A brand-new Dutch rail company is shaking up European travel with ultra-low-cost connections from Amsterdam to Germany, and eventually to Paris by late 2026. GoVolta, a privately owned start-up, is set to launch direct train services to Berlin and Hamburg in March 2026, offering seats starting at just €10 (£8). The service to Berlin will kick off on March 19, followed by Hamburg on March 20, with each city initially served three times a week.
Trains will make stops in key Dutch cities, including Amersfoort, Deventer, and Hengelo, making long-distance travel accessible to more passengers. The two train routes will operate three times a week but from summer 2026, the company plans to increase frequencies to daily departures.
Tickets start at just €10 (£8) for the first 100 seats, with the average fare estimated at €30 (£26) for Amsterdam–Berlin, which is significantly cheaper than the current NS and Deutsche Bahn options, which start at around €38 (£33).
GoVolta is also eyeing an Amsterdam to Paris route for December 2026, which would take a less conventional path via Ghent rather than Brussels or Antwerp, pending approval from Belgian authorities.
Trains will run at a maximum speed of 99 mph, meaning the trip to Berlin will take about seven hours, roughly an hour longer than Deutsche Bahn’s fastest services.
The Paris connection, when it launches, is expected to take around seven hours as well, longer than Eurostar’s 3.5 hour option but is set to be an attractive, more affordable option.
Co-founders Hessel Winkelman and Maarten Bastian believe affordability will attract a new wave of passengers who might otherwise drive, take the bus, or fly.
Each train will feature 11 wagons with around 820 seats, a lounge wagon offering snacks and drinks, and clear luggage rules to avoid overcrowding.
Passengers can choose from Economy or Comfort classes, with options like « XL Duo Seats » in Economy for extra space.
GoVolta also wants to extend its network to other popular cities including Frankfurt, Munich, Copenhagen, Bruges, and Basel.
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