Dreaming of a scenic train ride through Europe?
I’m right there with you.
The thought of the picture-perfect views, comfy seats, and being able to get into my own little world while listening to my favorite music is enough to get me to pack my bags.
Unfortunately for my fellow impatient people, though, if you want to get all that plus great amenities plus low prices, you’ll have to wait a bit longer to make that dream come true.
That’s because GoVolta, one of the newest Dutch operators on the market, has scheduled the launch of its long-awaited services in spring of next year.
But why are these routes so highly anticipated, and what should you, as someone who can’t wait to embark on the ultimate European train ride, know about them?
Where Can You Go?
One of the main reasons why people can’t wait for these new GoVolta services to launch is that they’ll make the lives of indecisive travelers 100 times easier.
GoVolta will run an Amsterdam-Berlin route 7 days a week, an Amsterdam-Copenhagen route also 7 days a week, and an Amsterdam-Basel route 3 days a week.
These will launch in May, June, and July of 2025, respectively.
So, starting next year, you can set base in the Dutch capital and get to some of Europe’s dreamiest destinations in a matter of hours – that way, you won’t have to pick and choose what you see now and what you leave up to a hypothetical vacation a couple of years down the road.
And I’m not done with the good news quite yet.
An Amsterdam-Paris route is on the books, too, giving you the opportunity to visit what’s arguably the most coveted city on Earth without having to deal with all the overcrowded hotels and ridiculously high prices.
This one, however, has been postponed until at least 2026, so keep your eyes peeled for further updates.
What’s So Exciting About This New Service?
You might be thinking – we’re constantly hearing announcements of new train services launching throughout Europe (1, 2), what’s so special about this one?
First of all, considering that rail travel is supposed to be a more economical alternative to flying, we can’t help but notice that tickets have gotten wildly expensive these past few years, and having a budget operator come into the scene is a breath of fresh air.
GoVolta’s economy tickets will cost a little under $10, which is more than 60% cheaper than what other operators are charging for these same exact routes – and don’t think that this just applies to a couple of seats here and there you’ll never be able to get your hands on.
There are said to be more than a hundred economy seats available on every single train, and that $10 will get you a pretty amazing experience, too.
The cars themselves, as well as everything inside, will be brand-new, so neither cleanliness nor functionality should be a concern.
One downside I do want to note, though, is that these trains are predicted to be a bit slower than the high-speed ones you might’ve gotten used to – the Berlin trip, for example, will take 8 hours instead of the usual 6.
If you ask me, though, that extra couple of hours just gives you more time to take in the experience and the surrounding views, and it’s well worth all the savings you’ll make going back and forth between all these gorgeous cities.
When And Where Can You Get Tickets?
OK, so you know these trains will start operating next year, but how soon can you get your hands on some tickets?
After all, those $10 seats are guaranteed to sell like hotcakes.
GoVolta is planning to put up tickets for sale starting October 2024, but a specific date hasn’t been announced yet, so make sure to refresh the company’s website every once in a while to see when they come out with new updates.
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