Transport bosses are braced for major disruption caused by winter storms.
And here’s what you need to do if your journey is disrupted by bad weather:
If you are on a domestic train
The amount of compensation available to rail passengers varies by train operator and length of delay.
Many firms use a scheme called Delay Repay whereby payouts range from 25% of the cost of a one-way fare to 100% of the cost of a return ticket.
On Southern Railway, payouts are made after delays of just 15 minutes.
But for some journeys on other routes, a delay must be at least one hour before compensation is payable.
If you are travelling on Eurostar
Travellers whose cross-Channel rail trips on Eurostar are delayed by bad weather are entitled to compensation.
Payouts consist of:
a. 25% of the cost of a single ticket for delays of 60-119 minutes
b. 50% of the cost of a single ticket for delays of 120-179 minutes
c. 75% of the cost of a single ticket for delays of three hours or more
Affected passengers must wait 24 hours and then claim online.
If you are flying
Passengers are entitled to assistance under EU law if they are:
a. Flying from an EU airport
b. Flying from a non-EU airport into an EU airport on an EU-based airline
This applies for:
a. Flights under 932 miles (such as London to Venice) delayed by at least two hours
b. Flights more than 932 miles but still within the EU (such as London to Athens) delayed by at least three hours
Travellers are entitled to two free phone calls, faxes or emails, free meals and refreshments appropriate to the delay, and free hotel accommodation and transfers if an overnight stay is required.
Airlines should provide vouchers for these at the airport. Price comparison website TravelSupermarket urges passengers to ask for help from someone who works for the airline if assistance is not offered.
Ifpassengers are not given help at the airport, they are advised to keep receipts for expenses and try to claim money from the airline later, although only reasonable costs will be reimbursed.
If a flight is cancelled, or delayed by at least five hours and a passenger decides not to travel, they should be offered an alternative flight or a full refund for that flight and any others on the same booking that will no longer be used.
Compensation for delays caused by weather that makes flying dangerous is not payable under EU law, but passengers may be able to claim on their travel insurance.
While non-EU airlines flying from a non-EU airport should also refund passengers or try to find an alternative flight, they may not provide food and drink.
If you are travelling on a ferry
Ferry operators whose services are delayed for more than one-and-a-half hours due to bad weather should offer an alternative sailing at the earliest opportunity or a refund within seven days.
Meals, snacks and refreshments should also be provided if they are available.
Ferry operators do not have to offer compensation if delays are caused by weather.
