Is Dortmund Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Germany : Safety by City

Germany - safety as a country

Dortmund, Germany, is located in the western region of Germany.

It is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Dortmund is known for its beer culture, football team, and industrial heritage.

Dortmund is also known for having excellent infrastructure.

Are you considering visiting Dortmund?

Safety is important, especially when traveling to a new city.

Dortmund is a big city, and it’s critical for you to take the necessary measures to ensure that you protect not only yourself but your belongings.

Read on to learn more about safety in Dortmund, including places to avoid and places to check out for a more enjoyable experience.

Warnings & Dangers in Dortmund

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The overall safety risk for tourists visiting Dortmund is low. This is mainly due to the low crime rate in the city. In fact, the crime rate in Dortmund is much lower compared to other cities in Germany.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Both public transit and taxi services are safe for travelers to use. Many taxis are known to be well-regulated. Public transportation in Dortmund is efficient and consists of light rail and underground trams and buses, all of which are well maintained.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpocketing crimes do occur in Dortmund. Yet, these are occasional instances. Theft and vehicle break-ins also occur. All of these crimes are more likely to occur in crowded areas, including shopping centers, train stations, and tourist hotspots.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Overall, Germany sees a lot of earthquakes, frost, flooding, and storms. Earthquakes that have occurred in the past were relatively weak, and Dortmund is no exception. This means that your chances of experiencing any type of natural disaster while visiting Dortmund are significantly low.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Your chances of becoming a victim of a mugging or robbery in Dortmund are highly unlikely. But this doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. Practicing diligence will keep you from becoming a victim of these types of crimes.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

The risk of a terrorist attack occurring in Dortmund, Germany, is high. Germany has seen recent terrorist attacks in cities including Halle, Hanau, and Dresden in the past several years. Places frequently targeted include shopping centers, markets, restaurants, and places of worship. This means you should remain vigilant while visiting Dortmund since another attack cannot be ruled out.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There are various scams in Dortmund targeting tourists that you should be aware of. Some of the most common types of scams against travelers in Dortmund include picture scams, friendly ATM helpers, taxi overcharging scams, guessing game scams, and bird poop scams. Stay away from a lot of crowds and keep valuables out of sight.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Dortmund is extremely safe for women who are traveling alone or in groups. Many areas of the city are perfectly safe to explore, no matter the time of the day. The crime rate is relatively low in Dortmund, and many locals here are warm and welcoming.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The tap water in Dortmund, including various other parts of the country, is extremely safe and of high quality. The tap water undergoes vigorous safety checks to ensure it’s safe for people to consume. There are no safety issues in relation to the tap water in Dortmund.

Safest Places to Visit in Dortmund

Tourists can enjoy a variety of activities that are safe and welcoming in Dortmund, Germany.

Dortmund has many museums, such as the German Football Museum and Binarium Dortmund.

Many people here have an obvious festive nature.

Tourists can check out various brewery taverns and more.

Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Dortmund are:

Westfalenpark
Alten Markt
Westenhellweg
LWL Industrial Museum Zollern
Dortmund Christmas Market

Some of the safest neighborhoods in Dortmund are:

Brackel
Hombruch
Aplerbeck
Mengede
Innestadt-West
Innestadt-Nord
Scharnhorst

And, if you’re looking for some of the best hotels to stay in Dortmund, consider any of the following:

Steigenberger Hotel Dortmund
Stays Design Hotel Dortmund
Dorint An den Westfalenhallen Dortmund
Intercity Hotel Dortmund

Places to Avoid in Dortmund

Even though Dortmund is a safe city, there are some areas tourists should avoid, or at the very least warrant extra caution.

The Nordstadt area, which is located just north of Dortmund, is known for having higher than average crime rates.

While there have been efforts to improve safety in this area, tourists should be vigilant, especially during the night.

Some other districts of Dortmund that tourists should be cautious of or avoid altogether include:

Horde: The area is located in the southern part of town and has had some problems with crime in the past.
Innenstadt: This is another area tourists should be cautious of, as it is also known to have higher crime rates.
Dorstfeld: This neighborhood is located in the western part of town and has also experienced some crime.

As mentioned earlier, Dortmund is generally safe, and most tourists don’t experience any issues with regard to their safety.

But it’s still important to be aware of your surroundings and exercise more caution in areas that have higher crime rates.

If you must visit these areas, travel in groups, stay in well-lit areas, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Dortmund

Avoid leaving bags unattended. While you are out in public places, avoid leaving your book bags, purses, or other bags unattended. Thieves target people who aren’t paying attention. In addition, do not leave your bags on the back of a chair or underneath your chair.
Do not carry large sums of cash. Another tip to keep in mind when traveling in Dortmund is to avoid carrying large amounts of cash. If possible, only take the least amount of cash with you and leave the rest behind.
Lock valuables up. All valuables should be kept in a safe or at home if you don’t need them. Make sure that your hotel has a safe to store valuables. That way, you won’t have to carry anything with you while exploring the city.
Carry ID on you. You should always keep your ID on you at all times. This isn’t just for emergencies. If law enforcement stops you and requests to see your identification, you should be prepared.
Make copies of travel documents. While you’ll need to bring your original travel documents with you, you shouldn’t carry them around with you. Instead, make copies and keep the originals in your hotel safe. This way, if you lose or misplace them, you will have the originals.
Learn some German. If you don’t know any German, learning basic phrases before your trip is important. This enables you to communicate more effectively while you’re there. This is especially beneficial in emergency situations.
Be aware of your surroundings. Whether you’re walking around Dortmund or relaxing on the beach, it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions like texting and walking. This makes you an easy target for a crime.
Trust your instincts. If you ever get an uncomfortable vibe from a place or person, always go with your gut. It’s possible that your subconscious is trying to alert you to danger. Either way, following your instincts will protect you.
Never share too much information with strangers. Chances are high that you’ll meet many people while traveling in Dortmund. While it may seem harmless to tell people your plans or where you’re staying, this is an easy way for thieves to use this information against you. The less information you give, the better off you’ll be.
Use travel locks. Travel locks are also great to have no matter where you are traveling, and Dortmund is no exception. The best way to keep your bags secure, whether you’re at the airport or a restaurant, is by attaching a travel lock to them. You can also lock your electronics using a USB data blocker.

So... How Safe Is Dortmund Really?

Dortmund is a very safe city to visit.

The crime index is 48, which is considered low.

The safety index is moderate, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t feel safe.

While crime levels in the city have been on the rise, travelers can still feel safe when walking during the day.

However, it’s not recommended to walk during the night, especially if you’re by yourself.

The chances of robbery or mugging occurring in Dortmund are significantly low, but that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down.

It’s advised to leave all valuables in the car and out of plain sight.

Overall, Dortmund is a vibrant city.

And even though crime has increased, the city has made progress in reducing it.

Both community organizations and law enforcement have made successful efforts at decreasing crime rates overall.

Yet, it’s still advised to exercise caution.

Dortmund, just like many other urban areas, has experienced some instances of vehicle break-ins, petty theft, and pickpocketing.

These crimes are more prevalent in areas that tend to attract crowds, including shopping centers and train stations.

During the day, Dortmund is a bustling town with varied crowds going about their day.

It’s perfectly safe to explore the area during this time.

How Does Dortmund Compare?

City	Safety Index
Dortmund	74
Frankfurt	74
Berlin	78
Munich	85
Dresden	75
Dusseldorf	75
Cologne	83
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)	43
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87
Calgary (Canada)	82

Useful Information

Visas

All tourists are legally required to obtain a visa after 90 days of being in Germany. If you are going to be applying while in Germany and are a U.S. citizen, you can apply at the U.S. Consulate General office. The cost of a visa for adults and children 12 years of age and older is $88. The cost of a visa for children between the ages of 6 and 11 is $44. The cost for children under the age of 6 is free.

Currency

Germany only uses euros and no longer uses the Deutsche Mark. When traveling to Dortmund, you can still pay with a credit card anywhere Visa and Mastercard are accepted. To exchange currency in Dortmund, you can use an ATM. They can be accessed in airports, grocery stores, train stations, and even malls.

Weather

The warmest months in Dortmund, Germany, are from June to September. The average high during these months is between 67 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolest seasons are between November and March. Highs are typically between 33 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re planning on visiting, packing the appropriate attire is important, depending on the time of the year you are going.

Airports

The closest airport to Dortmund is DTM (Dortmund) It’s about a 22-minute drive from the city. There’s a train that operates every 30 minutes to and from the city, but it can take a little bit longer to arrive. Tickets cost between $14 and $21. Other nearby airports include Dusseldorf (1 hour and 1 minute), Cologne Bonn (1 hour and 34 minutes), Eindhoven (3 hours and 30 minutes), and Weeze (2 hours and 21 minutes).

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is considered a mandatory health insurance plan for tourists. It covers your medical needs while visiting Dortmund. Even if you’re traveling to Dortmund for a short period of time, travel insurance is highly recommended. It covers medical expenses, losses, delays, cancellations, and more.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Dortmund Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 3° C

Feb 4° C

Mar 6° C

Apr 9° C

May 13° C

Jun 16° C

Jul 19° C

Aug 18° C

Sep 15° C

Oct 11° C

Nov 6° C

Dec 4° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	5	6	10	13	18	21	23	23	19	14	9	6
Low °C	1	1	2	4	8	11	14	13	11	7	3	1
High °F	41	43	50	55	64	70	73	73	66	57	48	43
Low °F	34	34	36	39	46	52	57	55	52	45	37	34

Germany - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Berlin	78
Bremen	65
Cologne	83
Dortmund	74
Dresden	75
Dusseldorf	75
Essen	77
Frankfurt	74
Hamburg	82
Leipzig	78
Munich	85
Nuremberg	87
Stuttgart	73
Wiesbaden	57

Is Dortmund Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report