Travel
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🌱 Sustainable travel
UEFA EURO 2024 aims to be the greenest of all time!
Gelsenkirchen is easily accessible by train, especially from Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Cologne. Gelsenkirchen Central Station is located right in the middle of the city and a wide public transport network, including multiple U-Bahn, tram, and bus lines, will help you navigate through the city and its main sights – there’s really no need to bring your car!
Help minimise your carbon impact by:
✅ Choosing train or long-distance bus travel options over flights
Travelling by train will be the most convenient option to get around. Thanks to our partner Deutsche Bahn, match ticket holders are entitled to discounted national and international train tickets.
✅ Using public transport to go between and within the Host Cities and avoid car travel
Gelsenkirchen ticket holders are entitled to a 36 Hour Travel Pass for the entire VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr) and VRS (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg) networks at no additional cost! The networks cover a vast area beyond Gelsenkirchen’s city borders, including Cologne, Düsseldorf and Dortmund, so you can discover the entire whole region by public transport.
🌍 Know before you go
Take the time to check you have all the relevant valid documents for travelling to Germany.
You can travel to Germany using your national ID card or passport. It’s also good to carry ID on you at all times, as you may need it to check in to your accommodation, or in the event of requiring assistance with your match ticket at the stadium.
You will need your passport and must go through border control. Your passport must meet both Schengen Area entry requirements:
✅Valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU
✅ Issued within the last 10 years
Some fans may also require a visa to gain entry into Germany, for example supporters from Türkiye. Visit Germany’s Federal Foreign Office website to check the complete list and apply for a visa.
Key timings 💡
🚆 Gelsenkirchen Central Station to stadium ⚽
15-20min by public transport
🚆 Gelsenkirchen Central Station to Fan Zone 🎊
15min by public transport / shuttle
🛫 Düsseldorf Airport to Gelsenkirchen Central Station 🚆
35min by public transport
🛬 Münster Osnabrück Airport to Gelsenkirchen Central Station 🚆
2hrs by public transport
🎊 Fan Zone to stadium ⚽
10-15min by public transport / shuttle
All timings are approximate. Allow additional time when travelling during busy hours as journeys may take longer.
🚄 Getting to Gelsenkirchen
By train 🚆
Gelsenkirchen Central Station is the city’s main local and long-distance transport hub. Around 30 long-distance trains depart from Gelsenkirchen every day and over 300 regional trains go to the surrounding cities daily.
Tickets can be purchased at the service counters in the airport, at the train stations or online via Deutsche Bahn (app / web).
Train travel in Germany
🌱 100% green energy
Did you know that since 2018, Deutsche Bahn customers travel using 100% renewable energy on long-distance ICE, IC and EC journeys within Germany?
Most of Deutsche Bahn’s high-speed and long-distance trains have Wi-Fi to keep you entertained and an onboard restaurant so you can fuel up before your match.
By choosing rail travel, you’re contributing to making EURO 2024 more sustainable. How to make your journeys a breeze:
1️⃣ Book early! The special DB fares are limited, so don’t miss out. On sale now.
2️⃣ Make a seat reservation for extra peace of mind.
3️⃣ You must purchase your train ticket before you board – you don’t want to risk a penalty fare.
4️⃣ Download the DB Navigator app to check for potential delays, platform numbers and more.
5️⃣ Trains will be busy during the tournament. Please be considerate of others so your fellow football fans can enjoy their journey too.
6️⃣ Children up to 5 years travel free of charge. Kids aged 6-14 travel free of charge when accompanied by a person aged 15 or above, but they must be indicated in the booking process.
Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is the closest to Gelsenkirchen and located about 40km southwest of the city.
From there, the RE2 and RE3 train lines offer a direct connection to Gelsenkirchen Central Station which will take you approximately 35 minutes. If you opt for a taxi, it’ll take you between 40 and 60 minutes and cost about €100.
Another option is to book a flight to Münster Osnabrück Airport (FMO), located 100km northeast of Gelsenkirchen.
From there, you’ll first need to take the bus S50 or the R51 train to Münster (West) Hbf and then take the RE42 train to Gelsenkirchen Central Station. The journey will take you approximately 2 hours. Taxis are also available and will cost about €110 for a 60 to 70-minute journey.
Check out the Düsseldorf Airport or Münster Osnabrück Airport websites for further information.
Gelsenkirchen can be reached by long-distance buses. The central coach station, ZOB Altstadt, is right by the main train station.
If you can’t find a connection to Gelsenkirchen, plan your journey by long-distance bus to Essen Central Station. From there, hop on regional express lines RE2 or RE42, the S-Bahn S2 line or tram line 107 towards Gelsenkirchen Central Station. It’s also possible to go directly from Essen Central Station to the Fan Zone by taking U-Bahn U11 line to Gelsenkirchen/Buerer Straße and getting off at station Schloss Horst.
Please do not travel to Gelsenkirchen by car during EURO 2024. Tournament traffic can increase your journey time significantly, and Gelsenkirchen city centre can get very busy with residents and commuters.
Stadium parking will be extremely limited and strictly for pre-booked cars only.
If car is your only option, Gelsenkirchen is accessible via the A2, A40, A42 and A52 motorways.
🏙️ Getting around Gelsenkirchen
Most attractions are within walking distance of Gelsenkirchen Central Station and for those that are further away, the public transport network offers convenient access. It’s also possible to cycle through the city using the dedicated bike paths.
36 Hour Travel Pass
🌿Match ticket holders are entitled to a 36 Hour Travel Pass across the entire VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr) and VRS (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg) networks at no additional cost. The pass is valid from 06:00 on matchday until 18:00 the following day.
By public transport 🚇
U-Bahn, tram and bus lines provide great access to the districts of Altstadt, Buer, and Horst. Travel costs within Gelsenkirchen vary from €1.90 to €3 per journey. Tickets can be purchased from machines at Gelsenkirchen Central Station or via the VRR website. There are a limited number of public transport services after midnight, so make sure to check the timetables ahead of time. Night buses usually run from midnight to 05:00.
⚠️ Remember that you’ll need to stamp your physical tickets before starting your journey.
When exiting Gelsenkirchen Central Station, you can enjoy a stroll through the Altstadt district north of the train station.
It’s a 7km or 1h30 walk from here to the Fan Zone and Public Viewing in Nordsternpark, if you want to stretch your legs and increase your step count.
There are two main cycle routes to cross the city quickly and safely. Bike paths also run past the stadium and the Fan Zone in Nordsternpark, all well signposted and part of the official cycling network.
Rental bikes are widely available, check out the Gelsenkirchen website for providers (link available in German only).
Official taxis can be recognised by the illuminated yellow taxi sign on the roof of the car. The colour of the vehicles is light ivory. Set tariffs are mandatory in the city of Gelsenkirchen and fares should not be negotiated with the driver.
Visit the Host City taxi infopage for more information and prices.
Rental e-scooters are also available in Gelsenkirchen from various providers, offering a fun and exciting way to explore the city. Familiarise yourself with the rules for riding and parking before you hop on – you don’t want to start your EURO 2024 adventure with a fine! 😅
⚠️ Be aware that the area surrounding the stadium and Fan Zone may have e-scooter parking bans and therefore they should not be used for these journeys.