International rail travels to get compensation for delays

Passengers on international rail services will have the same rights to compensation as air passengers when their journeys are cancelled or delayed.

The European Union ruled last week that train companies must pay 25 per cent of the price of the ticket for delays of between one and up to two hours and 50 per cent of the ticket price for delays of two hours or more.

Holidaymakers whose trips are significantly delayed may also be able to claim compensation from their travel insurance. As travel insurance policies vary, they should check the small print of their travel insurance documents to check their level of cover, or speak to their travel insurance broker.

Under the EU legislation, train operators must also provide free refreshments to passengers delayed by more than an hour and free accommodation during overnight delays. They must also provide free transport to and from the accommodation.

Passengers whose luggage is damaged following an accident will be able to claim up to €1800 compensation from the rail operator. They may also be able to claim compensation from their travel insurance.

Unfortunately for domestic train travellers the new rules only apply to cross-border rail services so they will only affect those taking the Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) to the continent and travelling between different countries within Europe.

The legislation will eventually be extended to domestic train travel, but not for another 15 years and even then it may only apply to inter-city services.

Digg    Reddit    Facebook    Tweet This