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AJC and accomodation compensation

  • January 18, 2026
  • 3 replies
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S

Hi all!

I am planning a trip from Rome to Zürich, but due to personal reasons it’d be more comfortable for me to take a Frecciarosa at 16:25 to Milano and then take last EC to Zurich, rather than earlier. I would have around 40 minutes planned change in Milano, but here is my question:
If I wouldn't make it for the change to EC, there’s a RE80 to Lugano and after 4 minutes change an IC to Zürich, but if the RE would not make it for the 4 minutes change, I’d be stuck in Lugano. In that case, would I be entitled for accomodation due to AJC? It requires reasonable change time, which is fulfilled for the original trip, but not for the “emergency” RE to Lugano.

Best regards!

Best answer by rvdborgt

The AJC doesn't cover overnight accommodation.

However, since in Italy both the Frecciarossa and the EC are operated by Trenitalia, your journey would qualify as a through ticket and overnight accommodation should be organised under EU Regulation 2021/782, article 20, either in Milan (by Trenitalia) or in Lugano (by SBB). Although I'd expect SBB to let the last connection wait a bit in Lugano. If you think you're going to miss the connection, speak with the Swiss staff who normally board in Chiasso and ask them whether the connecting train will wait.

3 replies

R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • Answer
  • January 18, 2026

The AJC doesn't cover overnight accommodation.

However, since in Italy both the Frecciarossa and the EC are operated by Trenitalia, your journey would qualify as a through ticket and overnight accommodation should be organised under EU Regulation 2021/782, article 20, either in Milan (by Trenitalia) or in Lugano (by SBB). Although I'd expect SBB to let the last connection wait a bit in Lugano. If you think you're going to miss the connection, speak with the Swiss staff who normally board in Chiasso and ask them whether the connecting train will wait.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
    S

    The AJC doesn't cover overnight accommodation.

    However, since in Italy both the Frecciarossa and the EC are operated by Trenitalia, your journey would qualify as a through ticket and overnight accommodation should be organised under EU Regulation 2021/782, article 20, either in Milan (by Trenitalia) or in Lugano (by SBB). Although I'd expect SBB to let the last connection wait a bit in Lugano. If you think you're going to miss the connection, speak with the Swiss staff who normally board in Chiasso and ask them whether the connecting train will wait.

    Is it my choice then whether I want to take accommodation in Milan, or take the train to Lugano? Also assuming I took the train to Lugano and then IC would not wait, is it sure that I’d be compensated the accomodation? I don’t want to end up stuck there and having myself to pay.

    Thanks for the answer!

    R
    Railmaster
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    • rvdborgt
    • Railmaster
    • January 19, 2026

    Come to think of it, if you ask Trenitalia in Milan for assistance, they'd very probably point out the next available connection with the short transfer in Lugano; any accommodation in Milan you pay yourself will probably not be refunded if there would have been a possibility to reach your destination the same day. So in this case, you'd be expected to use that last connection. SBB would be obliged to assist if you'd be stranded in Lugano. And then it's always best to ask already the train staff what to do.

    Then if nobody organises assistance (either alternative transport or overnight accommodation), then you can organise reasonable accommodation yourself and claim it from either Eurail or SBB.

    Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
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