GoVolta Unlocks New Budget Rail Tourism Link Between Amsterdam, Berlin and Hamburg: What You Need to Know

Published on December 10, 2025

Amsterdam, Berlin and Hamburg are set to strengthen their cross-border tourism ties as Dutch start-up GoVolta prepares to launch low-cost open-access rail services from late March 2026, followed by an Amsterdam–Paris route in December 2026 under Europe’s liberalized international rail rules.​

The privately owned operator will initially run three weekly trains from Amsterdam to both Berlin and Hamburg in partnership with Keolis, targeting price-sensitive leisure travelers who currently fly or drive, and positioning rail as a more affordable, climate-friendly tourism option across Northwest Europe.​

New Amsterdam–Berlin and Amsterdam–Hamburg Tourism Corridor

From March 2026, GoVolta plans to start Amsterdam–Berlin services on March 19 and Amsterdam–Hamburg on March 20, with departures currently scheduled three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.​

These trains will become the first direct daytime competitor to NS International and Deutsche Bahn on the Amsterdam–Berlin corridor and will introduce the first-ever direct daytime Amsterdam–Hamburg connection, removing the need for transfers in Germany and simplifying tourism planning for Dutch and German travelers.​

By adding new capacity on these high-demand routes, GoVolta supports cross-border city-break  tourism, encouraging weekend and short-stay trips that connect canals and culture in Amsterdam with museums, nightlife and creative quarters in Berlin and Hamburg.​

Ultra-Low Fares Aim to Shift Tourists from Air to Rail

GoVolta will introduce launch fares starting at euro ten for the first hundred seats on each Amsterdam–Berlin train, with an average one-way price of around euro thirty, undercutting many last-minute airfares and established rail tariffs.​

This pricing strategy is designed to attract tourists who currently choose budget airlines due to cost, positioning rail as a competitive, lower-emission tourism option that avoids airport queues and baggage fees.​

Affordable tickets are expected to stimulate new leisure demand from younger travelers, students and families across the Netherlands and Germany, broadening the tourism base on these corridors rather than simply diverting existing rail users.​

Longer Journey Times but Simpler Tourism Journeys

Journey times on GoVolta’s Amsterdam–Berlin services are expected to be about six hours thirty-five minutes eastbound and seven hours forty-five minutes westbound, somewhat slower than the existing ICE-operated Amsterdam–Berlin trains, which take just under six hours.​

Onboard services will be lean, with refurbished rolling stock and no Wi-Fi, focusing on low fares rather than premium amenities, but travelers gain the benefit of direct, no-change routes that simplify cross-border tourism for first-time train users.​

For Hamburg, the entirely new direct connection offsets longer timings by removing transfers and offering straightforward city-center-to-city-center access, enhancing tourism appeal for short breaks and events.​

Daily Services and Amsterdam–Paris Route on the Horizon

GoVolta intends to scale up to daily trains to both Berlin and Hamburg by summer 2026, subject to capacity and operational approvals, further embedding rail into mainstream tourism choices for Northern Europe.​

In December 2026, the company plans to inaugurate an Amsterdam–Paris route, with a journey time of about seven hours, around three and a half hours slower than current Eurostar services but positioned as a budget-friendly alternative for leisure travelers who prioritize price over speed.​

This expansion will connect Dutch, German and French city hubs in one emerging low-cost rail network, encouraging multi-city tourism itineraries that link Amsterdam’s canals, Berlin’s creative scene, Hamburg’s waterfront and Paris’s cultural icons.​

Regulatory Liberalization Opens Door for New Tourism Operator

GoVolta’s launch follows Dutch government moves to open certain international routes to competition, ending the previous exclusive position of NS on some cross-border services except Brussels and aligning with the EU’s Fourth Railway Package on market liberalization.​

Open-access rules now allow privately owned operators to offer commercial services on international lines, provided they meet safety certification and capacity allocation requirements, which enables new entrants like GoVolta to shape tourism flows through pricing and network innovation.​

This policy shift reflects broader European goals to increase rail’s modal share in cross-border tourism  and reduce reliance on short-haul flights to meet climate objectives.​

Partnership with Keolis Underpins Operations

To operate its trains, GoVolta is partnering with Keolis, an experienced European public transport company, leveraging existing operational expertise, staff and maintenance structures to ensure reliable cross-border services.​

This collaboration lowers barriers to entry for the start-up while supporting high safety and punctuality standards critical for international tourism travelers who must connect to hotels, events and onward transport.​

The partnership model demonstrates how established operators and new entrants can jointly expand the European rail tourism offer without duplicating infrastructure.​

Competitive Pressure on Existing Rail and Air Services

By offering lower fares and fresh branding, GoVolta introduces direct competition to NS/DB long-distance trains and to low-cost airlines on routes between Amsterdam, Berlin and Hamburg, likely prompting pricing and service adjustments across the market.​

For tourism, increased competition can improve timetable choice, fare transparency and promotional deals, making multi-destination trips more accessible to wider demographics.​

Airlines on short sectors like Amsterdam–Berlin may face pressure as rail becomes more attractive for cost-conscious and climate-aware visitors.​

Environmental Benefits for European Tourism Corridors

Although detailed carbon metrics have not been published, shifting passengers from cars and planes to electric or hybrid rail systems should reduce per-capita emissions on these cross-border tourism routes in line with EU sustainability goals.​

GoVolta’s model taps into growing consumer interest in greener tourism and slow travel, leveraging trains’ lower climate impact compared to aviation, particularly over medium distances of five hundred to eight hundred kilometers.​

This could encourage tourism boards in Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg and Paris to promote rail-first itineraries in their marketing campaigns.​

Challenges: Safety Certification and Capacity Constraints

GoVolta still must secure a Single Safety Certificate and finalize traction leasing, as well as resolve overnight parking and routing issues, including requested detours via Hamburg for operational flexibility.​

These regulatory and logistical hurdles illustrate the complexity of entering the European rail market, even as liberalization expands opportunities for tourism-focused services.​

However, successful certification will set a precedent for other open-access operators aiming to serve major tourism corridors from the Netherlands and beyond.​

Prospects for Further Rail Tourism Expansion

Beyond Berlin, Hamburg and Paris, GoVolta has signaled interest in future routes to Frankfurt, Munich, Copenhagen, Bruges and Basel, which would deepen its role as a pan-European budget rail network for tourism.​

If realized, such a network could rival low-cost airlines in connecting secondary and primary cities, enabling rail-based city-hopping holidays across Germany, Benelux, France, Denmark and Switzerland.​

For now, the confirmed Amsterdam–Berlin and Amsterdam–Hamburg launches mark a decisive step in reshaping how tourists move between three of Europe’s most visited urban destinations.