Dusseldorf cruises | Scenic tour along the Rhine River

Explore Düsseldorf from a unique vantage point with a scenic city sightseeing cruise along the River Rhine. These cruises offer stunning views of the city's skyline and take you past iconic landmarks such as the historic Old Town, the Rhine Tower, St. Lambertus Church, and the modern MedienHafen district. With a variety of cruise options available, differing in duration and theme, there’s something for everyone.

Navigate your Dusseldorf cruises guide

  1. Why go on a Dusseldorf city cruise?
  2. Things to know before you book Dusseldorf cruises
  3. Which Dusseldorf cruise to choose?
  4. Find your best Dusseldorf city cruise match here
  5. Dusseldorf Rhine cruises map
  6. Your guide to checking in and boarding Dusseldorf cruises
  7. 5 steps to an easy and hassle-free Dusseldorf cruise experience
  8. Top sights on Dusseldorf Rhine cruises
  9. Plan your Dusseldorf cruise experience
  10. Frequently asked questions about Dusseldorf cruises

Why go on a Dusseldorf city cruise?

Why go on a Dusseldorf city cruise?
Why go on a Dusseldorf city cruise?
Why go on a Dusseldorf city cruise?
Why go on a Dusseldorf city cruise?
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Scenic exploration along the Rhine

Düsseldorf cruises glide along the scenic Rhine River, offering unmatched views of the city’s most celebrated landmarks and heritage neighborhoods. From the charming historic architecture of Altstadt to the striking Frank Gehry-designed buildings in MedienHafen, each moment on board reveals a new facet of the city. Pass by the state parliament near the towering Rheinturm, and admire engineering marvels like the Rheinknie and Oberkasseler Bridges, all while enjoying the comfort and ease of a relaxing river cruise.

Enjoy guided commentary

Make the most of your Düsseldorf city sightseeing cruise with the boat’s multilingual audio guide. Simply connect to the ship’s free Wi-Fi and download the guided commentary, available in both English and German. This convenient feature allows you to explore the city’s landmarks while learning about their history and significance, at your own pace and in your preferred language.

Includes live DJs

The Dusseldorf Rhine cruises offer a variety of cruises. The evening sightseeing tour includes live DJs and music, making for a lively and vibrant atmosphere on board. It offers you a glimpse into the city’s eclectic nightlife. These cruises are perfect for couples and friend groups. Sail past illuminated landmarks and dance the night away!

A unique vantage point

Cruises give you a unique view of Düsseldorf that you can’t get from land. From the river, you can see the full size and design of landmarks, like the 240.5-meter-tall Rhine Tower, which are hard to take in up close.

Things to know before you book Dusseldorf cruises

  • There’s a cruise for every budget. The day panoramic cruises start from €17 and are ideal for budget travelers, students, and families on vacation. And, the evening cruises with live DJs are around €25 and offer a lively journey across River Rhine. 
  • All Dusseldorf city sightseeing cruises offer accessible restrooms and ramps to accommodate visitors in wheelchairs, elderly passengers, and parents with prams and strollers.
  • You can upgrade any Dusseldorf cruise ticket to include snacks and beverages on board. Try Kolsch, wines, and different types of coffee. You can find both salty and sweet versions of any snack. 
  • The scenic 1-hour cruises include an audio guide. You can connect to your ship’s free Wi-Fi and download this guide. These are perfect for self-paced travelers.
  • For the ultimate city experience, choose the combo Dusseldorf Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour + Panorama River Cruise tickets. This offers great value for money, allowing you to cover top landmarks like Königsallee, MedienHafen, and the Old Town without booking separate tickets. 

Which Dusseldorf cruise to choose?

1-hour panoramic cruise in Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf panoramic city sightseeing cruise

Best for: Budget travelers, families on vacation, and those wanting a deeper insight into the history behind the city’s important landmarks
Duration: 1 hour
Guide: Audio commentary in English and German
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pets and service dogs: Allowed
Cancellation policy: Flexible

  • These scenic cruise tickets will take you on a relaxing sojourn along the River Rhine. You can catch glimpses of significant landmarks like the Rhine Tower, St. Lambertus Church, Rheinkneinbrucke, Landtag of North-Rhine-Westphalia, the Oberkaasseler Bridge, and more. 
  • The multilingual audio guide will familiarize you with the history and cultural relevance of the landmarks.  

Recommended tours:

  • 1-hour panoramic cruise in Dusseldorf
2-hour evening cruise with live DJ in Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf evening panoramic cruise with live DJ

Best for: Music lovers and solo travelers
Duration: 2 hours
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Service dogs: Allowed
Cancellation policy: Cannot be canceled, re-scheduled, or refunded
Snacks and beverages: Available onboard

  • Experience a vibrant atmosphere with live DJs as you soar past illuminated landmarks in the city. These cruises are perfect for celebrating a special occasion like a friend’s birthday or a wedding anniversary. You can simply enjoy the music while taking in the scenic views or dance the night away on the open decks. 
  • These cruises also offer light snacks and alcoholic beverages on board. 

Recommended tours:

  • 2-hour evening cruise with live DJ in Dusseldorf
Düsseldorf Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Panorama River Cruise Combo

Düsseldorf Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Panorama River Cruise Combo

Best for: First-time visitors, city explorers, and budget-conscious travelers looking to experience Düsseldorf by land and water
Duration: Flexible (Bus tour + 1-hour river cruise)
Guide: Audio commentary on both the bus and the cruise
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pets and service dogs: Allowed

Cancellation policy: Flexible

  • This value-packed combo lets you explore Düsseldorf’s top attractions from two unique perspectives, on land and on the water. The hop-on hop-off bus tour covers major city highlights like Königsallee, MedienHafen, and Old Town, while the 1-hour cruise along the Rhine offers scenic views of landmarks such as the Rhine Tower and Oberkasseler Bridge.
  • With audio guides included on both experiences, you’ll gain cultural and historical insights at your own pace. Ideal for flexible sightseeing and saving on separate ticket costs.

Recommended tour:

Dusseldorf Rhine cruises map

Your guide to checking in and boarding Dusseldorf cruises

All Dusseldorf sightseeing cruises depart from the KD Ticket Office. The ticket office is on Burgplatz, Auf der Promenade 1, 40214, Dusseldorf, Germany. Burgplatz is a historic square, home to the Castle Tower and the Maritime Museum. It is well-connected by ferries, metro, and buses, making it easier for visitors to travel to other parts of Germany from this hub.

  • Nearest landmarks: Schlossturm and Maritime Museum
  • Nearest metro station: D-Heinrich-Heine-Allee-U

5 steps to an easy and hassle-free Dusseldorf cruise experience

  • Book tickets online: Pre-book your Dusseldorf tickets online in advance to ensure you get guaranteed access to the cruise on the day of your visit. With advanced bookings, you can choose your desired tour duration and have the best cruising experience of your dreams. 
  • Check your ticket details: After making your payment, make sure to check your email or message. You will receive a ticket voucher with all your details like cruise timings, duration, boarding point, and more. 
  • Arrive early: On the day of your cruise, reach the boarding port at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. If you drive to the ticketing office, you may have to wait a while to park your vehicle. Parking spots are limited around the KD Ticket Office, especially on weekends. 
  • Carry your mobile voucher: Display your mobile voucher at the ticketing gate. Validating your voucher is a must. You won’t be able to begin your cruise without showing your voucher. 
  • Settle in comfortably: After boarding the cruise, take a stroll around the decks. Choose a comfortable spot and sit down. If you want a snack or a beverage, place your orders. 

Top sights on Dusseldorf Rhine cruises

Rhine Tower

Rhine Tower

The Rhine Tower, with an observation deck, and revolving restaurant is around 240.5 meters tall. It is known for offering sweeping views of the entire city. A marvel of modernist architecture, this tower features a unique light sculpture on its shaft, which functions as the world’s largest decimal clock.

St.Lambertus Church
Rheinknie Bridge
Rheinuferpromenade
Frank Gehry buildings

Plan your Dusseldorf cruise experience

Timings for  Dusseldorf cruise
  • 1-hour panorama cruise: The day city sightseeing cruises are available from 10:30am to 6:30pm. There are 6 departures in a day. If you pre-book tickets, you can choose your desired time slot. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your cruise departs to avoid last-minute rushing and settle in comfortably. 
  • 2-hour evening cruise with live DJs: The evening sightseeing cruises are only available at 8pm. 
Best time for Dusseldorf cruise
  • Best time of the year: The summer months, June to August, are the busiest time of the year. Most school and college students, including families, take advantage of the summer holidays and plan to cruise around the city. The spring and fall months are slightly more manageable. If you do not mind the harsh winters, you can opt for the November-December cruises. There will be fewer tourists and you may also receive discounts and reduced prices. 
  • Best time of the week: Weekends are comparatively more crowded than weekdays. Parking is especially limited outside the KD Ticketing Office on weekends. We recommend using public transportation to avoid parking hassles if you choose to cruise over the weekend. 

Boarding point: KD Ticket Office, Burgplatz, Auf der Promenade, 1, 40213, Dusseldorf, Germany
Find on maps

  • By bus: Number #726 and SB50
    Nearest stop: Rheinterrasse and D-Alter-Hafen
  • By tram: 706, 707, and 709
    Nearest stop: D-Heinrich-Heine-Allee U
  • By metro: #U71, #U72, #U73, and #U74
    Nearest stop: D-Heinrich-Heine-Allee
  • By car: You can also travel to the ticketing office via car. It is 4 minutes away from Altstadt Old Town.
    Nearest parking: Parkhaus Kunsthalle Dusseldorf, Parkplatz Liefergasse, CONTI PARK Underground Old Rhine
Accesibility at Dusseldorf cruise
  • Accessible ramps: All Dusseldorf city cruise boats are equipped with ramps, ensuring visitors in wheelchairs can board the cruise comfortably. Experienced staff members are stationed near the boat’s entrance to help any visitor navigate the deck. 
  • Free Wi-Fi: The boat offers Wi-Fi facilities to help you download audio guides on board. 
  • Cloakroom: The Dusseldorf cruise boats also have cloakrooms, where you can store large backpacks, hats, and coats. 
  • Accessible restrooms: These cruises also offer accessible washroom facilities for visitors with limited mobility. The doors are wide and there are staff nearby to help you navigate. 
  • Snacks and beverages: Evening Dusseldorf cruises with live DJs offer light snacks like Kolsch and alcoholic beverages on board.
  • Pets and guide dogs allowed: You can bring your pets and service dogs on Dusseldorf cruises. 
  • Life vests and safety gear: The cruise boats also have safety equipment and life jackets to ensure the safety of their passengers in the case of an emergency.
Rules and regulations for Dusseldorf cruise
  • Validate your mobile voucher: When booking Dusseldorf cruise tickets online, ensure that you received a mobile voucher along with your ticket confirmation. You have to validate this voucher at the ticketing office before embarking on your cruise. Without this voucher, you won’t be allowed to board. 
  • Inform dietary restrictions: If you have any allergies or sensitivities to any food, please inform the cruise staff as soon as you start your journey.
  • Pay attention to safety drills: At the start of each cruise, the staff informs all visitors of safety procedures to follow in case of an emergency. Pay attention and take note of where the life jackets are kept on board. 
Visitor tips for Dusseldorf cruise
  • Connect to the boat’s Wi-Fi: You can easily access the boat’s audio commentary by connecting to the ship’s Wi-Fi. It is included with your ticket and you can learn about the history and cultural relevance of the landmarks passing by. 
  • Arrive early: It is best to reach the ticketing office at least 30 minutes before your cruise departs to validate your voucher and settle in comfortably.
  • Pack accordingly: Dusseldorf cruises operates all year round. Pack a sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses if you are cruising in the summer months. There are chances of rain around April, May, September, and October. Check the weather forecast before starting your tour. 
  • Carry documentation: Make sure you have your mobile ticket voucher and a valid identification card when stepping on board. If you have guide dogs or other service animals, bring along licensed proof. 
  • Book tickets in advance: We recommend booking Dusseldorf cruise tickets online in advance to ensure you have a hassle-free experience. By pre-booking tickets, you can ensure that you do not miss your cruise spot no matter the crowd on the day of your visit. 
Things to do in Dusseldorf
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