What are you entitled to if your train is delayed?

What the Law Says About Compensation for Train Delays

Passenger rights in the event of train delays are primarily based on Regulation (EU) 2021/782 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which is directly binding in all EU member states, including the Czech Republic. This regulation stipulates that passengers are entitled to assistance, re-routing, a refund of the fare, and financial compensation in the event of a significant delay. The regulations are quite strict: even with a delay of just 60 minutes, the carrier must offer specific solutions, even if the delay was not caused by the carrier itself but, for example, by bad weather or force majeure. This is very important for passengers— the right to compensation arises regardless of the cause of the delay.

Czech law supplements these provisions through the Railways Act and the Transport Regulations (decrees), which address the details of transport contracts and the obligations of carriers. However, these regulations do not supersede European rules—the EU regulation has higher legal standing and is decisive when assessing passengers’ claims.

Carriers themselves, such as České dráhy, RegioJet, and Leo Express, also issue their own contractual terms of carriage, which may even be more favorable to passengers than the legal minimum. Some carriers thus voluntarily pay higher compensation or provide additional services to resolve situations more comfortably. Although specific procedures vary among carriers, the legal basis remains the same: the EU regulation is binding on all of them.

When Are You Entitled to Compensation for a Train Delay, and How Much?

You are entitled to compensation for a train delay when there is a significant disruption to service compared to the scheduled timetable. Under EU Regulation 2021/782, you are entitled to a refund of a portion of your fare in the following cases:

• Delay of 60–119 minutes: you are entitled to 25% of the fare.
• Delay of 120 minutes or more: you are entitled to 50% of the fare.

Compensation applies only to the portion of the journey affected by the delay. Therefore , if you have multiple transfers on a single ticket, the journey is considered as a whole. This is advantageous for passengers because a delay on a single leg of the journey can trigger compensation for the entire route.

You are also entitled to compensation if:

• you had to interrupt your trip and return to the departure station,
• you arrived at your destination significantly late,
• the carrier mistakenly refused to let you board (e.g., due to overcrowding),
• there was a subsequent delay in connections under a single contract.

Compensation is paid in cash unless you expressly agree to another form (such as credit with the carrier). The carrier must respond to your request within one month. If the carrier refuses or fails to respond, you have the option to file a complaint with the Railway Authority or consult a lawyer.

In the case of České dráhy, you can file a complaint or request compensation online or at the ticket office. If a user has an account with České dráhy and paid by electronic transfer, the compensation is automatically refunded to their account without them having to request it.

How to Obtain Proof of a Train Delay

The basis for a successful claim is a confirmation of the train delay, which serves as proof that the delay actually occurred. You can obtain this confirmation in several ways, and it’s worth requesting it directly during your trip—especially with carriers that don’t have sophisticated digital systems.

Most often, the confirmation is issued directly by the conductor, at the carrier’s customer service center, electronically after entering the train number and date on the carrier’s website, or automatically (e.g., with RegioJet or Leo Express), where the system records the delay and grants compensation without the need for a request.

The confirmation typically includes the train number, departure date and time, actual arrival time, the stated delay, and a stamp or electronic confirmation from the system.

Why is this so important? It can settle a dispute —if the carrier claims the delay was shorter than you state, the confirmation serves as clear evidence. We know from experience that some claims are rejected precisely because passengers failed to provide any evidence. We therefore recommend that you always request a confirmation or, if necessary, take a photo of the information boards at the station or in the carrier’s app.

How to File a Claim for Compensation

Although filing a claim for compensation for a train delay is administratively straightforward, it’s worth following a few steps to avoid delays or rejection. The first step is to gather the necessary documents: tickets, proof of the train delay, and any other supporting documentation. Without these, the carrier will not process your claim.

Each carrier has its own claim form. České dráhy requires you to fill out an online form or follow the SPPO procedure. RegioJet and Leo Express have an automatic compensation system, but if compensation is not processed, you can submit a claim through your customer account or by email. We recommend submitting your claim in writing so that you have proof of submission.

Important tips for a successful claim:

• Submit your claim as soon as possible—ideally within 30 days.
• Include supporting evidence, preferably a confirmation of the train delay.
• Provide an account number for the compensation refund.
• Be sure to include all details (time, train, fare, reservation number).

What to Do If the Carrier Rejects Your Claim or Doesn’t Respond

Sometimes a carrier will reject a claim, typically citing incomplete documentation, an allegedly shorter delay, or an incorrectly filled-out form. If this happens, you don’t have to accept the situation. The carrier is obligated to make a decision objectively and in accordance with applicable laws, particularly EU Regulation 2021/782. If the passenger has clear evidence, the carrier cannot refuse compensation without cause.

In such a case, we recommend:

1. File an objection —briefly state why you disagree with the decision and include supporting evidence.
2. Contact the Railway Authority —it has the authority to resolve certain disputes between passengers and carriers.
3. Seek legal assistance —especially if larger amounts are involved or if your claim has been repeatedly denied.
4. Document everything in writing —emails, responses from the carrier, and confirmation of the train delay.

The law is on the passengers’ side in this regard. If the carrier unnecessarily delays the process, you can proceed with a pre-litigation notice or a motion for review. Most disputes are resolved after a legal notice is issued.

Summary

If your train is delayed, under EU Regulation 2021/782, you are entitled to assistance, re-routing, a refund of the fare, and financial compensation for the delay, regardless of the cause of the delay; for delays of 60–119 minutes, compensation amounts to 25% of the fare, and for delays exceeding 120 minutes, 50%. These rules are supplemented by the Czech Railways Act and the Transport Regulations, and carriers such as České dráhy, RegioJet, or Leo Express may offer even more favorable terms. To successfully file a claim, it is essential to obtain confirmation of the train delay, which serves as proof—it is issued by the conductor, the ticket office, or the carrier’s online system. You can submit your claim using the carrier’s form or through your customer account, along with your ticket, confirmation of the delay, and bank details; the carrier must make a decision within one month. If the carrier rejects your claim or fails to respond, you can file an appeal, contact the Railway Authority, and, if necessary, seek legal assistance.