The underground Mülheim an der Ruhr is the main public transport system in the city of the same name in the Rhine-Ruhr region. This system is part of the extensive Stadtbahn network that links the Rhine-Ruhr region of western Germany. At present, only one line – U18 – serves Mülheim, starting its route from the east in the neighbouring city of Essen.
Since 1979, just two years after its foundation, this line has connected Essen and Mülheim and later extended its reach to other nearby cities such as Gelsenkirchen. In Mülheim an der Ruhr, the Stadtbahn is complemented by trams, which serve a large part of the population through an extensive network shared with the neighbouring city of Oberhausen to the north.
A basic ticket for the system costs 1.60 euros (about $1.90). The system operates for much of the day, with trains running from around 4.30am to 11.30pm Monday to Friday. Weekend services start a few hours later.
The Mulheim Metro, also known as “Stadtbahn Mulheim U18”, operates in Germany. Specific figures on daily passenger numbers and fares are not available. The metro does not operate 24 hours a day and does not use driverless trains. Air conditioning is not available.
Passengers are not allowed to walk between platforms and the system does not have platform screen doors. Operating hours are from 04:00 to 00:00 from Monday to Sunday.
Metro map of Mulheim
Map of Mülheim Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Mülheim Metro map in PDF format.
Germany’s Metro Systems: A Closer Look at Mülheim an der Ruhr
The City
The city of Mülheim an der Ruhr, one of the smallest in the Rhine-Ruhr region, is bisected by two central rivers from which it takes its name. The region is of considerable importance as it is densely populated and has considerable economic value. Mülheim is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state.
Situated on the banks of the River Ruhr, Mülheim is nestled between Duisburg and Essen, with other nearby cities including Oberhausen and Ratingen. It’s a relatively small city, with a population of around 170,000.
The region as a whole has proved to be a robust economic engine for the nation, with coal mining a key activity in the past. Mülheim led the way in mitigating the environmental impact and eventually phasing out the industry. The economy has since diversified and is largely based on agriculture. Impressively, almost half of the town’s total area is green space, a stark contrast to its past industrial reliance.
On the cultural front, Mülheim an der Ruhr has seen a significant increase in the number of museums and theatres. The restoration of public parks, historic buildings and landmarks is also noteworthy.
The city has a temperate climate with considerable rainfall. In summer, the average temperature is between 16 and 17°C, while in winter it drops to around 2 or 3°C.
The Metro
The city’s underground system is an integral part of the Essen Stadtbahn. Line U18 is the only line between Essen and Mülheim, with only 5.5 km of the line actually within the city limits.
All the rolling stock on the system consists of two types of train. The first, known as Stadtbahnwagen B, is used on the U18 line between Essen and Mülheim and is mainly used in light rail systems.
Since the 1990s these have been gradually replaced by the more modern P86 and P89 versions. These are based on Transports for London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and provide a more efficient service.
However, not all of the replacements have been introduced on the U18 line due to concerns about stopping distances at some stations. The U18 is operated by Bochum-Gelsenkirchener Straßenbahnen AG, also known as BOGESTRA.
A Glimpse into the History
Located in the densely populated Rhine-Ruhr region, the city of Mülheim an der Ruhr needed a robust transport network to connect all the major cities and their suburbs. As a result, the city was included in the master plan for the development of a railway network that would eventually form the Stadtbahn network.
It was only after the Second World War that planning really accelerated. Trams were the first to be introduced, quickly followed by an express bus network with its own segregated lane. In 1961, plans were put forward to build a tunnel in Essen to provide a direct link to Mülheim. After debating whether to develop a large underground system like other major cities or to introduce a tram system, the latter was chosen. On 28 May 1977, the underground tramway began its first phase of operation, connecting Essen to Mülheim via Heiße Kirche station.
The five additional stations built in the city were inaugurated on 3 November 1979, when the connection to the main railway station was completed. Expansion of the line continued in the surrounding area, particularly in Essen and neighbouring Gelsenkirchen. In 2010, the entire system was restructured to improve efficiency, and the U18 was renamed the Shopping Line due to its significant commercial importance.
Lines and Stations
The Essener Stadtbahn directly connects three neighbouring cities: Essen, Gelsenkirchen and Mülheim an der Ruhr. It consists of three lines. U11 serves Gelsenkirchen via the Gelsenkirchen-Horst Buerer Straße terminal and connects to Essen at the Messe/Süd/Gruga terminal. The U17 operates exclusively within Essen, while the U18 serves as a link to Mülheim.
U18
Starting from the terminus Berliner Platz in Essen, this line serves Mülheim via an underground route. The terminus on this side of the line is called Mülheim (Ruhr) Hauptbahnhof. With a total of 17 stations, a single journey on this line takes about 10 minutes. In 2010, the network was reconfigured and the route of the U18 line was extended. In addition, between 2010 and 2011, it was designated as a shopping line, as it includes stations in the main shopping areas.
There are nine stations within the city limits of Mülheim an der Ruhr. For passengers travelling from Essen, the first station is the above-ground Rhein-Ruhr-Zentrum, which serves the business park of the same name. The next stations, Rosendeller Straße and Eichbaum, are also above ground. After these, the trains arrive at Heiße Kirche, the last station opened in 1977 and the only one that is underground.
The next stations were opened to the public in 1979. The first of these is Mühlenfeld station, located under Hingbergstraße. Further down is Christianstraße, which is similar to the previous station. The U18 then reaches Gracht, an underground station located near the Buggenbeck Canal. The next station is called Von-Bock-Straße, also underground. The final station, Mülheim (Ruhr) Hauptbahnhof, is probably the most important as it serves as a transit hub, connecting the U18 with trams, several other train lines and numerous bus lines.
Interconnections with Other Systems
A single mode of transport can rarely satisfy all the mobility needs of a city’s inhabitants. As a result, any metro system is usually complemented by other public transport networks. Mülheim is part of the larger Rhine-Ruhr regional transport network, with the metro being part of the larger Stadtbahn network based in Essen. This provides additional connections to other suburban and long-distance trains.
Within the city, trams (known locally as Straßenbahn) are the most widely used form of public transport. As they also operate in the neighbouring city of Oberhausen, the tram network is aptly named Straßenbahn Mülheim/Oberhausen. This system is managed by a company called VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr). The only direct link between the underground and the trams is the city’s main railway station: Mülheim (Ruhr) Hauptbahnhof. Lines 102 and 901 stop here.
As in most cities around the world, buses make up a significant part of public transport. These are also operated by the VRR and are fully integrated into the tram network. Tickets are available for all three systems, making it easy and convenient to get around the city. The Rhein-Ruhr-Zentrum, Von-Bock-Straße and Hauptbahnhof stations all have direct bus connections.
Another key component is the S-Bahn, which refers to all train networks that connect city centres with suburbs. In the Rhine-Ruhr region, the entire S-Bahn operates as a single system, with 14 lines and 124 stations spread across the region. Only three of these are in Mülheim an der Ruhr. Unsurprisingly, the city’s main station, Hauptbahnhof, is one of them. This station serves as the only junction between the city railway and the suburban railway, with lines S1 and S3. The other two S-Bahn stations in the city are Mülheim Styrum (which also serves lines S1 and S3) and Mülheim (Ruhr) West (which only serves line S3).
Equally important is access to national and long-distance (international) trains, and the system has a direct link via Mülheim (Ruhr) Central Station. From here, passengers can transfer to any of the five regional lines or any of the five or more long-distance lines.
Connections to the Airport
Due to its small size, the city of Mülheim does not have its own international airport. Most passenger traffic is handled by Düsseldorf, a larger city located 29km south of Mülheim. Two other nearby options are the airports at Dortmund and Weeze, 61km and 71km away respectively.
There is no direct connection from the U18 line to Düsseldorf airport. However, it is relatively easy to reach by suburban train. From Mülheim an der Ruhr, passengers need to take the underground to the Hauptbahnhof terminal. From there, they simply need to change to the S1 S-Bahn line, which stops at the airport.
Schedule and Timetables
The timetable for the U18 line from Essen varies according to the day of the week. From Monday to Friday, the first train of the day departs from Wickenburgstraße station in Essen at 4.22 a.m. After a short journey, it enters Mülheim via Rhein-Ruhr-Zentrum and arrives at the terminal, Hauptbahnhof, at 4.35 a.m. The last train of the day arrives at the terminal at 11.22 a.m. The frequency of trains also varies throughout the day.
The frequency of trains also varies throughout the day. From the opening hour until 6 am, trains run every 20 minutes. From 6am to 7pm trains run every 10 minutes. From 7pm to 10pm this is reduced to every 15 minutes. Trains running after 10pm until closing time have longer intervals, up to 30 minutes.
On Saturdays, trains run at slightly reduced intervals. The first train from Essen arrives at Rhein-Ruhr-Zentrum at 6:41 and the last train of the day at 6:52. The frequency of the trains is slightly slower, with trains running every 15 minutes for most of the day, except at night when they run every 30 minutes.
Sundays and public holidays have a special timetable. The first train leaves the city centre at 7.41 and arrives at the terminal at 7.52. The last train leaves at 23.22. The frequency is the same as on Saturdays: 15 minutes for most of the day, except late at night when it increases to 30 minutes.
Tariffs, Tickets, and Cards
Tariffs are unified with the rest of the region’s public transport, which is managed by the VRR. This integration is advantageous as it allows access to buses, trams and metros throughout the Rhine-Ruhr region. The price of the ticket varies according to the distance travelled, with four different categories: A, B, C and D. Zone A is further subdivided into A1, A2 and A3 for larger cities.
The first type of ticket offered is a single ticket, which is suitable for infrequent or occasional users. This ticket, also known as an individual ticket, is priced differently depending on the distance travelled. For a short journey, no more than three stations in 20 minutes, the ticket costs €1.60 ($1.90). For Zone A, the price rises to €2.70 ($3.23). Travelling to zone B costs 5.80 euros ($6.95), while zones C and D cost 12.10 euros ($14.49) and 15.00 euros ($17.96) respectively. Tickets for children (aged 6 to 14) always cost 1.60 euros (1.90 USD).
As well as single tickets, another option for occasional users is the 4-trip ticket. These tickets cost 5.90 euros ($7.07 USD) for the basic trip, 10.00 euros ($11.98 USD) for zone A, 20.90 euros ($25.03 USD) for zone B, 42.80 euros ($51.26 USD) for zone C and 52.50 euros ($62.87 USD) for zone D. Prices for children (aged 6 to 14) are discounted, always at 5.90 euros ($7.07 USD) regardless of zone. Following the same principle, there is also a 10-trip ticket available at different prices depending on the zone.
The 1-Day Unlimited Pass, popular with tourists, can be used by up to 5 people at the same time and offers significant savings. If the 1-day ticket is not enough, there is also a 7-day ticket available.
There are also a number of travel cards for frequent users of the system. The most notable of these are the Ticket1000 and Ticket2000 cards. Both offer unlimited travel for a whole month, but the Ticket2000 allows a second person to travel with the cardholder at certain times and even gives free travel to children under 15. It also includes travel with a bicycle, which normally requires an additional ticket purchase.
Other special tickets include: the ShokoTicket for students under 25; the YoungTicket for general students; the SemesterTicket, which is also for students but is issued directly by schools and universities; the FirmenTicket, which is issued by companies for their employees; the MeinTicket, a social ticket; and the BärenTicket, a special ticket for people over 60.
Rules and regulations
All transport systems in the world have a set of rules that passengers must follow to make the journey more enjoyable for everyone. Some of the rules in the Mülheim metro are
- Smoking is strictly forbidden, as is eating and drinking on the trains.
- Passengers must give up their seats if requested by the elderly, people with severe physical disabilities, pregnant women or people with small children.
- Passengers must always follow the instructions of the staff, especially in the event of an emergency.
Advice
Public transport in Germany is based on a system of trust, so there are no physical barriers preventing you from boarding trains. However, it is very important to keep your ticket with you at all times, as the operators can demand it at any time.
Planning is very important with this type of system, as knowing how far your destination is from where you are can save you money. Planning is also generally a good idea for holidays in general.
There is a free app you can download. It provides detailed instructions, timetables, announcements and all relevant information that a passenger might find useful.
Fun facts
- This metro is only a fraction of the larger Stadtbahn of Essen, a transport network that serves the entire Rhine-Ruhr region.
- The larger region is served by the S-Bahn, a rapid transit system.
- Despite being called a ‘metro’, many of the systems in operation in the region are more like a hybrid between a metro and a tram.
- Any elderly person requiring assistance will be accompanied by a member of staff to their destination at no extra cost.
Tourism and sightseeing
Like the whole of the Rhine-Ruhr region, Mülheim an der Ruhr has transformed itself from its grey industrial and coal-mining roots into a green city with sustainable businesses. Some of the most popular attractions, easily reached by metro, are
Rhein-Ruhr-Zentrum: One of Germany’s first major shopping centres is located just outside the metro station of the same name. There are many large designer shops, franchises and smaller shops as well as a large food court.
Kunstmuseum Mülheim an der Ruhr in der Alten Post: Located in the former post office building, this is one of the most important centres for expressionism in the region. The Karl and Maria Ziegler Foundation is the main contributor to its collection. To get to the museum, get off at the main station and walk a few blocks west.