What to do if…
the last ferry, train, or bus is cancelled or missed and you are stranded

What to do now

1. Move to the safest nearby place that is open and well lit. Use a staffed station or terminal area where available, or consider a nearby hotel reception, late-opening business, police station, or other busy public place.

2. Contact the operator using station or terminal staff, an official help point, the operator’s app or website, or the contact details on your ticket. Give your exact location, destination, route or service number, scheduled departure time, and booking reference.

3. Ask whether the ferry, train, or bus is cancelled, delayed, or leaving from somewhere else. Confirm whether replacement transport, rerouting, another departure, safe waiting facilities, or overnight accommodation is being arranged.

4. For a cancelled or substantially delayed ferry, ask the ferry operator immediately about rerouting, a refund, refreshments, and accommodation. What must be provided can depend on the route, length of delay, reason for disruption, and other circumstances.

5. For a cancelled train or a connection missed because an earlier train was delayed, show staff your ticket and full itinerary. Ask which later service your ticket permits and, if you cannot complete the journey that night, ask the train company about onward transport or overnight accommodation under the applicable National Rail conditions.

6. For a missed train that was not caused by disruption, speak to the train company or ticket retailer before boarding another service. Whether the same ticket can be used may depend on its terms.

7. For a cancelled or missed bus, contact the bus or coach operator and check its official service updates. Ask whether a replacement bus, later service, alternative stop, or another route is available; arrangements vary between operators and services.

8. Check one alternative route using current official information. Traveline provides public-transport journey planning in Great Britain, while Translink provides service information for Northern Ireland. Confirm any late-night departure directly with the relevant operator before moving to another stop or terminal.

9. Tell a trusted person where you are, what has happened, and where you plan to wait. Share your live location if appropriate, switch on low-power mode, reduce screen brightness, and keep enough battery for calls, tickets, maps, and emergency contact.

10. Clearly tell staff or the operator about any immediate need related to disability, reduced mobility, age, pregnancy, children, medication, health, communication, or lack of money. For travel on the National Rail network in Great Britain, ask station staff, use a help point, or contact Passenger Assist.

11. If no public-transport option is available, consider a nearby room or a licensed taxi or pre-booked private-hire vehicle. Where it is safe and practicable, ask the operator what it will arrange or authorise before paying. If immediate safety requires you to arrange transport or accommodation yourself, keep receipts and do not assume the cost will be reimbursed. Use an official rank, established operator, or recognised booking service, and check that the driver and vehicle details match before entering.

12. Call 999 if a crime is in progress, someone is in immediate danger, or there is a life-threatening medical emergency. For a non-emergency concern on the rail network in Great Britain, text British Transport Police on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40; for buses, roads, and other locations, contact the local police on 101.

13. Save your ticket, booking information, cancellation messages, service details, screenshots, contact times, and receipts for necessary transport or accommodation. Store them safely and deal with any refund, claim, or complaint later.