FAQ, and our full list of operators for more detail.

Data source
Statistics on this page: Office of Rail and Road (ORR) Annual Report 2024, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions about Southeastern Compensation

How do I claim Southeastern Delay Repay?
Submit at southeasternrailway.co.uk/delay-repay within 28 days. You need your ticket or smartcard details and the delayed journey information.
Does Southeastern have automatic compensation for smartcard users?
Yes. If you travel with a Keygo or Oyster card on certain routes, Southeastern automatically detects eligible delays and credits compensation to your account.
What is the minimum delay for Southeastern Delay Repay?
15 minutes. Compensation ranges from 25% of your single fare for 15-29 minute delays to 100% for delays of 60+ minutes.
Do Southeastern Javelin high-speed services qualify?
Yes. Javelin services on High Speed 1 are covered by Delay Repay on the same terms as other Southeastern services.
What if Southeastern rejects my claim?
You can escalate to the Rail Ombudsman for free, independent dispute resolution.

Last updated: March 2026

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