What should I do if I'm stranded on public transport?
Stay put it's usually safer to wait where you are
Be Ready says if you're delayed or stranded, it is usually safer to stay where you are and wait for help, follow instructions from transport staff and emergency services, and keep others updated on your plans.
Source: GOV.UK Be Ready: Transport disruption and delays (checked 31 October 2026)
In short: GOV.UK Be Ready's advice for travel disruption is to check for disruption and weather warnings before you set off, delay if you can, and tell someone where you're going and when you expect to arrive. Carry essential medicines, a charged phone and charger, a power bank, water and food, and warm or waterproof clothes. On public transport, if you're delayed or stranded it's usually safer to stay where you are and wait for help. In a car, carry a torch, phone charger, blankets, high-vis, jump leads, food and drink, a first aid kit and a shovel, and never drive through floodwater.
Key facts
- Be Ready advises checking for disruption and weather warnings before travelling, and considering delaying your journey if disruption is expected. Source
- Be Ready says tell someone your destination and expected arrival time, and carry essential medicines, a fully charged phone and charger, a power bank, water and food, and warm or waterproof clothing. Source
- On public transport, Be Ready says if you are delayed or stranded it is usually safer to stay where you are and wait for help. Source
- Be Ready's car kit list is a torch, in-car phone chargers or a power bank, warm clothes and blankets, high-visibility clothing, jump leads, food and drink, a first aid kit and a shovel. Source
- Be Ready says never drive through floodwater, as it can be deeper or faster flowing than it looks. Source
Most travel disruption is an inconvenience rather than an emergency: a cancelled train, a closed road, a long wait in the cold. A little planning makes it much easier. The government's Be Ready campaign has a page on transport disruption and delays; this guide puts its advice into a short checklist for winter journeys.
Before you set off
Be Ready suggests:
- Check for disruption with your transport operator, and check the weather warnings. The Met Office travel advice page has links to road, rail and other travel updates.
- If disruption is expected, consider delaying until conditions improve.
- If you must travel, allow extra time and check the latest advice for the way you're travelling.
- Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to arrive.
What to carry on any journey
Be Ready's list for travelling during disruption:
- Any essential medication
- A fully charged phone and charger
- A portable power bank (see how long a power bank lasts)
- Water and food
- Warm or waterproof clothing
- Emergency contact numbers on your phone, and written down in your wallet or purse
Be Ready also suggests setting up the ICE or Medical ID feature on your phone, if it has one. Our ICE card guide shows a paper version.
On trains, buses and other public transport
- Check your operator before you travel, and think about other routes or times.
- In affected areas, follow instructions from transport staff and emergency services.
- If you're delayed or stranded, it's usually safer to stay where you are and wait for help.
- Keep people at home updated if your plans change.
- Report anything that seems wrong to staff, or to British Transport Police through See It. Say It. Sorted.
In the car
Be Ready's advice for drivers:
- Plan your route, check the forecast and watch traffic updates.
- Before setting off, check tyres, oil, screen wash and fuel.
- Never drive through floodwater. Be Ready says it can be deeper or faster flowing than it looks.
- If you break down, move to a safe place if you can, then follow National Highways guidance on staying safe and getting help.
- In hot weather, carry extra water, keep the car well ventilated, and never leave children or pets in a parked car.
Be Ready's car kit list
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Torch | For breakdowns and dark roadsides |
| In-car phone charger or power bank | So you can call for help |
| Warm clothes and blankets | To keep warm if you are held up |
| High-visibility clothing | So other drivers can see you |
| Jump leads | For a flat battery |
| Food and drink | If you're held up for hours |
| First aid kit | For small injuries |
| Shovel | For snow |
Our car emergency kit guide goes into more detail, with a free printable checklist.
Walking, cycling and wheeling
- Wear bright, reflective clothing, day or night.
- If you're not sure whether you need lights, turn them on.
- Carry water, especially in hot weather, and take breaks if you feel unwell.
If you can't get home
Agree in advance where each person would go if they can't get home: a friend's or relative's house, or a workplace. Write it into your household emergency plan, along with who collects the children from school if you're held up. Make sure the school has your correct numbers, as Be Ready advises.
Limitations
This is general information based on GOV.UK Be Ready, not professional advice. Always follow instructions from transport staff, the police and the emergency services, and check official travel and weather updates before you set off. In an emergency, call 999.
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Frequently asked questions
What should I do if my train is stuck?
Be Ready says it's usually safer to stay where you are and wait for help, and to follow instructions from staff and the emergency services. Keep your phone charged and tell people at home about the change.
What should I carry on a long journey in winter?
Be Ready lists essential medicines, a charged phone and charger, a power bank, water and food, and warm or waterproof clothes. In the car add a torch, blankets, high-vis, jump leads, a first aid kit and a shovel.
What should I do if my car breaks down on a motorway?
Be Ready says move to a safe place if you can, then follow National Highways' guidance on staying safe and getting help.
Should I travel when there's a weather warning?
Be Ready says consider delaying your journey until conditions improve. If you must travel, allow extra time and check the latest advice for the way you're travelling.
How do I report something suspicious on a train?
Tell staff, or report it to British Transport Police through its See It. Say It. Sorted. campaign, as Be Ready advises.
Sources
- GOV.UK Be Ready: Transport disruption and delays (checked 31 Oct 2026)
- Met Office: Travel advice (linked from Be Ready)
- National Highways: Travelling in severe weather (linked from Be Ready)
- British Transport Police: See It. Say It. Sorted. (linked from Be Ready)