Train ticket cancellation in France & Europe

🚨 Need information about train cancellations?

We've gathered all the information you need about cancelling your train journeys.

Here you'll find the cancellation conditions, the steps for cancelling your ticket, and tips for minimising the hassle of a cancellation.

Our goal is to make your train travel experience as smooth and pleasant as possible, even in the event of a cancellation.

Before buying a train ticket, it's essential to know how to book a train ticket, to know the train timetables, the price of train tickets as well as the departure and arrival stations.

If you still have questions before setting off on your train journey, we certainly have the answers:

• Not sure what luggage to bring on the train?
  Here's the full train luggage policy.
• What train ticket refunds are you entitled to?
  See our page on train ticket refunds.
• Is your train delayed?
  Find out about the refund policy for train delays.
• Want to pay less for your train tickets?
  Discover loyalty and season ticket programmes for trains!.
• How does travelling work for children on trains?
  Check the fares and conditions on our children's train ticket page.
• Got a bike?
  Visit the page to find out everything about the conditions for taking bikes on trains.
• Want to travel with your pet?
  Visit the page to find out everything about the conditions for taking pets on trains.
• Not sure what luggage to bring on the train?
  Here's the full train luggage policy.

Train cancellations can be a stressful situation for travellers, whether due to weather conditions, strikes or technical issues.

Train cancellation procedures

Steps for cancelling a train ticket

To cancel a train ticket, you have several options:

• Online: Go to the rail company's website, log in to your account and look for the cancellation option in your bookings section.
• Mobile app: Use the rail company's official mobile app to cancel your ticket from your smartphone.
• At the station: Go to the station ticket office with your ticket and ID to process the cancellation.
• By phone: Contact the rail company's customer service and follow the representative's instructions.
• Via our customer service. If you have any issue at all with your train ticket, contact us and we'll help you directly!

Rail companies' cancellation policies and fees

Here's an overview of the cancellation policies of the main rail companies:

• SNCF (France): The cancellation policy varies depending on the ticket type. Prem's tickets are generally non-refundable, while Flexi tickets can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before departure.
• DB (Germany): Super Sparpreis tickets are non-refundable. Flexible tickets can be cancelled up to a day before departure, with cancellation fees.
• Trenitalia (Italy): Economy tickets can be cancelled for a fee, while flexible tickets offer free cancellation up to an hour before departure.

Potential fees and refund conditions

Cancellation fees vary depending on the ticket type and the rail company's policy.

Refunds are usually issued to the payment method originally used. Some companies offer travel vouchers instead of a cash refund.

Passenger rights

Rights in the event of a train cancellation

If a train is cancelled, passengers have certain rights:

• Full refund: If the train is cancelled by the rail company, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket.
• Rerouting: Passengers can choose to be rerouted onto the next available train at no extra cost.
• Compensation: In the event of a last-minute cancellation, passengers may be entitled to financial compensation under the regulations in force in the country concerned (e.g. the EU Regulation on rail passengers' rights).

Alternative solutions

Options for passengers in the event of a cancellation

If your train is cancelled, several alternative solutions are available:

• Booking another train: Rail companies often offer alternatives on later trains.
• Other modes of transport: If no train is available, passengers can turn to buses, carpooling or car hire.
• Accommodation: In the event of a late cancellation with no replacement train, the rail company may offer temporary accommodation.