TfL Delay Compensation: Get Money Back for Late Tube and Bus Services

When your TfL delay compensation, a policy that lets passengers claim money back when London’s public transport runs late. Also known as Tube delay refund, it’s not a perk—it’s your right as a commuter. You don’t need to be a frequent rider to qualify. If your Tube, DLR, London Overground, or bus is delayed by 15 minutes or more due to TfL’s fault, you can get £2.50 back. No forms. No calls. Just a quick online claim.

It’s not just about the money. It’s about accountability. TfL runs one of the busiest transport networks in the world, and delays happen. But when they do, and it’s their fault—not weather, not strikes, not a fallen tree—you’re owed something. The compensation scheme exists because millions rely on this system every day. If your train arrives 20 minutes late and you miss work, a meeting, or your kid’s school pickup, that’s not just inconvenient—it’s costly. The £2.50 refund doesn’t fix your day, but it acknowledges it was broken.

What counts as a delay? Only delays caused by TfL-operated issues: signal failures, staff shortages, equipment faults. Delays from extreme weather, protests, or third-party incidents don’t qualify. You also need to have used an Oyster card or contactless payment. Paper tickets don’t count. And you can’t claim for delays under 15 minutes—even if you’re furious. The system tracks your journey automatically. If your trip was delayed, you’ll get an email or notification. You don’t even have to ask. But if you don’t see one, check your TfL account or visit their compensation page. It’s not hidden. It’s just easy to forget.

Some people think this is a gimmick. But thousands claim it every month. A student in Croydon got £15 back in one month after three late buses. A nurse in Walthamstow claimed for three delayed Tube rides after night shifts. A retiree in Richmond got £10 for a week of missed appointments. These aren’t outliers. They’re regular people using a system designed for them.

And it’s not just about the Tube. If your bus is late, you can claim too. Same rules. Same £2.50. No extra steps. Just make sure you used contactless or Oyster. If you paid with cash, you’re out of luck. That’s the catch. But if you’re using the right payment method, you’re already halfway there.

There’s a myth that you need to file a complaint first. You don’t. The system works automatically. If your journey qualifies, you’re added to the payout list. You don’t need to prove anything. TfL already knows. Your card or Oyster is the proof.

People skip this because they think it’s too much hassle. But it’s not. It’s one click. You log in. You check your journey history. You click ‘Claim’. Done. No documents. No waiting. The money goes back to the same card or Oyster you used. Sometimes in days. Sometimes in weeks. But it always comes.

And if you ride often? You’re likely owed more than you realize. A weekly commuter might get £10–£20 a month. That’s £120–£240 a year. Free money. For showing up on time when the system didn’t.

Below, you’ll find real stories, tips, and guides from people who’ve used this system—whether they claimed once or made it part of their monthly routine. No fluff. No theory. Just what works in London’s messy, unpredictable, but still refundable transport system.