Hamburg, March 20 – The Dutch railway company Govolta is launching a new direct train service connecting Hamburg with Amsterdam. The new route, which also includes stops in Bremen and Bad Bentheim (Grafschaft Bentheim district), is set to commence this Friday, March 20, 2026.
Initial Service: Three Times a Week
Initially, trains will operate three times a week between the two major cities, according to a company statement. The journey time is approximately six hours. In the Netherlands, the trains will stop in Hengelo, Deventer, and Amersfoort. The service will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Govolta plans to expand the service to daily operations between Amsterdam and Hamburg in the second half of the year.
Expanding Connections: Berlin to Amsterdam Route Also Underway
The company, founded in 2023, is simultaneously developing a service between Berlin, Lower Saxony, and Amsterdam. This route will also initially run three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Stops on this route include Hanover, Osnabrück, and Bad Bentheim, as well as Hengelo, Deventer, and Amersfoort. Hamburg and Berlin are the first German destinations to be served by the Dutch rail provider.
Convenient European Travel by Night Train
The new direct connection adds to the growing options for convenient night train travel across Europe. Many European destinations can be comfortably reached by night train. Information on connections from Northern Germany is available for those interested in this mode of travel.
Future Plans and Impact
The introduction of this direct line is expected to enhance travel convenience for passengers between Germany and the Netherlands, offering a more direct and potentially faster alternative to existing routes. The expansion to daily services later in the year will further solidify this connection, catering to both business and leisure travelers.
This development is part of a broader trend towards expanding rail networks and offering more environmentally friendly travel options across Europe. The increased connectivity is anticipated to boost tourism and economic ties between the regions.
The new service from Hamburg to Amsterdam, available from as little as 10 Euros per journey, represents a significant step forward in cross-border rail travel.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/mit-dem-zug-von-hamburg-nach-amsterdam-ab-freitag-direkt-moeglich,zug-182.html
