Dortmund: World Cup Host City
City facts: Almost 600,000 people call Dortmund home. The largest canal harbor in Europe, it is known for its coal, steel and beer industries. Dortmund was a host city during the World Cup in 1974 and the UEFA Cup Final 2001.
How to get there/get around: The closest airport to Dortmund is Dortmund Airport. To find the best flight deals, search our airfare engine. Keep in mind that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday and Wednesday.
If you're coming overland, trains can be taken from Essen, Düsseldorf or Hanover. The best way to travel across Germany is the World Cup Eurail Pass. This pass allows you flexible days of travel within Germany. Youths under 26 and two or more adults traveling together can also save money. Advantages include not having to deal with traffic or signs in foreign languages, easier navigation from one city to another and increased socialization with other excited World Cup fans!
If you'd rather be on your own schedule, then hiring a car might be a better option. Renting a car in Germany allows you to get off the beaten path and explore more of Germany's varied countryside. Hitting the road can give you a much needed break from other sports enthusiasts and the chance to drive no-holds-barred on the Autobahn!
Trams and buses offer in-city transport.
Who's playing: Brazil, Germany, Japan, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago
What's the schedule:
Saturday, June 10: Trinidad and Tobago vs. Sweden
Wednesday, June 14: Germany vs. Poland
Monday, June 19: Togo vs. Switzerland
Thursday, June 22: Japan vs. Brazil
Tuesday, June 27: Second Round TBD
Tuesday, July 4: Dortmund Semifinal TBD
Full World Cup Schedule
Stadium information: The FIFA World Cup Stadium, Dortmund was originally built for the 1974 World Cup. Seating almost 60,000 fans, it was remodeled in 2001.
Where to get tickets: You can get tickets to every match played in the World Cup through World Cup Blog! Find tickets by team, grouping, individual game or city. Buy World Cup tickets for matches in Dortmund.
What else to do: If you need a break from the soccer madness, Dortmund boasts a number of attractions including Hohensyburg, four churches and the Zollern II/IV coal mine. Westenhellweg is the main shopping center, while Ostenhellweg is another historic street. For those that just want to relax, a visit to Westphalia Park and a brewery tour would be the way to go!
Where to stay: You can find accommodation throughout the country with World Cup Blog's hotel database. It allows you to search multiple sites at once for the best deals on rooms in Germany. Use the search box in the right column, or find hotel deals in Dortmund. Hostels more your style? Check out these hostels in Dortmund.
How to keep in touch: If you own a mobile phone with a removable SIM card, you can buy a pre-paid German SIM card. You can find out your local German number before you arrive, and get free incoming calls while in the country. If you don't have a phone that will work, look into renting a German cell phone, which costs less than you think!
Wireless hot-spots and internet cafes can be found around the city. Locations include Login Lanstation and Sokonetcafe.
How to protect yourself: Many insurance carriers do not provide coverage overseas. Beat the odds and make the most of your holidays with affordable travel health insurance. In case of trip cancellation, you can also recover your costs with trip protection insurance.
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