- Must visit
Gutenberg Museum
World-class museum dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, showcasing early printing, rare books, and working press demonstrations.
Cheapest price on Sep 18
€73
Average ticket price on Sep 18
€73
Fastest journey on Sep 18
22 h 50 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
22 h 50 m
Buses on Sep 18
1
Distance
180 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Dortmund to Mainz is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Dortmund to Mainz will cost around €73 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €73.
On Fri, Sep 18, we found 1 buses from Dortmund to Mainz, including 1 direct services.
On Fri, Sep 18 the direct buses cover the 180 km distance in an average of 22 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 22 h 50 m .
On Fri, Sep 18 the slowest buses will take 22 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Dortmund to Mainz among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of €75 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 20m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €75, while a bus costs an average of €106.
Distance: 111 miles (180 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€106 Average price | €75 Average price Cheapest | €34 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
18h 50m Average total duration 18h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 20m Average total duration Fastest 2h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 58m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Dortmund to Mainz:
A train is €31 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Dortmund to Mainz costing on average €106.
Other travel options to Mainz take longer:
Bus takes on average 18h 20m.
Tickets start at around €106 compared to roughly €34 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €-72.19. The journey takes 18h 20m versus 2h 58m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:55AM | Arrival Time 09:54AM | Duration 4h59 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price €0.00 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 05:00AM | Arrival Time 03:50AM | Duration 22h50 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price €72 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 12:11AM | Duration 6h31 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price €0.00 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:15PM | Arrival Time 05:54AM | Duration 9h39 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price €0.00 |
The table below shows live departures for Dortmund to Mainz buses for tomorrow, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:00 AM Dortmund | 22h50 | 3:50 AM Mainz | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Dortmund to Mainz run on average 1 times per day, taking around 18h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €74 but you can travel from only €18 by train.
The earliest bus runs at 04:35, the last at 23:15. The fastest bus covers the 111 miles (180 km) distance in 18h 20m.
Distance 111 miles (180 km) |
Average bus duration 18h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price €74 |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 18h 20m |
First bus 4:35 AM |
Last bus 11:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Mainz — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Mainz trip today.
World-class museum dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, showcasing early printing, rare books, and working press demonstrations.
State museum with art, archaeology, and Roman finds, spanning ancient artifacts to paintings and decorative arts.
Museum on Roman Mainz featuring military, daily life, and stone monuments from the city’s ancient past.
Main market square beside the cathedral, lively with historic façades, weekly markets, and a classic old-town atmosphere.
Picturesque old-town lane lined with half-timbered houses, shops, and a timeless atmosphere loved by local walkers.
Broad Rhine promenade ideal for walks, river views, events, and seeing Mainz’s waterside landmarks in one stretch.
Spundekäs is a creamy cheese spread with paprika, served with pretzels. It is a Rheinhessen wine tavern classic and a staple snack in Mainz.
Weck, Worscht un Woi means bread roll, sausage and wine. It is a simple regional trio closely tied to Mainz tavern culture and local wine drinking.
Handkäs mit Musik is a sour milk cheese marinated with onions and vinegar. It is a beloved Hessian and Rhine-Main tavern dish often enjoyed with bread.
Refined Michelin-starred dining with seasonal tasting menus and polished service in an elegant setting.
Traditional Mainz wine tavern known for regional dishes, local wines and a historic atmosphere near the old town.
Classic brewery restaurant serving Mainz specialties and house beer in a lively, long-established setting.
Moderate for Germany: hotels and dining are mid-priced, while local transit is reasonable for city stays and day trips.
Service is usually included, but rounding up or adding 5-10% is customary. Round up for cafes and taxis, and hand the tip directly when paying.
Official public transport app
Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz) -> Mainz Hauptbahnhof
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Dortmund to Mainz by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Mainz, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Dortmund to Mainz buses use the Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf to Wiesbaden, Busbahnhof station pair. Use this guide to compare Dortmund and Mainz bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria Express (in the station), Bistro Central (0.2 km), Restaurant Heimatliebe (0.5 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance of the station.
Ticket office support is available at Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf.
Available at Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need