UKMy train was significantly delayed. Can I claim compensation?
Yes, you may be entitled to compensation for a significantly delayed train in the UK under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which requires services to be provided with reasonable care and skill.
What the Law Says
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 sets the legal standard for all services provided to consumers in the UK — including train travel. It requires that services be carried out with reasonable care and skill.
Under section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, when a trader supplies a service, they must do so with reasonable care and skill. This applies to train operating companies (TOCs) as service providers to passengers.
A 'significant' delay — typically defined by the train company’s own Delay Repay scheme (e.g., 15+ minutes for many operators) — may indicate a failure to meet this standard, especially if it results from poor planning, staff shortages, or avoidable operational failures.
However, the Act does not set fixed compensation amounts or automatic entitlements for delays — instead, it provides the legal foundation for claiming remedies (including refunds or compensation) where the service falls short of what a reasonable person would expect.
Statutory TextEvery contract to supply a service is to be treated as including a term that the trader must perform the service with reasonable care and skill.
— Consumer Rights Act 2015, s. 49 — Service contracts: reasonable care and skill
What to Do
Check your train operator’s Delay Repay policy (e.g., National Rail’s scheme) — most offer automatic compensation for delays of 15+ minutes.
Gather evidence: keep your ticket, note the scheduled and actual arrival times, and save any delay notifications.
Submit a claim online via your train operator’s website within 28 days (most require claims within this timeframe).
If your claim is refused unfairly, quote section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 when escalating to the operator’s customer services or the Rail Ombudsman.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.