If I do not catch a connecting train (because of delay of the train before) and that train was the last train of the day, what exactly is the policy there? I get that talking to train staff is generally the best option but as I’ve also encountered sitations in which the delayed train was not staffed and there was also no station staff present anymore, who is responsible for refunding expenses like a hotel that became necessary (not talking about this specific incident but rather about handling situations like this in general)? Interrail or the operator of the delayed train? And how can the journey be continued next day, as the previos travel day already became invalid?
Answer
What to do if last train of the day is missed?
Best answer by Danhiel
It is very complex. You are not always entitled to get a refund of the hotel nights, especially if you have separate contracts with different operators. Usually you can continue on the next day without using a new travel day or obtain later a supplementary day if no staff can help you:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agreement_on_Journey_Continuation
For me it is more important to find an accommodation. If a refund is possible or not is secondary and can be clarified later. You could also take a travel insurance (but you must be sure that such cases are covered).
It is very complex. You are not always entitled to get a refund of the hotel nights, especially if you have separate contracts with different operators. Usually you can continue on the next day without using a new travel day or obtain later a supplementary day if no staff can help you:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agreement_on_Journey_Continuation
For me it is more important to find an accommodation. If a refund is possible or not is secondary and can be clarified later. You could also take a travel insurance (but you must be sure that such cases are covered).
Sometimes, you can call customer service. In the Netherlands, they are available 24/7. There may also be a contact points/intercoms at the stations, through wich you can reach remote staff.
Supposing you have just one contract, then the operator is responsible, although Eurail mentions the option to reimburse accommodation expenses. I suppose they then claim it back from the operator.
Eurail's claim that you don't always have a single contract should be tested in court. It's not mentioned anywhere, except in the conditions of use and on the compensation page. IMO that's far from sufficient.
If all trains aren’t reservation mandatory I’d assume that the full journey is covered, right?
Correct. In that case, it's clear.
If you have a single contract and you don’t obtain assistance within 100 minutes, you can organize the continuation of your journey and get a refund, but only with another train operator or long distance buses, it is not possible to rent a car or to book a flight.
If you have a major disruption (e.g. strikes, accidents, blackouts) and thousands of passengers are affected, it is clear that no operator will be able to find a solution for everyone.
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