Visiting Signal Iduna Park, the legendary home of Borussia Dortmund, is a dream for football enthusiasts worldwide. This iconic stadium, known for its electrifying atmosphere and passionate fans, is one of the must-visit destinations in football. The stadium has a capacity of over 81,000, making it one of Europe’s most imposing football arenas.
This article will guide you through the best ways to reach Signal Iduna Park, covering public transportation options, driving routes, parking facilities and tips to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Getting to Dortmund
By Air
Dortmund Airport (DTM) is the closest airport to Signal Iduna Park, located about 10 kilometers east of the city centre. It primarily serves European destinations, so if you’re flying from abroad, you might land in Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS), which is about an hour away by car or train.
From Dortmund Airport
A taxi to the stadium takes around 20 minutes and costs approximately €25-30. Alternatively, you can take the AirportExpress bus to Dortmund Hauptbahnhof (main station), which takes about 25 minutes.
From Düsseldorf Airport:
Take a direct train from the airport to Dortmund Hauptbahnhof, which takes around 60 minutes. From there, you can follow the public transport options listed below.
From Cologne Airport:
Take a train from the Cologne airport to Dortmund Hauptbahnhof, which takes around 2 hours. From there, you can follow the public transport options listed below. If you are traveling to Dortmund from a nearby airport on match day your public transport is included in your match ticket.
By Car
Driving to Signal Iduna Park is an option, especially if you’re traveling from nearby cities. Dortmund is well-connected by Germany’s autobahn network, making the journey straightforward. Here are the easiest directions:
From the north:
Take the A1 motorway to the Dortmund-Unna junction, then change onto the A44/B1 towards Dortmund.
From the east:
Take the A2 motorway to the Dortmund-Nordost junction, then change to onto the B236 towards Schwerte, then onto the B1 towards Dortmund.
From the south:
Take the A45 motorway to the Dortmund-Süd junction, then change to the B54 towards Dortmund.
From the west:
Via the A40/B1 towards Dortmund.
If you are visiting the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK when there isn’t a game on, maybe to do a stadium tour then you can drive directly to the “front door” of the stadium by car. On a non-match day there are plenty of parking spaces available. .
Parking Facilities
Parking near Signal Iduna Park can be challenging, especially on match days. However, there are several parking options:
At the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK and the Westfalenhallen exhibition centre there are over 10,000 chargeable car parking spaces available. The car parks around the stadium are open from around five hours before kick-off. Prices cost either 8 or 9 Euros for a parking space near the Signal Iduna Park.
There are also additional car parks on the university grounds at a price of 2 euros per car. A shuttle opersats from here to the stadium and back again at the end of the match. You can find the university car park on Otto-Hahn-Straße.
Charging stations (2 innogy type 2, 22 kW) are available for electric cars in the A4 car park.
By Public Transport
Match tickets for Borussia Dortmund games include free public transportation within the entire North Rhine Westphalia region of Germany, which encompasses all of Dortmund and covers cities like Essen, Dortmund and Cologne.This means there’s no need to purchase a separate public transport ticket.
If you have a digital ticket for Borussia Dortmund you will need to organise a separate ticket to use public transport for your journey to and from the station.
The DSW21 ticket can be ordered online free of charge. This is how it works:
- Go to https://kombiticket.dsw21.de/
- Select “BVB match” for the ticket type
- Enter the barcode number and click on “check”
- Enter contact details and “save”
- Click on “Send this ticket by e-mail”
- The DSW21 ticket will be sent to you by e-mail.
Dortmund’s public transport system is efficient and well-suited for getting to Signal Iduna Park. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Train
The main train station in Dortmund is called Dortmund Hauptbahnhof (Main Station). It is the largest train station in the Ruhr region of Germany and is packed with Borussia Dortmund fans on matchday.
From Dortmund Hauptbahnhof you can take one of the public transport options outlined below to Signal Iduna Park.
Trains from here run to large German cities and some European destinations. There are direct trains from Dortmund from Berlin (4 hours), Frankfurt (3 hours), Cologne (1 hour) and Hamburg (4 hours), all operated by Deutsche Bahn. International connections are also available, with trains to Paris (5 hours). All Deutsche Bahn trains offer Wi-Fi, and I recommend reserving a seat for longer journeys, as trains can get crowded.
For budget-conscious sports travelers, Flixtrain offers a more affordable alternative for train travel within Germany. If you book early, you might even find tickets for as low as 3 Euros. Flixtrain services from Dortmund run to Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Berlin.
U-Bahn (Underground)
The U45 is the most direct route from Dortmund Hauptbahnhof to Signal Iduna Park. It runs frequently, especially on match days, making it a popular choice for fans. The journey takes around 7 minutes, with the Westfalenhallen stop being closest to the stadium. From the stop it is a 5 minute walk to the Signal Iduna Park.
On match days the local transport company operates special trains to the stadium. The U45 train runs to the “Stadion” stop, which is just a long goal kick from the Signal Iduna Park.
The journey to Signal Iduna Park is also possible with the U42 direction Hombruch) to the stop “Theodor-Fliedner-Heim”, from here it is a 7-minute walk to the stadium
S-Bahn (Local Train)
Line S5:The S5 line connects Dortmund Hauptbahnhof with the Signal Iduna Park station. It’s a quick 5-minute ride and drops you right at the stadium’s doorstep.
Bus
Several bus lines operate near Signal Iduna Park, providing additional options for fans:
- The Uni-Shuttle runs between the university and the “Theodor-Fliedner-Heim” stop.
- Bus route 450 between Kirchhörde and Westfalenhallen is reinforced on matchdays with additional vehicles.
- There will also be two additional buses on route 453 (“Löschteich-E-Wagen”) from Westfalenhallen to Schüren/Aplerbeck and an additional E-Wagen on route 448 from Barop car park in the direction of Kruckel.
If you’re finding it challenging to plan your journey to the stadium, check out our article on transportation apps for assistance.
By Bike
You can also cycle to the Signal Iduna Park and park your bike anywhere where it is secure and not blocking an entry point.
Borussia Dortmund actually supplies three guarded spaces where you can park your bike or scooter. Bicycle patrols begin 2 hours before the start of the match and end no later than 60 minutes after the end of the match.
There are three spaces available for the guarded bike parking spaces:
- The first space is located on the north-west side of the stadium in the Strobelallee / corner of Rabenloh opposite the Fanwelt. It has space for around 400 bikes.
- The second area is located in the north-east opposite the Helmut Körnig Halle and next to the Rose Terraces. The area has space for around 400 bikes.
- The third site is to the south on the corner of Blomker Weg and Schwimmweg near the swimming pool. Here there is space for at least 200 bikes.
Taxi
You can take a taxi to the area near the Signal Iduna Park until it opens, which is 2.5 hours before kick-off. However, about an hour before the match begins, traffic jams start forming around the stadium. At that point, it’s often more convenient to be dropped off a bit further away, or take public transport.
After the final whistle, the road in front of the stadium is closed to cars for a while. During this time, taxis are usually available on Wittekindstraße and Max-Ophüls-Platz. Traffic is likely to be really busy, so if you are in a hurry you might be quicker taking public transport.
Conclusion
Visiting Signal Iduna Park is an experience like no other, offering a blend of thrilling football, rich history, and unparalleled atmosphere. Whether you’re flying in, taking the train, or driving, getting to the stadium is straightforward with a little planning. By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate your way to Signal Iduna Park, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey. Once there, immerse yourself in the passion of Borussia Dortmund, cheer with the “Yellow Wall,” and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Looking for activities in Dortmund beyond football? Explore the things to do near Signal Iduna Park to find the top recommended attractions in the city.
