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Your Three Options
You Still Travel
Claim Delay Repay for how late you reached your destination, compared with when the cancelled train was due (National Rail Conditions of Travel, condition 32.1). Most companies pay from 15 minutes late, some from 30. The next train, another company's train, a replacement bus or a taxi all count. More in Delay Repay for a Cancelled Train.
You Don't Travel
Return the ticket to whoever sold it for a full refund with no admin fee, within 28 days of the day you meant to travel (conditions 30.1 and 30.2). This includes Advance tickets. The same applies if you set off, couldn't finish and went back to where you started.
You Travel Another Day
If your train is likely to be more than 60 minutes late, you may use your ticket on a later date, with comparable restrictions (condition 28.4). Ask the train company or whoever sold you the ticket how.
Which Trains You Can Take
- The same company: you can normally travel up to two trains before or after the cancelled one (condition 28.3).
- Another company: since 20 September 2026, ticket acceptance lets you use a train run by any company in the scheme, leaving up to 2 hours before or after the cancelled one, on a direct or reasonable route. Show your original ticket to staff on board.
You still claim Delay Repay from the company that ran the cancelled train. See Went Another Way: Can You Still Claim Delay Repay? and Ticket Acceptance. If it stopped short of your station instead, see what you're owed if your train terminated early.
If You're Stranded
When disruption stops you finishing your journey, the train company will, where it reasonably can, provide another way to your destination or, if necessary, somewhere to stay overnight (condition 28.2). Ask staff before you book anything yourself: a taxi or room the company arranges costs you nothing.
Late at night, see Last Train Cancelled: Getting Home, Taxis and Hotels. Hotels, missed flights and other costs: what you can claim for when your train is late.
Cancelled the Day Before
Train companies treat the timetable as settled at 22:00 the evening before. A train taken out before then isn't counted as cancelled for Delay Repay: the delay is measured against the new timetable. If the change means you decide not to travel, you can still get a full refund, because your train was cancelled or rescheduled after you bought the ticket (condition 30.1).
Strike days follow the same rule: see Delay Repay on Strike Days.
A Refund or Delay Repay, Not Both
You can have a refund or compensation for the same journey, not both (condition 33.5). If you travelled, claim Delay Repay. If you didn't, ask for the refund.
- The refund comes from whoever sold you the ticket: the train company, a ticket office or a retailer such as Trainline.
- Season Tickets aren't covered by this refund. The train company may offer compensation instead: see Delay Repay with a Season Ticket.
- Advance tickets are covered: see Delay Repay on an Advance Ticket.
Who refunds you, the 28 day limit and what counts: Train Cancelled and You Didn't Travel.
How Railhop Helps
More on how Delay Repay works.
Questions
What am I entitled to if my train is cancelled?
If you still travel, Delay Repay for how late you reach your destination. If you don't, a full refund with no admin fee. If you're stranded, the train company should get you there or find you somewhere to stay, where it reasonably can.
Can I get a refund and Delay Repay?
No, one or the other for the same journey. Delay Repay if you travelled, a refund if you didn't.
Can I get the next train if mine is cancelled?
Yes. You can normally travel up to two trains before or after the cancelled one with the same company.
Can I use another train company?
Usually, yes. Since 20 September 2026 ticket acceptance covers trains run by any company in the scheme, leaving up to 2 hours before or after the cancelled train. Show your ticket to staff on board.
Can I travel the next day on the same ticket?
If your train is likely to be more than 60 minutes late, you may use your ticket on a later date, with comparable restrictions. Ask the train company how.
Do I need to cancel my ticket?
No. If you still travel, keep it as proof for Delay Repay. If you don't, return it to whoever sold it to you for a refund within 28 days.
What if the last train is cancelled?
Tell staff. The train company should, where it reasonably can, get you to your destination or find you somewhere to stay. Ask before you book a taxi or hotel yourself.
What if the train was cancelled the day before?
A train taken out of the timetable before 22:00 the evening before isn't counted as cancelled for Delay Repay. If you then decide not to travel, you can get a full refund.
Related Questions
Sources
- National Rail Conditions of Travel (30 July 2026)
- National Rail: ticket acceptance
- Department for Transport: new scheme to help stranded rail passengers (14 September 2026)
Train company terms checked 6 October 2026. Terms change: if something here doesn't match the train company's own page, the company's page is right. Tell us and we'll fix it. Railhop fills in the train company's own claim form, and you check it and submit it yourself. Railhop is not affiliated with any train company, TfL or National Rail.