Travel

Travel Note

Welcome to Dortmund

English tourism page with information about the city.

Travel Note

The Ruhr Region

Dortmund is the biggest city of the Ruhr Region. With a population of over 5 million people, the Ruhrgebiet is the largest urban area in Germany. Once Germany's industrial heartland, this former coal mining region has made a remarkable transition from industry to culture. Many blast furnaces, gasometers and winding towers still dominate the landscape of the Ruhr Region, but now they serve as venues for theater, music, painting, dance, performance, sport, relaxation and more.

Travel Note

Flying In

Nearby airports with the best international connections: travel time to Dortmund best trains Frankfurt: 2-3 hours by train (direct available) or car Düsseldorf: 1 hour by train (direct) or car good deals Amsterdam: 2-3 hours by train (transfer required) or car also an option Berlin: 3-4 hours by train (direct available), 5+ by car Hamburg: 3-4 hours by train (direct available) or car Paris: 4-5 hours by train (some direct available), 6+ by car *anything you set your mind to*

Travel Note

Guide to Airfare Tracking

We highly recommend tracking flight prices for the best deal. Airfare to Europe can vary by hundreds of dollars from week to week. Google Flights offers a ton of information, from price history graphs to sending you email updates when flights go up or down. Use it as a search tool but always book direct with the airline (credit card reward site is also fine, just wouldn't recommend any 3rd party travel site).

Flight

Lufthansa

While you can get there with many good airlines, Lufthansa is the biggest in Germany and offers Rail&Fly tickets which combine your airfare with a train ticket. For example, you can get a ticket from Detroit to Dortmund, on which you fly into Frankfurt and then transfer to a train to Dortmund. When the price is right, this is our preferred way of getting back and forth. Note: Lufthansa is a United partner.

Train

Deutsche Bahn

The national railway company of Germany, and usually the best way to get around!

Travel Note

Rental Cars

Renting a car in Germany is generally cheap (gas, slightly less so). Make sure to look for cars with automatic transmission, as this is not the standard in Germany!

Hotel

Hotel Esplanade

This 4-star family-owned hotel offers great rates and service, a nice green courtyard and some rooms with a view. It is located in the city center on a main road (the ring road which marks the former city wall), so it is a great location for walking, cabs, and public transit.

Hotel

Coffee Fellows Hotel Dortmund

This hotel is right in the middle of the city center surrounded by shopping and restaurants. It is also attached to a wonderful coffee shop with lots of outdoor seating next to an ivy covered church. The location is in a pedestrian area, close to transit. Cabs would be available a short walk away. Note: If you wish to book this hotel beginning on April 9th or 10th, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you. Rooms are available, but check-in for these dates cannot currently be booked online.

Hotel

Residence Inn by Marriott Dortmund City

This hotel would be a great option for those looking for more space as they offer studio style rooms with sofa beds and kitchens. It is located in the city center near a main road (the ring road which marks the former city wall). It is a great location for walking, cabs, and is just steps away from public transit. It is right next to the Dortmunder U, a cultural center in a former brewery offering creative exhibits & events.

Hotel

Basecamp Dortmund Hotel

This hotel is right in the middle of the city center surrounded by shopping and restaurants. Some rooms have a kitchenette. The hotel also offers common spaces for co-working or relaxing, laundry facilities, and a rooftop terrace (which are shared with the property's student housing). The location is in a pedestrian area, steps away from multiple transit lines. Cabs would be available a short walk away.