- Must visit
Dortmunder U
A Former Brewery Tower Turned Center For Contemporary Art And Culture, Known For Exhibitions, Events, And Its Rooftop City Views.
Cheapest price
$40
Average price
$58
Fastest journey
10 h
Average duration
10 h 27 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
180 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Mainz to Dortmund is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Mainz to Dortmund will cost around $58 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $40.
Of the 3 buses that leave Mainz for Dortmund on Sun, Jun 21, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct buses cover the 180 km distance in an average of 10 h 27 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 10 h .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 11 h 20 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 bus as it is the most popular option from Mainz to Dortmund among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $23. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 30m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $23, and a train costs an average of $34.
Distance: 111 miles (180 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$50 Average price Cheapest | $88 Average price | $40 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 0m Average total duration Fastest 2h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 38m Average total duration 3h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 0m 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 Mainz to Dortmund:
A bus is $38 (€31) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Mainz to Dortmund costing on average $88 (€72).
Other travel options to Dortmund take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 8m.
You'll arrive about 30m sooner (2h 30m by bus vs 3h 0m by car). Tickets start at around $50 (€41) compared to roughly $40 (€33) in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you're getting time back, skipping traffic and parking, and you can work or rest on board.
Direct coaches are operated by BlaBlaCar.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel splits across several people), want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:10AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 11h20 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 11h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar Bus | Departure Time 09:15PM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 20h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $104 |
The table below shows live departures for Mainz to Dortmund buses for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:10 AM Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz) | 11h20 | 6:30 PM Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf | 1 transfer | |
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 Mainz to Dortmund run on average 4 times per day, taking around 2h 30m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $23 (€19) if you book in advance.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:35, the last at 23:15. The fastest bus covers the 111 miles (180 km) distance in 7h 50m.
Distance 111 miles (180 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $23 (€19) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 7h 50m |
First bus 3:35 AM |
Last bus 11:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 77 days |
Discover the best of Dortmund — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Dortmund trip today.
A Former Brewery Tower Turned Center For Contemporary Art And Culture, Known For Exhibitions, Events, And Its Rooftop City Views.
An Interactive National Museum Dedicated To German Football History, Trophies, Media Installations, And Family-Friendly Exhibits Near The Main Station.
The City’S Major Modern And Contemporary Art Museum, Featuring Expressionism, Fluxus, And Rotating Exhibitions Inside Dortmunder U.
A Large Urban Park Famous For Gardens, Seasonal Events, Open Space, And Social-Media-Friendly Views Around Florian Tower.
A Popular Lakeside Redevelopment Area With Walking Paths, Modern Architecture, And Sunset Views, Especially Trendy With Locals And Visitors.
The Historic Old Market Square In Central Dortmund, A Classic Meeting Point Surrounded By Important City-Center Buildings.
A traditional Westphalian beef stew seasoned generously with pepper, slowly cooked until tender. It is one of Dortmund’s best-known regional specialties.
Air-dried and lightly smoked Westphalian ham, prized across the region for its deep flavor. It is often served with dark bread and pickles.
A Dortmund bakery classic: a small savory roll topped with salt and caraway, traditionally eaten with Mett, butter, or cheese.
An established seafood-focused restaurant with a polished setting and strong reputation for quality ingredients and refined preparation.
A well-known central steakhouse with a classic atmosphere, strong service, and substantial meat-focused dishes. Good for a more upscale meal.
A long-established brewery restaurant near the market square, known for hearty regional food and Dortmund beer in a lively traditional setting.
Moderate by German standards: public transport and casual food are reasonable, while hotels and fine dining cost more during trade fairs and football weekends.
Service is usually included. In restaurants, round up or leave about 5-10% for good service. Round up in taxis. Small tips are appreciated in bars; no tip is expected for counter service.
Official public transport app
Dortmund ZOB am Hbf, Dortmund -> Dortmund Hauptbahnhof, Dortmund
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Mainz to Dortmund 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 Dortmund, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Mainz to Dortmund buses use the Mainz, Binger Schlag (Kurzzeitparkplatz) to Dortmund, ZOB am Hbf station pair. Use this guide to compare Mainz and Dortmund 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