First, determine whether you are changing your own plans or whether the carrier has disrupted your journey. These are different situations. The restrictions on voluntary refunds should not automatically apply to your rights in the event of a flight cancellation.
Read your fare conditions
Check the terms and conditions of the seller and the specific ticket: time limits, fees and available options may vary. If your itinerary consists of several separate tickets, check each one. Do not cancel your entire journey in one ill-considered move when you only need to change one leg of the journey. Before confirming, check the total amount and the passengers.
Save the confirmation
After completing the transaction, save the confirmation and check the status. If the reason is a delay or cancellation, first clarify your options for continuing your journey and the correct procedure for making a claim. Do not assume that a refund, voucher or compensation is automatic without reading the terms and conditions. Document any additional expenses, but do not assume they will automatically be reimbursed.
See also: Compensation for train delays in Europe: how to prepare a claim; Interrail: how to check your pass before travelling in Europe.
Official sources
Deutsche Bahn: tickets and terms and conditions; Your Europe: rail passengers’ rights. Check current services, prices and terms and conditions for your specific dates; the photographs illustrate rail travel and do not confirm the composition of a specific service.
Image details
- ICE 4 Tz 9224 at Berlin Hackescher Markt, 2024 (01).jpg — Bahnfrend; CC BY-SA 4.0. The image has been resized and converted to WebP. Licence terms can be found on the original page.
- ICE 4 Tz 9236 at Berlin Hauptbahnhof, 2024 (03).jpg — Bahnfrend; CC BY-SA 4.0. The image has been resized and converted to WebP. Licence terms can be found on the original page.
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Questions and answers
Does a non-flexible fare cancel all rights?
No, any disruption to the journey caused by the carrier must be dealt with separately in accordance with the applicable rules.
Are all tickets for the journey refunded together?
Not necessarily: individual tickets may be processed in different ways.
What should I keep after the refund?
The confirmation, the amount, the order number and the new status of the ticket.
Is a voucher the same as a refund to your account?
No, please check the result form before confirming.