Dusseldorf Travel Essentials

Our Düsseldorf travel essentials guide offers everything you need to get the most out of your holiday to this fascinating German city. We cover a variety of aspects of this city that you need to know, including the travel seasons, outlet types, currency, climate, emergency phone numbers and more. You can even discover your transport options for getting to your hotel and getting around town.

The best way to experience what Düsseldorf has to offer is to immerse yourself in its activities and events. With this guide, you’ll find convenient lists of both along with all the information you need to plan the ultimate Düsseldorf holiday.

1. When is the best time to travel to Dusseldorf?

1. The climate in Düsseldorf is seasonal, with average mean temperatures in the middle of winter around 3.3°C and summer averages of 19.1°C.
2. Precipitation in Düsseldorf is relatively rare, so there’s not much rain to worry about no matter what time of year you visit, though May is the rainiest. Keep in mind that January tends to get a lot of snow too.
3. The warmest temperatures in Düsseldorf are in July when highs average around 24.2°C, but August and June are fairly warm too, with the entire summer season having highs above 20°C.
4. The best time to visit Düsseldorf is generally during the summer when there isn’t much rain and the weather is warm, though spring is a good option if you’re looking for travel discounts.

2. Dusseldorf basics

1. Plug type: Düsseldorf uses a type F plug like the rest of Germany, so you’ll need an adapter for UK appliances.
2. Electricity: City outlets have a standard voltage of 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.
3. Currency: Germany uses the Euro.
4. International dialling code: The international dialling code is +49.
5. Emergency telephone number: For fire or ambulance services, dial 112. For police, dial 110.

3. How to get to my hotel in Dusseldorf?

Düsseldorf is well-connected to the rest of Europe, including the UK, so you’ll have plenty of different ways to get there. The fastest way into the city is by flying into the local airport, but you can also arrive by rail or bus. If you like, you can even drive the entire distance yourself, though you and your car will have to hitch a ride on a ferry or a train through the Channel Tunnel. Either way, getting to your hotel in Düsseldorf is simple.

Airports: Flying to Düsseldorf typically involves arriving at the Düsseldorf Airport, which is a bit over 6 miles north of the city centre and serviced by several rail lines, buses and taxis. Düsseldorf Weeze Airport is about 49 miles from town and may be a bit cheaper. From London, it takes less than an hour and a half to fly to Düsseldorf Airport.

Train stations: Trains coming into Düsseldorf typically head to Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof, Konrad-Adenauer-Platz, which is the main railway station in town. The lines from there travel throughout the continent, and you can take the train from London’s St Pancras International station and get to Düsseldorf with only 2 transfers.

Ports: Since Düsseldorf is located right along the Rhine, you’ll find some boats and river cruises that pass by and stop. They typically dock at Rheinuferpromenade, or the Rhine promenade, and from there, you can get to your hotel quite easily.

4. How to get around Dusseldorf?

Travel tips

While a lot of the old-town area of Düsseldorf is easy enough to traverse on foot, you’ll probably need to take advantage of the local tram, bus and rail network to see everything the city has to offer. Fortunately, a DüsseldorfCard is available, which offers unlimited free travel within the city for a certain time frame (typically the duration of your stay).

Underground system

The underground system, or U-Bahn, is a comprehensive rail network that can take you all around the city. You’ll even find a rush-hour express line if you’re in a hurry during rush hour, but note that it doesn’t stop at every station like normal. In total, Düsseldorf has 11 rail lines and 161 stations, 22 of which are underground.

Taxi and ride-hailing apps

With convenient public transport options and a comprehensive rail line, you likely won’t need to use a taxi. If you do need one, however, you’ll find several companies operating in the area. Keep in mind that you have to book them by phone, as they won’t stop if you try to flag them down on the street. As for ride-hailing apps, you’ll find plenty of options from popular apps like Uber and Lyft.

Bus network

The bus network in Düsseldorf is quite useful for residents, but it doesn’t offer much to visitors. It’s more of a complement to the trams and trains rather than a viable alternative. Still, visitors who have difficulty walking will certainly have an easier time reaching a bus stop than an underground station. Additionally, the buses run out a bit farther than the trains, so keep that in mind if you plan on visiting any suburbs.

Car hire

Car hires are available in Düsseldorf, but you won’t need one unless you plan to venture outside of the city quite a bit. All you need is a valid driving licence. You can get an International Driving Permit if you like, but Germany technically doesn’t require them. Parking is readily available as well, but most charge a fee unless you’re around the city’s outskirts.

Bicycle hire

A bike hire is one of the best ways to get around this remarkably bike-friendly city. The narrow lanes around the Rhine promenade and the Altstadt are particularly popular with cyclists. Just make sure you keep an eye out for trams. Additionally, you may take advantage of the Nextbike bike-share system available in town, which has docking stations all across Düsseldorf.

5. What are the main annual events in Dusseldorf?

Christmas Market

1. When: Mid-November to late December
2. What: The Christmas Market is a vast market bustling with vendors where you’ll find holiday-themed items and treats along with a variety of other offerings. With the massive range of products available, you’re sure to find something you love as you stroll this market that’s steeped in the aromas of roasted almonds and hot mulled wine.
3. Where: Marktplatz

Carnival

1. When: February
2. What: Carnival in Düsseldorf is most commonly known for its range of fun costumes and parades through the streets. Several different days have designated themes, such as women’s carnival day and the children’s and youth procession.
3. Where: Throughout the city

Japan Day

1. When: May or June
2. What: Japan Day celebrates the friendship between Germany and France with a festival filled with activities, performances and more, all dedicated to Japanese culture. Musical acts are particularly popular, with J-pop artists in attendance drawing in massive crowds. The festival ends with a spectacular fireworks display.
3. Where: Rhine Promenade

6. What are the main landmarks in Dusseldorf?

Altstadt

Altstadt, or Old Town, is the centre of brewing in Düsseldorf and embraces traditions that date back to the time of the Romans. In this area, you can enjoy several bars, restaurants and discos, though art museums are fairly prevalent as well. The unique architecture of the old buildings and historic churches give character to the narrow streets no matter what you do here.

Landtag

The Landtag is the local government building and sports a fascinating modernist design. It’s open to visitors on the weekends, so you can take in its stunning architecture and learn more about the history of the city and the building with hands-on exhibits. A quiz is available if you want to test what you learned.

Düsseldorf Fountains

The Düsseldorf Fountains have become some of the most recognisable landmarks in the city, and you’ll find quite a few in and around the city-centre area. Mackbrunned Fountain, for example, sports sleek triangles in its design, while the iconic Radschlagerbrunnen Fountain is home to an engraving depicting young children doing cartwheels.

EKO House of Japanese Culture

The EKO House of Japanese Culture celebrates and shows off the ever-growing Japanese population in Düsseldorf in a Japanese-style building that was constructed in 1988. While the architecture is impressive enough, the centre also gives visitors the opportunity to learn about Japanese culture through theatrical and musical performances alongside reading and working circles and hands-on artistic courses.

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