← Enschede Marathon·Day trip

Münster: A Flat German City Across the Border After Enschede

A flat German university city with an arcaded market street, a cathedral and a lake, reached by regional train across the border.

DurationDay trip
TransitRegional train from Enschede to Münster, about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes
DepartsEnschede station

After the Enschede Marathon: Münster

The Route: Enschede → Münster → Enschede Logistics: Regional train across the border, about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes each way, with a change on some services. Münster station is a flat 10-minute walk from the old town. Marathon Month: April Duration: Day trip

Enschede ──(1h-1h20, regional train)──> Münster Hbf
    ^                                        │
    └────────(1h-1h20, return)───────────────┘

The Enschede Marathon finishes in the centre of Enschede on a Sunday in April. Münster is the nearest big city across the border in Germany, and it is exceptionally flat, which suits a Monday on stiff legs.

April in Münster: daytime highs are about 13°C, with showers and sunny spells in turn. Cherry blossom around the Aasee and the Schlossgarten can appear in April, though timing varies with the weather, and the trees are as often in bud as in flower. Many German museums close on Mondays, so check opening hours before you go. Shops are open as normal on a weekday.

Cross-border regional trains run between Enschede and Münster, but the route and the need for a change vary by timetable. Check both the NS and the DB planners before travelling, and compare a single ticket with a day ticket for the region. Euros are used on both sides, and a card works almost everywhere in Münster.

The Old Town

The Prinzipalmarkt is a street of gabled, arcaded houses leading to the historic town hall. It is paved with cobbles but wide and level, and the arcades give shelter from rain. Inside the town hall, the Friedenssaal (Peace Hall) is where the Peace of Westphalia was signed in 1648; entry is a few euros, with a short flight of steps.

St Lamberti's church has three iron cages hanging from its tower, where the bodies of Anabaptist leaders were displayed in 1536. The cathedral, St Paulus-Dom, is level inside with a large astronomical clock, and is free to enter. The LWL Museum of Art and Culture on Domplatz has lifts and seating; check whether it is closed on Mondays, since many German museums are.

The Aasee, a lake west of the centre, has a flat, paved path around it. A half circuit takes about an hour and has many benches. Münster is a cycling city, with a dedicated lane on most streets, so look carefully before you cross a bike path.

Trains return until late evening, but the last connection across the border can be early. Check the final train on the DB and NS apps before settling in for dinner.