Introduction
Dortmund is located in the heart of the German federal state Noord-Rijnland-Westfalen, in the Ruhr area. The center was heavily bombed during World War II. Although some buildings have been restored, the image of a modern city dominates. Dortmund is particularly known as a shopping town, with big department stores and small specialty shops. It's also a green city: almost half of the urban area is occupied by parks, fountains and forests.
Population
Dortmund has about 600,000 inhabitants and is therefore the largest city of the Ruhr area.
Location
The city lies in the west of Germany, north of the Rur river. The upper part of the Emscher runs from east to west through the city. The city is linked with the North Sea via the Dortmund-Ems Canal. The inner part of the Dortmund port has lost much value, and part of the port is now used for pleasure cruising.
Economy
Dortmund was formerly known as an industrial city (coal and steel), but has focussed on other sectors since the mid eighties. Today it's a center of services and technology. Because the city is a hub of railways and highways, transportation and logistics also play an important role in the local economy.
However, Dortmund has to contend with one of the highest unemployment rates in Germany: many people who had work in the "old" industry, don't have a place in the "new economy" of Dortmund.
Airports
Dortmund Airport is located just east of the city and is easily accessible by rental car via the Ruhr highway (A44), or via the Dortmunder Ring. The route to the airport is clearly signposted. Dortmund airport is mainly used by budget airlines.
Public transportation
The city has an excellent public transportation system, which is part of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr. Via the integrated system of trains, metros and buses, you can not only comfortably reach the diverse areas of Dortmund, but also other places in the Ruhr area. There is also the hanging monorail (H-Bahn), connecting the two universities in the city with Eichlinghofen and the Science Park.
Traffic and parking
Dortmund was rebuilt after World War II with wide streets, with which every area of the city is easily accessible by rental car. However, there is a great shortage of parking space in the center of the city. It's true that the large department stores have parking garages, but demand is exceeding the supply. You can at best park your rental car on the border of downtown and travel further with public transportation. To reach other places, Dortmund is ideally situated: there are six highways to the city (A1, A2, A40, A42, A44, and A45).
Hotels
The city has a good selection of hotels, most in the middle class. Many conferences are held in Dortmund, and then it is advised to book your accommodation well in advance.
External resources
For more information on Dortmund, we recommend Google and the following sources:
Frequently asked questions
Is EasyTerra Car Rental the cheapest?
Yes, we offer a guarantee of the lowest price - because we compare various retailers, we can always offer you the best price in town.
What do I need to do when picking up a car?
To pick up your car, you will need your voucher, passport, driver's license and a credit card. It is very important that your driver's license and credit card are in the same name as the main driver. Keep in mind that the local rental company will reserve a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit. This requires the PIN code for your credit card. If your driver's license is foreign (for example, in Chinese), you must bring a translation with you. Only your original passport and driver's license will be accepted - a copy is not sufficient.
Are there any additional costs?
Our rates are all-inclusive. Our reservation department will inform you in advance should additional costs apply. You can always cancel your booking free of charge if you do not agree (this must be done at least 48 hours prior to the start of the car hire period).
What kind of insurance is applicable to my car rental?
In general, Liability Insurance, Fire Insurance, All-Risks Insurance and Theft Insurance are included in the cost of your rental car.
What is a worry-free label?
This label indicates that a rental car satisfies the following requirements: Unlimited kilometers, no excess liability (and no excess cover available), sustainable energy policy, and that the car rental company has a good reputation. Availability of cars satisfying these four requirements will speed up the selection of a suitable vehicle for you.
How can I change or cancel my reservation?
You can cancel your reservation through "My Account". We recommend contacting us by phone if your changes to your booking or cancellation takes place at short notice (48 hours or less).
When will I get a confirmation of my booking?
Most reservations will receive confirmation within minutes after payment takes place. We recommend contacting our Booking Department for last minute reservations (pick-up within 48 hours).
Which car rental companies are compared by EasyTerra Car Rental? at this location
- Avis
- Buchbinder
- Budget
- Dollar Rent a Car
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- FireFly Car Rental
- Flizzr
- GLOBAL Rent-a-Car
- Hertz
- InterRent
- Keddy By Europcar
- McRent
- SIXT Rent a Car
- Thrifty
- Your Rent