Dortmund

crodonilson

He/Him

Jan 17, 2005

13,514

Lyme Regis

• Oct 1, 2013

• #1

Am looking to book a weekend away in December and one of the cheapest flights I have found is to Dortmund. Looking on the internet doesn't seem to be a hugely touristy city but does have the 2nd largest Christmas Market in Germany.

Anyone been around Christmas?? Is it a worthwhile place to go for a weekend break and is it a good Christmas Market?? Also noticed you can get regional trains for next to nothing into Dusseldorf and Cologne, would they be better places to go and have the hassle of a connection to/from Dortmund airport??

 

fataddick

Well-known member

Feb 6, 2004

1,601

The seaside.

• Oct 1, 2013

• #2

crodonilson said:

Am looking to book a weekend away in December and one of the cheapest flights I have found is to Dortmund. Looking on the internet doesn't seem to be a hugely touristy city but does have the 2nd largest Christmas Market in Germany.

Anyone been around Christmas?? Is it a worthwhile place to go for a weekend break and is it a good Christmas Market?? Also noticed you can get regional trains for next to nothing into Dusseldorf and Cologne, would they be better places to go and have the hassle of a connection to/from Dortmund airport??

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I'd stay in Cologne. All those bits of North West Germany are closely connected by rail. Did NYE in Cologne a few years back and it's great - second only to Munich as a Central European destination in my opinion. Did a few days in Dortmund during the World Cup and it's a nice enough place but Cologne has far more going for it.

 

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cowburn86

Active member

Sep 30, 2011

115

Berlin

• Oct 1, 2013

• #3

You can only fly directly to Dortmund from Luton anyway so you might as well fly from Gatwick to Cologne (it's a bit nicer than Luton). Stay a couple of days in Cologne it's just over an hour on the train to Dortmund which is alright for a day. Heading over for the Stuttgart game on the first weekend of November, check in advance as German TV moves the games (e.g. the Stuttgart game is on a Friday night). Also if you can get a ticket in the Südtribune (south wall) it's well worth it as it's all standing and 25,000 behind the goal, usually costs an extra 20euro or so but would definitely recommend. Enjoy.

 

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daveinprague

New member

Oct 1, 2009

12,572

Prague, Czech Republic

• Oct 1, 2013

• #4

When I lived in Frankfurt, I had gf in Dortmund, so I had to go there at weekends... I thought it was shit tbh, but Dusseldorf wasnt toooo bad. and close enough

 

Biscuit

Native Creative

Jul 8, 2003

22,215

Brighton

• Oct 1, 2013

• #5

Dortmund really isn't worth it. Kinda like visiting Coventry.

Just pay a bit extra and go and see a decent bit of Germany, it's an amazing country.

 

S

Sam-

New member

Feb 20, 2012

772

• Oct 1, 2013

• #6

Cologne is my favourite winter break. Beautiful place, beautiful beer, beautiful people. Terrible football though.

 

Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Jul 11, 2003

59,467

The Fatherland

• Oct 1, 2013

• #7

Not been to Dortmund but highly recommend Köln. Lovely city.

 

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BHAWise

New member

Oct 5, 2011

428

Seaford

• Oct 1, 2013

• #8

Went to Dortmund a few weeks ago for my stag do . Wasn't really much there other than the stadium. Which is unbelievable btw it's not really worth going to unless you want to watch the football. That south stand was unreal to see in the flesh.

 

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Gwylan

Well-known member

Jul 5, 2003

31,336

Uffern

• Oct 1, 2013

• #9

I quite like Dortmund - it was a massive brewing city until the last 20 years (when a lot of breweries closed down). It's not a pretty place but friendly enough - certainly better than Coventry.

But Cologne is the boss: some great beer and the Dom is worth checking out - it's certainly the best place in that part of the world (avoid Essen at all costs)

 

Carrot Cruncher

NHS Slave

Helpful Moderator

Jul 30, 2003

5,052

Southampton, United Kingdom

• Oct 2, 2013

• #10

I'd consider flying into/staying in Dusseldorf from Gatwick. The S-Bahn will take you to Dortmund direct, either from the airport or the city centre. It's nearer than Cologne too.

It's also worth getting a travelcard thingy that covers the region. As long as you stay off the ICE, you can get around dirt cheap and covers everywhere you may want to see - including Cologne.