Plan train journeys and stations with time to spare

• Check the station, platform and train number before departure and at important connections.
• Allow time for changing platforms, handling luggage, finding your way and dealing with possible delays.
• Through tickets and separate tickets may be treated differently if you miss a connection.
• Check the provider’s requirements for seats, bicycles, strollers and accessibility needs.
• Keep your accommodation address and the final connection available offline, even without mobile service.
• If there is a disruption, keep your booking number, ticket, receipts and an alternative option close at hand.

Start with the departure station, train number, departure time and route to the platform. A large station may have several entrances, levels and long walks. If you are travelling with a suitcase or children, or have limited mobility, allow extra time to get around. Your journey to the station and onward travel at your destination form the beginning and end of your booked train journey.

Before setting off, also check whether the station has step-free routes, lifts, boarding assistance or a suitable meeting point. If the platform changes, allow enough time to check the displays, listen to announcements and speak to train staff. A short printed note with the train number and destination can help if the display is hard to read or your battery runs out.

For a journey with changes, note each leg separately, including the arrival platform, any platform change and the time until the next departure. A timetable may show a connection without accounting for your own route through the station with luggage. Platform changes, luggage and your personal mobility all affect how much time you need between trains; the trip schedule should take these parts into account.

Before departure, check where your ticket is valid, any train-specific restrictions, changes, seat reservations and possible additional reservations. Conditions for bicycles, strollers and special mobility aids vary by provider and train. Stow your luggage so you can still reach your seat, the exit and your next platform. Arrange your bags so that you can access your ticket, medication and anything else you need during the journey; plan for luggage and hand baggage with access and storage in mind.

A paper note with your train number, connections, accommodation and contact details can also be useful. An offline ticket can still be accessed without a network connection; digitally stored travel documents complement paper copies. Keep your passport and other required documents accessible on international train journeys.

Changing platforms may take longer than expected because of stairs, lifts, long concourses or unfamiliar signs. If a connection is tight, check whether a later train would make the overall journey more reliable. For an international route, also consider border and transit requirements. On international rail journeys, the border crossing and transit country determine which travel documents you need; include entry requirements in your route planning.

If you cannot continue right away because of a delay, make sure you have contact details and a way to pay for a possible interim solution. If your journey is interrupted, keep backup time, contacts and a Plan B accessible along with your booking and contact details. When travelling with children or older people, keep drinks, medication and a small supply of essentials somewhere easy to reach, rather than in hard-to-access luggage.

If there is a disruption, keep a record of the train number, ticket, announcements, messages from the provider and any necessary expenses. How you can continue your journey depends on whether you have a through ticket, which provider is involved and what rules apply. EU rail passenger rights generally apply to train journeys within the EU, although there may be exceptions for certain urban, regional, historic or tourist services. If you expect to arrive at your destination at least 60 minutes late, you can choose between a refund and continuing your journey by rerouting or taking the next available connection.

Before you arrive, plan the station, exit, meeting point and final connection. An address written in the local script can make it easier to ask for directions and find your way. For announcements, meeting points and addresses at your destination, language and communication are part of travel planning. Keep emergency contacts and important documents accessible in case of illness or loss; this includes personal precautions for safety while travelling.

Luggage, documents, money and the route from the station are all part of practical travel planning.

If you arrive late, note in advance how to get from the destination station to your accommodation. Include the exit, stop, meeting point and a later alternative. The station’s location and onward route matter when choosing where to stay; you can narrow your accommodation search by destination. That way, you won’t have to search for the right connection under time pressure after a long journey.

How much time should I allow to change platforms?

It depends on the station, your luggage, the train and your mobility. A short connection is not necessarily practical if it involves long walks or several levels.

What happens if I have separate tickets?

The legs may be treated independently. If you miss a connection, you are not automatically entitled to the same onward travel arrangements as with a through ticket.

What should I keep within easy reach on the train?

Keep your ticket, passport, reservation, phone, charger, medication, money and next address accessible.

How long do I have to complain under rail passenger rights?

A complaint to the railway company must be submitted within three months of the incident. The company generally responds within one month, but in justified cases this can take up to three months.