Tickets / Terms and conditions / Agreement on Journey Continuation (AJC)

Agreement on Journey Continuation (AJC)

The Agreement on Journey Continuation (AJC) is an agreement between 16 European railway undertakings that allows passengers on international trains to take the next available train with the same carrier at no extra cost if they miss their connection due to delay or cancellation of the booked train.
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Participating railway companies

  • BLS and SBB/CFF (Switserland)
  • CD (Czech Republic)
  • CFL (Luxembourg)
  • DB (Germany)
  • DSB (Denmark)
  • EIL (Eurostar overseas)
  • THIF (Eurostar continental)
  • GYSEV (Hungary)
  • NS (Netherlands)
  • ÖBB (Austria)
  • Renfe (Spain)
  • SJ (Sweden)
  • SNCB/SNCB (Belgium)
  • PKP IC (Poland)

  • SNCF (France)
  • SZ (Slovenia)
  • Trenitalia (Italy)
  • ZSSK (Slovakia)
  • MÁV-START (Hungary)
  • HŽPP (Croatia).
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How does it work in practice

If you miss your connection during an international journey because your previous train was delayed, go to one of our staff members at your transfer station (the station where you should have changed to the missed international train) or check with the staff on board the train. The procedure is the same for all train companies that have signed the agreement.

Conditions

  • You book your trip with sufficient transfer time between the connections.
  • Continuation of the journey takes place with the same carrier.
  • In the alternative train you do not have a guaranteed seat reservation
  • Each of your tickets is a separate contract of carriage. If you were delayed during your journey, a compensation application will only take into account the train that was actually delayed. You can submit such a request via Refund and Receive Compensation | NS International

Examples

Example 1

You are traveling from Rotterdam Central to Lyon with a transfer in Brussels South.

You will receive 2 tickets for the journey operated by NS, NMBS, and SNCF.

  • From Rotterdam to Brussels South: operated by NS and NMBS (Intercity).
  • From Brussels South to Lyon: operated by NMBS and SNCF (TGV INOUI), with a reserved seat.

If your Intercity train from Rotterdam to Brussels South is unexpectedly delayed, causing you to miss your TGV INOUI in Brussels South, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the international ticket office in Brussels South and inform them that your first train was delayed.
  2. The staff will check if you had enough time for the transfer and will give you a delay confirmation and the schedule for the next TGV INOUI.
  3. Are there seats available? Then you can continue your journey on the next TGV INOUI without needing to buy a new ticket. However, there is no guarantee of a seat on the alternative train.
Example 2

You are travelling from Haarlem to London with transfers at Rotterdam Central and Brussels South.

You will receive 3 tickets for the journey, operated by NS and Eurostar.

  • From Haarlem to Rotterdam Central: operated by NS.
  • From Rotterdam Central to Brussels South: operated by Eurostar.
  • From Brussels South to London: operated by Eurostar.

If your intercity train from Haarlem to Rotterdam Central is unexpectedly delayed, causing you to miss your Eurostar in Amsterdam and therefore the connecting Eurostar in Brussels South, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the staff on the delayed train or visit the international desk in Rotterdam. They will provide you with a delay certificate and the schedule for the next Eurostar.
  2. Report to the Train Manager. They will check if there are enough seats available so you can continue your journey.
  3. In Brussels South: Go to the Eurostar check-in desk. They will assist you with a ticket for the next available Eurostar to London.

Please note: There is no guarantee of a seat or other additional services on the alternative trains.

The conditions are further explained in the leaflet