A budget travel guide to Dusseldorf, Germany
Dusseldorf is a place of contrasts — a bustling, artistic and fashionable city of nearly 600,000 inhabitants in the western reaches of Germany along the Rhine River, it manages to feel like both a big city and a small town.
Its economy roars along, with local industries still chugging, while fashion boutiques and upscale department stores line its swanky Königsallee. Students train in art and design, while young professionals go to work each morning in the city’s Media Harbour, a riverside development project that has attracted media companies, architects, and designers. Trendy restaurants fill up at night as locals hit the opera — or grungy nightclubs.
And yet, along the cobblestone-lined blocks of the Altstadt, it’s easy to get lost in Dusseldorf’s small-town charms. You saunter up to a window outside Et Kabüffke, a bar along Flinger Strasse, and a bartender pours out a glass of Killepitsch, a famously powerful herbal liquor. You head to the city’s Kunstpalast art museum and find that you have an entire gallery to yourself. You stroll the Rhine, taking in the sunset in silence before retiring with a local crowd for a pint (or three) of Altbier, the city’s signature dark brew.
Big city or intimate town — Dusseldorf offers visitors a wide variety of cultural, culinary and shopping activities. Surprisingly, given Dusseldorf’s rather ritzy reputation for fine arts and fashion, the city can be visited and enjoyed quite affordably, especially when following some of the tips listed below.
Dusseldorf’s tram system is sleek and always on time. Photo: robdammers
Getting around Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf’s efficient public transit system includes the subway, bus and street tram. Many of the city’s main tourists sights are conveniently located within the Altstadt or the nearby Media Harbour, and are easily reached by foot.
You have several options for public transit tickets (see all options):
• Single tickets for all public transit can be purchased for €2.60 in the center zone and are valid for up to 90 minutes of travel. This is a good option if you simply need one ride during the day, however if you’re expecting to make multiple journeys in a single day, consider a day ticket (below).
• Day tickets for public transit cost €6.70 for unlimited travel in the center, and get cheaper when you add more people to the ticket (two people €9.90; three €13.10, etc.). While these day tickets can easily be cheaper than buying single tickets, don’t forget to about the benefits of the DusseldorfCard, which also covers public transit (below).
• Bikes! Unsurprisingly, this German city is well equipped for cyclists. Rent bikes for €10 per day behind the main train stations at the Radstation (bike station), Willi-Becker-Allee 8a.
Saving with the DusseldorfCard
The DusseldorfCard is the city’s tourist-friendly pass, and covers free public transit and also offers discounts or free admission to museums and attractions throughout the city.
Dusseldorf Card prices (2016)
| Individual | Group/Family* | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | €9 | €18 |
| 2 days | €14 | €28 |
| 3 days | €19 | €38 |
(Note that a “Family” consists of 2 adults and 2 children (up to 14 years old), while a “Group” is 3 adults.)
Free and reduced entry with the Dusseldorf Card
In addition to free public transportation, the card offers free admission to 11 of the city’s museums, including:
- Schloss und Park Benrath (Benrath Palace and park) (€14 adult admission without card)
- Kunsthalle Dusseldorf (€6 adult admission without card)
- Filmmuseum Landeshauptstadt (€5 adult admission without card)
- Goethe-Museum (€4 adult admission without card)
- Dusseldorf History Museum (Stadtmuseum Landeshauptstadt Dusseldorf (€4 adult admission without card)
Additionally, the card grants reduced entry to many other attractions throughout Dusseldorf, including:
- Museum Kunstpalast
- Neanderthal Museum
- Black Box cinema
- Deutsch Oper am Rhein
- Dusseldorf Marionette Theater
- Rheinturm Dusseldorf (TV Tower)
- Reduced admission for numerous walking tours, bus and boat tours.
Should you invest in a DusseldorfCard? Check out the entire list of benefits the card carries here, and run the numbers. If you plan to visit any of the attractions to which it grants free admission (including, obviously, the palace), it almost certainly makes sense.
The swanky lobby of Dusseldorf’s Max Brown Midtown Hotel.
Save on hotels in Dusseldorf
At EuroCheapo, we’re big fans of small, centrally located and independently-run hotels.
A few of our favorite budget hotels in the Dusseldorf city center include A&O Dusseldorf Hauptbahnhof (with dorm beds and private rooms from $62), Hotel Batavia (a great deal near the train station from $65), and Max Brown Hotel Midtown (with trendy rooms starting around $100).
For a real splurge, the Breidenbacher Hof is the ultimate in luxury with a five-star rating.
To see more of our top picks, check out our guide to the best cheap hotels in Dusseldorf.
Looking for even more options? You can search all hotels available for your trip here.
Shopping
Dusseldorf might be known for its fashion scene and upscale department stores, but cost-conscious shoppers can also find deals. Here are some tips:
Shop vintage. Why buy new? Check out Le Freak & Chic for an eclectic mix of second-hand fashions. Huttenstrasse 57. Want something newer, but second-hand? Swing by Anziehend for labels for less. Wissmannstrasse 2.
Stroll the flea market: The city’s most famous and oldest flea market is Radschlager Market, which offers everything from vintage housewares to lovely antiques. The market is held about twice a month. Check the official schedule for dates. Grossmarkt, Ulmenstrasse 275.
Flea market and jazz: The Trodel & Antik Markt is held every Saturday at Aachener Platz, from 6 am to 4 pm. The best part (aside from hunting down deals)? You can shop to the sounds of live jazz! Aachener Platz, Saturdays.
More ways to save in Dusseldorf
But wait, there’s more! Additional ways to save on your trip to Dusseldorf include:
Hit the tourist information center: Swing by the tourist offices to pick up maps, discuss events and attractions, book tickets and buy a DusseldorfCard. Ask about free events taking place during your visit. Two locations, in Altstadt: Marktstraße 6d, and at the train station.
Save on parking: Instead of parking at an expensive garage in the city center, park for free at one of the city’s 12 Park & Ride Station, then take public transit into town. (Have you already booked your rental car? Be sure to do that in advance for the best deals. Search car rentals here.)
Lunch at the market: Feast on the freshest of ingredients at the city’s daily market at Carlsplatz. Sample mouth-watering treats, grab lunch, and then head a few blocks away to the riverfront promenade for an unforgettable picnic. Open daily from 8 am – 6 pm (Saturday closes at 4 pm, closed Sunday)
Altbier sampling: You cannot leave Dusseldorf without sampling the city’s Altbier, the famously dark local brew that’s on tap (sometimes exclusively!) in bars throughout town. Wander the old town, dropping in to sample the different Altbiers — each one is different. We’re partial to Zum Uerige (Bergerstrasse 1), which offers not just tasty beer (brewed in-house), but delicious and affordable meals, as well. But don’t just take our word for it, sip for yourself! Check out this roundup of the city’s best pubs.
Sunset and a free show: Enjoy the sunset and take in free street performances nightly in the Altstadt near the steps heading down to the Rhine at Burgplatz, just next to the Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus). After the sun goes down, stroll the Rhine embankment promenade, alongside dozens of small bars, cafes and restaurants. Nightcap, anyone?
Going out? Follow the students. Dusseldorf has a long history of cutting edge live music clubs, bars and dance clubs. Fortunately for those on a budget, many of these are geared to the city’s huge university-aged population. Check these nightlife listings on Yelp.
Flying into Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf is located near the western border of Germany and is part of an industrial-rich cluster of cities that includes Dortmund (just north of Dusseldorf) and Cologne (just to its south).
Dusseldorf airport offers flights on 70 airlines to 200 destinations. It’s a slick and tidy affair, with efficient check-in counters and security. The airport has recently renovated large portions of the terminals and offers a tourist-friendly 60 shops and 40 places to eat and drink while waiting for takeoff.
Flying here: airberlin flies directly to Dusseldorf from several US destinations, including New York, Miami, Fort Myers, and Los Angeles. Flights from the US can be found for under $500 in Economy Class, and, for those looking for an affordable, yet luxurious arrival, from $1,999 in their newly updated Business Class (which includes private pods, three-course meals, and seats that covert to fully-flat beds). Tip: Sign up for airberlin’s newsletter here to be the first to hear about these special airfare offers.
Trains: From the airport, board the SkyTrain to reach the main airport train station, which is serviced by more than 350 trains a day. From here, you can board a variety of trains to the city center. A second, smaller S-Bahn station is located under Terminal C. Read more here.
Buses: Public buses arrive and depart just in front of the main arrivals hall. Bus 721 will take you to the main train station. Read more
Taxis: Taxis are the most expensive, and simplest, way to arrive. All take credit cards. Expect to pay about €28 for a trip to the city center. Read more
Arriving by train
Dusseldorf’s main train station, its “Hauptbahnhof”, is located about a 15-minute walk (or a 5-minute subway ride) east of the Altstadt. Train connections are plentiful, and timetables can be searched on the Bahn.de website.
Remember, there’s no need to book German rail tickets through a foreign ticketing agency or buy an expensive rail pass. Stick to the official German rail website and book your tickets like the locals do — and at local-friendly prices!
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