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Trip Summary
35 trains operate daily from Frankfurt am Main to Dortmund. The train trip from Frankfurt am Main to Dortmund is usually about 3 hours and 37 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest DB Intercity-Express train can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 18 minutes.
| Distance | 111 mi (178 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 18m |
| Lowest price | €41.56 |
| Trains per day | 15 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company |
| Train lines | 4 |
Which train should you take from Frankfurt am Main to Dortmund?
There are 4 train lines with service from Frankfurt am Main to Dortmund. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 16 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity | 1 | 3h 34m | €16.98 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 6 | 3h 3m | €39.95 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 21 | 3h 58m | €42.72 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 16 | 3h 36m | €43.45 |
Deutsche Bahn IC is the German railway's long-distance train service provider with service across Germany and neighboring countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland. Onboard amenities include restrooms, power outlets, and a restaurant car where passengers can purchase drinks, snacks, and meals.
The most popular Deutsche Bahn ICE routes travel to Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich. Seating is spacious with a good amount of legroom, and onboard amenities include complimentary WiFi, restrooms, and a restaurant car selling beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and hot meals. Unlike the rest of the Deutsche Bahn network, ticket prices on Deutsche Bahn ICE services are not based on a per-kilometer rate but on specific station-to-station links.
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Dortmund start from €24, and on average cost . Daily there are 16 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Dortmund. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Frankfurt am Main leaves from Central Train Station and one other station. And in Dortmund trains arrive at Dortmund-Wickede and one other train station.
From Frankfurt am Main to Dortmund train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 3 hours and 36 minutes. If you are looking to get to Dortmund faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 18 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers 60 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Dortmund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains from Frankfurt am Main to Dortmund are the most crowded on Sunday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Frankfurt am Main at 03:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 35 scheduled trains on most days. 15 of these are direct connections to Dortmund. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Dortmund to Frankfurt am Main.
City Information
Frankfurt am Main
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Frankfurt is Germany's financial hub, home to the European Central Bank. This riverside city offers a variety of cultural and historical attractions scattered between its financial institutions and shops.
Your first stop should be Old Town, along the river Main. Once the center of the city, the Old Town district is now the site of the Römer, or city hall, along a row of picturesque timber houses. Stop in Kleinmarkthalle, a bustling indoor market, to grab a sausage for a snack before wandering through some of Old Town's museums: Saalgasse, Dommuseum, and Museum für Moderne Kunst (Museum MMK) will get you started. Two of Frankfurt's most prominent churches, St. Bartholomew Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church, are also in the area.
Food is always delightful in Frankfurt. Several Michelin-star restaurants will entice you, including Restaurant Lafleur, Restaurant Gustav, Restaurant Villa Merton, and Carmelo Greco. If you prefer more affordable dining and lively nightlife, head to the Bahnhofsviertel neighborhood near the city's train station.
The train station in Bahnhofsviertel serves national and international rail lines for Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, FlixTrain, vlexx, and Railjet. You can also reach Frankfurt easily on bus carriers like FlixBus and Sindbad. Plus, flying in and out of Frankfurt is a breeze, as the airport is one of the largest in Germany and the main hub for the Lufthansa airline.
Dortmund
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Dortmund used to be Germany's center of steel and coal industries, but today is better known for the Borussia soccer team. It is Westphalia's largest city, and it offers lots of parks and open spaces to guests. There are also dozens of museums and local attractions in the area.
If you're ready to explore Dortmund, plan a visit to The Alter Markt, or Old Market. This century-old structure is in a pedestrian-friendly shopping area in the center of Old Town. Get lost amidst its galleries, boutiques, shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Your next stop could be St. Reinold's Church. Built during the 13th century, this church stands tall, with its 104-meter high tower visible from afar. If you're up to it, climb up the tower to get a sweeping view of the city.
Another interesting site to visit is the Zollern Colliery. This building used to be a coal mine, initially built in 1904. You might be picturing a dull old factory, but you'll be surprised by the stunning steel and glass structure with a red brick facade. Take a tour of the building to learn all about Dortmund's industrial past.
You can travel to Dortmund by nearly every form of transportation—we see you, hot air balloon enthusiasts. Flights operate from Dortmund Airport, and Deutsche Bahn and FlixTrain provide train service. Buses on carriers including FlixBus, Sindbad, Onebus, and Union Ivkoni connect Dortmund to cities throughout Germany and Europe.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Frankfurt am Main?
Image credit: onnola
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Central Train Station
Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Frankfurt Central Station) is a major transport hub in the city and the busiest station in the state of Hessen. It features the original 1888 Neo-Renaissance design and some newer neoclassical architecture, making it a unique and visually pleasing station. It's often referred to as the most important station in Germany due to its central location and large economic district. Trains here run internationally to stations in Zurich, Vienna, and Budapest in addition to cities across Germany such as Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich. The station has plenty of amenities, including luggage lockers, toilets and multiple bakeries, a bookshop and newsstand, a supermarket, and other shops.
All train stations in Frankfurt am Main:
Central Train Station
Central Train Station
Where is the train station in Dortmund?
Image credit: onnola
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Dortmund Central Station
Dortmund Central Station, also known as Dortmund HBF, is Dortmund's main transport hub. The station was destroyed in a WWII air-raid, rebuilt in 1952, and now serves more than 190,000 passengers per day. Deutsche Bahn services head to cities like Berlin, Hanover, and Hamburg. Internationally, trains head to Paris, Vienna, and Zurich. Inside the station is a seating area, luggage lockers, toilets, and parking outside. There's also a Dunkin Donuts and KFC in the station if you want a quick snack, plus plenty of restaurants and shops outside if you've got some more time.
Train stations in Dortmund:
Dortmund Central Station
Dortmund-Wickede
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Need a return trip from Dortmund to Frankfurt am Main?
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