My Train Was Cancelled: What to Do Next

Your train was cancelled. You have options. Here's exactly what you're entitled to and how to get your money back.

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What should I do?

When your train is cancelled, you have two main options. What you're entitled to depends on what you did next.

I took a later train

If you travelled on an alternative service and arrived late at your destination, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. The amount depends on how late you actually arrived compared to your original scheduled arrival time.

DR15 scheme (25 operators)

15–29 minutes late
25%
of single fare
30–59 minutes late
50%
of single fare
60–119 minutes late
100%
of single fare
120+ minutes
100%
of return fare

DR30 scheme (3 operators: LNER, ScotRail, Transport for Wales)

30–59 minutes late
50%
of single fare
60–119 minutes late
100%
of single fare
120+ minutes
100%
of return fare

Use the compensation calculator to work out exactly how much you're owed.

I didn't travel / gave up

If you chose not to travel at all, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket. You do not need to claim Delay Repay — you can claim the full ticket price back.

How to get your refund

Season ticket holders: If you have a season ticket, you can still claim for the individual cancelled journey as a Delay Repay claim. Your compensation is based on the daily rate of your season ticket.

Keep your ticket as proof of purchase. If you bought online, keep your booking confirmation email or screenshot your booking reference.

Can I claim Delay Repay for a cancelled train?

Yes. A cancellation counts as a delay under the Delay Repay scheme. If you took an alternative service and arrived at your destination later than your original scheduled arrival time, you can claim Delay Repay compensation based on the length of the delay.

If you didn't travel at all, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket instead of Delay Repay.

The cause of the cancellation does not matter. You can claim whether the cancellation was due to a fault, staffing issues, strikes, severe weather, or any other reason. The only exception is pre-announced planned engineering works where alternative transport was provided in advance.

What if there's no replacement service?

If your train was cancelled and no replacement service was available, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket.

If you had to arrange your own alternative transport — such as a taxi, bus, or car hire — some operators will reimburse reasonable costs. This is not guaranteed and varies by operator, but it is worth submitting a claim with your receipts.

Keep all receipts for any alternative transport you used. Submit them alongside your Delay Repay or refund claim.

Step-by-step: how to claim for a cancelled train

  1. Note whether you travelled on an alternative service or did not travel at all.
  2. If you travelled, note your actual arrival time at your destination.
  3. Find your operator in the table below.
  4. Visit their Delay Repay page and select your journey.
  5. Explain that your train was cancelled and what you did next.
  6. Upload your ticket or provide your booking reference.
  7. Submit your claim within 28 days of the date of travel.

All 28 UK train operators

Find your operator below and go straight to their Delay Repay claim form.

Operator Scheme Claim
Avanti West CoastDR15Claim now
c2cDR15Claim now
Caledonian SleeperDR15Claim now
Chiltern RailwaysDR15Claim now
CrossCountryDR15Claim now
East Midlands RailwayDR15Claim now
Elizabeth lineDR15Claim now
Gatwick ExpressDR15Claim now
Grand CentralDR15Claim now
Great NorthernDR15Claim now
Great Western RailwayDR15Claim now
Greater AngliaDR15Claim now
Heathrow ExpressDR15Claim now
Hull TrainsDR15Claim now
Island LineDR15Claim now
LNERDR30Claim now
London OvergroundDR15Claim now
LumoDR15Claim now
MerseyrailDR15Claim now
NorthernDR15Claim now
ScotRailDR30Claim now
South Western RailwayDR15Claim now
SoutheasternDR15Claim now
SouthernDR15Claim now
ThameslinkDR15Claim now
TransPennine ExpressDR15Claim now
Transport for WalesDR30Claim now
West Midlands RailwayDR15Claim now

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim Delay Repay for a cancelled train?
Yes. If you took a later train and arrived late at your destination, you can claim Delay Repay based on the length of the delay. If you chose not to travel at all, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket instead.
Can I get a full refund if my train is cancelled?
Yes, if you choose not to travel. You can get a full refund for your ticket. Visit your operator's website or go to the station ticket office.
What about train cancellations due to strikes?
You can still claim. Delay Repay applies regardless of the cause of the cancellation. The only exception is pre-announced planned engineering works where alternative transport was provided.
How long do I have to claim for a cancelled train?
Most operators give 28 days from the date of travel. Submit as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.
What if my connecting train was cancelled?
If the cancellation caused you to arrive at your final destination late, you can claim Delay Repay for the total delay. Claim from the operator of the cancelled service.
Can I claim for alternative transport costs?
Some operators reimburse reasonable alternative transport costs (e.g., taxi) if no replacement service was available. Keep all receipts and submit them with your claim.

Compensation amounts, eligibility, and scheme details shown on this page are estimates based on publicly available operator policies and National Rail data. We do not guarantee their accuracy. Always verify with your train operator before submitting a claim. See our Terms of Use for full details.