Bahn: Fernzug fällt aus? Diese Rechte haben Sie

Passengers know that Deutsche Bahn doesn't always run according to schedule, and sometimes trains simply don't arrive at all. According to the Ministry of Transport, nearly one in twelve long-distance trains (eight percent) of the state-owned group were canceled or partially canceled in the first half of the year. For those affected, it's frustrating when an ICE, IC or EC train doesn't show up.

They then have three options: they can use another free connection offered by the railway, cancel the current train binding, take an earlier train, or wait a few days. If the railway does not inform passengers within 100 minutes of the scheduled departure about further travel options, passengers may arrange an alternative, such as a long-distance bus ticket, and get reimbursed.

If they don't board the train and demand a refund, they must request reimbursement of the ticket price. If they change to another train due to a delay, they must re-reserve seats there. If they arrive late at their destination due to a train delay, they can claim part of the ticket price as compensation - 25 percent after one hour, 50 percent after two hours.

They can refuse this only if there were exceptional circumstances behind the train delay, such as extreme weather or people on the tracks. Waiting is long, which results in food and drink vouchers for those stuck at the station if delays exceed one hour, up to 120 Euros for taxi fares to reach the destination at night. If the last train is canceled and there's no option after dark, such as a taxi (up to 120 Euros), train companies pay for a night in a hotel.

Passengers should first inquire with the railway. If they receive no help, for example because there's no railway employee nearby, they can arrange accommodation and get reimbursed later. The railway stipulates: "Pay attention to whether the costs are reasonable. Submit the costs subsequently via the passenger rights form." To claim entitlements, passengers can do so either directly via bahn.de or the DB Navigator app, or fill out the form, print it, and send it by post to the following address: DB Fernverkehr AG, Servicecenter Fahrgastrechte, 60647 Frankfurt am Main.