Düsseldorf Airport (DUS)
Car rental at Düsseldorf Airport
Compare cars from the rental companies at DUS, then use our step-by-step guide to find your desk, your car and the return lane – whichever pier you land at.
Guides re-checked in November 2026 against airport, supplier and government information.
- 16 suppliers compared
- 13 with desks in the terminal
- Desks on arrivals level 0
- No Hidden ChargesThe full price is shown before you pay.
- Free CancellationPlans change – see the deadline in each offer.
- 24/7 SupportHelp before, during and after your rental.
Compare car rental at Düsseldorf Airport
Live prices from the suppliers below. Conditions are shown before you pay.
- No Hidden Charges
- Free Cancellation
- 24/7 Support
Arriving at…
Pier A
- Desk
- After baggage claim, enter the shared arrivals hall (level 0) and turn towards Arrivals B. The rental desks are a 3–5 minute walk – follow the car-key pictogram.
- Cars
- Walk to the rental car parking garage opposite the terminal. The agent gives you the level and bay number.
- Return
- Follow “Abflug”, then “Mietwagenrückgabe”. Sat-nav: Kieshecker Weg 260, 40468 Düsseldorf. Park in your supplier’s lane.
Pier B
- Desk
- You are in the right place: the rental desks are grouped in the arrivals hall around Arrivals B, a few steps from the exit doors.
- Cars
- Walk to the rental car parking garage opposite the terminal. The agent gives you the level and bay number.
- Return
- Follow “Abflug”, then “Mietwagenrückgabe”. Sat-nav: Kieshecker Weg 260, 40468 Düsseldorf. Park in your supplier’s lane.
Pier C
- Desk
- Long-haul and many non-Schengen flights use Pier C. Clear passport control, collect bags and walk back through the arrivals hall towards B (about 5 minutes).
- Cars
- Walk to the rental car parking garage opposite the terminal. The agent gives you the level and bay number.
- Return
- Follow “Abflug”, then “Mietwagenrückgabe”. Sat-nav: Kieshecker Weg 260, 40468 Düsseldorf. Park in your supplier’s lane.
Düsseldorf Flughafen station
- Desk
- Long-distance and regional trains stop at the airport station. Take the free SkyTrain to the terminal (a few minutes), then go down to arrivals level 0.
- Cars
- Walk to the rental car parking garage opposite the terminal. The agent gives you the level and bay number.
- Return
- Return the car at the rental garage as normal, then use the SkyTrain back to the station.
Suppliers outside the terminal
- Desk
- Flex to Go serves customers at the Maritim Hotel next to the terminal; Green Motion and Starcar have offices outside the airport. Your voucher shows the meeting point and phone number.
- Cars
- At the supplier’s own car park next to its office.
- Return
- Return to the supplier’s office address on the voucher and allow extra time for the transfer to departures.
Düsseldorf Airport car rental at a glance
The short answer
To rent a car at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), book online, walk into the arrivals hall (level 0) after landing and follow the Mietwagen (rental car) signs to the desks around Arrivals B. Cars wait in the rental car garage opposite, a short walk away. Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National and Alamo all have desks in the terminal. The city centre is about 10 km away, the trade fair only 4 km – and German motorways are toll-free for cars.
Updated How we research
- Airport
- Düsseldorf (DUS / EDDL), Flughafenstraße 105, 40474 Düsseldorf
- Passengers
- About 21 million in 2025 – NRW’s busiest airport
- Rental desks
- Arrivals level 0, around Arrivals B; cars in the rental car garage
- Desk hours
- Typically about 06:00–23:00; out-of-hours return in the garage
- To the city
- About 10 km, 20–25 min via B8 or A44/A52
- Minimum age
- 18–21 depending on supplier; young-driver fee under 25
- Deposit
- Credit card in the main driver’s name; amount depends on car class
- Low-emission zone
- Green sticker needed in Düsseldorf – German rental cars have one
Popular categories
Car rental deals at Düsseldorf Airport
The car groups travellers book most at DUS, with typical “from” prices. Pick one and compare live offers from every supplier at the airport.
-
EconomyBest value
Ford Fiesta or similar
- Manual
- 5 seats
- A/C
- 2 bags
- Green sticker (Umweltplakette)
- Free cancellation on most offers
Offered by
from€15/day
View deal -
Compact
VW Golf or similar
- Manual
- 5 seats
- A/C
- 3 bags
- Green sticker (Umweltplakette)
- Free cancellation on most offers
Offered by
Automatic car rentalfrom€21/day
View deal -
Compact SUVFamily pick
Citroën C3 Aircross or similar
- Manual
- 5 seats
- A/C
- 3 bags
- Green sticker (Umweltplakette)
- Free cancellation on most offers
Offered bySUV rentalfrom€32/day
View deal -
IntermediateAutobahn cruiser
Skoda Octavia or similar
- Automatic
- 5 seats
- A/C
- 4 bags
- Green sticker (Umweltplakette)
- Free cancellation on most offers
Offered byfrom€38/day
View deal -
ElectricZero emission
Tesla Model 3 or similar
- Automatic
- 5 seats
- A/C
- 2 bags
- Green sticker (Umweltplakette)
- Free cancellation on most offers
Offered byElectric car rentalfrom€45/day
View deal -
Premium
BMW 3 Series or similar
- Automatic
- 5 seats
- A/C
- 3 bags
- Green sticker (Umweltplakette)
- Free cancellation on most offers
Offered byLuxury & premium car rentalfrom€40/day
View deal -
9-seat vanGroups
Mercedes-Benz Vito or similar
- Manual
- 9 seats
- A/C
- 5 bags
- Green sticker (Umweltplakette)
- Free cancellation on most offers
Offered by
7 & 9-seater van rentalfrom€50/day
View deal -
Other ways to rent
Renting for longer or one way?
Lower daily rates beyond 28 days, and drop-off in another city or country.
“From” prices are indicative low-season daily rates for a 7-day rental seen on our booking engine. Your real price depends on dates, driver age and supplier, and is shown in full before you pay.
Where the car rental desks are at DUS
Düsseldorf has one connected terminal with three piers (A, B and C). All arrivals end in the same hall on level 0, where the rental desks are grouped together. More detail in our airport guide for drivers.
- Collect your bags and follow the car-key pictogram marked “Mietwagen / Rental cars”.
- Show your documents at the desk: driving licence, passport or ID, the credit card in the main driver’s name and your voucher.
- Walk to the rental car garage. Photograph every panel, the wheels, the fuel gauge and the mileage before you drive off.
- Set your sat-nav before leaving. The airport road splits quickly between the A44 (Ratingen/Essen and Krefeld/Netherlands) and the B8 into the city.
Side-by-side comparison
Car rental companies at Düsseldorf Airport
16 suppliers in our comparison serve Düsseldorf. 13 have desks in the terminal; the others work near the airport or in the city. Filter the table, then open a supplier for full details.
| Supplier | Pickup | Where | Loyalty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SixtSixt SE |
In terminal | Arrivals hall, Terminal B side | Sixt ONE | German premium cars (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) |
| EuropcarEuropcar Mobility Group |
In terminal | Arrivals hall, Terminal B side | Europcar Privilege | Wide network for one-way rentals in Germany |
| HertzHertz Global |
In terminal | Arrivals hall, Terminal B side | Hertz Gold Plus Rewards | Members who want to skip the queue |
| AvisAvis Budget Group |
In terminal | Arrivals hall, between A and B | Avis Preferred | Business travellers and Avis Preferred members |
 BudgetAvis Budget Group |
In terminal | Arrivals hall, between A and B | Budget Fastbreak | Lower headline prices than Avis |
| EnterpriseEnterprise Mobility |
In terminal | Arrivals hall | Enterprise Plus | Clear rental terms and friendly service |
 NationalEnterprise Mobility |
In terminal | Arrivals hall (Enterprise/National/Alamo counter) | Emerald Club | Frequent business travellers |
 AlamoEnterprise Mobility |
In terminal | Arrivals hall (Enterprise/National/Alamo counter) | Alamo Insiders | Leisure trips and weekly rentals |
 ThriftyHertz Global |
In terminal | Arrivals hall | Blue Chip | Lower prices within the Hertz group |
 DollarHertz Global |
In terminal | Arrivals hall (Hertz group) | Dollar Express | Budget-conscious leisure travellers |
 Keddy by EuropcarEuropcar Mobility Group |
In terminal | Europcar counter, Terminal B side | — | Europcar desk and cars at a lower price |
| BuchbinderEuropcar Mobility Group |
In terminal | Arrivals hall, Terminal B side | — | Vans and transporters |
 StarcarStarcar |
City branch | City branch in Düsseldorf-Lierenfeld | — | Vans and longer rentals from the city |
 Flex to GoFlex to Go |
Near airport | Maritim Hotel next to the terminal | — | Low prices a short walk from the terminal |
 Green MotionGreen Motion |
Near airport | Off-airport office north of the terminal | — | Low-emission and hybrid cars |
 WheegoWheego |
In terminal | Desk in the arrivals hall | — | Flexible short and long rentals |
Opening hours, young-driver fees and cross-border rules differ by supplier and car group. They are shown in the rental terms of each offer before you book.
Insider view
At the DUS rental desk: what really happens
- Queues: At morning peaks and when several holiday flights land together, expect 20–40 minutes. Online check-in or a loyalty programme cuts this a lot.
- Upsells: A “super cover” package is often offered at the desk. Check what your booking already includes before you arrive – don’t refuse what you need and don’t buy cover twice.
- Deposit: The deposit is blocked on the main driver’s credit card, not charged. Make sure you have enough card limit, especially for premium classes.
- Manual vs automatic: Manual gearboxes are standard in the small classes. If you need an automatic, book one specifically – it isn’t guaranteed at the desk.
- Sticker & kit: Check the green emissions sticker plus the warning triangle, hi-vis vest and first-aid kit – all mandatory in Germany.
- Trade-fair weeks: During big fairs (e.g. boot, ProWein, MEDICA) cars sell out and prices rise – book early.
Budget honestly
What a DUS car rental really costs
The daily rate is only part of the price. These are the extras that most often change the total at Düsseldorf – and how to keep them down.
| Cost | What to expect | How to avoid or reduce it |
|---|---|---|
| Young-driver fee | Drivers under 25 usually pay a daily fee with a cap. | Make a driver aged 25+ the main driver; compare suppliers with lower fees. |
| Additional driver | Daily fee per extra driver, included in some packages. | Filter for offers with “additional driver included”. |
| One-way fee | For dropping off in another city; much higher abroad. | Large networks (Europcar, Sixt) often charge less for domestic one-ways. |
| Cross-border fee | Flat fee for driving abroad; Eastern Europe often excluded. | Declare countries at booking and read the terms first. |
| Fuel policy | On full-to-full, refuelling charges are high if the tank isn’t full. | Choose full-to-full and refuel near the airport; keep the receipt. |
| Damage excess | You are liable up to the excess – often four figures. | Buy excess cover when booking or as a standalone policy. |
| Winter tyres | Required in wintry conditions; sometimes charged as a fee. | Check whether winter equipment is included in the price. |
| Out-of-hours pickup | Collecting after desk closing time can cost extra. | Add your flight number; choose a supplier with longer hours. |
| Child seats | Daily fee with a cap; children under 12 or 150 cm need a seat. | Book seats in advance or bring your own. |
| Fines & tickets | Plus an admin fee charged by the rental company. | Respect low-emission zones, parking rules and speed limits. |
From people who drive here
Driving tips and local tips for Düsseldorf
On the road
The Autobahn isn’t limitless
Many stretches around Düsseldorf have limits (often 100–120 km/h) and section speed cameras. The advisory speed is 130 km/h.
Priority to the right
In residential streets without priority signs, traffic from the right goes first – also in the city’s 30 km/h zones.
Trams have priority
Trams and light rail share many streets. Never stop on the tracks and watch for trams when turning.
Form an emergency lane
In motorway jams, immediately leave an emergency corridor between the left and middle lanes – fines are high if you don’t.
0.05% – or zero
The limit is 0.5 g/l; drivers under 21 or in their first two years must be at 0.0. Save the Altbier for after parking.
Local knowledge
Use a garage, not the Altstadt
Most of the old town is traffic-calmed. Park in a garage such as Kö-Galerie or Rheinufer and walk in.
Check the trade-fair calendar
During boot (January), ProWein (March) or MEDICA (November), hotels and rental cars sell out fast – and roads to the fairground jam.
Carnival & Rheinkirmes
On Rose Monday and during the Rheinkirmes funfair in July, parts of the centre close to traffic. Plan detours.
Shops close on Sundays
Supermarkets are closed on Sundays. Petrol stations and station shops are the exception.
Charging at the airport
Several airport car parks have charging points – handy for topping up an electric rental before you return it.
More on driving in Düsseldorf → · German road rules for visitors →
Live widgets
Handy tools for your trip
Euro converter
Card payments abroad may add a bank fee. Paying in euros usually avoids poor conversion rates at the desk.
Plan by month
Long-term climate averages for Düsseldorf (rounded). Event dates vary each year.
Next public holidays in NRW
- Loading…
On public holidays shops close, desk hours may be shorter and lorries are banned from motorways – roads are often quieter.
Plan your route
Driving from DUS: times and distances
Approximate figures without heavy traffic. The Rhine-Ruhr motorways (A3, A40, A44, A52, A57) jam at rush hour, so add 30–50% at peak times. No tolls apply in Germany for cars.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Main route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messe Düsseldorf (fairground) | 4 km | 10 min | B8 / Stockumer Kirchstraße |
| Düsseldorf Altstadt | 10 km | 20–25 min | B8 |
| Duisburg | 20 km | 20 min | A59 / A524 |
| Essen | 28 km | 25 min | A52 |
| Cologne | 60 km | 45 min | A44 → A3 / A57 |
| Dortmund | 70 km | 50 min | A44 → A1 / A40 |
| Wuppertal | 35 km | 30 min | A44 → A46 |
| Aachen | 95 km | 1 h | A44 |
| Amsterdam (NL) | 225 km | 2 h 30 | A3 / A12 |
| Brussels (BE) | 230 km | 2 h 30 | A44 → E40 |
| Frankfurt am Main | 230 km | 2 h 15 | A3 |
Borders are close
Driving from Düsseldorf into other countries
The Dutch border is only about 45 minutes from the airport. Most suppliers allow travel to neighbouring EU countries if you declare it – here is what changes once you cross.
Netherlands
- Amsterdam
- 225 km · 2 h 30
- Tolls
- None for cars
City centres have low-emission zones and very expensive parking – use P+R sites. Speed limit on motorways is 100 km/h by day.
Belgium
- Brussels
- 230 km · 2 h 30
- Tolls
- None for cars
Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent run low-emission zones; foreign cars may need free online registration – check before you go.
Luxembourg
- Luxembourg City
- 280 km · 3 h
- Tolls
- None
Fuel is usually cheaper than in Germany – a popular top-up stop on longer trips.
France
- Paris
- 510 km · 5 h
- Tolls
- Motorway tolls (péage)
Cities such as Paris and Strasbourg need a Crit’Air sticker – German rentals rarely have one, so order it online in advance.
Austria
- Salzburg
- 750 km · 7 h
- Tolls
- Vignette required
Buy the digital motorway vignette before you drive onto an Austrian motorway.
Switzerland
- Basel
- 540 km · 5 h
- Tolls
- Annual vignette (CHF 40)
Not in the EU: check that your supplier allows Switzerland and that the car has a valid vignette.
Three steps before you cross a border
- Declare every country when you book or at the desk – undeclared trips can void your insurance.
- Check the car class – premium and electric cars are more often restricted, especially for Eastern Europe.
- Sort out stickers and vignettes for France (Crit’Air), Austria and Switzerland before departure.
End of your trip
Returning your rental car at DUS
All in-terminal suppliers use the same rental car return garage. Allow at least 20 minutes for the return plus your usual check-in time.
- Refuel nearby. There are petrol stations on the approach roads to the airport; keep the receipt.
- Follow “Abflug”, then “Mietwagenrückgabe”. Sat-nav: Kieshecker Weg 260, 40468 Düsseldorf.
- Park in your supplier’s marked lane and photograph the car, fuel gauge and mileage.
- Hand over the key to an agent, or use the key box out of hours, then walk to departures.
Read before you drive
Düsseldorf and Germany driving guides
Düsseldorf travel
Car rental guides
Driving tips
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
19 answers
Still have a question? Contact our support team.
About this site
Düsseldorf Airport Car Hire is an independent comparison service. We show live prices from rental companies serving DUS through our booking partner and write the guides on this site ourselves, checking them against airport, supplier and government sources. We are not the airport and not a rental company.