TfL Delay Repay: how to claim on the Tube, Overground and Elizabeth Line
Transport for London does not use the National Rail Delay Repay scheme. Instead it runs a Service Delay Refund, with its own thresholds, its own 14-day deadline, and different rules for each mode. Here's exactly how to claim on the Underground, London Overground and Elizabeth Line.
TfL delay thresholds at a glance
| Mode | Minimum delay | Refund | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Underground | 15 minutes | Single fare | 14 days |
| Elizabeth Line | 30 minutes | Single fare | 14 days |
| London Overground | 30 minutes | Single fare | 14 days |
| DLR | 30 minutes | Single fare | 14 days |
Note: National Rail's Delay Repay 15 pays from just 15 minutes across most TOCs — see our operator-by-operator comparison for how TfL differs from Avanti, SWR, LNER and others.
Elizabeth Line delays
The Elizabeth Line is one of London's most delay-prone routes since opening — signalling handovers between the central tunnel and the outer TfL Rail sections regularly push services past the 30-minute threshold. If your journey between Reading, Heathrow, Paddington, Liverpool Street or Abbey Wood was delayed by 30+ minutes, you're entitled to a refund of the full single fare via your TfL account.
Because most Elizabeth Line passengers pay with contactless or Oyster, the claim is fully digital — no receipts, no paper forms.
London Overground delays
London Overground shares the same 30-minute Service Delay Refund threshold as the Elizabeth Line. Passengers on the Windrush, Lioness, Mildmay, Weaver, Suffragette and Liberty lines can claim through the standard TfL refund portal. The route rebrand in 2024 didn't change the compensation rules — the refund is still equal to the single adult pay-as-you-go fare.
London Underground delays
The Tube is the only TfL mode that pays out from 15 minutes. The delay must be attributable to TfL — planned engineering closures announced in advance and delays caused by third parties (e.g. police incidents) are typically excluded. If your journey took 15+ minutes longer than scheduled, log into your TfL account, select the affected tap-in/tap-out and file the refund within 14 days.
Step-by-step: filing a TfL Service Delay Refund
- Go to tfl.gov.uk/fares/refunds/apply-for-a-service-delay-refund.
- Sign in to the TfL account linked to the Oyster or contactless card you used.
- Open Journey history and find the delayed tap-in / tap-out pair.
- Click Apply for a refund and choose the reason "Service delay".
- Confirm your refund method — money is returned to the original card within 3–5 working days.
- Submit within 14 days. After 14 days the claim is automatically rejected.
Let Transport for Claims file it for you
TfC watches TfL's live service feeds, matches delays to your registered Oyster or contactless card, and files the Service Delay Refund inside the 14-day window — so you never miss a payout on the Tube, Overground or Elizabeth Line.
Check my TfL delaysFrequently asked questions
Does TfL use Delay Repay 15?
No. TfL runs its own Service Delay Refund scheme. The Underground refunds delays of 15+ minutes; the Elizabeth Line, Overground and DLR refund delays of 30+ minutes.
How long do I have to claim a TfL refund?
14 days from the date of the delayed journey. National Rail Delay Repay allows 28 days — TfL is stricter.
Do paper tickets or Travelcards qualify?
Paper tickets and Travelcards require a postal claim form. Contactless and Oyster pay-as-you-go journeys can be refunded straight from your TfL online account.
What counts as a TfL-caused delay?
Signal failures, staff shortages, train faults, planned works running over, and most service suspensions. Strikes announced 12+ hours in advance and severe weather are usually excluded.