Cheap Flights to Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf Airport (IATA: DUS) is located 8 km north of the city centre. DUS is Germany's third-busiest airport (after Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC) and Eurowings' main hub. The S-Bahn (light rail) connects DUS to Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof (central station) in approximately 12 minutes. DUS has a SkyTrain automated people mover connecting Terminals A/B/C. United Airlines operates nonstop from Newark EWR; Lufthansa connects via Frankfurt and Munich.

Altbier ('old beer') is Düsseldorf's traditional beer style: a top-fermented copper-coloured ale of 4.5-5% ABV with a dry, mildly bitter finish. 'Alt' refers to the traditional top-fermentation method (predating the Bavarian bottom-fermented lager style that became dominant in Germany from the 19th century). Düsseldorf's four major Altbier breweries — Uerige (since 1862), Füchschen (since 1848), Schumacher (since 1838), Schlüssel (since 1850) — all brew on-premises and serve from the barrel. A pint of Altbier is ordered by simply saying 'ein Altbier bitte'; the waiter (as with Kölsch in Cologne) will continue bringing fresh glasses until you place your coaster on top of your glass.

Medienhafen (Media Harbour) is Düsseldorf's regenerated former commercial Rhine harbour — a deconstructivist architectural district developed from the 1990s. Its centerpiece is Frank Gehry's Neuer Zollhof (1999): three adjacent towers in distorted, curved forms faced in white plaster, polished stainless steel, and red brick — Gehry's first major European commission. The harbour also includes buildings by David Chipperfield and Steven Holl. The district houses Düsseldorf's media, advertising, and creative industries, with excellent restaurants and Rhine waterfront views.

Cologne is 45 km south of Düsseldorf — approximately 45 min by S-Bahn (S6/S12 line from Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof to Cologne Hauptbahnhof, hourly) or 25-30 min by ICE high-speed train. The two cities are part of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region (the largest urban area in Germany by population — approximately 10 million people). Day trips between the two cities are extremely practical; or use Düsseldorf as a base for both cities during a Germany visit.

No. US citizens travel visa-free to Germany and the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No application is required. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure from Schengen. Check whether the EU ETIAS pre-travel authorization system (approximately €7, valid 3 years) is currently in effect before travel at etias.com.

Düsseldorf is Germany's fashion capital (luxury retail on the Königsallee, major fashion trade fairs); a media and advertising industry hub (home of advertising agencies, TV production companies, Bertelsmann connections); the art world centre of North Rhine-Westphalia (K20/K21 Kunstsammlung, the Düsseldorf School of photography — Andreas Gursky, Thomas Ruff, Candida Höfer); the largest Japanese community in Germany (Immermannstrasse Japan Town); and home of one of Germany's liveliest pub scenes (Altstadt, 'world's longest bar', Altbier culture).

Düsseldorf's Karneval (German pre-Lenten carnival) culminates in the Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) parade — the Monday before Ash Wednesday (late February or early March, depending on the year). Düsseldorf's Rosenmontag parade is one of the three largest in Germany alongside Cologne and Mainz: approximately 1 million spectators, 60+ parade groups, political floats with satirical papier-mâché figures of politicians, and the famous 'Kamelle' (candy thrown from floats). The 'Weiberfastnacht' (Women's Carnival, the Thursday before Rosenmontag) is the formal opening of the Karneval season — traditionally, women cut the neckties of men in the Altstadt.

Königsallee ('King's Avenue', universally called 'the Kö') is Düsseldorf's central boulevard — a 1.5 km pedestrianized street divided by a willow-lined canal with fountains. The eastern side is Germany's premier luxury shopping street: Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Prada, Dior, and dozens of other luxury brands alongside German department store Kaufhof. The western side has office buildings and hotels. The Kö's reputation as Germany's most glamorous shopping street reflects Düsseldorf's position as the country's fashion capital; during fashion trade fair weeks, the street is effectively a runway.