€19 Rail Fares Launch on Amsterdam–Berlin Route
A new Dutch rail start-up has launched international services linking Amsterdam with Berlin and Hamburg, offering tickets starting at €19. GoVolta began operations this week with three weekly departures on each route, with the Berlin service set to increase to daily frequency from 1 July 2026. The company plans to expand further with a new Amsterdam–Paris connection expected to begin in December 2026.
The Amsterdam–Berlin service stops at Amersfoort, Deventer, Hengelo, Bad Bentheim, Osnabrück and Hannover, while the Hamburg route runs via Amersfoort, Deventer, Hengelo and Bremen. GoVolta is positioning itself as a lower-cost alternative to existing rail options, with average one-way fares around €30. Tickets also include a guaranteed seat and the option to book hotel packages together with rail travel.
“If you ask people about international trains, you always hear the same story. You spend ages searching, you pay a premium, and then it's questionable whether you even have a seat. We want to change that."
Routes and key details
- Amsterdam–Berlin: three weekly departures, daily from 1 July 2026
- Amsterdam–Hamburg: three weekly departures
- Planned Amsterdam–Paris route from December 2026
- Tickets starting from €19, average fares around €30
- Two travel classes: economy and comfort seating
- Lounge carriage offering drinks, snacks and light meals
- Two pieces of hand luggage included with each ticket
GoVolta’s trains run at a maximum speed of 160 km/h, which is slower than high-speed ICE or Eurostar services. As a result, the journey between Amsterdam and Berlin may take about an hour longer than existing rail options. The planned Paris service is also expected to take more time compared with high-speed routes, as the company prioritises lower fares and direct connections instead of shorter travel times.
Lower ticket prices open more possibilities for city trips to Berlin and Hamburg, both known for museums, architecture and cultural venues. Paris is also planned as a future direct destination. Direct trains with fixed seating also reduce the need to change connections, which can simplify international journeys across several countries.
