The last few years have seen the number of night train routes to and from Germany explode as travellers seek out environmentally friendly alternatives to flying.

However, sometimes the best-laid plans can fall off the rails: here’s our guide to your rights if your German night train is cancelled or your train accommodation is downgraded.

Night trains in Europe face higher demand and ageing carriages

Since 2020, the number of night train services across Germany, Switzerland and the rest of Europe has risen significantly. With the climate crisis casting a shadow, night trains are an environmentally friendly way to travel in Europe in comfort. 

However, this expansion has come with teething issues. Because public transport associations in Europe did not think that night trains would survive into the 2020s, most did not maintain a fleet of night train carriages. Most of the ones that are used by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and its subsidiaries NightJet and EuroNight - firms which operate many night rail services in Germany - are more than two decades old.

Downgrades and cancellations on European night trains

Newer night trains are on the way and some have already hit the tracks, but in the meantime, ageing infrastructure has led to increased cancellations - made worse by the fact that most night trains are fully booked months in advance.

According to data from the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, every day between January and July, an average of 44 passengers booked on the night service between Zurich, Basel and Amsterdam had their sleeping rooms cancelled due to issues with the carriages.

Many passengers are also being “downgraded” from a sleeping carriage to a couchette and even down to standard seats in some cases. A spokesperson for Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) estimated that 20 people a night have been affected by cancellations and downgrades on night trains operating in Switzerland since the beginning of July 2024, accounting for up to 5 percent of passengers.

Night trains in Germany: Your rights explained

So what are your rights if your night train to or from Germany is cancelled or you are given a downgrade? As they are the operator of most night trains in Germany, we will focus on the NightJet and EuroNight services offered by ÖBB.

How will I know if my night train is cancelled, delayed or downgraded?

While both ÖBB and SBB say that they will inform night train passengers about cancellations, delays and downgrades ahead of time via email, it is advised to check the status of your train yourself using their websites and official apps. 

Cancelled night train in Germany: Can I apply for a refund?

If your night train is cancelled, you are eligible for a refund. If you have not begun your journey and your first night train is cancelled, you are able to cancel and request a full refund for the entire trip. If you have already taken a leg of your journey, you can cancel and receive a refund for the part of the journey you are yet to take.

Alternatively, if your train is cancelled you can rebook yourself on a service leaving “at the next opportunity or at a later date” for no extra charge. In most cases, this will mean that you will be rebooked on a day service(s) to your destination. You can then apply for compensation based on the delay caused by the cancellation and rebooking (see below).

Will accommodation costs be covered if my night train is cancelled?

In most cases, the night train is considered to be the “last train of the day” between most destinations. Therefore, both SBB and ÖBB say that they will cover the cost of a mid-range hotel room and breakfast if your night train is cancelled, and it is the last possible connection of the day. 

The same applies if the night train is cancelled en route to your destination. This compensation can be applied for with the conductor, at a ticket counter or online at ÖBB customer service. 

What compensation is available following a night train delay?

If your night train arrives late, or you are late because of a service cancellation, you are also entitled to delay compensation. On services run by ÖBB, travellers are entitled to compensation worth 25 percent of the price of the ticket if they arrive more than 60 minutes late, increasing to 50 percent for delays of over two hours.

Downgrades on German night trains

Every passenger whose ticket is downgraded from a sleeping car to a couchette or regular seat has the right not to travel on the service. In this case, you will receive a full refund for the cost of your journey.

If you do choose to travel in a downgraded class, you are entitled to compensation. If you are downgraded by one category - sleeper to couchette or couchette to normal seat - you are entitled to a 50 percent refund. If you are downgraded by two categories, from a sleeper carriage to a seat, you will still be entitled to travel but will be given a full refund of the cost of your ticket.

Where should I apply for ÖBB night train compensation?

Generally speaking, you should apply for compensation and refunds with the company you booked your ticket with, either Deutsche Bahn or ÖBB. Be sure to have your ticket number, screenshots and confirmations at hand to speed up your compensation application.

When asking for a refund on ÖBB, anyone who chooses a travel voucher over money will receive 10 percent more in compensation. 

This article originally appeared on IamExpat in Switzerland.

Thumb image credit: Tobias Arhelger / Shutterstock.com