A new Dutch rail startup aiming to be the 'easyJet of the railways' has begun selling ultra-cheap tickets for international journeys, with introductory fares from just €10 (£8.70). GoVolta is preparing to launch its first service in March 2026, directly challenging both traditional rail operators and budget airlines on key European routes.
The GoVolta Promise: Affordable, Simple, and Guaranteed
Founded with the goal of simplifying cross-border train travel, GoVolta is offering passengers three core guarantees. Every ticket will come with an affordable price, a reserved seat, and a direct connection, addressing common pain points for intercity travellers. Company co-founder Hessel Winkelman criticised the current market, stating, 'You spend ages searching, you pay a premium, and then it's questionable whether you even have a seat. We want to change that.'
The company's inaugural route will connect Amsterdam and Hamburg via Berlin. While the eye-catching €10 tickets are limited to the first 100 seats on each departure, average fares are expected to settle around €30 (£26). This still undercuts current standard prices on Deutsche Bahn's ICE service for the same route in March, which range from €34 to €59, often requiring multiple changes and an extra €5.70 for a seat reservation.
Trade-offs and Expansion Plans
Passengers opting for GoVolta's low prices must accept longer journey times. The company's trains will have a top speed of 160 km/h, significantly slower than high-speed ICE and Eurostar services. This will add approximately an hour to trips between Amsterdam and Berlin. The planned Amsterdam to Paris route, launching in December 2026, could take roughly twice as long as a Eurostar journey.
Beyond point-to-point tickets, GoVolta will offer integrated city break packages combining train travel and hotel stays. Their trains will carry around 820 passengers across 11 carriages, featuring a lounge car serving drinks and light meals. Travellers can choose between economy and comfort classes, with the option to reserve the seat opposite at a reduced rate for extra space. Ticket inclusions are basic: two pieces of hand luggage are included, with larger or additional bags available for an extra fee.
Joining Europe's Budget Rail Revolution
GoVolta is part of a growing movement of budget rail operators championing sustainable travel and directly competing with short-haul flights. This sector includes night train service European Sleeper, France's Ouigo, Spain's Avlo, and the UK's Lumo—dubbed the 'Ryanair of trains.'
In a parallel development, Lumo has recently launched new budget tickets from London to Scotland for under £35. The all-electric service, which began in 2021, now connects Glasgow, Falkirk, Edinburgh, the North East of England, and London, with fares from just £33.10 from London to Glasgow.
The emergence of these operators signals a significant shift in European transport, offering consumers more choice and promoting greener alternatives to air travel on key intercity routes. The success of GoVolta's low-cost model from 2026 will be closely watched by both the rail industry and budget airlines.
