Train delayed in the heat? How Delay Repay works and what you can claim

Delay Repay pays out when your train arrives 15 minutes or more late: 25% of a single fare for 15-29 minutes, up to 100% at two hours. You have 28 days to claim. How the scheme works, what counts, and how to escalate a rejected claim.

Chandraketu Tripathi

Finance Editor, Kaeltripton

Published 18 Aug 2026

Last reviewed 18 Aug 2026

✓ Fact-checked

BillsUpdated 18 August 2026

Delay Repay is the national scheme that compensates rail passengers when a train arrives at least 15 minutes late (30 minutes on a few operators). You get 25 percent of a single fare for a 15 to 29 minute delay, rising to 100 percent at two hours or more. Claims must be made within 28 days of the journey.

TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 18 August 2026

Delay Repay is the national rail compensation scheme under the National Rail Conditions of Travel
Standard thresholds: 15 to 29 minutes late = 25 percent of a single fare; 30 to 59 minutes = 50 percent; 60 to 119 minutes = 100 percent of a single fare; 120 minutes or more = 100 percent of the full return fare
A few operators start at 30 minutes rather than 15; check your operator's policy
Claims must be submitted within 28 days of the journey, with a photo or scan of the ticket or smartcard

KEY FACTS

Delay Repay is the national rail compensation scheme under the National Rail Conditions of Travel
Standard thresholds: 15 to 29 minutes late = 25 percent of a single fare; 30 to 59 minutes = 50 percent; 60 to 119 minutes = 100 percent of a single fare; 120 minutes or more = 100 percent of the full return fare
A few operators start at 30 minutes rather than 15; check your operator's policy
Claims must be submitted within 28 days of the journey, with a photo or scan of the ticket or smartcard
Compensation is based on the delay to your overall journey, so a cancellation counts if it delays your arrival
Rejected claims can be escalated to the Rail Ombudsman (free and independent) and, for wider complaints, Transport Focus
Compensation is usually not paid during pre-planned engineering works with advertised replacement buses

What Delay Repay is and when it applies

Delay Repay is the compensation scheme almost all National Rail operators in Great Britain use, backed by the National Rail Conditions of Travel. It applies when you arrive at your destination 15 minutes or more late (30 minutes with a small number of operators) because of a delay or cancellation. The delay is measured against the scheduled timetable on the day and is based on your arrival time, not how late you set off.

Rail disruption and heat-related speed restrictions and derailments during the 2026 summer have pushed many journeys over the threshold, so more passengers are eligible than realise it.

How much you get

Compensation is calculated as a percentage of the ticket price, depending on how late you arrive. The thresholds are set nationally, with a few operators starting at 30 minutes rather than 15.

15 to 29 minutes late: 25 percent of the cost of a single fare (or 12.5 percent of a return)
30 to 59 minutes: 50 percent of a single fare
60 to 119 minutes: 100 percent of a single fare
120 minutes or more: 100 percent of the full return fare; season ticket holders get a proportion based on the daily cost of the ticket

How to claim

Claims are made to the operator whose service caused the delay, even if you bought the ticket elsewhere. You must submit within 28 days of the journey, with a photo, scan or screenshot of the ticket or smartcard reference.

Many operators run automated or one-click Delay Repay for smartcard and advance-ticket holders, which creates the claim for you to confirm. Payment can be by bank transfer, card, cheque, voucher or charity donation, usually within a few working days of approval.

What you can and cannot claim

Compensation is based on the delay to your whole journey, so a cancellation that pushes your arrival past the threshold qualifies. For connecting journeys on a through ticket, claim from the operator that caused the initial delay, provided you left enough time for the connection.

Delays during pre-planned engineering works with advertised rail replacement buses are usually not covered. The original ticket stays valid for travel even after a payout; compensation is separate from a refund for an unused ticket.

If your claim is rejected

Operators must give a specific reason for a rejection; common ones are that the service was not scheduled that day or the ticket was not valid for the journey claimed. If you think a rejection is wrong, you can escalate the case.

Escalate to the Rail Ombudsman, which is free and independent for participating operators. Transport Focus is the independent watchdog for unresolved complaints outside the ombudsman's remit. Keep all tickets and correspondence; a weekly commuter hitting one qualifying delay a week can reclaim a meaningful sum over a year.

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DISCLAIMER

This article is general information drawn from primary sources named below and is not financial, legal or benefits advice. Figures and dates were correct on the last-reviewed date and can change; check GOV.UK or the relevant regulator before acting.

Frequently asked questions

How late does my train have to be to claim?

15 minutes or more with most operators, though a few start at 30 minutes. The delay is measured on your arrival time against the scheduled timetable.

How much compensation will I get?

25 percent of a single fare for 15 to 29 minutes, 50 percent for 30 to 59 minutes, 100 percent for 60 to 119 minutes, and 100 percent of the full return fare at two hours or more.

How long do I have to claim?

28 days from the date of the journey. Keep your ticket or smartcard, as you need a copy to claim.

Can I claim if my train was cancelled?

Yes. Delay Repay is based on the delay to your overall journey, so a cancellation that delays your arrival past the threshold qualifies if you took the next available train.