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Missed a Connection Because of a Delay? Here’s What You Can Claim

Published 22 September 2026 • Delayo. Guides

Missing a connection because your first train ran late is one of the most frustrating ways to end up delayed — you did nothing wrong, and the knock-on effect can add far more time to your journey than the original delay itself. Whether it's compensable comes down to two specific conditions.

Condition one: enough time was left for the connection

If your booked connection time was already extremely tight — shorter than what would reasonably be needed to change trains — an operator may treat a missed connection as an inherent risk of that itinerary rather than something caused by their delay. If a reasonable interchange time was booked and the delay to your first train ate into it, that's a different story.

Condition two: your ticket covers the whole journey

This is the one that catches people out. Compensation for a missed connection is only paid when you hold a single ticket covering your entire journey — not two entirely separate tickets for each leg, bought independently. If you booked as one through journey, the connection is treated as part of that journey. If you booked two separate legs, each is generally assessed on its own.

Who do you actually claim from?

Claim from the operator that caused the original delay — the one that made you miss the connection — not the operator running the connecting service you missed. That second operator didn't do anything wrong; it's the first delay that's the actual cause.

How the delay is measured

The calculation is based on your overall journey — your original scheduled arrival at your final destination, versus when you actually got there, including the wait for and time on the next available connecting service. The same tiered percentages apply as with any other delay.

How to claim

You'll need proof of your through-ticket, your original booked journey (including the connection), and what actually happened. Start your claim here, and see our guide on what counts as proof of travel if you don't have a paper ticket for the whole journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim Delay Repay if I miss a connection?

Yes, if enough time was left for the connection and you hold a single ticket covering the whole journey.

Which operator do I claim from if I miss a connection?

The operator that caused the original delay which made you miss the connection — not the operator of the connecting service you missed.

What if I booked two separate tickets for each leg instead of one through ticket?

Missed-connection compensation generally requires a single ticket covering the entire journey; two independently booked legs are typically assessed separately.