Dortmund has canal links to the North Sea and it is the route of the canal that travels through the flat lands of the Ruhr and North Rhine-Westphalia that attract tourists to the area. Whether hiring a barge for a week’s leisurely journey or to fish or canoe on the canal, there is much to be said for time spent on the waterway.
If you want a faster pace of life then hiring a car and driving the canal’s route through fertile agricultural land, past industrial centres and contrasting woodland will give you great memories of this part of Germany.
Dortmund Airport Mini Guide
The Airport
Dortmund Airport 21 is found 6 miles east of the city of Dortmund and last year saw 2.5 million passengers fly in and out to a variety of European destinations. Arriving at the airport you’ll find plenty of parking, 5,000 spaces in total, including free spaces for passengers with reduced mobility and dedicated spaces for female travellers for their safety.
How to Get There
Eleven scheduled airlines fly into Dortmund, most of the flights are domestic with Air Berlin being the largest operator. Some of the flights operate only on a seasonal basis.
Onward Travel
There’s no dedicated rail link at the airport but an Express Bus operates to Dortmund main railway station and to Hamm (Westfalen) station. There are a number of other buses including the Messe Shuttle to Holzewickede and the C41 bus to Unna. Taxis are plentiful at the airport and reasonably priced for journeys into the city centre.
If you wish to hire a car from the airport or are collecting a pre-booked vehicle, the car rental desks are found in the terminal next to Gate 6A. As the airport is busy, it is recommended that you send a driver through to queue at the desks whilst others in the group collect the luggage as queuing can take as much as an hour at peak times. Getting underway means joining Nordstrasse which connects to the E331 which joins to the A44 motorway.
Public Information
There is an information desk, manned during flight times, which is found on the departure level of the airport. You can also buy airtime cards for the airport’s wireless network there.
What Facilities are at the Airport?
There are branches of several banks including Deutsche Bank at the airport together with foreign exchange offices. There are ATMs on all levels and near the exits and car parking pay stations.
Shopping is extensive at Dortmund with a main Heinemann Duty Free shop. Additionally there are a number of fashion shops, bookstores and newsagents and a pharmacy.
The airport has a range of eateries including restaurants, cafes and snack bars. Additionally there are cafes and snack bars selling sandwiches, hot, cold and alcoholic drinks after security. Most of the restaurants are located in the gallery, level 2. Meals range from breakfasts to a la carte dining experiences.
Lost luggage should be reported to the dedicated desk found on arrivals level 0, make sure you have your luggage label stub, usually stuck to your boarding pass or passport.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport building but you must purchase a time card from the public information desk to be able to access it.
For Those Passengers Needing Extra Assistance
Disabled passengers are well cared for. There are a number of call points around the airport grounds including one at the main door of arrivals. Most data entry points are also equipped with braille and there is a tactile pathway for those with sight problems.
General assistance for passengers with reduced mobility is available but the airport recommends that any specific needs are communicated to them at least 48 hours before departure and also to your airline at least 24 hours before departure. The airport conforms to the latest EU directive on passengers with reduced mobility.
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