Traveling between European capitals is about to feel a lot different—and cheaper, too. A Dutch startup called GoVolta is launching a budget rail service connecting Amsterdam and Berlin, with tickets starting at around the price of a regular fast food combo meal. It’s being compared to the low-cost airline EasyJet, and for good reason. The company plans to make international rail travel more accessible without sacrificing the chance to enjoy the ride.
The first route will launch in September 2025 and run daily between the Netherlands and Germany. Unlike the high-speed trains already zipping across Europe, GoVolta takes a slower approach. The Amsterdam to Berlin journey will take about eight hours instead of six, but the trade-off is a fraction of the cost. At least 110 seats on every train will be priced under €10 (about $10.80).
Familiar Route, Brand-New Approach
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GoVolta’s founders, Hessel Winkelman and Maarten Bastian, are marketing the company as a fresh alternative to pricey and rigid train travel. Instead of building new high-speed lines, they’ll run on existing tracks using older rolling stock, which helps keep costs low.
Today, a train ticket between Amsterdam and Berlin can cost anywhere between €37.90 and €257, depending on timing and class. GoVolta wants to reset expectations. Even with an extra two hours on the trip, saving upwards of €200 per ticket is no small thing. The trains will leave in the morning and arrive in the late afternoon to give travelers most of a day to enjoy either city.
This first connection is just the start. Soon after launching, GoVolta plans to expand routes to Copenhagen, Basel, and Paris. In the next two years, they hope to add services linking Amsterdam with Bruges, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. These longer-term goals mean that by 2027, the network could reach travelers in six countries.
Tickets for the first routes are expected to go on sale this October. Given how popular cheap flights have been in Europe, demand for budget rail could take off fast.
The timing lines up well with growing interest in train travel. Flying across short distances is fast, but travelers have become frustrated by airports, with their security lines and baggage fees. Trains have more space, if you think of it, plus relaxed boarding and a closer view. The downside has been the price. With GoVolta, rail suddenly competes in both comfort and cost.
It also helps that the environmental case for trains has become more of a priority. Rail travel emits less CO2 than flying, and travelers across Europe are paying more attention to how they get around. Low-cost options that match the price of a beer and take you city to city are an easy win for many.
GoVolta isn’t the only player in low-cost rail. Ouigo, a budget brand of France’s SNCF, offers cheap tickets across France and into Spain and Belgium. Spain’s Renfe runs a similar service called Avlo. These brands have shown that slow, affordable trains can find a market. GoVolta is hoping to do the same for northern and central Europe.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
Image via Unsplash/Lukáš Kulla
The train will run on regular rail lines, which helps explain the extended journey time. While that might seem like a drawback, it also opens the door for more flexible scheduling and greater frequency. Plus, there’s a charm in watching the countryside roll by while heading from one major capital to another.
Launching a new rail service across borders is a challenge. Different countries have different infrastructure and regulations. GoVolta’s original plan was to launch in early 2025, but operational delays pushed it to September.
For now, GoVolta’s focus is on making that first route a success. If the Amsterdam-Berlin line gains traction, more cities will follow. The train might take a little longer to get there, but the movement toward affordable and practical rail is picking up speed. With other operators already proving the concept works, GoVolta might be right on track (pun intended).