How to reach Bochum
Airports
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
The Frankfurt Airport is served by more than 1000 flights each day to and from nearly 300 destinations in over 100 countries. It is well connected to Bochum by the train service (it takes about 2 hours by ICE trains).
To take a train to Bochum Hbf, follow the signs to the long-distance station of Frankfurt airport to get to long-distance trains. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machines at the train station.
Düsseldorf Airport (DUS)
The Düsseldorf Airport is particularly convenient due to its closer location to Bochum than the Frankfurt airport. It is an international airport served by flights to and from nearly 170 destinations all over the world. It is very well connected to Bochum by the train service (it takes about 30-40 min depending on a train).
To take a train to Bochum Hbf, use the SkyTrain to get to the railway station Düsseldorf Flughafen. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machines at the train station.
Railways
The german railway network (Deutsche Bahn) provides a comfortable, cost-effective and environmentally conscious way to travel. There are two classes, the slightly more comfortable and significantly more expensive first class ("1./Erste Klasse") and the normal second class ("2./Zweite Klasse").
Tickets can be purchased online via the web services of the Deutsche Bahn.
How to reach the campus
The Campus of the Ruhr University Bochum is located outside of the Bochum downtown area. It can be very conveniently reached using the subway line U35. From Bochum Hbf (Central Station) take the U35 towards Bochum Hustadt (Querenburg) and get out at stop "Ruhr Universität". (Ticket needed: Preisstufe A). On weekdays the subway U35 leaves every 5 minutes and it takes about 10 minutes to reach the university. Further details including the train schedule are available here.
How to reach the Beckmanns Hof
Once you have reached the U35 subway station "Ruhr Universität" you can go up the stairs, turn right and go straight in the direction of Beckmanns Hof.
If you loose your track, you can ask any person on campus for direction to the main canteen (Mensa). Beckmanns Hof is located near the main canteen.
Note that Google maps navigation often gets confused on RUB Campus and may try to suggest a large detour. Please don't take such detours.
Power sockets in Germany
Electrical outlets in Germany have 230 volts at 50 Hz and are equipped with Schuko sockets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schuko
Please check if all your electronic devices support this voltage (and frequency) and take an adapter if necessary.
Useful links
- VRR.de - Public transport journey planner and online schedule for Bochum and surrounding area (Including Dortmund and Düsseldorf): https://www.vrr.de/en/ (in English).
- Mutti-App - Free smartphone app of Bochum public transport company "Bogestra". One can plan journeys and buy tickets online. Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mentz.bogestra_cibo_app&hl=de&gl=US Apple Appstore: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/mutti-app/id1595067186
- Bahn.de - German Railways (Deutsche Bahn) journey planner https://int.bahn.de/en (in English). Here one can plan trips on regional and high-speed (Inter-City) trains.
