I missed my train. What should I do first?

At a glance

• The railway’s passenger rules allow one change of a ticket. [1]
• After departure, a change completed before 24:00 that day to another train on the same day has no change fee; any fare difference is handled separately. [1]
• Changing after departure to a later travel date within the presale period attracts a change fee; inspect the quoted amount before confirming. [1]
• Railway counters handle changes using the original booking identity document; the rules also specify supported 12306 and machine routes. [1]

What to do next

1. Find a staffed railway ticket or service counter and show the original passport with the missed train’s details. If you can open the order’s change option, inspect it while heading for help. State that the train has already departed so staff address the correct rule.
2. Look for the next departure that actually works for you. Compare the station, arrival time and seat class, then ask whether the ticket can be changed to it. Give priority to reaching a safe and workable overnight stop over preserving the original seat class.
3. Read the price difference and any change fee before approval. If the alternative is later that same day, separate any extra fare from a change fee. If you move to a later date, include the hotel and other affected costs in your decision.
4. Complete the change before the same-day midnight deadline rather than leaving it until tomorrow. Keep the confirmation and open the new ticket details to make sure the train, date and passenger are correct.
5. Tell the hotel, transfer provider or people meeting you about the new arrival. If a later connection was booked separately, check it immediately and decide whether it also needs changing.
6. Once you have the new departure, find the correct waiting area and gate before doing anything else. Keep the passport ready for the repeated identity and boarding checks.

If your situation is different

Boarding closed but the train has not yet departed: speak to staff immediately and use the current pre-departure change option if available. Do not assume the train can wait while you finish the station checks.

Your ticket was already changed once: tell staff about that history before paying for anything. Ask which remaining option applies to this ticket, then compare a new purchase if it cannot be changed again.

You missed a connection because the first train was disrupted: show both tickets and the disruption information to railway staff. Ask which arrangement applies to that linked situation before cancelling a ticket yourself. Keep any written assistance or refund instructions.

There are no suitable seats left today: compare a later date, another station or another form of transport. Arrange tonight’s accommodation and communicate the changed arrival before continuing to search indefinitely.

You booked through an agent: open its change/help route, but also take the original passport and issued ticket details to the station counter. Keep the seller’s order number available for any service fee or refund question it must handle.

Common mistakes

• Waiting until the following day to deal with a departed train: act before the rule’s same-day midnight deadline.
• Assuming no change fee means no extra payment: a more expensive replacement ticket can still require the fare difference.
• Cancelling the ticket before understanding the available recovery: ask staff about a change and any disruption arrangement first.
• Rushing onto another train without a valid arrangement: complete the new ticket or staff-directed procedure and confirm the departure.

Quick questions