Most people never claim for a late train. The form takes ten minutes, the rules are different for every company, and by the time you're home you've forgotten. The money stays with the train company.
Pick your train, say how late it was and what you paid, and you'll see what the rules give you back.
Which train company?
What happens next
Press the button and Kiwi opens with your claim already written. Kiwi fills in the train company's own claim form for you, asks you in the chat if the site wants a code, and tells you when it's sent.
Take out passwords, codes and card numbers first.
The rules, by company
Renfe (Spain). On AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity and Larga Distancia trains, Renfe gives back half your fare from 60 minutes late and all of it from more than 90 minutes. Avant gives half from more than 15 minutes and all of it from more than 30. Media Distancia gives a quarter, half or all of it from more than 15, 30 or 60 minutes, and Regional trains from more than 30, 45 or 60 minutes. You can claim from 24 hours after you arrive, for 3 months.
UK trains (Delay Repay). Most companies pay a quarter of a single from 15 minutes late, half from 30, the whole single from 60, and the return fare from 120. Some only start at 30 minutes. It's paid whatever caused the delay.
SNCF (France). On TGV INOUI and Intercités, SNCF gives back a quarter of your fare from 30 minutes late, half from 2 hours and three quarters from 3 hours, whatever the cause. Ouigo pays a quarter from 1 hour and half from 2, by itself, with a text. Claim within 90 days.
Anywhere else in the EU. The EU minimum is a quarter of your fare from 60 minutes late and half from 2 hours, paid in money if you ask.
When nothing is owed
- You were told about the delay before you bought the ticket.
- The delay was caused by extreme weather, a natural disaster, people on the track or cable theft.
- On Renfe tickets bought from 31 January 2026, the delay came from Adif's temporary speed limits on the track.
- The amount is under €4, which some companies don't pay.
The company decides your claim. This page tells you what its rules give, so you know what to ask for.
Questions people ask
How late does my train have to be? It depends on the company and the train: from 15 minutes on Renfe's Avant and many UK trains, 30 minutes on SNCF's TGV INOUI, and 60 minutes on Renfe's long-distance trains and under the EU minimum.
Do I get money or a voucher? Renfe pays back to your card, or a bigger amount as a discount code or points if you choose. SNCF pays a voucher under an hour late and can pay into your bank from an hour. The EU minimum is paid in money if you ask.
How long do I have to claim? Three months with Renfe and under the EU minimum, 90 days with SNCF, and 28 days after the journey on UK trains, unless the company allows longer.
Can Kiwi claim for me? Yes. Press the button, and Kiwi fills in the train company's form with you and tells you when it's sent.
Does this cover flights? No, flights have their own rules. See is my late or cancelled flight worth money?