The easiest way to stay updated while travelling is to use the live train tracker on our app or website. You can also check live departure and arrival times for any UK train station directly on our Live departures & arrivals page.
For a full overview of current disruptions across the UK rail network, visit our Rail Status page.
🚆 If your train is cancelled more than 48 hours before departure
If we email you to let you know your train has been cancelled, you can use your existing ticket on:
- the two trains before, or
- the two trains after your original service.
The replacement train must be operated by the same train company.
🚆 If your train is cancelled within 48 hours of departure
You can still travel using your existing ticket.
Travelling with the same operator
- Advance Single: Travel on the train immediately before or after your booked service.
- Off-Peak / Anytime: Travel on any valid service within your ticket's usual time restrictions.
Check your ticket for any operator or route restrictions.
🔄 Travelling with a different operator
If your cancelled train is operated by one of the participating train companies below, you can use your existing ticket with any of the other participating operators up to 2 hours before or after your cancelled train — at no extra cost.
Your ticket must have been purchased before your original train's scheduled departure.
You can travel via any route shown in a journey planner, even if a valid fare isn't shown for that route. Simply show your existing ticket to staff when asked.
- Standard Class ticket → Travel in Standard Class
- First Class ticket → Travel in First Class, where available
Participating train operators:
Avanti West Coast
Chiltern Railways
CrossCountry
c2c
Gatwick Express
Greater Anglia
Great Northern
Great Western Railway
LNER
London Northwestern Railway
Northern
Southeastern
Southern
Thameslink
South Western Railway
Transpennine Express
West Midlands Railway
Travelling on a split ticket?
You can use a participating operator to continue towards your final destination, even if the replacement service doesn't call at every station shown on your split tickets.
Can't use any of these options?
You're entitled to a full refund.
🔄 If only one part of your return journey is affected
If your outbound or return service is cancelled or disrupted, we can offer a fee-free refund or change of journey for both legs.
This also applies if you booked two separate Single tickets that together make up a return journey.
💷 How to request a refund
If your train is cancelled and the alternative travel options don't work for you, you may be entitled to a full refund.
The fastest way to request your refund is online:
- Log in to My Bookings
- Select the affected journey
- Select Refund tickets
⚠️ Strikes
The same travel rules apply during strike disruption.
In some cases, your ticket validity may be extended so you can travel on the day before or the day after the strike.
Check our Strike Information page for the latest details and to see what applies to your journey.
We update this page as soon as train companies release their information. If a strike has just been announced, details may take a little time to appear, so please check back later.