Düsseldorf Airport guide for drivers

How the terminal is laid out

Unlike many large airports, Düsseldorf has a single, connected terminal. The three piers A, B and C branch off the central building. Arriving passengers from all piers end up in the same arrivals hall on level 0 – you never need to transfer between terminals.

• Piers A and B are mainly used for European flights.
• Pier C often handles long-haul and non-Schengen flights; expect passport control there.
• The departures level is upstairs – check-in, Kiss & Fly drop-off and access to some car parks are here.

Finding the car rental desks

After baggage claim, follow the car-key pictogram marked “Mietwagen” (rental cars). The desks of Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Avis/Budget and Enterprise/National/Alamo are grouped in the arrivals hall around Arrivals B. From Pier A or C it is a 3–5 minute walk.

Some suppliers work outside the terminal: Flex to Go at the Maritim Hotel next to the terminal, Green Motion and Starcar from offices further away. Your voucher gives the exact meeting point.

Map: desks, garage and station

Collecting the car

After signing the contract, walk to the rental car garage opposite the terminal. Each supplier has its own signed area; the desk gives you the level and bay. Before driving off, check:

• damage to bodywork, wheels and glass – photograph everything and have it noted on the check-out sheet,
• the fuel gauge or charge level and the mileage,
• the green emissions sticker, warning triangle, hi-vis vest and first-aid kit.

SkyTrain and the airport station

The long-distance and regional station “Düsseldorf Flughafen” lies about 2.5 km from the terminal and is linked by the free SkyTrain. The S11 suburban train stops directly beneath the terminal. Arriving by train? Take the SkyTrain to the terminal and go down to the arrivals level – that is where the rental desks are.

Dropping off and picking up passengers

Use the Kiss & Fly zone on the departures level for quick drop-offs. If you are collecting someone, use a short-stay car park near arrivals rather than waiting outside the terminal, where enforcement is strict. More in our guide to parking at Düsseldorf Airport.

Late arrivals and early departures

Many rental desks open roughly 06:00–23:00. If you land later, add your flight number when booking – some suppliers wait for delayed flights, others charge an out-of-hours fee or cannot hand over the car. For early departures, 24-hour returns are possible via key boxes or night agents in the rental car garage.

Useful facilities for drivers

• Petrol stations: there are fuel stations on the approach roads to the airport – handy for full-to-full returns.
• EV charging: several airport car parks (including P3, P5, P7 and P8) have charging points.
• ATMs and currency exchange in the arrivals hall.
• Left luggage and lost & found in the terminal.