International rail travel in Europe can often appealing but also costly.
Dutch start‑up GoVolta is attempting to shake things up with low‑cost rail services linking Berlin and Hamburg in Germany to Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Deutsche Bahn already operates a high‑speed rail service between Berlin and Amsterdam, but the direct connection between Hamburg and the Dutch capital is a new one.
GoVolta has also announced plans to expand its network further, with a future Amsterdam–Paris service and longer‑term ambitions to add routes to cities including Frankfurt, Munich, Copenhagen, Bruges and Basel.
The first GoVolta service from Amsterdam to Berlin ran on Thursday and reportedly reached its destination about 20 minutes early.
What are the new routes?
GoVolta currently offers two international routes: Amsterdam–Berlin and Amsterdam–Hamburg.
Trains between Amsterdam and Berlin stop in Amersfoort, Deventer, Hengelo, Bad Bentheim, OsnabrĂĽck and Hanover. Services to and from Hamburg stop at Amersfoort, Deventer, Hengelo and Bremen.
For now, each route runs three times a week in each direction: Services between Amsterdam and Berlin operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Trains between Amsterdam and Hamburg run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The company plans to increase frequency later in the year, with daily services expected from July on the Berlin route and from October on the Hamburg route.
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GoVolta does not serve the main stations in either German city.
In Berlin, trains arrive at Gesundbrunnen or Spandau rather than Berlin Hauptbahnhof. In Hamburg, services stop at Hamburg‑Harburg, south of the River Elbe. According to the company, avoiding congested central stations will help to reduce the risk of delays.
Travel times for GoVolta services are longer than for Deutsche Bahn ICE trains. The Amsterdam–Berlin route, for example, takes around eight hours, compared with just over six on Deutsche Bahn.
How much are tickets?
GoVolta’s headline prices are eye‑catching. Tickets reportedly start at €10, but prices vary depending on demand with cheaper tickets typically offered on less busy services. Most one‑way journeys between Berlin and Amsterdam appear to be priced between €30 and €50.
Seat reservation is mandatory and included in the base fare. But, much like the approach taken by budget airlines, GoVolta charges extra for services such as additional luggage, seat selection, name changes or flexible travel dates.
How to book
Tickets for GoVolta can be booked directly through the company’s website. After selecting the departure and destination, a calendar view shows the specific days on which trains operate, along with the available fares.
After paying, passengers receive a booking confirmation by email. Before travelling, an online check‑in is required, after which passengers receive a 'boarding pass' with a QR code.
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Plan ahead
GoVolta uses refurbished passenger carriages from the 1980s, meaning there are no digital passenger information screens. Also there is no onboard Wi‑Fi and no power sockets next to the seats.
The company has announced plans for an onboard lounge or cafĂ© car but, with nothing currently in place, anyone thinking of using the service might also want to pack a picnic. Â
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