Day 13: By train for the Christmas holidays – passenger rights for delays and cancellations
Vanessa is a fictional character created by Reiseblase. Her stories are made up – we check facts, rules and advice against official sources.
Hello everyone, yesterday a customer came into my travel agency, her coat still wet from the rain, and said: “Vanessa, this year I’m taking the train to my parents’ for Christmas. But what do I do if it’s late again?” I’m hearing this question almost every day at the moment.
Many of you are planning to travel by train in December – to see family, head for the mountains or go on a city break. And many of you don’t know that there are clear EU rules on what you’re entitled to when a train is delayed or cancelled.
I’ve gathered the key points from official sources – and brought along a few stories from my working day.
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A customer – let’s call him Jonas – told me about his journey into the Christmas holidays last year: missed connection, arrived almost three hours late. He thought there was nothing to be done – until he found out that from a one-hour delay, part of the fare can be refunded.
A young family found themselves stranded at the station one evening after a train cancellation. Luckily, they had a through ticket for the entire journey. That matters more than many people realise – because only then do the rights for missed connections apply.
And then there was Lea, who wanted to go skiing with her boyfriend. Her train was cancelled at short notice, and she didn’t realise she was still entitled to a refund or an alternative connection. Since then, she’s kept the key rules as a note on her phone – an idea I can only recommend.
Your checklist: rail passenger rights
- If you expect to arrive at your destination 60 minutes or more late, you can choose: a refund, continuing your journey at the earliest opportunity, or travelling later at a time of your choice – in each case at no extra cost. (1)
- Compensation: 25% of the fare for a delay of 60 to 119 minutes at the destination, 50% from 120 minutes. (1) (2)
- If you travel on several trains, the delay at the final destination is what counts. (2) Rights for missed connections only apply with a through ticket (Durchgangsfahrkarte). (1)
- Since 7 June 2023, no compensation is payable if the cause is an extraordinary circumstance, such as extreme weather or cable theft. According to the German consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale), normal autumn storms don’t count, and neither does a strike by rail staff. (1) (2) You are still entitled to a refund, onward travel and assistance. (1)
- For longer waits, you are entitled to meals and refreshments in reasonable relation to the waiting time; if an overnight stay is needed, to a hotel and transfer where possible. (1)
- If you haven’t been told about an alternative within 100 minutes of the scheduled departure, you may continue your journey yourself on other train or bus services; reasonable costs are reimbursed. (1)
- In Germany: if your arrival is scheduled between midnight and 5 am and a delay of at least one hour is expected, or if the last connection of the day is cancelled, you may take a taxi – up to 120 euros is reimbursed. (2)
- Special rules apply to the Deutschlandticket: if you switch to a long-distance train, you usually pay for that ticket yourself. (2)
- Have the staff confirm the delay and submit your claim online or using the passenger rights form (Fahrgastrechte-Formular). (2) Complaints must be submitted to the rail company within three months. (1)
- Among other things, no compensation is payable if you knew about the delay before buying your ticket. (1)
My conclusion: travelling by train over the Christmas holidays can be relaxed if you know your rights. Allow some buffer time, book a through ticket where possible, and keep your tickets and receipts safe.
And if you’d rather fly: our guide to flight delays (advertisement) explains what you’re entitled to when a flight is delayed.
See you tomorrow,
Vanessa
Please note: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Rules can change – please check the latest official information before you travel.
Sources
- European Union – Your Europe: Rechte von Bahnreisenden (last checked: 15/09/2026; accessed on 23/10/2026)
- Verbraucherzentrale: Erstattung bei Zugverspätung: So gibt’s Geld zurück (as of: 24/08/2026; accessed on 23/10/2026)
