Delays and cancellations
What to do if your Northern train is delayed or cancelled
We know cancellations can be frustrating, and often it can leave you feeling unsure of what your options are. The information below will help to get you on your way, as easily and quickly as possible.
What to do if your train is cancelled
If your train is cancelled and you still wish to travel to your planned destination, you don't have to buy a new ticket to travel that day. You can:
- Board any Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), East Midlands Railway (EMR) or LNER train that's heading in the same direction (within 2 hours)
- Claim a full refund from your point of purchase (if you no longer wish to travel)
What to do if your train is delayed
If your train is delayed, we kindly ask for your patience as we provide updates. You can check for updates for all UK trains on the Northern App, website or using the journey checker tool below. If you are at the station, you can speak to our friendly colleagues or use our station screens.
You are only allowed to travel on another train (with your original ticket) if yours has been cancelled.
Should your train be delayed by 15 minutes or more you are eligible to claim money back through Delay Repay.
Advice and FAQs
You can travel on other Northern trains (before or after your original time) to get you to your destination that day.
If you can't travel on the train you planned to travel on, due to a cancellation, you can also use a TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway or LNER service to get to your destination within two hours either side of the time of your cancelled service.
(Southeastern and Southwestern railway services are also included in this policy for onward connections)
As long as you are travelling to the same destination as stated on your ticket and are travelling within two hours either side of the time of your cancelled service, all you'll need to show is your original train ticket.
Then, let the conductor/Train Manager know your original train was cancelled.
If you no longer wish to travel due to your train cancellation, you are entitled to claim a full refund which must be made within 28 days of the ticket expiry date.
We can only refund a ticket that was purchased from Northern. Please get in touch with the relevant Train Operator or third-party ticket retailer for other refunds outside of Northern.
If the last service of the day is cancelled, you can get on any other service that gets you closer to your destination for a connection.
You can use any Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, LNER or EMR service to get to your destination within two hours either side of the time of your cancelled service.
If there is still no option to travel after a cancelled last service, please speak to a member of staff or a help point who can give advice and travel information.
Yes, as long as your Northern train was cancelled, you can get to your destination by travelling on any EMR, LNER or TransPennine Express as stated on your ticket (and are travelling within two hours either side of the time of your cancelled service).
No, if your train is cancelled and there is rail replacement transport (a bus) scheduled to replace it, this policy doesn’t apply.
Where possible board any Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, LNER or EMR train that's heading in the same direction.
If this is not possible, due to a cancelled train, please speak with a member of staff at your departure station who can advise travel arrangements.
Please make yourself known to either the station team (if available) or the conductor/train manager.
If you can’t do this please follow the ‘turn up and go’ guidance for the station where you are starting your journey and we will arrange for assistance remotely.
More details about accessible friendly travel can be found on our travel hub here.
Self-Serve
Our self-service options make it easy to get the assistance you need.
WhatsApp is a stress-free way to access live train information on the go.
Delay Repay
If your train is delayed by 15 minutes or more, you can claim money back.
How to get a refund when your train is cancelled
Although train providers try to ensure that services aren’t cancelled, sometimes it’s unavoidable. When this happens, you are entitled to claim a full refund from Northern, provided your ticket was purchased from us in the first place, and your request is submitted within 28 days of the expiry date.
Our refunds request page features further frequently asked questions.
Let us show you how to...
Our series of how to videos will help guide you through claiming delay repay, finding out about disruption and how to get travel updates.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.