What kinds of compensation can I get from Deutsche Bahn for canceled and late trains?
I recently traveled from the Basel area to Stuttgart for a weekend. I had round-trip tickets including (paid) bicycle reservations. At our first station change, we found that our EC train was canceled. Information gave us a replacement train schedule, using slow RE trains which don't require reservations for bicycles.
As we continued our trip, every single train we boarded arrived late, eventually causing us to reach Stuttgart roughly 2 hours later than our initial itinerary.
What monetary compensation am I justified in requesting from Deutsche Bahn in this case? In particular:
- It seems clear I should get back the bicycle reservation money, since the train we reserved on was canceled.
- I know DB offers compensation for late travels. I'm not sure whether we were 2 hours late or more, or just shy of 2 hours. But does this apply if we weren't traveling by our original trains?
- If we had originally scheduled our journey with RE trains and other local transport, we could have bought a Baden-Württemberg ticket for much cheaper than our tickets including an EC cost. Can I ask them to refund the difference?
- Am I entitled to any other type of compensation?
Best Answer
But does this apply if we weren't traveling by our original trains?
It does, as you are allowed to take any alternative train if a delay of at least 20 minutes at the destination is expected (which I assume was the case here, since your train was cancelled).
As for the exact delay, the staff in the DB Travel Centre will be able to look that up if you provide them with the number of the train on which you arrived in Stuttgart.
On a side note, I would recommed taking the "Fahrgastrechteformular" to a train station instead of mailing it, since the staff there can tell you immediately whether your claim is valid and, in some cases, even pay you the compensation in cash on the spot.
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Can you get compensation for late trains?
If your delay is between 30-59 minutes, normally compensation is 25% of the full fare, over 60 minutes that goes up to 50%, and if the delay is 120 minutes or more you could get 100% of the return ticket fare back. Season tickets \u2013 so tickets for travel over a month or longer - are different again.Can you claim delay repay for Cancelled trains?
Delay Repay is a national scheme that train companies use to compensate you for unexpected delays and cancellations to their services. If you arrive late at your destination because of a delay or cancellation to a National Rail service, you can claim your Delay Repay compensation.What happens when a train is Cancelled?
If your train is cancelled due to accidents, breaches or floods and any other reason, you will be refunded the full fare paid by you. To claim this refund, you should surrender your ticket within three days of the scheduled de-parture of the train.What to do if a train is late?
Train Late More than 3 hrsWhat if your train is late? Or cancelled?
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