In 2006, I went to the World Cup for the first time (WM2006) and it was held in Germany. I think they did the best job of hosting a tournament of any country, ever. It was so efficient, so easy to get around, so perfect and safe for everyone attending. I can't imagine a better host country for something, to be honest. We didn't even realize we were going... I had tickets, but no plane tickets. The night before the game we had tickets for (Brazil v Ghana, Round of 16, Dortmund), we crossed the border (who were very skeptical since we didn't have plane tickets yet) and went to Pearson Airport, and asked for standby plane tickets to Germany with Air Transat. At the last minute we were able to secure some, and we flew over and landed in Frankfurt, less than 3 hours before kick off. We literally flew through customs, dragging my American gf through the "EU Only" line and showing them the match tickets as an excuse. They were very friendly about it. Then we had to catch a train from Frankfurt to Dortmund. We made it to the train with 2 mins to spare. If we'd missed that train, we would have missed most of the game. However, the train efficiently sped us to Dortmund, we jumped off at this Hauptbahnhof and onto the train to the Stadium, and then we ran to the stadium and entered about 10 mins before kick off. And it was a very special day in Dortmund, after a whirlwind trip from Buffalo to Westphalia. I remember the amazing view when we exited the station in Dortmund (both before, and after the game), and they'd set it all up amazingly, decorated in bright yellow, both for Brazil who were playing there that day, and for the local team - Borussia Dortmund. After the game, we were exhausted. We watched Spain get knocked out :( by France in the town square, although it didn't matter because Spain would actually win the next 3 major tournaments in a row... who knew! After all those barren years of nothing. And then we realized we had no money and we had nowhere to go in Deutschland. So we went to the Bahnhof, and wow! Thousands of people were sleeping inside the station! It was an entire station full of World Cup Fans! They had converted the whole building into a temporary free lodging. We were so happy about this. Rather than trying to pinch our pennies, they were being as welcoming and accommodating as possible. So we slept on the floor of the train station like everyone else did, and changed our minds about flying straight back to North America. The next day, we went into the ticket office, and explained that we had very little money, and they sold us "one week passes" to German rail for a discount price! They called it a "World Cup Special" and it was less than half of the prices quoted. We thought this was absolutely wonderful of them. So we were able to use the passes not only as transportation from one German city to the next... but also as a form of hotel. The trains were luxurious, so at night, we'd get on a train to wherever, go to sleep, and wake up in the morning on the train in that new city. Very safe, very fast, very comfortable, and the officials were always so nice to us. It all started with the Dortmund station (a) allowing us to sleep there, and (b) giving us the cut rate one-week passes so we could stay in Germany and sleep on trains. So without any doubts, Dortmund station scores a hands-down 5 out of 5 from me. And I don't want to learn how to play darts, because I find it quite mundane. Darts-mund. Oh dear. read more

It's convenient. It is a central Hauptbahnhof and is very clear with directions and signs for trains. I love the different stands that are available because there is a variety of food options. I get a hot dog and a waffle on a stick when I'm there. I also like that there is a store for tourists to pick up anything they might've forgotten before their train leaves. It's very convenient. read more

Too big and hard to find the way out and only PAY toilets!!! Frankly, too, I am very "sick and tired" of waiting for them to finish repairing their escalator! It isn't just some special perk/benefit for the lazy. Some people have a lot of luggage to lug up from below, and it can be a real burden. Seems, too, like whenever I need to use it, if I'm going up, the up escalator is broken and the down escalator is working; and vice versa. (see photo) I would swear that last time I was in Dortmund, the escalator was broken. Hey, Hauptbahnhof, get that thing repaired and working, PLEASE!! (see photo of opened escalator being worked on) Something I just find crazy is the number of taxis that "loiter" at this train station. One day, I counted about 30-something. Took a photo last night, and there are again, at least that many. What do they need to be hogging valuable real estate like that for?? (See photo, when I've been able to size it down, I took a panorama, there are too many taxis to show in a conventional photo.) I would also note that this yelp page/site for the Dortmund Hauptbahnhof is UNCLAIMED. Apparently they don't care about their customers, and do not want to know what we have to say, or be able to respond to us when we say it. Shame on you. read more

Dortmund Hauptbahnhof - Escalator - two young men were working on it, how about just getting it FIXED already?? - Train Stations Near Me - Dortmund, NW

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I really enjoy all the little shops in Dortmund hbf, it's just slightly dirty at times.

Nice shops. Good security. Clean bathrooms.

This station definitely gets the job done. It's pretty easy to use and even though there is limited English signage it's pretty easy to figure out. read more

When will they finally finish the renovations that are going on for years now? The surroundings of Dortmund Central Station are a mess and parking close by is hardly possible in this construction zone. read more

Many a late night, stumbling through the Dortmund Hauptbahnhof. Signage is easy enough and well placed. Loud-speakers are inaudible, so if there is a last-minute track change, you're better off following the crowd. It's a small/medium sized station with a good flow of traffic. Handy to have the U-bahn connect through the lower level. Not visually attractive, it's efficient. read more