A New Rival Is Taking On Eurostar Between Amsterdam and Paris

Open-access operator GoVolta will start a daily direct train between Amsterdam and Paris on December 14, extending a network that so far links Amsterdam with Berlin. A November 1 rail roundup describes it as the first competitor to Eurostar on the Amsterdam–Paris corridor.

The scheduled journey time is about seven hours and eight minutes, noticeably slower than a premium high-speed service, which hints at the pitch: price and flexibility over speed. The train makes 11 stops across the Netherlands, Belgium and France, including Haarlem, The Hague, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, Arras and Amiens.

Those intermediate calls matter as much as the end points. Cities such as Ghent, Arras and Amiens rarely see a direct long-distance service to either capital, so the route could open up trips that previously required a change in Brussels or Lille.

Fares were not part of the reporting, so check GoVolta’s website for current prices and booking details before planning around it. As with any new operator, it is worth confirming the timetable closer to launch, since start-up services sometimes adjust schedules in their first weeks.

Sources: Andy B Travels rail roundup, GoVolta