# Delayed trains in Norway: refunds, expenses and complaints

Learn how compensation differs from a ticket refund or taxi reimbursement when your train is delayed. Check evidence, operator terms and how to complain.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/forsinket-tog-refusjon-norge
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-10-04T15:37:49.561+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-07T15:44:31.008406+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- Choose the right claim. A fare reduction, refund for an unused journey and reimbursement of expenses have different conditions.
- Save arrival records and receipts. Document the scheduled and actual arrival and why any expenses were necessary.
- Check the operator’s terms. Delay thresholds, ticket types and period-pass calculations vary. Vy and SJ state a three-month deadline for written claims.

A delayed train may give you the right to money back or reimbursement of necessary expenses. First identify the train company and how late you arrived. A fare reduction, refund for an unused ticket and reimbursement for a taxi are separate claims with different conditions.

## What can you claim when a train does not run as planned?

Choose your claim based on what happened to your journey. Do not use ordinary cancellation rules if the company cancels the train and you want your money back for that reason.

| Situation | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| You complete the journey and arrive late | A reduction in the ticket price |
| The train is cancelled, or a long expected delay means you do not travel | Rebooking or a refund under disruption rules |
| You pay necessary extra expenses because of the disruption | Reimbursement of documented expenses, if the conditions are met |

The [Norwegian Consumer Council (Forbrukerrådet)](https://www.forbrukerradet.no/forside/reise/tog/) explains the right to choose between rebooking and a refund when a train is cancelled. The same applies when a delay of more than 60 minutes is expected on the long-distance routes Oslo–Trondheim, Oslo–Bergen, Oslo–Kristiansand/Stavanger and Trondheim–Bodø, or more than 30 minutes on other routes. Check the terms for your specific journey.

Rebooking means a comparable journey at no extra cost, as soon as possible or on another day under the rules. Ask the company what it can offer before buying another ticket yourself. Keep the message about the cancellation or delay.

## How much do you get back if you arrive late?

The delay is measured at arrival at the agreed station. A train that leaves late but makes up the time may therefore not qualify for a fare reduction.

The Consumer Council gives the statutory starting point as 25 per cent of the ticket price for an arrival delay of at least 60 minutes and 50 per cent for at least 120 minutes. Several Norwegian operators offer better terms. The operator websites, checked on 3 October 2026, state the following:

| Operator and journey | Operator’s threshold for a 50 per cent refund |
|---|---|
| Vy: Oslo–Bergen and Flåm–Myrdal | More than one hour late at the agreed station |
| Vy: other Vy trains | More than 30 minutes late |
| SJ Norge: F6 Dovre Line and F7 Nordland Line | More than 60 minutes late |
| SJ Norge: R60, R65, R70 and R75 | More than 30 minutes late |

The table follows the word “more than” used on [Vy’s page](https://www.vy.no/kundeservice/prisavslag-og-erstatning) and [SJ Norge’s page](https://www.sj.no/refusjon/). It does not cover every operator or ticket type. At exactly 30 or 60 minutes, check which rules and terms apply to your claim instead of assuming this table settles all your rights.

You do not need to have bought food or a taxi to ask for a fare reduction. The Consumer Council distinguishes this from expense reimbursement and says the fare reduction does not depend on the cause in the same way. At the same time, Vy and SJ state that a delay you were told about before buying the ticket may be outside their refund terms.

## What applies to a period ticket?

You do not automatically get half the price of a full monthly pass back for one delay. The calculation depends on the operator and the ticket.

Vy states that it refunds 50 per cent of the daily value when the relevant delay thresholds are exceeded. The daily value is the period-ticket price divided by the number of days it is valid. Under this calculation, a Vy period ticket costing NOK 1,800 and valid for 30 days has a daily value of NOK 60. Half is NOK 30. This is a calculation example, not a quoted ticket price.

If you have a pass from a local public transport company, check the rules for that pass. Do not apply Vy’s calculation to every monthly pass. Our [guide to public transport](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/kollektivtransport-norge) explains ticket systems and how to find the right company.

## Can you take a taxi and send the bill to the train company?

Taxi fares are not automatically covered. First ask the company for alternative transport, and ask whether you can arrange it yourself if it cannot offer a reasonable alternative.

Both Vy and SJ say you are not entitled to taxi reimbursement if they have arranged alternative transport and you choose to take a taxi instead. Necessary and reasonable expenses may qualify when the company does not arrange alternative transport within a reasonable time. Keep the receipt and document what the company told you.

Expense reimbursement has its own limits. The Consumer Council and SJ mention extraordinary circumstances outside the control of the company or Bane NOR, such as extreme weather and some strikes. A refusal to pay your taxi bill therefore does not necessarily decide a separate claim for a fare reduction.

Write down why the expense was necessary. “I wanted to get home sooner” is less helpful than a timeline showing that the last alternative departure had left and that you asked for help. Do not assume you will be reimbursed for every missed appointment or loss of work income.

## Does a replacement bus mean you get money back?

A replacement bus does not in itself give you a right to a fare reduction. The actual delay and the information you received when buying the ticket are among the relevant factors.

If an unforeseen event leads to a replacement bus and a qualifying delay or necessary expenses, you may still have a claim. Compare your actual arrival with the journey as agreed. A planned bus with a stated timetable is different from a replacement bus that arrives significantly later than promised.

If you change trains along the way, also state whether you had one through-ticket. SJ has specific terms for connections between operators. Two separate purchases do not automatically provide the same guarantee. If you miss a flight, check the specific flight guarantee and required time margin. [Air passenger rights](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/flypassasjerrettigheter-forsinket-fly-norge) concern the flight itself and do not replace the train company’s terms.

## How do you submit a well-documented claim?

Send a written claim to the operator as soon as possible. Vy and SJ state a deadline of three months after the incident; Vy also says the claim must be sent without undue delay.

Include:

- your ticket or booking reference, operator and route
- the date, scheduled arrival and actual arrival
- screenshots of disruption notices and any messages from staff
- receipts and an explanation if you are claiming expenses
- earlier correspondence and the response you received.

You could write: “I travelled from [place] to [place] on [date]. My scheduled arrival was [time], and I actually arrived at [time]. I request a fare reduction under the terms. I also ask you to assess the attached necessary expenses of [amount].” List the amounts separately so that one refusal does not obscure another claim.

Vy provides a claim form on its refund page. SJ directs customers to Entur for electronic claims. Use the link from the operator’s official website and save the submission confirmation.

## What should you do if the company refuses?

First ask the operator to explain the refusal and identify the term it is relying on. Correct any errors about times, ticket type or evidence before taking the matter further.

If the issue is not resolved, you can complain to the **Transport Appeals Board for Public Transport (Transportklagenemnda Kollektivreiser)**. The Consumer Council describes this order of steps. Attach your original claim, the response and your documentation so the board can see what you disagree about.

SamfunnPrep’s [practical tools](https://samfunnprep.no/en/verktoy) help you find your way through everyday life in Norway. For this claim, the most important thing is to save the evidence while the journey is still fresh.

## FAQ

### Does a delayed train automatically mean taxi reimbursement?

No. Ask the operator about alternative transport first. A taxi you arrange yourself may not be covered if the company has already offered transport.

### Where is a train delay measured?

At arrival at the agreed station. The delay at departure alone does not determine the fare reduction.

### Will I get half my monthly pass back?

Not automatically. Vy uses 50 per cent of the daily value for qualifying delays; other passes may follow different rules.

### What is the deadline with Vy and SJ?

They state that a written claim must be made within three months of the incident. Send it promptly and include the necessary evidence.

### Where can I complain after a refusal?

Complain to the operator first. The Transport Appeals Board for Public Transport can then consider the case.

## Sources

- [Tog: rettigheter ved forsinkelse](https://www.forbrukerradet.no/forside/reise/tog/)
- [Refusjon og erstatning](https://www.sj.no/refusjon/)
- [Refusjon, prisavslag og erstatning](https://www.vy.no/kundeservice/prisavslag-og-erstatning)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Delayed trains in Norway: refunds, expenses and complaints", SamfunnPrep, 2026-10-04T15:37:49.561+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/forsinket-tog-refusjon-norge