Inaugurated on 26 May 1979, the Bochum Metro – also known as the Stadtbahn – has a network length of 21.53 kilometres. This public transport system serves 29 stations through its 2 lines.
The Bochum Metro, also known as the Stadtbahn in Germany, operates 24 hours on Friday and Saturday nights. Fares and daily ridership for this metro system are not available.
This metro system does not use driverless trains, air conditioning or platform screen doors. Passengers are not allowed to walk between platforms.
The Bochum Metro operates from 4:30 am to 1:00 am Monday through Sunday.
Bochum Metro Map
Map of Bochum Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Bochum Metro map in PDF format.
General Information
Bochum, a city located in the eastern part of the Ruhr Valley between Essen and Dortmund, benefits from a diverse public transport network. The city’s network includes train, underground, tram and bus services, collectively known as the Bochum Stadtbahn.
Serving Bochum, Gelsenkirchen and the surrounding areas of Herne, Hattingen and Witten, the Bochum Stadtbahn is a light rail system. It is operated by BOGESTRA (Bochum-Gelsenkirchener Straßenbahnen AG), a joint venture between the cities of Bochum and Gelsenkirchen.
The city of Bochum, like Dortmund, was included in the Rhein-Ruhr Stadtbahn master plan in 1970. The plan envisaged three lines intersecting at Bochum’s main station:
- A north-south line from Recklinghausen via Herne to Bochum and Witten
- A line from Hattingen in the south-west to Castrop Rauxel in the north-east
- A line from Gelsenkirchen in the north-west to the south-eastern districts of Bochum.
The Bochum Stadtbahn, which has been in operation since 1979, currently has one main line. This line is 15.3 kilometres long, has 21 stations and mainly serves the main north-south route.
Bochum Stadtbahn Metro Lines
Of the three lines originally planned, only the U35 is in operation. This line runs underground for much of its route through Herne and Bochum. The second line, which runs mainly through the centre of Bochum, is used by trams. The third line is only completed in the centre of Gelsenkirchen. In essence, parts of the lines are in operation, but the whole is still to be completed.
Key Stations
The central hub of the network, Bochum Hauptbahnhof, is designed to accommodate the three lines running through the city. It consists of two levels, with the upper level dedicated to the east-west platforms (used by trams) and the lower level for the remaining two lines, of which only the U35 is currently in operation.
Operating Hours:
The U35 line operates from 04:30 a.m. to 01:00 a.m.
Frequency
The service frequency stands at 5 minutes from Hustadt to Riemke Markt and every 10 minutes to Strünkede Schloss. After 20:00 hours, the frequency shifts to every 15 minutes.
Ticketing and Fares
Similar to Dortmund or Düsseldorf, Bochum is part of the VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr) tariff. Ticket prices vary according to the number of zones travelled, with zone A covering the city of Bochum and zones B and C covering the suburbs. Tickets can be bought from ticket machines, kiosks with the VRR symbol, BOGESTRA offices and from bus drivers. The BOGESTRA office is located in front of the main station.
Remember to validate your ticket before boarding a train, tram or underground as the penalties for non-compliance are severe. The validation machines are orange and are located on the platform, trams and buses.
There are five tariff zones:
- Single ticket: Suitable for a short journey (maximum 3 stops)
- Zone A Ticket: Valid for travel within one city, remains valid for 90 minutes after validation
- Zone B Ticket: Valid for travel within a city into a neighbouring city, valid for 120 minutes after validation
- Zone C Ticket: Valid for travel between three cities, valid for 180 minutes after validation
- Zone D Ticket: Allows travel within the entire VRR region, valid for 240 minutes after validation
- Additional options include 4 Single Journey Tickets, 1 Day Ticket and 1 Month Ticket
- 1 Day Ticket: Valid from the time of validation until 03:00 the following day. Economical from the third journey.
| Tipo de Ticket | Short Trip | Zone A | Zone B | Zone C | Zone D | Zona E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Adult | 1.40€ | 2.40€ | 4.90€ | 10.10€ | 12.00€ | 15.10 |
| Single Child | 1.40€ | 1.40€ | 1.40€ | 1.40€ | 1.40€ | 1.40€ |
| 4 Tickets Adult | 5.30€ | 8.70€ | 17.30€ | 35.20€ | 41.40€ | 53.20€ |
| 4 Tickets Child | 5.30€ | 5.30€ | 5.30€ | 5.30€ | 5.30€ | 5.30€ |
| 1 Day Ticket | – | 5.70€ | 11.30€ | 23.30€ | 26.30€ | 26.30€ |
| Group Ticket | – | 12.60€ | 18.70€ | 30.80€ | 36.50€ | 36.50€ |
Monthly pass: Known as Ticket 1000, this non-transferable pass offers unlimited travel within the designated zone. It allows a maximum of two adults and three children. The cost varies according to the time of use, with cheaper rates after 09:00.
Transferable monthly pass: Called Ticket 2000, this pass is transferable between users and includes bicycle transport. It offers unlimited travel within the validity zone and has the same family accommodation features as the Ticket 1000.
|
Monthly Pass Zone A |
To use before 09.00 a.m. | To use after 09.00 a.m. |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket 1000 | 60.75€ | 44.55€ |
|
Ticket 2000 |
66.75€ | 49.10€ |
Please note, for the most recent information, visit the official website.
Children: Children under the age of 6 travel free when accompanied by an adult. For children between ages 6 and 15, a child fare applies, and those aged 15 and over are charged adult fares.
Airports
Although there are three airports serving Bochum, the closest is Dortmund Airport.
The high-speed ICE, IC, EC and regional RE 1 trains stop regularly at Bochum Central Station and provide services to the airport. A single ticket costs €11.40 and the journey takes approximately 33 minutes on the ICE and 35 minutes on the regional train.
For more information, visit the German Railway’s website and the North Rhine-Westphalia transport’s website.