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What are your rights if a long-distance bus is delayed or cancelled?

EU rules for long bus routes

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Short answer

EU passenger rights cover regular bus routes of 250 km or more that start or end in an EU country, such as many routes from Denmark. If departure is delayed by more than 2 hours or the trip is cancelled, you can choose a refund or continued travel by another route at no extra cost. If the company does not offer you this choice, you can claim a refund plus compensation of 50 % of the ticket price. On trips planned to take more than 3 hours, a delay of over 90 minutes gives you the right to snacks or meals and, if needed, up to 2 nights in a hotel at up to 80 euro per night.

Transport and mobility

Why

  1. The rules cover routes of 250 km or more.
  2. You must be told about a delay within 30 minutes of departure.
  3. A bus that leaves early counts as cancelled.

Details

The company must pay out a refund or compensation within 1 month of your request.

Tip

Keep your ticket and receipts for meals or hotels, and complain to the bus company within 3 months.

What may differ

In severe weather or natural disasters the company does not have to pay for your hotel.

Common misconception

Many think you only get money back from the bus company if the trip is cancelled completely.

What actually happens

On long routes a delay of more than 2 hours also gives you the right to a refund or a new route.

People also ask

  • Where can you complain about a bus trip in Denmark?
  • What are your rights if a train is delayed in Denmark?
  • Can you cancel a FlixBus ticket?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Timetables, routes and fares change, so check the operator before you travel.

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