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Düsseldorf

Rhine promenade, Altbier and Königsallee

Düsseldorf sits on the Rhine and is the state capital, with a riverside promenade that runs along the edge of its old town. Visitors can browse the Königsallee, drink Altbier in the brewpubs of the Altstadt or walk around the MedienHafen, where Frank Gehry's buildings stand. The city has a large Japanese community, which shows in the restaurants and shops near the station. Museums such as the Kunstpalast and the Kunstsammlung NRW add an art stop. Cologne is a short train ride away, so Düsseldorf works as a day trip, a weekend or a base for the Rhine-Ruhr region.

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City in Germany

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.8

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	9

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and shops. You’ll have no trouble communicating, but a few German phrases are always appreciated.

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Last update: Oct 22, 2026

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Düsseldorf Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

"Best for" scores:
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Strong in fashion, shopping and nightlife. Walk the Rhine promenade, explore modern architecture, browse luxury shopping streets and enjoy lively bars.

Place score

8.1

Best at:

Art

Luxury shopping

Nightlife

Festivals

Large cities

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

🐕 9

With dogs

Germany – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) $1 ≈ €0.90
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cards are widely accepted, especially in urban areas, but small establishments may prefer cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in restaurants, typically 5-10%. For taxis, it is customary to round up to the nearest euro. Tipping in cash is more common than adding it to card payments.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in most parts of Germany, especially in beer gardens and public events, but some local regulations may restrict it in specific areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places such as restaurants, trains, and buses. Designated smoking areas are available outside many buildings.

Oktoberfest (September)	Huge crowds in Munich. Expect high hotel rates and crowded transportation.
Christmas (December)	Christmas markets are popular, expect crowded cities and higher prices.
Labour Day (May)	Many shops are closed, and there are celebrations throughout the country.

Emergency contact:	Police: 110, Emergency Number: 112 (Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Free Now, myTaxi
Other:	Germany is well-equipped for tourists, with good public transport and high-quality facilities. However, be prepared for language barriers in some rural areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Düsseldorf, Germany

❄️

Jan

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Feb

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Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

☁️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	4 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Carnival peaks on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), the Monday before Ash Wednesday, usually February or early March, with parades and many shops closed

Major trade fairs at Messe Düsseldorf cause hotels to sell out and prices to spike, check the fair calendar before booking

Rhine Funfair (Größte Kirmes am Rhein) runs for about ten days in July

Don't miss

🛍️ Stroll along the elegant Königsallee shopping boulevard
🍻 Visit the historic Altstadt with lively pubs
🌆 Enjoy panoramic views from the Rheinturm tower
🏢 Explore modern architecture at MedienHafen harbor
🌸 Relax in the peaceful Japanese Garden at Nordpark
🏰 Tour the beautiful Baroque Schloss Benrath palace

You've been here?

Why travel to Düsseldorf?

Düsseldorf is a city for walking along the Rhine, shopping and spending an evening in the old town. The Rhine promenade runs from the Burgplatz past the Altstadt, which has a dense cluster of pubs and brewpubs. The local beer is Altbier, a dark top-fermented style brewed in the pubs themselves. Königsallee, known as the Kö, is a tree-lined boulevard with a canal down its middle and the city's best-known shopping street. Modern architecture is the other draw. The MedienHafen is a former harbor with buildings by Frank Gehry and other architects. The Rheinturm, a TV tower about 800 ft tall, has an observation deck and a revolving restaurant. For art there's the Kunstpalast and the state collection in K20 and K21. Schloss Benrath, a Baroque pleasure palace in the south, is set in a park. A few events shape the calendar. The carnival parade on Rosenmontag in late winter is among the biggest in Germany. The Japan Day in late spring draws large crowds to the Rhine. Two days cover the old town, the harbor and a museum. The city is also a good base for Cologne, Essen and the Rhine-Ruhr cities by train.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 St. Lambertus
2 Medienhafen Alto
3 Altstadt
4 Museum Kunstpalast
5 Rheinturm
6 Königsallee
7 Kunstsammlung
8 Promenade
9 Schloss Benrath

🎡Places for activities

1 Classic Remise Düsseldorf
2 Tonhalle Düsseldorf
3 Freizeitpark Ulenbergstraße
4 Bibliothek Aquazoo - Löbbecke-Museum
5 KIT - Kunst im Tunnel
6 Marina Düsseldorf
7 Capitol Theater
8 Ufer 8

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Volksgarten
2 Grafenberger Wald
3 Südpark
4 Wildpark am Grafenberger Wald
5 Schlosspark Benrath
6 Hofgarten Park
7 Ständehauspark

🛍️Shopping

1 Galeria Kaufhof
2 Schadow-Arkaden
3 Kö-Bogen
4 Düsseldorf Arcaden
5 Schadowstraße
6 Königsallee

🎈Events

Düsseldorf Carnival
Japan Day
Rheinkirmes (Rhine Funfair)
Christmas Markets
Jazz Rally
Gourmet Festival
Boot Düsseldorf (Boat Show)
Düsseldorf Marathon
Düsseldorf Festival!
Stadtstrand (City Beach) Summer Events

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Cover your Altbier glass with a coaster to stop refills.
Hotel prices rise sharply during big trade fairs, so check fair dates before booking a room.
Many major museums close on Mondays, so check opening days before setting out for the day.
Immermannstraße near the station is lined with Japanese restaurants and shops, a result of the city's large Japanese community.

How to travel to Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is one of Germany's larger airports, with flights from many European and long-haul cities. Trains reach the main station in about 10 to 15 minutes from the airport railway station, which is linked to the terminals by a SkyTrain. A taxi into the center takes a similar time outside rush hour. By train, the main station is a hub for ICE, IC and regional services. The fastest train to Cologne takes about 24 minutes and runs many times a day. Frankfurt takes under two hours and Amsterdam and Brussels are connected by direct trains. Regional express trains reach Dortmund, Essen and Aachen. By car, the A3, A46, A52 and A57 meet around the city. A low-emission zone applies in the center and traffic is heavy at rush hour. Driving from Cologne takes about 40 minutes.

Access summary

From Düsseldorf Airport (DUS): S‑Bahn or regional train, about 10–15 minutes.
From Cologne: Frequent regional/IC trains to Düsseldorf, usually 25–45 minutes.
From Frankfurt: High-speed ICE trains, typically around 1.5–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Düsseldorf

Most visitors stay near the main station, around the Königsallee or in the Altstadt, where hotels of all sizes are close to the trams and the sights. The station area is practical for arrivals but gets busy at night. The Altstadt puts the brewpubs next door and can be noisy late. Quieter options are Pempelfort and Düsseltal, with cafés and residential streets while the Carlstadt is a smart quarter with galleries. Apartments are found in many districts. Near the airport and the fairgrounds, hotels cater to business travelers. Düsseldorf is a major trade fair city so rooms can be scarce and costly while a large fair is on. Weekends and holidays are often cheaper. Hotels in nearby Neuss or Cologne are an option when prices spike, with trains taking about 15 to 25 minutes.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Maritim Hotel Dusseldorf

9.1

Carathotel Dusseldorf City

8.9

Leonardo Royal Hotel Dusseldorf Konigsallee

8.5

Garner Hotel Dusseldorf - Main Station by IHG

8.0

Holiday Inn - the niu, Tab Dusseldorf Main Station By IHG

8.7

NH Düsseldorf City

8.4

Leonardo Boutique Hotel Duesseldorf

8.4

Leonardo Hotel Dusseldorf Airport-Ratingen

8.2

Holiday Inn Express Dusseldorf- Hauptbahnhof By IHG

8.6

Wyndham Garden Hotel Duesseldorf City Centre Koenigsallee

8.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf's center is compact. The old town, the Königsallee and the Rhine promenade are within a short walk of each other, while the main station lies about 1 mi east of the Rhine. The MedienHafen and the districts further out are reached by tram or bus.

Walking:
From the main station, the Königsallee is about 15 minutes on foot and the old town a little longer. The riverside promenade is a pleasant way to link the Altstadt with the MedienHafen.

Trams and U-Bahn:
Rheinbahn runs the trams, the U-Bahn and the buses. Several lines cross the center and a Deutschlandticket also works on all of them. Fares follow the VRR price levels, with a cheaper short-trip ticket for a few stops.

S-Bahn and regional trains:
The S-Bahn and regional express trains link the center with the airport, Cologne and the Ruhr cities while Düsseldorf is a hub of the VRR network.

Bikes:
The Rhine cycle path is flat and well marked, so the riverside is easy to ride. Rental bikes are available in the center.

Car:
A car isn't needed for the sights. Parking is paid and costly in the center while rush hour brings long queues on the main roads.

Food in Düsseldorf

Food in Düsseldorf is Rhenish cooking served in brewpubs and traditional restaurants, with a wide international range in a city with many nationalities. Japanese restaurants are a local strength. Pubs lean toward meat, but vegetarian options are easy to find elsewhere.

Altbier:
A dark, top-fermented beer served in small cylindrical glasses (Stangen) and brought to the table until you cover your glass. The local brewpubs make it themselves.

Himmel un Ähd:
Fried blood sausage with mashed potatoes and apple sauce, a classic Rhenish dish. The name means heaven and earth in the local dialect.

Rheinischer Sauerbraten:
Beef marinated for days in vinegar and spices, served with red cabbage and dumplings. The sauce is often sweetened with raisins.

Mustard:
Düsseldorf has its own mustard tradition. The sharp local mustard is sold in jars and served with sausages and roast beef.

Ramen:
Ramen and sushi from the Japanese quarter near the main station are a popular lunch with locals and visitors alike.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-1 %

Daily expenses in Düsseldorf are around 1% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+1 %

Your exchange rate (USD to EUR) is 1% worse than in recent years. That means traveling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	$90	$194	$532
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	$35	$90	$220
🍝 Food per day	$39	$86	$252
🚕 Transportation per day	$16	$17	$60

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	$35
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	$16
🍟 Fast food combo	$13
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	$13
☕ Cappuccino	$4.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l / 16 oz	$5.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	$4
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	$35
⛽ Gas, 1 l / ¼ gal	$2.10

Other

🎞️ Movie ticket	$17
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	$60
🤧 Cold medication	$7
💇 Basic haircut	$17

Safety information overview

General safety

Düsseldorf is generally safe for visitors. Pickpockets work in crowds around the main station, the Königsallee and the old town at night. The station district feels rough late in the evening. Bike theft is common so use a good lock.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with a large university hospital and many clinics and pharmacies in the city. English is widely spoken. No special vaccinations are needed for a visit and the emergency number is 112 across the EU.

Accessibility

The center is mostly flat, with a wide riverside promenade and shopping streets. Trams are low floor and most U-Bahn stations have lifts. The old town has some cobblestones and older buildings have steps. Museums and the Rheinturm are mostly accessible.

Tap water

Tap water in Düsseldorf is safe to drink and monitored under strict German rules. It's moderately hard, which leaves limescale in kettles but doesn't affect safety. Restaurants usually serve bottled water, so ask for tap water if you prefer it.