Rail passenger rights: How does the European Union protect your rights when travelling by train?

The European Parliament regularly receives enquiries from citizens about rail passenger rights in Europe.

The European Union (EU) protects the rights of people travelling by train, including setting refunds for delays, the right to up-to-date information, and assistance for people with disabilities.

Current rail passenger rights

Under rules adopted in 2007 and updated in 2021, people travelling by train in the European Union have a number of rights. These include:

• a right to clear, accessible information about the price of tickets, timetables and delays, and information about how to file complaints;
• the right to reimbursement in the case of a delay of over 60 minutes, or the right to travel to their final destination via an alternative route;
• the right to non-discrimination and assistance for people with disabilities, provided they request this assistance at least 24 hours before their journey;
• the right to have complaints heard and adequately addressed;
• the right to purchase a single ticket for a journey, even when passengers transfer trains during the journey, provided they travel with the same company;
• an obligation that all trains must have space for bicycles.

What can citizens do?

Should a dispute arise with a railway carrier, citizens have various options:

• file a complaint with the relevant national authority;
• contact a European Consumer Centre in the country;
• use an out-of-court procedure;
• submit a complaint via the online dispute resolution;
• file a claim under the European small claims procedure.

European Railway Agency

To promote safety and cross-border travel by rail, the EU established the European Agency for Railways. This agency establishes and promotes shared standards for the design of trains, train tracks and other aspects such as signalling and communication, to move towards smoother rail travel throughout the EU. The agency also promotes railway safety by conducting regular analyses, and by setting up the European Rail Traffic Management System.

Further information

• Rail passengers’ rights and obligations in the EU, European Parliamentary Research Service, briefing, 2021
• Rail passenger rights, Your Europe
• Rights for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility, Your Europe
• Passenger rights, Fact Sheets on the European Union, European Parliament, 2023

Keep sending your questions to the Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP)! We reply in the EU language that you use to write to us.