Train Travel Survival Guide: How to Be Prepared for Incidents

Leaving home to embark on a train journey without a backup plan no longer seems to be an option. Incidents on medium- and long-distance trains have become a constant occurrence, and it's no longer unusual to see news about jams, delays, and cancellations front and center in newspapers and on TV news. Passengers are having to deal with service interruptions, trains blocked mid-route, technical breakdowns, and so on, which seriously affect their travel plans .

It's true that if we're unlucky enough to find ourselves in such a situation, there's little we can do to fix it, but being prepared and knowing how to act can make the difference between a bad day and a terrible one.

Very useful tips for traveling by train

1. Consult the information beforehand

Before even leaving home, it's a good idea to check the news , official websites, and social media accounts of the railway company you're traveling with. This way, you can see if they've announced any incidents that might affect your journey. You should also check with Adif , the public entity that manages the railway lines. They have a "Network Status" section on their website, where they offer up-to-date information on rail traffic.

2. Think about alternatives

If our train is canceled or severely delayed and we really need to get to our destination as quickly as possible, before giving up, we should be clear about the alternatives . Bus lines, carpooling, or even a last-minute plane ticket can be our solution.

3. A survival kit

Prevention is better than cure, so it never hurts to put ourselves in the worst-case scenarios and think about what we would miss if, for example, we had to wait long hours at a train station or if the train stopped mid-journey.

The first thing you should do is stock up on water and something to eat , as well as chargers or an external battery for your phones and computers. Some entertainment beyond electronic devices (which could lose internet or coverage) is also a good idea, such as a book or some cards. And during the summer months, a fan or even a handheld fan isn't a bad idea.

4. Know how to act in stressful situations

Getting stuck on a train in the middle of nowhere isn't a pleasant experience, but even in these stressful moments , it's very important to remain calm . It's essential to follow the staff's instructions and avoid leaving the train, even if it's stopped. Also, if you're planning to file a complaint, it's a good idea to document the situation with photos and videos.

5. How can I make a claim?

Once everything has passed, we can consider filing a claim . In the case of Renfe, if a train is canceled, the passenger can request a full refund of their ticket and request alternative transportation. If the problem is a delay, on Long Distance and AVE services, Renfe offers a refund of up to 50% of the fare for delays of between 60 and 89 minutes. If it exceeds 90 minutes, the full refund is available. For Medium Distance and Avant trains, 25% of the fare is offered for delays of 15 to 29 minutes, 50% for delays of between 30 and 50 minutes, and 100% for on-time delays.

Claims can be filed through the Renfe website , specifically in the "Claims" section, where you must fill out a form with your personal information, your ticket information, and the incident. You can also submit receipts for expenses (food, accommodation, alternative transportation, etc.) incurred due to the delay or cancellation. It's important to know that compensation can only be requested 24 hours after the train arrives, and a maximum of 3 months from the date of travel.

However, as stipulated on the Renfe website, "in accordance with the provisions of Article 19.10 of Regulation 2021/782 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 on the rights and obligations of rail passengers, the railway company is not obliged to pay compensation if it can demonstrate that the delay, missed connection or cancellation was directly due to force majeure as described in the aforementioned article." What does this mean? That compensation cannot be claimed in the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of railway operations , such as extreme weather events, serious natural disasters, serious public health crises or the conduct of third parties (e.g., people on the track, cable theft, on-board emergencies, police action, sabotage or terrorism).