New Dutch low-cost rail operator GoVolta has officially launched its first international service today (19 March), connecting Amsterdam with Berlin. The Amsterdam-Hamburg service follows tomorrow. GoVolta’s first train departed Amsterdam Centraal this morning, marking the start of three weekly services on both routes, with plans to expand to daily operations by summer 2026.
The affordable fares, starting at €10 one-way and averaging €30 for Amsterdam-Berlin, aim to compete with budget flights. Co-founder Hessel Winkelman stated that the company’s goal is to make train travel as natural as flying, offering guaranteed seats, direct connections, and no hidden costs. “Many people want to take the train but end up flying because it’s too expensive or complicated,” said co-founder Maarten Bastian earlier. “We’re changing that.”
As seen on treinposities.nl, which collects train departure data, the GoVolta train departed with a 2-minute delay at 8:36 from Amsterdam Centraal towards Berlin Spandau on Thursday morning.
Refurbished trains
GoVolta’s 13 refurbished carriages, acquired from Belgian operator SNCB/NMBS, were fully transformed into the company’s blue-and-white livery by Dutch company Brouwer Technology in the past weeks. The service consists of 11 carriages offering 820 seats, including a lounge car with drinks, snacks, and light meals. Passengers can choose their seats during booking, with two luggage pieces included in standard fares.
GoVolta’s operations are backed by public transport company Keolis (responsible for train operations and drivers, and majority-owned by SNCF) and Brouwer Technology (for maintenance and rolling stock). This collaboration ensures reliability and scalability as the company expands, says GoVolta.
The two-class system features Economy (open carriages) and Comfort (2-1 seating), plus an XL Duo Seat option for extra space. GoVolta also plans train+hotel packages, similar to its earlier GreenCityTrip model, allowing seamless bookings for travel and accommodation.
Track challenges and future expansion
Despite track closures on the Amsterdam-Berlin route, GoVolta has secured paths for 2026, though diversions via Hamburg remain under review. If delays persist, the company may shift capacity to Amsterdam-Paris, set to launch in December 2026.
GoVolta’s long-term vision includes expansion to Frankfurt, Munich, Copenhagen, Bruges, and Basel, with higher frequencies on existing routes.
Dutch rail infrastructure manager ProRail sees the arrival of the new operator as “an important step towards making international rail travel more attractive”. Jeroen Wesdorp, programme manager for international rail travel at ProRail: “As the rail network operator, we are particularly pleased with the arrival of GoVolta. The more trains that operate internationally, the greater the choice for passengers. This means that travelling by train becomes more attractive.”
GoVolta’s entry follows earlier setbacks, including a 2025 financing issue with Rabobank, which delayed its Paris launch. “This is just the beginning,” said Winkelman earlier. “We’re making train travel easy, affordable, and attractive, so people choose trains over planes”.
Below a video posted by GoVolta last month, before the painting of the new livery.
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