Car Hire Dusseldorf Airport

Exploring both the cosmopolitan charms of the city and the greater Rhineland area is straightforward, given Dusseldorf Airport’s prime location. Perched just north of the city centre and east of the picturesque Rhine river, it is perfectly positioned for easy reach of both the countryside and the city.  

Leave the airport and take the A44 motorway to head into the heart of the city. The journey takes around 20 minutes in moderate traffic, with clear signposts directing the way. Parking is plentiful, with many on-street spaces available for around €2 per hour. In the Old Town and Konigsallee shopping areas, it’s recommended to find a nearby parking garage and walk into the area, truly taking in the city’s splendour.

Driving on the famous German autobahn motorways can be a little daunting for the first time, but it’s easy to navigate when you know to the rules. Only overtake on the left, be aware that the maximum speed limit is usually 130km/h, and while there are some unrestricted sections, sticking to this maximum is advised. Driving in Germany is of course on the right-hand side of the road.

Dusseldorf Airport is well connected to many other German cities – being just 60km from Cologne along the A3, and 86km from the charming town of Bonn, around an hour and 20 minutes’ drive away. To visit the urban area of Essen, take the A52 for 32km and you’ll be able to explore the many industrial museums of the Rhine-Ruhr within approximately half an hour.

Speed limits in urban areas tend to be 50km/h, with some possible reductions down to 30km/h on the smaller residential roads. Always check signs for the route that you are on.

A traditional city that nonetheless boasts a thriving arts and fashion scene, Dusseldorf has the perfect blend of cosmopolitan creativity and rugged German countryside nearby.

When you hire a car from Dusseldorf Airport you can experience the best of both worlds, including the region’s highlights.

City splendour

Despite being more than 700 years old, the heart of Dusseldorf is fast becoming a real cultural metropolis. Trendy cafes, designer boutiques and a burgeoning nightlife scene provide a stark contrast to the quaint Altstadt area of the city, with its traditional beer halls and cosy taverns.  

The Stadtmitte district is one of the best to visit if you’re looking to get right into the heart of the action. Home to the city’s most famous plush shopping street, the Konigsallee, it’s bustling with activity, lined with flagship designer stores and incredibly popular. Amble along the beautiful canal banks before popping in and out of the boutique stores on a sunny afternoon.

Those looking for a more authentic and raw experience should head for Bilk. Loved by students and young professionals alike, this is an up-and-coming area of the city full of an enlightening mix of art galleries, pulsating nightclubs and stunning architecture.

Here the old Dusseldorf blends seamlessly with the new, as the oldest church in the city, the Alte Bilker Kirche, stands alongside 24-hour Thai eateries and colourful street art adorning the city walls.  

Tales from the Rhine-Ruhr region

As the industrial heartland of Germany, the surrounding landscape is home to many educational museums and experiences dedicated to telling the stories of how the area developed – and the trades that made it famous.

The city of Essen is just half an hour’s drive away from the airport, providing a fascinating insight into the country’s evolution and geology at the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Elsewhere, you can learn more about beer at the Brewery Museum in Dortmund, explore recreations of historical Germany at the Dorenberg open-air museum in Grefrath, or head to the remarkable, eye-catching wonders of the Hetjens ceramics museum in Dusseldorf itself.

Romance in the countryside

The Rhine Valley, with its gentle river plains, rugged hills and luscious greenery, is both alluring and therapeutic for those wanting to stretch their legs and breathe in some fresh country air. Around one hour’s drive from the airport, the area is awash with verdant forests, wonderful wildlife and some of the most beautiful German landscapes.

Romantic and enchanting, some parts of the valley are home to castles that look like they were plucked from a fantasy world, with their turrets and towers shaping the scenery. The Middle Rhine Valley between Koblenz and Bingen is probably the best place to experience this fairy-tale scenery. Home to around 40 castles in total, it’s a fantastic place to stay for a few days, with the drive from Dusseldorf around 200km.

Hire a car at Dusseldorf Airport and all these amazing sights will be easy to reach on your trip.