Duesseldorf Airport Guide

Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) serves Düsseldorf and the Rhine-Ruhr region from north of the city. It has one terminal with a central check-in hall on Departures Level E1 and an arrivals level on E0. Departures use three connected gate areas, officially called Piers A, B, and C; check the live flight display rather than relying on a fixed airline-to-pier list.

The SkyTrain links the airport's separate long-distance/regional rail station, car parks P4/P5, the Terminal A/B stop, and the Terminal C stop. S-Bahn line S11 is different: it stops at Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal, directly below the terminal.

DUS's official transfer page says Piers A, B, and C are connected by transfer corridors. Airport security guidance also says every departure gate can be reached through any open checkpoint by using the airside connecting corridors.

Transfer route

1. Check the next flight and gate on the live display.
2. Follow Transfer signs and use the airside corridor between piers.
3. Complete border control when crossing the Schengen boundary and any security check directed for the itinerary.
4. Ask the airline or a transfer counter whether checked baggage is through-tagged. If it is not, collect it and follow landside check-in instructions.

The SkyTrain is for the rail station, parking, and landside terminal access; it is not needed to walk between airside piers. Use the airline's stated connection time rather than the former generic minimum-connection table, because border, baggage, and screening requirements vary by itinerary.

DUS has two rail stations with different names and access routes. Use S11 from Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal, below the terminal, for Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof. Use the SkyTrain to Düsseldorf Flughafen station for regional and long-distance trains. Local buses stop outside central Arrivals; taxis and app-based rides have signed pickup areas.

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside the arrivals area of all terminals. Düsseldorf taxis are typically cream/beige colored.

Destination	Fare	Time
Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof	€25-35	15-20 min
Düsseldorf Altstadt (Old Town)	€25-35	15-25 min
Düsseldorf Messe (Trade Fair)	€15-20	10-15 min
Cologne Hauptbahnhof	€90-120	45-60 min
Essen	€60-80	30-40 min

Fares are metered with a base fare of approximately €4 plus €2-2.50 per kilometer. No surcharges for luggage.

Uber

Uber operates at Düsseldorf Airport with pickup at designated areas.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare pickup zones outside arrivals
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort
• Typical fare to city center: €20-30
• Advance booking: Reserve through the app up to 30 days ahead

Alternatives: Bolt and FREE NOW also operate in the Düsseldorf area with similar pricing.

Use Düsseldorf Airport's bus-and-rail guide and a DB or VRR journey planner for live departures and fares.

S11 to Düsseldorf

Line S11 runs from the station named Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal, in the basement of the terminal, via Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof toward Bergisch Gladbach. Do not take SkyTrain for S11.

Regional and long-distance trains

Regional, Intercity, and ICE trains use Düsseldorf Flughafen station at the east side of the airport grounds. Reach it by SkyTrain from Terminal A/B or Terminal C. SkyTrain normally operates daily from 03:45 to 00:45, with no service during the overnight gap; check the airport page for any replacement bus.

SkyTrain requires a valid accepted ticket or contactless check-in/check-out. Valid VRR/VRS tickets and several DB, parking, DüsseldorfCard, and Rail&Fly products are accepted; otherwise tap a bank card or device at entry and exit for the calculated fare.

Buses

From the stop outside central Arrivals, route 721 runs via Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof. Routes 760 and SB51 serve other local corridors; SB51 runs toward Kaarst-Rathaus via Nordfriedhof and Meerbusch, not directly to Hauptbahnhof. Additional routes serve the separate airport rail station. Check the airport list and live planner before boarding.

Düsseldorf Airport offers over 20,000 parking spaces across multiple facilities.

Terminal Parking

Location	Type	Price
P1 (Terminal A/B)	Short-term	From €4/hour, €29/day
P2 (Terminal C)	Short-term	From €4/hour, €29/day
P3	Covered parking	From €25/day
P4	Economy long-term	From €11/day
P7 (Holiday Parking)	Long-term economy	From €6/day

Tips:

• Book online at dus.com for discounts (often 20-40% off walk-up rates)
• P1 and P2 are closest to terminals but most expensive
• P4 is connected to terminals via SkyTrain; check whether the parking ticket includes the ride
• P7 requires shuttle bus transfer
• Maximum entrance height: 2.10 m for covered parking

Off-site alternatives: Several providers near the airport offer parking from €4-7/day with shuttle service.

Düsseldorf Airport offers dining options across all terminals, with the majority concentrated in the central area.

Terminal A/B (Landside - Check-in Hall)

Sit-down restaurants:

• Löwenbräu: Traditional Bavarian beer hall with schnitzel, sausages, and Munich-style cuisine
• Marché Mövenpick: Fresh market-style dining with made-to-order meals

Quick bites:

• Starbucks: Multiple locations
• Kamps Bakery: German bakery chain with pretzels, rolls, and pastries
• McDonald's: 24-hour service

Airside (After Security)

Terminal B:

• Heinemann Duty Free Bar: Wine, coffee, and light snacks
• Nordsee: Fresh seafood and fish sandwiches
• Cafe & Bar Celona: Coffee and light meals

Terminal C:

• Subway: Sandwiches
• Various kiosks: Snacks and beverages

Near Gates

Most gate areas have smaller cafes and kiosks. Terminal B has the best variety of airside dining options.

Tip: Landside dining options (before security) offer more variety and often better value than airside.

Free WiFi is available throughout Düsseldorf Airport with no time limit.

Detail	Information
Network name	DUS Airport Free WiFi
Registration	Accept terms (email registration optional)
Time limit	Unlimited
Coverage	All terminals, SkyTrain stations

Quality: Generally reliable for browsing, email, and light streaming. Speeds may vary during peak travel times. For faster, more reliable connectivity, airline lounges offer premium WiFi.

Prepaid SIM cards are available at the airport in the arrivals area and terminal shops.

Where to Buy

• Telekom Shop: Arrivals area, Terminal A/B
• Vodafone: Arrivals area
• Press & Book stores: Multiple locations (sell prepaid SIMs)
• Tegut/Rewe To Go: Convenience stores in the terminal

Prices

Provider	Price	Data
Telekom	From €10	Varies by plan
Vodafone	From €10	5G available on select plans
O2	From €10	Budget-friendly options
Aldi Talk	From €8	Available at nearby supermarkets

Important: German law requires SIM card registration with ID. Bring your passport and provide a German address (your hotel address works).

Tip: Airport SIM prices are typically €5-10 higher than city shops or supermarkets.

ATMs are located throughout all terminals in both landside and airside areas.

ATM Locations

• Arrivals hall (all terminals)
• Departure level near check-in counters
• Airside near gates

Major German banks represented include Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and Sparkasse.

Currency Exchange

Currency exchange counters (Travelex, Reisebank) are available in the arrivals area. However, exchange rates at airports are typically unfavorable (3-8% worse than market rates).

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw euros from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Use Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates
• Pay directly with credit/debit card (widely accepted in Germany)

Currency: Euro (€)

Düsseldorf Airport offers shopping options in all terminals, with Heinemann as the primary duty-free operator.

Duty Free (Heinemann)

Location	Hours
Terminal A (airside)	05:00-21:00
Terminal B (airside)	05:00-21:00
Terminal C (airside)	06:00-21:00

Products: Perfumes, cosmetics, spirits, tobacco, chocolates, fashion accessories, German souvenirs.

Notable Stores

• WMF: German kitchenware and home goods
• Montblanc: Writing instruments and leather goods
• Swarovski: Crystal jewelry
• Esprit: Fashion (landside)
• Relay: Books, magazines, travel essentials

Tips

• Pre-order online at heinemann-shop.com for in-store pickup
• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds on purchases over €50
• Terminal B has the best shopping variety

Düsseldorf Airport has several lounge options across terminals.

Lufthansa Lounges (Terminal A)

Business Lounge:

• Location: Terminal A, after security
• Access: Lufthansa Business Class, Star Alliance Gold, Senator status
• Hours: 05:30-21:30
• Amenities: Hot and cold buffet, bar, work areas, showers

Senator Lounge:

• Location: Terminal A, after security
• Access: Lufthansa Senator, HON Circle, Star Alliance Gold (when flying Business)
• Hours: 05:30-21:30
• Amenities: Enhanced food selection, quieter atmosphere

Priority Pass Lounges

Hugo Junkers Lounge:

• Location: Terminal B, after security (Schengen)
• Hours: 05:30-21:00
• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, €39 day pass
• Amenities: Hot and cold food, bar, newspapers, WiFi, work areas
• Note: Can get crowded during peak hours

Open Sky Lounge:

• Location: Terminal C, after security
• Hours: 05:00-21:00
• Access: Priority Pass, €35 day pass
• Amenities: Basic snacks, beverages, seating area

Airline Lounges

• British Airways Lounge: Terminal B (for BA Club members, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire)
• Turkish Airlines Lounge: Terminal A (for Business Class and Miles&Smiles Elite)

Credit Card Access

• Amex Platinum: Access to Lufthansa Business Lounge when flying Star Alliance
• Priority Pass: Hugo Junkers Lounge (T-B), Open Sky Lounge (T-C)
• LoungeKey: Hugo Junkers Lounge (T-B)

Several hotels are located at or near the airport.

At the Airport

Sheraton Düsseldorf Airport Hotel

• Connected to Terminal A/B via covered walkway (5-minute walk)
• 4-star, full-service
• Direct access without going outside
• From €120/night

Maritime Hotel Düsseldorf Airport

• 10-minute walk from terminals
• 4-star business hotel
• Free shuttle available
• From €90/night

Near the Airport

• Holiday Inn Düsseldorf Airport-Ratingen: 10-minute shuttle, from €80/night
• Mercure Hotel Düsseldorf Airport: 5-minute drive, from €75/night
• Ibis Düsseldorf Airport: Budget option, from €60/night
• Van der Valk Airporthotel Düsseldorf: 5-minute drive, from €85/night

In the City (Quick Access)

Given the airport's proximity to the city center (12 minutes by S-Bahn), staying in central Düsseldorf is practical even for early flights:

• Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf: Near Hauptbahnhof, from €150/night
• Breidenbacher Hof: Luxury option in Altstadt, from €280/night
• 25hours Hotel Das Tour: Trendy option near Hauptbahnhof, from €100/night

Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, known for its fashion industry, art scene, and the famous Altstadt with the "longest bar in the world."

Getting to the City Center

• S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof: 12 minutes (€3.20)
• Taxi to Altstadt: 15-25 minutes (€25-35)

Top Attractions

Attraction	Travel Time from Airport	Highlights
Altstadt (Old Town)	20 min by S-Bahn	260+ bars and restaurants, "longest bar in the world"
Königsallee (Kö)	20 min by S-Bahn	Luxury shopping boulevard with canal
MedienHafen	25 min by S-Bahn + walk	Striking modern architecture by Frank Gehry
Rheinturm	25 min by S-Bahn	240m TV tower with observation deck and revolving restaurant
Kunstsammlung NRW (K20/K21)	20 min by S-Bahn	World-class modern art museums
Rhine Promenade	20 min by S-Bahn	Scenic riverside walk

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Visit Altstadt, walk along Königsallee, try an Altbier
• 6-hour layover: Add MedienHafen for Gehry architecture and Rhine Promenade
• Day trip from airport: Cologne Cathedral (45 min by train), Rhine Valley castles

Düsseldorf Specialties

• Altbier: Dark, top-fermented beer unique to Düsseldorf; served in small 0.2L glasses called "Stangen"
• Rheinischer Sauerbraten: Marinated pot roast with sweet-sour gravy, a Rhineland classic
• Himmel un Ääd: "Heaven and Earth" - black pudding with mashed potatoes and apple sauce
• Halve Hahn: Not half a chicken, but a rye roll with Gouda cheese (confusing local specialty)
• Killepitsch: Local herbal liqueur, 42% alcohol, digestif

Practical Tips

• VRR day ticket: €8.20 for unlimited travel in Düsseldorf (covers S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, buses)
• SchönerTagTicket NRW: €34.90 for unlimited regional train travel in North Rhine-Westphalia (up to 5 people)
• Altstadt bars: Traditional brewery pubs (Uerige, Füchschen, Schumacher, Schlüssel) serve fresh Altbier
• Fashion: Düsseldorf is Germany's fashion capital; Königsallee has luxury shopping, Flingern has independent boutiques
• Japanese Quarter: One of Europe's largest Japanese communities; excellent Japanese restaurants around Immermannstraße