Getting Around Oberhausen
Oberhausen sits in the heart of the Ruhr Area, between Duisburg and Essen, and its compact, well-connected transport network makes it easy to explore without a car. The city is served by a dense web of trams, buses and regional trains, all coordinated under the Rhine-Ruhr transport association (VRR). Whether you're here for the shopping at CentrO, the International Short Film Festival, or as a base for the wider region, getting around is straightforward once you know the basics.
Public Transport: Trams and the Transitway
Oberhausen's public transport network is operated by the local company STOAG according to VRR tariffs. The backbone of the system is tram (streetcar) line 112, which runs from Oberhausen-Sterkrade through the city and on to Mülheim in the south. The most useful stretch for visitors is the section between the central station and Sterkrade, which doubles as a bus rapid transit (BRT) line on an exclusive bus and tram road passing Neue Mitte.
This transitway was built on a former industrial railway and offers frequent, fast services — often every few minutes. If you miss one service, you can usually already see the next bus or tram approaching in the distance. The trams are low-floor, making them easy to board with luggage or a stroller.
- Handy for visitors: Board any service from platform 1 at the central station tram stop to reach the CentrO shopping mall at Neue Mitte station.
- Buy before boarding: Tickets should be purchased before boarding at the transitway stops.
- Customer service offices: Located at the central station, at the Neue Mitte stop next to the shopping mall, and at Oberhausen-Sterkrade station.
Buses
Local bus lines operate throughout the city and connect seamlessly to neighbouring cities in the Ruhr Area. Intercity buses also serve Oberhausen and other destinations across the region. For most visitors, the buses complement the tram network rather than replace it — useful for reaching districts and attractions away from the main transitway.
Trains and the Main Station
Oberhausen Hauptbahnhof is the city's central station and the main rail gateway. It is served by long-distance ICE and IC trains as well as regional services. Direct ICE/IC connections run without a stopover from Amsterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem, Cologne, and Frankfurt. If your long-distance train doesn't stop in Oberhausen, you can usually change at Duisburg, which is only a short train ride away, or connect via Regional Express (RE) or S-Bahn from other ICE stations in the Ruhr area — transfers are quick.
Oberhausen has three railway stations in total:
- Oberhausen Hauptbahnhof: The central station, served by long-distance and regional trains. The platforms are wheelchair accessible via lifts, and the station building includes a small convenience store, toilets, an information booth, and places to eat.
- Oberhausen-Sterkrade: A small commuter station for the Sterkrade district at the northern end of the bus and tramway from the city via Neue Mitte. It is served by regional trains from Arnhem and Düsseldorf, and some regional services from the south terminate here early when the line further north is blocked or during severe delays.
- Oberhausen-Holten: The third stop, which only serves a residential neighbourhood.
For visitors arriving from the Netherlands, VIAS Rail GmbH operates modern regional trains (RE 19) from Arnhem to Oberhausen's Holten, Sterkrade, and Hauptbahnhof stations. The VRR is responsible for the route network across the Ruhr area, including all S-Bahn traffic.
Tickets and Fares
Oberhausen's public transport runs on VRR tariffs, so a single ticket covers trams, buses, and regional trains within the applicable fare zones. Tickets can be bought before boarding at transitway stops, and customer service offices at the central station, Neue Mitte, and Sterkrade can help with passes and questions. As a rough guide, a single adult fare within the city is €3.30 (from January 2024 onwards).
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in Oberhausen, typically found at the main station and other central locations. For most visitors, however, the tram and bus network is frequent and inexpensive enough that taxis are mainly useful for late-night trips or reaching destinations away from the main lines.
Walking and Cycling
Central Oberhausen is walkable in its core areas, particularly around the main station and the Neue Mitte district, where the tramway, shopping, and attractions cluster together. The city is generally flat, which makes walking and cycling comfortable. For longer journeys between districts, though, the tram and bus network is the practical choice.
Getting In from the Airport
The nearest airport is Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), located south of Oberhausen. From there, you can reach the city by train — Düsseldorf Airport has its own station with connections into the Ruhr Area, and Oberhausen Hauptbahnhof is served by long-distance and regional trains. If your train doesn't stop directly in Oberhausen, changing at Duisburg is a quick and easy option, as it's only a short ride away. By car, the drive from Düsseldorf Airport to Oberhausen takes around 25 minutes.
Arriving by Car
Oberhausen is well accessible by the local dense Autobahn highway network, though congestion during rush hour can be quite bad. Drivers leaving the highway need a green pollution sticker on their windshield, so if you're driving into the city, make sure your vehicle has one.
Arriving by Boat
Near the CentrO mall there's a small marina for private watercraft to dock, useful if you're arriving by boat along the region's waterways.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Buy your ticket before boarding, especially at the transitway stops.
- Use platform 1 at the central station tram stop for services toward Neue Mitte and CentrO.
- If you're coming from the Netherlands, the RE 19 from Arnhem stops at Holten, Sterkrade, and Hauptbahnhof.
- For long-distance rail, check whether your train stops in Oberhausen; if not, Duisburg is a quick and convenient interchange.
- Customer service offices at the central station, Neue Mitte, and Sterkrade can help with tickets and passes.