Still think Ryanair or easyJet are your best pals when it comes to exploring Europe for cheap? Wait until you hear about this alternative that’s been widely rightly dubbed the easyJet of the railways:
GoVolta is a Dutch train startup that’s just launched across the continent, and they’re bowing in with not one, but two absolute bangers.
As of right now, you can book train journeys starting from a mere $21.92 (or the equivalent in euros), traveling between Amsterdam and Berlin, and Amsterdam and Hamburg—that’s 3 European cities. What about a fourth?
There’s a third route launching from Amsterdam later in the year to yet another major capital that tourists simply can’t stay away from.
Stick to the end to find out which one.
Paris To Berlin Or Hamburg For Less Than A Sit-Down Meal
Launching March 19, 2026, the new GoVolta trains run 3 times a week from Amsterdam to both Hamburg and Berlin, two of the most sought-after city breaks in Germany.
Amsterdam itself is one of the most postcardy destinations in the Old Continent, with its winding canals lined with skinny brick buildings and soaring church domes. This season in particular, it’s expected to see a surge in visitor numbers due to the Tulip Festival.
Hamburg is Amsterdam’s grittier, arguably edgier cousin:
Also criss-crossed by canals, it’s a bustling port city boasting a rich industrial and maritime heritage. Its Speicherstadt, a historic warehouse district, and Kontorhausviertel, an office district known for its sharp-angled buildings and wavy façades, are two underrated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
As for Berlin, it hardly needs an introduction: quirky art galleries, laid-back beer gardens overlooking lush parks, and a stunning mix of 20th-century modernism and contemporary vibes. The city just pulses with round-the-clock fun.
What about the train routes and frequency?
Route Information
Amsterdam → Berlin
Launch date: March 19, 2026
Stops:
- Amsterdam Centraal
- Amersfoort
- Deventer
- Hengelo
- Bad Bentheim
- Osnabrück
- Berlin Gesundbrunnen (initial terminal)*
*In summer, the terminal might be moved to Berlin Spandau, closer to the city center. Berlin Hauptbahnhof will not be serviced.
Travel time: 7+ hours (daytime service)
Frequency at launch: 3 times/week (Tue, Thu, Sunday)
Summer 2026 onwards: daily departures planned
Amsterdam → Hamburg
- Launch date: March 20, 2026
Stops:
- Amsterdam Centraal
- Amersfoort
- Deventer
- Hengelo
- Bad Bentheim
- Bremen
- Hamburg
Frequency at launch: 3 times/week (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Summer 2026 onwards: daily
Economy tickets start from as cheap as €19 (roughly $22) one-way when booked early, though the typical price is around €30 ($34).
You can also book city break packages via GoVolta, which include train tickets and hotels at your destination.
What About The Fourth City?
If you’ve been wondering what the fourth surprise city is, how does a weekend getaway in the City of Lights next winter sound to you?
As a Paris local myself, I feel it’s even more romantic in the colder months, when the early morning mist rolls into Luxembourg Gardens, making it look almost ethereal, and old lamps light the cobbled ways around Montmartre.
Later in the year, you’ll also be able to book ultra-affordable train tickets going from Amsterdam to the baguette capital of the world.
That said, you should bear in mind that GoVolta’s trains are much slower than your average Eurostar. It reaches a top speed of 99 mph, while the flagship train for Central Europe reaches 186 mph.
In practice, the Paris trip will take twice as long as the Eurostar, but with ticket fares as low as these, we’re not really in a rush to get anywhere.
Why Choose The Train Anyway?
Train travel is more popular than ever across the Old Continent, and as much as environmentalists would love to take credit for it, travelers aren’t even necessarily hellbent on going full-green.
Have you seen how actually chaotic European airports get in summer? From the snaking lines at security to the confusing baggage rules and the long delays, disruption is almost certainly a given, especially if you’re relying on budget carriers to get from A to B.
For instance, this Paris airport is a lot cheaper to fly in as it hosts Ryanair, but it’s located a whopping 50 miles outside the city center, there are no trains available, and bus routes are limited. Yikes.
With the train, it’s just way easier and far more convenient, not to mention it can be almost just as fast as taking to the skies. We know, this sounds rather counterintuitive, but how many hours do you actually spend commuting to and from airports, and waiting for your flight to depart?
Let’s say you leave home 3 to 4 hours early, you sit around at an airport lounge for 2 hours munching on an overpriced sandwich meal combo, your flight is delayed by some 45 minutes, and upon landing, it’s another hour or so to get from the Arrivals Hall to the city center.
That’s 6 hours. How long does a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin take again? 7 hours-ish?
The difference is: you arrive right at your destination, usually within walking distance to your hotel, or a short metro ride away. No need to navigate confusing airport shuttle options or pay exorbitant taxi fares.
Prepare For Your Europe Trip
Heading to Europe this season?
Make sure you have all your documentation and must-haves sorted.
Check the entry requirements that apply at your destination on the Travel Off Path Traveler Dashboard:
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
