Major city · Germany
Witten
Skip Witten as a base unless you want cheap Ruhr beds and green river days: one night, or a half-day stop on the Ruhr Valley bike path.
Witten is a 96,000-person Ruhr town between Dortmund and Hagen, on the Ruhr river. Coal mining in the region started here, and the deindustrialised centre is small; the value is the green outskirts, the Kemnade reservoir and the Ruhr Valley heritage railway. Most travellers use it as a cheap, central bed for the Ruhr rather than a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (grey, wet, few outdoor draws)
- Airports
- DTM · DUS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Witten112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Witten, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Germany-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelekom, Vodafone and O2 are the networks; Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and congstar resell them cheaply in supermarkets and electronics shops.Germany-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.Germany-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or add 5–10%; say the total you want to pay as you hand over money or card.Germany-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Germany-wide
- SafetycheckWitten is a normal Ruhr town and generally safe by day; the centre is quiet at night, so stick to lit streets and check the last tram.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost €0.50–1.50 (≈ US$1–2) (Rail&Fresh WC); restaurant toilets are for customers…Germany-wide
- Emergency numbers112 fire and ambulance · 110 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and public holidays nearly everywhere except stations and airports.Germany-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDTM Dortmund Airport (About 21 km (13 mi) away; small, mostly short-haul.).DTM Dortmund Airport (About 13 mi (21 km) away; small, mostly short-haul.).
- Getting aroundTwo tram lines (309, 310) plus buses run roughly 05:00–23:00, later starts at weekends, with very limited night buses.Two tram lines (309, 310) plus buses run roughly 5:00 AM–11:00 PM, later starts at weekends, with very limited night buses.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealMain course in a mid-range restaurant€12–20 (≈ US$14–25)
- Beerdraught in a bar / bottle at a kiosk€4–5.50 (≈ US$5–7)€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideTram or bus single ride€3–4 (≈ US$4–5) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketMärkisches Museum entryFree
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €160 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DTM Dortmund Airport (About 21 km (13 mi) away; small, mostly short-haul.) · DUS Düsseldorf Airport (About 43 km (27 mi) away; the useful one for long-haul and most European flights.)DTM Dortmund Airport (About 13 mi (21 km) away; small, mostly short-haul.) · DUS Düsseldorf Airport (About 27 mi (43 km) away; the useful one for long-haul and most European flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Witten: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
12 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Two tram lines (309, 310) plus buses run roughly 05:00–23:00, later starts at weekends, with very limited night buses. The centre is small enough to walk; Bahnhofstrasse is partly closed to cars. The Ruhr Valley bike path runs along the river.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dortmund
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
RE4, RE16 or S5 from Witten Hauptbahnhof
Football museum, city centre and long-distance rail links.
Bochum
goDoor to door: About 30 min
RB40 or tram, about 9 km (5.6 mi)RB40 or tram, about 5.6 mi (9 km)
University quarter and nightlife; also the railway museum at Dahlhausen for the heritage line.
Hattingen
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Regional train or the Ruhr Valley heritage railway
Medieval centre and castle ruins, about 11 km (6.8 mi).Medieval centre and castle ruins, about 6.8 mi (11 km).
Essen
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
RB40 towards Essen
Zollverein and the Ruhr Museum make a full day.
Wuppertal
goDoor to door: About 40 min
RE4 towards Düsseldorf, about 24 km (15 mi)RE4 towards Düsseldorf, about 15 mi (24 km)
The Schwebebahn monorail is the draw.
Düsseldorf
goDoor to door: About 1 h
RE4 direct, about 45 km (28 mi)RE4 direct, about 28 mi (45 km)
State capital on the Rhine; good for a day or an airport run.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Witten centre (around Hauptbahnhof and Bahnhofstrasse)
Walkable to the station, shops and the main tram lines; the practical choice for one night.
South of the centre (Hohenstein, Ardey)
Quieter, greener, upscale hotels in a park-like area; bus or tram to the centre.
Herbede and the Ruhr valley
Riverside, near the bike path and the heritage railway stops; car or bike helps.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–140 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95 | €190 |
| VRR day ticket, one day2 × €10 · check | €20 |
| Ruhr Valley heritage railway, return2 × €24 · cash only | €48 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €40 |
| Trip total≈ €219 per person per day, bed included | €438≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / bottle at a kiosk | €4–5.50 (≈ US$5–7) / €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Main course in a mid-range restaurant | €12–20 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Tram or bus single ride | €3–4 (≈ US$4–5) (check) |
| Märkisches Museum entry | Free |
| Nachtigall Mining Museum entry | €4 (≈ US$5) adult, €2 (≈ US$3) child |
| Freizeitbad Heveney pool, adult | €12.75 (≈ US$15) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tram and bus service thins out after about 23:00; weekend nights have very few night buses.Tram and bus service thins out after about 11:00 PM; weekend nights have very few night buses.
- Parts of the centre are closed to through traffic and some residential streets are permit-only for parking and entry.
- Bike lanes are patchy and sometimes badly placed: ride defensively.
- The Ruhr Valley heritage railway fare is cash only.
Emergency numbers
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
WittenWitten
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Fire and ambulance112
- Police110
Embassy
No embassies in Witten; the US consulate-general is in Düsseldorf and most embassies are in Berlin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DUS Airport → Witten by train: about 1 h 15 min with a change, price varies (check)
- Witten → Dortmund, regional train: about 30 min, covered by the Deutschlandticket (check)
- Ruhr Valley heritage railway, return: €24 (≈ US$30), cash only
- Taxi in town: metered; short hops usually under €15 (≈ US$18) (check)
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (hallo)
- Danke — Thank you (danke)
- Bitte — Please (bitte)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (vee feel kostet das)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ikh mit karte tsahlen)
- Wo ist der Bahnhof? — Where is the station? (vo ist dair bahn-hof)
Tipping: round up or add 5–10%, said to the server as you pay.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Witten. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (grey, wet, few outdoor draws) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DUS and DTM: last train times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Hauptbahnhof and Bahnhofstrasse, Rathausplatz and Johannis Church, the Ruhr valley and Hardenstein.
- Place pages with verified hours (Märkisches Museum, Nachtigall Mining Museum, Lake Kemnade, heritage railway) and eat pages with last orders.
- Heritage-railway and ferry fixtures so gates A–D can go green.