Am I eligible for a refund?
You can claim money back from your train company if all of the following apply:
- Your train arrived 15 or more minutes late at your destination (30 minutes for LNER, ScotRail, and Transport for Wales)
- You have proof of travel (ticket, booking reference, or contactless card statement)
- You're claiming within 28 days of the journey (most operators)
- It doesn't matter WHY the train was delayed — weather, signal failure, strikes, staff shortages — you can still claim
How much money can I get back?
The amount of compensation depends on how late your train arrived at your final destination. Most UK train operators use the DR15 scheme, which pays out from just 15 minutes of delay:
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 late
100%
of return fare
Three operators — LNER, ScotRail, and Transport for Wales — use the DR30 scheme, which only starts paying compensation at 30 minutes of delay. Check the operator table below to see which scheme applies to your train company.
Want to know the exact amount you're owed? Use the compensation calculator to work it out.
Step-by-step: How to claim your refund
- Find out which company ran your train — check your ticket or booking confirmation. The operator name will be printed on it.
- Check how late your train actually arrived — compensation is based on arrival time at your destination, not when the train left.
- Find your operator in the table below and click “Claim now” — this takes you directly to their online refund form.
- Fill in the online form with your journey details — date, time, departure station, and destination.
- Upload a photo of your ticket or enter your booking reference — e-tickets and screenshots of booking confirmations are usually accepted.
- Choose how you want to be paid — most operators offer bank transfer, PayPal, or rail vouchers.
- Submit and wait — most claims are processed within 20 working days.
What is Delay Repay?
Delay Repay is the official name for the UK train compensation scheme. If you've been searching for how to get a refund for a delayed train, this is the scheme you need. Here's what you should know:
- Delay Repay covers all 28 National Rail operators in the UK
- There are two versions: DR15 (23 operators, claims from 15 minutes) and DR30 (3 operators, claims from 30 minutes)
- Operators are legally required to pay — it's part of their franchise or licence conditions
- You claim directly from the company that ran your train, not from National Rail or a third party
All 28 UK train operators — claim links
Find your train company below. Click the operator name for a detailed compensation guide, or go straight to their claim form.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
- Can I get money back if my train is late?
- Yes. It's called Delay Repay. If your train arrives 15 or more minutes late (30 or more for some operators), you can claim a percentage of your fare back.
- Do I need the physical ticket to claim?
- Not always. Most operators accept booking references, e-tickets, or contactless card statements. But keep your ticket if you have one.
- What is Delay Repay?
- The UK's official train delay compensation scheme. All National Rail operators participate. You claim directly from your train operator.
- Can I claim for a contactless or Oyster card journey?
- Yes, but the process varies. You'll need your card details and may need to provide a statement showing the journey charge.
- What if my claim is rejected?
- Appeal first with the operator. If that fails, you can escalate to the Rail Ombudsman (free service). Keep all evidence.
- Can I claim if I have a railcard discount?
- Yes. Claim based on the price you actually paid (the discounted price).
- How often can I claim?
- Every time your train is delayed enough to qualify. There's no limit. Many commuters claim multiple times per month.
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.