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In case of delays or cancellations of night trains, you are legally entitled to compensation and assistance. If your journey is delayed by more than 60 minutes, you may choose between rerouting, postponement or a full refund. These rights apply to all European night trains and are based on the EU Regulation on rail passengers’ rights (Regulation 1371/2007). By knowing in advance which steps you can take, you avoid confusion and won’t lose money.
Your immediate options if delayed by 60 minutes or more
When your night train journey is subject to a delay or cancellation of at least 60 minutes, the rail company must inform you about the situation. You will immediately be given a choice of three options. These choices apply to all routes, including popular lines such as Night trains (Nightjet & European night trains).
- Continue your journey as soon as possible: The company offers a free alternative route to your destination under comparable conditions. This may be another train, a bus or a combination of both. If there is no direct option, you will be offered meals, drinks and possibly a hotel room.
- Travel on a later date: You may change your booking free of charge to another train connection on a day that suits you better. This often applies without additional costs, depending on the ticket type.
- Cancel the journey with a refund: You will receive the full ticket price back for the part of your journey not travelled. The refund must be made within 30 days.
Note: for Nightjet tickets, some cheap fares such as Sparschiene tickets have restrictions when it comes to cancellation. PDF tickets are sometimes non-refundable. Always ask the staff or service desk for written proof of the delay or cancellation. This document is needed for later claims.
What compensation you receive if you arrive late
If you choose to complete your journey despite a delay, you are entitled to financial compensation. The amount of this compensation depends on how late you arrive at your final destination. The calculation is based on the price of a single journey.
- For a delay of 60 to 119 minutes: 25% of the ticket price
- For a delay of 120 minutes or more: 50% of the ticket price
On some routes and with certain rail companies, even a shorter delay may already entitle you to compensation. For example, with high-speed trains you sometimes receive partial reimbursement from as little as 15 or 30 minutes’ delay. This varies by country and company.
Submit your claim within three months of the journey. Most rail companies offer online forms via their website or app. You can choose between a refund to your bank account or a voucher for a future journey. Bear in mind that the system sometimes needs 24 hours to register the delay. So wait at least a day before submitting a claim.
What to do during the delay
If you are informed of a delay or cancellation during your journey, it is important to act immediately. This ensures that your rights are safeguarded and that you keep a clear overview of your options.
Ask the train staff or employees at the service desk to explain the situation. They can tell you what alternatives are available and how long the delay is expected to last. Take screenshots of your journey planner or the rail company’s official app. These serve as evidence for any claims.
Then choose one of the three options mentioned earlier and confirm this in writing if possible. If you have to wait for longer than 60 minutes, you may be entitled to meals, drinks or an overnight stay. This applies especially to night trains that arrive in the morning. Keep receipts for any provisions you buy yourself, as you can reclaim these later.
Planned works and diversions in 2026
Rail works affect night train services. For example, in January 2026 track replacement is planned on the Innsbruck–Wörgl route. Passengers on this route will be transported by bus for part of the journey. The exact dates and alternatives will be announced by the rail company.
Always check the rail company’s official website before departure, such as nightjet.com for Nightjet connections. There you will find current updates on planned works, diversions and adjusted timetables. The rail company’s app also provides real-time information on changes and alternative routes.
For planned works, you will often receive a notification in advance when booking. You can then change your booking free of charge to another date or receive information about alternative transport. Note that replacement buses usually take longer than a train journey. Allow enough time for connecting services.
‘ The rail company is obliged to pay within 30 days. ’
How to get your money back if your European Sleeper is cancelled
If a European Sleeper train is cancelled, the same EU rules apply as for other European night train companies. You are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price for the part of your journey not travelled. This applies both if the company cancels the train and if there is a delay of more than 60 minutes and you decide not to travel.
Submit your request via the European Sleeper website or contact their customer service. If you bought your ticket through a travel agency or third party, arrange the refund there. The rail company is obliged to pay within 30 days. You will receive the money back to the original payment method or as credit, depending on your preference.
Keep all communication and confirmations of your booking. If you incurred additional costs due to the cancellation, such as being forced to book a hotel, you can sometimes claim these as well. The rail company must provide assistance in case of major disruption. Keep receipts and invoices carefully.
Tips to avoid problems on night trains
Good preparation helps to deal smoothly with disruptions during your night train journey. Where possible, book flexible tickets that you can change without extra costs. Many international rail companies offer this option up to two months after the travel date. Download the rail company’s official app for live updates on the way.
Allow at least an hour’s margin for connecting services. If you miss a connection because your night train is delayed, you are entitled to an alternative train connection. In some countries, such as Germany and Austria, you will be asked for proof of the delay before you are allowed to board a subsequent train. Screenshots or an official statement from the staff are then required.
Bear in mind that rerouting may result in day trains or buses instead of a new night train. This affects your travel time and comfort. If you have specific preferences, such as a sleeping compartment, explicitly ask for alternatives that match these.
Legal basis of your rights
The rights in case of delays and cancellations are laid down in EU Regulation 1371/2007. This legislation applies to all international rail journeys of more than 250 kilometres within the European Union. This means that routes such as Amsterdam–Berlin, Brussels–Vienna and Paris–Munich are fully covered by this regulation.
The regulation obliges rail companies to inform passengers, offer compensation and arrange assistance in case of major disruptions. This applies regardless of the type of ticket you have bought. Cheap fares are also covered by this legal protection.
If you incur additional costs due to a delay or cancellation, such as a missed hotel booking or new tickets, you can in some cases claim damages. This falls outside the compensation scheme for delays and cancellations itself (the compensation percentages of 25% and 50%). Keep all receipts and record the situation in writing with the rail company.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find more information about night train journeys, international rail connections and practical tips for planning your rail holiday. Discover which routes are available, how to find the best tickets and what else you need to know for a comfortable journey. Explore the options and plan your next adventure by train.
Frequently asked questions
Where possible, book flexible tickets and allow enough transfer time so that, in case of a delay, you can more easily change your booking or take a later connection. Download the apps of the relevant rail companies (e.g. NS International, ÖBB/Nightjet) in advance for real-time travel information and notifications. Make sure your reservation and booking details are available offline and take screenshots of your planned route so that you can easily claim alternatives if problems arise. Finally, take a basic emergency plan with you (e.g. addresses of potential hotels, knowledge of last day trains/buses) and ensure you have a financial buffer for unexpected expenses.
In the event of a delayed or cancelled night train, under EU rules you are entitled, from an expected delay of more than 60 minutes, to choose between continuing your journey as soon as possible (possibly via another route), changing your booking to a later date, or cancelling with a full refund of the part of the journey not travelled. If you opt to continue your journey, the rail company must reroute you free of charge and, where necessary, provide meals, refreshments, communication and hotel accommodation. If you eventually arrive late at your final destination, you are entitled to financial compensation: usually 25% of the ticket price for 60–119 minutes and 50% for 120 minutes or more delay. As an alternative if the night train is cancelled, they can, for example, place you on a day train, another night train or a replacement bus.
Ask on the train or at the counter straight away for “Rail Replacement” or “Alternative Transport” (e.g. taxi, bus or another train) and have yourself rebooked free of charge onto the next feasible connection. If this cannot be arranged quickly enough, explicitly ask about your right to hotel accommodation and meals; this falls under your EU passenger rights in the event of cancellation or >60 minutes’ delay. At the same time, check the fastest alternatives yourself in apps (NS International, ÖBB/Nightjet, DB Navigator) and show these to the staff as a concrete proposal. Make sure you receive written confirmation or a voucher before booking your own transport or accommodation, so that you can claim the costs back later.
You can apply for compensation via the online claim form or “My Booking” environment of the rail company from which you bought your ticket (or via the travel agency/tour operator if you booked through them). Always add proof of the delay or cancellation (for example a delay certificate or screenshots from the journey planner) and keep receipts for extra costs such as food, hotel or alternative transport. If you meet the conditions (usually at least 60 minutes’ delay), you can get a percentage of the ticket price back and sometimes have extra costs reimbursed as well. Submit your claim within the period set by the company (often within three months of the journey).
The most reliable and up-to-date information can be found in the official journey planner or app of the rail company you are travelling with (for example Nightjet/ÖBB, NS International or Deutsche Bahn). In addition, shortly before departure and during your journey, check the digital departure boards and announcements at the station. During the trip, the train manager (conductor) is your primary source of information in case of disruptions, delays or diversions. If you are travelling internationally, you can also use multiple planners (e.g. NS International and Deutsche Bahn) to compare real-time updates.
