Weekend in Paris? With this tip, you can travel cheaper

A weekend Paris? Yes, please. Enjoying on the terrace, with a café crème in one hand and a croissant in the other. Then a little wandering through the streets of Le Marais, diving into vintage shops, walking along beautiful facades, and of course taking lots of photos for social media. The only thing that sometimes holds me back is the price of a train ticket these days.

Fortunately, from mid-December, there will be a new option for those who want to travel cheaper to the French capital: GoVolta. This train connection takes you, just like Eurostar, directly to Paris. And that sounds like music to my ears. It does take a bit longer, but you still save some money to go shopping.

By train to Paris from €19

An affordable train ticket to Paris? GoVolta makes it possible with tickets starting from €19 for a one-way trip. The new direct connection between Amsterdam Central and Paris Gare du Nord starts on December 14, 2026. You can travel daily and get on along the way in Haarlem, The Hague HS, Rotterdam Central, Lage Zwaluwe, or Roosendaal.

Just to compare: with Eurostar, regular ticket prices start from €35 for a one-way trip. And I can tell you, they often don't actually reach those low prices. Especially if you look from December, one-way trips can easily rise to €100. Based on those starting prices, GoVolta saves you €16 per one-way trip and €32 for a round trip per person. If you travel with two, the difference can add up to €64 together.

Note: these are starting prices, not fixed rates for every travel date. How much you actually pay depends on availability and the moment you book.

How long does the train journey to Paris take?

Here comes a small but important note that you can take into consideration. Traveling cheaper with GoVolta means that you will be on the road a bit longer.

• Amsterdam – Paris: about 7 hours and 8 minutes.
• Rotterdam – Paris: about 5 hours and 52 minutes.
• Eurostar from Amsterdam: about 3 hours and 20 minutes
• Eurostar from Rotterdam: about 2 hours and 30 minutes

So you are significantly longer on the road with GoVolta than with the high-speed train. GoVolta is not allowed to run its trains on the high-speed tracks. On the other hand, you save a lot on your ticket. If you have a long weekend planned and don't mind reading a book, watching a series, or making your Paris wishlist on the way? Then that can be a great deal. If you prefer to sit on that terrace as quickly as possible? Then Eurostar, despite the possibly higher ticket price, is worth considering.

What is included with your GoVolta ticket?

With your ticket, you get a guaranteed seat and can take two pieces of hand luggage: one bag or suitcase of a maximum of 55 × 40 × 25 centimeters and one smaller piece of a maximum of 30 × 20 × 15 centimeters.

Do you want to bring a larger suitcase, choose your seat yourself, or have extra space? Then there may be additional costs. Also, keep in mind that this train (compared to Eurostar) does not have wifi on board. My tip: compare not only the ticket prices but also the travel time and any extras. This way, you know exactly whether you prefer to keep the saved money in your pocket or invest it in a faster journey.

Paris calls you

A weekend in Paris doesn't have to mean that you immediately spend a fortune. With a little smart planning, you can save on your trip and have more budget left for the things that truly make you happy. Be sure to check out my budget-friendly tips to save a lot while still having a fun and well-planned weekend.

Curious about what your trip costs? Check the current prices and schedule on the GoVolta website and compare the options for your travel date. Who knows, you might be enjoying your espresso on the Champs-Elysées from mid-December. Because let's be honest: a little extra budget for Paris is never wrong. Bon voyage!