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How to Get to Dusseldorf

How to Get to Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf North Rhine Westphalia, Germany Travel Guide

Airport Hubs

Düsseldorf Airport DUS

The main international airport for Düsseldorf and the wider North Rhine-Westphalia region.

Details

  • About 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) north of the city center.
  • Germany's fourth-largest airport, handling millions of passengers.
  • Eurowings operates a hub here. Major carriers include Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, Air France, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways.

Cologne Bonn Airport CGN

About 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Düsseldorf, an alternative, especially for some low-cost carriers.

Details

  • About 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Düsseldorf.
  • A focus city for Eurowings and Ryanair. Other European carriers include Turkish Airlines and Wizz Air.
  • Direct train connections to Düsseldorf.

Direct Flights

DUS has direct flights from North America (New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Toronto), Asia (Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo), and numerous European cities.

Price Fluctuations

Peak Season (Summer, Christmas): Higher prices. Book several months in advance. Shoulder Season (Spring/Autumn): More competitive pricing. Low Season (Winter): Generally lowest prices.

Airport Services

DUS is modern with shops, restaurants, lounges, currency exchange, car rental. Free Wi-Fi. SkyTrain connects terminals to long-distance train station.

Airport Transfers

DUS to City Center

  • Train (SkyTrain to Fernbahnhof, then S11): ~10-15 min, ~€3.50. Most efficient.
  • Bus: Less direct for city center.
  • Taxi: ~€20-€25.
  • Ride-sharing: FREE NOW and Bolt operate. Uber less common.

CGN to City Center

Train Service Comparison

ICE Intercity-Express

Very High Speed. Connects major German cities, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels. Advance booking is good for best prices.

IC/EC Intercity/Eurocity

High Speed. Serves German cities and some international routes. Often a more affordable option than ICE. Advance booking is good.

RE/RB Regional-Express/Regionalbahn

Medium Speed. Connects Düsseldorf to regional cities like Cologne, Essen, Dortmund. Good for day trips. Flexible, often part of public transport network.

Land Transportation

Train Travel in Germany

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany's national railway company. Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof serves as a major rail hub with excellent connections.

Types of Trains

  • ICE (Intercity-Express): High-speed trains connect Düsseldorf to major German cities and neighboring countries.
  • IC/EC (Intercity/Eurocity): Long-distance trains for domestic and international routes, slower than ICE but often cheaper.
  • RE/RB (Regional-Express/Regionalbahn): Regional trains connect Düsseldorf to cities within North Rhine-Westphalia.

Long-Distance Buses

FlixBus is the dominant long-distance bus operator in Germany and across Europe.

FlixBus Details

  • FlixBus connects Düsseldorf to numerous cities throughout Germany and other European countries.
  • Advantages: Long-distance buses are often cheaper than trains, especially for last-minute bookings.
  • Disadvantages: Generally slower than trains, especially for long distances, and can be subject to traffic delays. Book online via the FlixBus website.

Self-Driving Essentials

Germany's extensive land transportation network makes Düsseldorf highly accessible by train and bus, with options for self-driving too.

License & Rental

  • Driving License: A valid national driving license from your home country is usually enough for short visits. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is good.
  • Car Rental: Major international car rental companies (Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise) operate. Book in advance.
  • Road Conditions: German roads (Autobahns, Bundesstraßen) are generally well-maintained and of high quality.

Driving Laws & Zones

Rules and regulations for driving.

Important Rules

  • Speed Limits: Autobahns often have no general speed limit for cars, but many sections have posted limits. Urban: 50 km/h, rural: 100 km/h.
  • Parking: Can be expensive and challenging in city center. Consider using Park-and-Ride (P+R) options.
  • Environmental Zones (Umweltzone): The Düsseldorf city center is an environmental zone. Vehicles must display a "green sticker". Rental cars usually come with this.

Road Safety Notes

  • Roads are well-maintained throughout Germany.
  • Driving on the Autobahn needs attention due to the potential for high speeds. Always keep right unless overtaking.
  • Traffic jams can occur during rush hour, specifically around major cities and on Autobahns.
  • Drink-driving limits are strict in Germany (0.05% Blood Alcohol Content).
  • Adhere to traffic lights, signs, and right-of-way rules. Remember the "right before left" rule, unless indicated.
  • Always be aware of conditions.

Sea/River Arrivals

Rhine River Cruises

Düsseldorf is a popular stop for multi-day river cruises on the Rhine.

Cruise Options

  • Connects cities like Cologne, Koblenz, Mainz, and Amsterdam. Various river cruise lines offer these itineraries.
  • Local boat operators, like Weiße Flotte and KD Schiffahrt, offer scenic day cruises from Düsseldorf. Views of city skyline and MedienHafen.
  • These cruises are for sightseeing, not typically for point-to-point commuting.

Arrival Procedures

Immigration and land connections.

Docking & Access

  • Immigration Procedures: For cruises within Schengen, procedures are at first port of entry. No additional checks between Schengen ports.
  • Connections to Land Transportation: River cruise docks are typically walking distance or a short public transport ride from the city center. Easy links to trams and buses.
  • No cable cars, funiculars, or other unique local transport systems exist due to the city's flat topography.

Pedestrian Areas

Altstadt, Königsallee, MedienHafen, Hofgarten, and Rhine Promenade are excellent for walking.

Cycling Safety

Düsseldorf has a growing network of bike lanes. Cycling is popular and safe. Remain aware of traffic and pedestrians. Helmets recommended.

No-Go Areas

No specific "no-go" areas for pedestrians or cyclists. Very crowded areas like Königsallee or Altstadt can be challenging for cycling during peak times.

Departure Information

Departure Timing

Prepare for your departure from Düsseldorf, whether by air or train, to ensure a stress-free exit.

General Advice

  • International Flights: Arrive at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) at least 2-3 hours before departure if flying outside Schengen.
  • Schengen Flights: 1.5-2 hours is usually good.
  • Train Travel: Arrive at Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof 15-20 minutes before departure.

Check-in & Refunds

No specific exit fees or taxes for departing travelers from Germany. Airport taxes are usually included in airfare.

Departure Procedures

  • Check-in: Online check-in is good where available.
  • Security: Be ready for standard security checks.
  • VAT Refund: If a non-EU resident, allow extra time at airport. Get tax-free forms stamped by customs before luggage check-in, then process refund. Keep all receipts.

Road Safety & Rules

Driving Side

Drive on the right-hand side of the road in Germany. Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants.

Speed Limits

Autobahns often have no general speed limit for cars, though many sections have posted limits. Urban areas: 50 km/h, rural roads: 100 km/h.

Parking & Zones

Parking in the city center can be expensive and challenging. The Düsseldorf city center operates as an environmental zone (Umweltzone); vehicles must display a "green sticker".

Final Checks

Confirm your flight or train status before leaving for the airport or station.

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