How to Get to Dortmund. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Airports for Dortmund

Regional & Major Hubs

Understand the main airports serving Dortmund, from regional to major international gateways.

Nearby Airports

Dortmund Airport (DTM): Small regional airport, mainly low-cost carriers to European destinations. 10 km (6 miles) east of city center.
Düsseldorf Airport (DUS): Closest major international airport, 60 km (37 miles) west. Wide selection of international and domestic flights.
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN): Significant international airport, 90 km (56 miles) south.

Airlines & Routes

Explore the airlines and typical flight routes available to and from Dortmund's access airports.

Flight Information

DTM Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, Eurowings (European routes).
DUS Airlines: Lufthansa, Eurowings, Ryanair, The National flag carrier airline of turkey, Emirates, Delta, United (European, intercontinental, domestic).
Direct Flights: From North America (DUS/FRA), Asia/Middle East (FRA/DUS), within Europe (DTM/DUS/CGN).

Seasonal Flight Pricing

Flights generally cost more during peak summer (June-August), around Christmas and New Year, and during major German holidays or events. Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) often offer better value.

Airport Facilities

All major airports (DUS, CGN, FRA) provide extensive facilities. These include shops, restaurants, car rental services, currency exchange, lounges, and free Wi-Fi. Dortmund Airport (DTM) has more limited facilities but still offers essentials.

Airport Transfers

From DTM to city: Airport Fast Bus, Shuttle Bus + Train/U-Bahn, Taxi (€30-€40). From DUS to city: Frequent direct trains (30-50 mins), Taxi (€100-€120). From FRA to city: High-speed ICE trains (2-2.5 hours).

Flight Resources

Discount Flight Clubs

Dollar Flight Club offers deals on airfare.
Find cheap flights and error fares.
Receive flight alerts directly to your inbox.
Covers numerous international destinations.

Flight Comparison Tools

Skyscanner compares flight prices across airlines.
Utilize flexible date searches for better deals.
Price alerts track changes for your desired routes.
Offers options for hotels and rental cars as well.

Long-Distance Airport: Frankfurt FRA

Germany's Largest Airport

About 220 km (137 miles) south of Dortmund.

Extensive Global Connections

Lufthansa operates a major hub here, alongside Star Alliance members and numerous international airlines.

Fast Train Connection

High-speed ICE rail services link Frankfurt Airport long-distance train station directly to Dortmund Hbf (2-2.5 hours travel time).

Ground Travel Options

Train Network

Germany’s excellent land transport network makes travel to Dortmund convenient. Dortmund Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) serves as a major railway hub in the Ruhr region, with great connections throughout Germany and to neighboring European countries.

Deutsche Bahn Services

ICE (Intercity-Express): High-speed trains connect major German cities (e.g., Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne) and international destinations (e.g., Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam).
IC/EC (Intercity/Eurocity): Slower long-distance trains.
RE/RB (Regional-Express/Regionalbahn): Regional trains for connections within North Rhine-Westphalia and the Ruhr area.

Long-Distance Buses

FlixBus is the main long-distance bus operator in Germany and Europe. Dortmund has a central bus station (ZOB - Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof) near the Hauptbahnhof. Buses offer more budget-friendly travel than trains.

Bus Travel Notes

Typically take longer than train travel.
Often a more economical travel choice.
Booking in advance is advisable for popular routes.

Self-Driving Considerations

Explore Germany's road network with these important details for drivers.

Driving Requirements & Road Network

Driver's License: EU/EEA driver's license is valid. International Driving Permit (IDP) highly recommended for non-EU/EEA licenses.
Minimum Age: Usually 21. Surcharges for drivers under 25 or higher minimum age for certain vehicle categories.
Road Network: Excellent network of Autobahns (motorways), some sections with no speed limit (advisory 80 mph). Well-maintained federal, state, and local roads.

Driving Laws & Parking

Understand local driving rules and parking options in Dortmund.

Driving Details

Driving Side: Drive on the right side of the road.
Speed Limits: 50 km/h urban, 100 kilometers per hour rural, advisory 80 mph on Autobahns (unless signposted).
Parking: Can be challenging and expensive in city centers. Preserve AND Ride (P+R) options available on outskirts with public transport connections.

Border Crossing & Sea/River Travel

Schengen Borders: Germany belongs to the Schengen Area. Land border crossings with neighboring Schengen countries are generally open with no routine passport checks. Passport control may occur for non-Schengen citizens upon initial entry.
Road Conditions & Safety: Roads are well-maintained. In winter, snow and ice cause hazardous driving; winter tires are legally necessary in certain conditions. Traffic is heavy during rush hours in and around Dortmund.
Fuel: Petrol (Benzin) and Diesel are widely available. Electric charging infrastructure is growing.

Sea/River Arrivals: Dortmund is a city not on the coast. Sea or river arrivals through ferry services or cruise ports are not applicable.
Driving Safety: Autobahns are fast; maintain awareness of your surroundings and other drivers.
License Held Time: You must have held your license for at least 1-2 years.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Procedures

Prepare for your departure for a smooth departure out of Dortmund.

Departure Details

Exit Fees or Taxes: No specific exit fees or taxes are levied directly on departing travelers from Germany. Any taxes are typically included in your airfare.
Leaving The airport: Arrive at least two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul international flight. This allows ample time for check-in, security, and potential delays.
Train Station Departure: Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure for domestic or regional trains. For international high-speed trains (ICE/IC), arrive 30-45 minutes beforehand.

Airport/Station Facilities

Access standard facilities for departing travelers.

Amenities & Accessibility

Facilities: Duty-free shopping, restaurants, cafes, lounges, currency exchange.
VAT Refund Services: For non-EU residents.
Accessibility: DSW21 and The German railway company strive for accessible public transport. Contact them in advance for specific assistance.

Confirm Bookings

Double-check all flight, train, and accommodation bookings before departure.

Pack Efficiently

Ensure all belongings are accounted for and luggage adheres to weight/size limits.

Stay Informed

Check for any last-minute travel advisories or airport/station updates.

Car Rental Resources

DiscoverCars.com

For finding the best car rental deals, consider using DiscoverCars.com.

Benefits of Booking with DiscoverCars

Compare prices from many rental companies.
Find exclusive discounts and discounts.
24/7 customer support for assistance.

Major Car Rental Companies

Well-known rental companies operate at Dortmund Airport and within the city.

Available Providers

Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, and Budget.
Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak season or for specific vehicle types.
A major credit card in the main driver's name is necessary for deposit and payment.

Car Rental Requirements

Minimum Age

Usually 21. Some companies may apply surcharges for drivers under 25 or require a higher minimum age for specific vehicle categories.

Driver's License

A valid national driver's license. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is highly recommended for non-EU/EEA licenses.

License Duration

You must have held your driver's a license for at least 1-2 years.

Final Departure Check

Confirm all journey specifics for a calm and efficient departure from Dortmund.

How to Get to Dortmund