GoVolta has announced that it has secured a “more favourable than expected” timetable for its new train service between Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Paris in France, Treinreiziger.nl reports. The Dutch rail operator expects ticket sales to begin in mid-April, ahead of the service launch in mid-December. The service would bypass Brussels by going via Antwerp-Central Railway Station and Ghent St Peter’s (Gent-Sint-Pieters).
The Paris route will become GoVolta’s third destination, following the introduction of services from Amsterdam to Berlin and Hamburg in Germany earlier this month. Last week, the company received a draft timetable for trains running from Amsterdam Central Station to Paris-North. Co-founder Hessel Winkelman described the schedule as “better than expected”.
Route via the Netherlands and Belgium
From mid-December, trains will depart from Amsterdam Central to Haarlem, then continue along the Oude Lijn via The Hague and Rotterdam. The route proceeds via Lage Zwaluwe and Roosendaal before entering Belgium, where trains will stop in Antwerp, Ghent, and Kortrijk. In France, the service continues via Tourcoing and Lille before arriving in Paris.
This route will, for the first time, provide a direct rail connection between the Netherlands and the popular Belgian city of Ghent.
Journey time and pricing
According to the draft timetable, the train will depart Amsterdam at 08:00 and arrive at Paris Gare du Nord at 14:30. The return service will leave Paris at 16:00 and arrive back in Amsterdam at 22:30.
GoVolta estimates that the average return ticket price will be around €50.
Future expansion plans
The company aims to build a broad European network of affordable rail services. After 2027, GoVolta plans to introduce new routes to Basel in Switzerland and Munich in Germany.
Low-cost model
GoVolta distinguishes itself through lower ticket prices and the sale of package deals. One-way fares are currently offered from €10. As in air travel, small hand luggage is included free of charge, while passengers pay extra for larger suitcases.
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