Low-cost train journeys could transform transport in Europe by 2025 – TK

Low-cost train journeys could transform transport in Europe by 2025

New railway company promises fares starting from 10 euros and focuses on accessible and sustainable mobility

Advertisment

Europe may be on the verge of experiencing a revolution in rail transport with the arrival of GoVolta, a new company that promises to make train travel an affordable and highly accessible option. The company, which is already generating excitement in the sector, is set to begin operations in the last quarter of 2025, offering fares starting at just 10 euros per leg—approximately R$ 63 at the current exchange rate.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, GoVolta plans to connect key destinations in countries such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Belgium. The proposal is to go beyond traditional transport by drawing inspiration from the low-cost airline model, encouraging the replacement of cars and planes with trains, a more sustainable and efficient means of transport.

GoVolta’s debut is scheduled to start with three main routes, all departing from Amsterdam and connecting strategic cities in Europe:

  • Amsterdam – Berlin: Daily service
  • Amsterdam – Copenhagen: Daily service
  • Amsterdam – Basel: Service three times a week

These direct routes have been carefully selected to meet the growing demand from tourists and residents seeking affordable and practical alternatives for traveling between major urban and tourist centers.

The trains serving these routes will be intercity and modern, featuring 12 carriages with a capacity to carry up to 924 passengers per trip. To ensure comfort and convenience, the carriages will be equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi and USB-C ports, allowing passengers to stay connected throughout the journey.

GoVolta plans to operate with a simple and transparent fare system, divided into three categories:

  • Budget Class: The most economical option, with tickets starting at 10 euros, ideal for travelers prioritizing cost-effectiveness.
  • Economic Class: An intermediate alternative, with prices starting at 25 euros per leg, offering more amenities.
  • Comfort Class: The premium class, with fares starting at 50 euros, designed for those seeking more legroom, more comfortable seats, and a more exclusive environment.

Tickets will be available through a dedicated website, which is set to launch in the coming months. The company is betting on the simplicity of the online booking process to attract a diverse audience, from tourists to frequent travelers.

For 2026, GoVolta has ambitious expansion plans. The fleet, initially consisting of six trains, is set to double, reaching 12 units. This will allow not only the increase of frequency on existing routes but also the addition of new routes connecting more European cities.

New routes planned for 2026 include:

  • Amsterdam – Paris: Daily service, with two departures
  • Amsterdam – Munich: Daily service
  • Antwerp – Basel: Daily service
  • Copenhagen – Prague: Daily service
  • Paris – Berlin: Daily service
  • Paris – Munich: Daily service

These additions reflect GoVolta’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for affordable rail transport, connecting major cities and promoting integration between different countries and cultures.

GoVolta is an initiative by Flywise, a European tour operator specializing in low-cost packages. Since 2021, Flywise has operated overnight trains under the GreenCityTrip brand, connecting cities such as Venice, Milan, Prague, and Vienna. This experience in the rail sector has given the company the necessary expertise to launch GoVolta, focusing on daytime travel and affordable prices.

However, operating in the European rail sector presents considerable challenges, especially for private companies. While state-owned companies have access to government subsidies, GoVolta relies exclusively on investors to fund its projects.

In an interview with CNN Travel & Gastronomy, Flywise CEO Maarten Bastian highlighted the difficulties of competing with public companies:
“Competing with state-owned companies is particularly difficult, as they can use taxpayers’ money to finance new trains and expand their operations. We, as a private company, don’t have access to this kind of support, which creates an uneven playing field,” he said.

Bastian also revealed that he is looking for investors who share the vision of a more connected and sustainable Europe. He believes that with the right support, GoVolta could transform rail transport on the continent, offering a viable alternative to airlines and road transport.

If successful, GoVolta could redefine rail transport in Europe, making it more accessible to millions of people and encouraging a significant shift in how Europeans and tourists travel. In addition to offering competitive fares, the company is betting on the environmental appeal of trains, which emit fewer greenhouse gases compared to planes and cars.

The initiative also promises to stimulate tourism by making access to iconic destinations more affordable. At the same time, GoVolta strengthens the trend of European integration, uniting countries and promoting mobility as an accessible right for all.

With clear ambitions and a business model inspired by the success of low-cost airlines, GoVolta has the potential to become a landmark in the rail sector, proving that it is possible to combine affordability, innovation, and sustainability for the benefit of the public.

Picture of Aarushi Sharma
Aarushi Sharma

an editor at TK since 2024.

DISCLAIMER:

You will never be asked to make a payment to access any kind of product, including credit cards, loans, or other offers. If this happens, please contact us immediately. Always read the terms and conditions of the service provider you are contacting. We earn revenue through advertising and referrals for some, but not all, products displayed on this website. Everything published here is based on quantitative and qualitative research, and our team strives to be as fair as possible in comparing competing options.

ADVERTISER DISCLOSURE:

We are an independent, objective, and advertising-supported editorial site. To support our ability to provide free content to our users, recommendations appearing on our site may come from companies from which we receive compensation as affiliates. This compensation may affect the manner, location, and order in which offers appear on our site. Other factors, such as our own proprietary algorithms and first-party data, may also affect how and where products/offers are placed. We do not include on our website all financial or credit offers currently available in the market.

EDITORIAL NOTE:

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not represent any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of the entities mentioned in the message. That said, the compensation we receive from our affiliate partners does not influence the recommendations or advice that our team of writers provides in our articles, nor does it in any way affect the content of this website. Although we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we believe our users will find relevant, we cannot guarantee that all provided information is complete and make no statement or warranty regarding its accuracy or applicability.