Train Late? How to Claim Delay Repay
If your train got you there late, you can usually claim money back through Delay Repay, but most train companies give you only 28 days to claim.
Most people who are entitled to money back for a late train never claim it. Delay Repay is the national scheme most train companies in Great Britain use, and you can claim whatever the reason for the delay.
How Delay Repay Works
The delay is measured against the timetable, or against an amended timetable published in advance, for example during planned engineering work. What counts is how late you arrived at your destination.
Train companies use one of two versions:
- Delay Repay 15: you can claim from a 15-minute delay. South Western Railway is one example.
- Delay Repay 30: you can claim from a 30-minute delay. LNER is one example.
How Much You Can Get
It depends on your ticket and how late you were. As an example, South Western Railway pays:
15 to 29 minutes
Single 25%A quarter of a single fare, or 12.5% of a return.
30 to 59 minutes
Single 50%Half a single fare, or 25% of a return.
60 to 119 minutes
Single 100%The full single fare, or half a return.
120 minutes or more
100%The full single or return fare.
Other companies use different amounts. Check your train company's own Delay Repay page.
How to Claim
- Find the train company that caused the delay. If more than one was involved, claim from the one that caused the first delay.
- Claim online within 28 days, or by post with a form from the company's website or a staffed station.
- Upload a clear photo of your ticket, eTicket receipt or booking confirmation. For Oyster or contactless, use your journey statement.
- Give the date, the stations and the time of the train you planned to catch.
- Choose how to be paid. Online claims usually offer bank transfer; postal claims may only offer a cheque or rail vouchers.
Worth Knowing
- Cancelled train: you can still claim if the cancellation made you arrive late. Your delay is based on the next train you could take.
- Did not travel at all? Ask the company you bought the ticket from for a refund instead. National Rail says unused tickets can be refunded without a fee when the train is delayed or cancelled.
- Automatic claims: some companies email you when you are due money if you booked with them directly, for example LNER's One-click Delay Repay.
- Extra costs such as a taxi are not covered by Delay Repay, but you can ask the train company separately. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 may help.
If Your Claim Is Refused
Appeal first, using the link in the refusal email, and say why you think it is wrong. If that fails, make a complaint. If the complaint is not sorted within 40 working days, or the company sends a final response (a "deadlock letter"), you can take it to the Rail Ombudsman, which is free.
- Compensation and Refunds (National Rail, checked 18 October 2026)
- Delay Repay (South Western Railway, checked 18 October 2026)
- Delay Repay (LNER, checked 18 October 2026)
- The Rail Ombudsman (Office of Rail and Road, checked 18 October 2026)
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