Due to the train drivers' strike in Germany, international rail connections can also be significantly delayed or canceled. As in aviation, there are also passenger rights in rail transport. The Austrian Agency for Passenger Rights provides information about this.

Basically, in accordance with national and EU passenger rights in rail transport, passengers have the following rights and obligations: 

Information obligations in the event of disruptions for companies and passengers

Company: The company must inform passengers of any disruptions as quickly and as effectively as possible (depending on the level of knowledge of the railway company). The information must be given via all existing communication channels (e.g. personal counters, ticket machines, notices, monitors). Companies have an increased obligation to provide information when they have data on travelers (e.g. for personal bookings via the Internet).

Passenger: Passengers must also inform themselves appropriately and in good time about any disruptions - such as delays and train cancellations.  

Train cancellation / fare reimbursement

If the train is canceled due to a strike and the journey cannot be used in any other way (e.g. using a comparable connection), there is a fundamental right to reimbursement of the full ticket costs in cash. 

Compensation for a single ticket

Passengers with a single ticket are entitled to compensation of 60 percent of the ticket price for a delay of more than 25 minutes, even if a strike is responsible, or 120 percent for 50 minutes or more. 

“If passengers are not sure whether they are entitled to compensation for the delay, the apf experts are happy to provide information over the phone. In addition, helpful information can be found on our website, ”says Maria-Theresia Röhsler. 

No compensation!

Attention, if the passenger has already been informed of a delay before purchasing the ticket, he will not receive any compensation.

Assistance (hotel, taxi, meals)

The railway companies only pay for an overnight stay in a hotel or a taxi in exceptional cases. First of all, alternative connections are to be used. If passengers no longer arrive at their destination station on the same day, they may be entitled to accommodation or use of a taxi. 

In local and regional transport, the maximum amount for an overnight stay in a hotel is set at 80 euros per person and for a taxi ride at 50 euros per person. We generally recommend contacting the respective company beforehand. 

In the event of a delay of more than 60 minutes, there is also an entitlement to meals and refreshments in reasonable proportion to the waiting time, provided that they are available or can reasonably be delivered on the train or at the station.

Passenger rights and complaints options for passengers

On the apf website at www.passagier.at, travelers can find information and answers to the most frequently asked questions as well as helpful tips on the currently applicable rights according to the EU regulation.

Regardless of whether it is a complaint about train delay or punctuality, train cancellation, missed connecting train or something else that went wrong, if the company does not respond satisfactorily or does not respond at all within four weeks, passengers can contact apf using an online arbitration request. The apf examines the facts and, if necessary, initiates an arbitration procedure.