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Changed my flight - I will be in Dusseldorf with the four kids for 7 hour..

I appreciate all of the info on Munich, but as it turns out, I am flying into Dusseldorf. I have a seven hour layover and arrive at about 11:00 A.M.

So, again, is it "doable" to visit Dusseldorf from the airport in that amount of time?

What are the logistics?

Where should we go? What do we see? What do we eat?

The kids are 10, 7, 5, and 2. They LOVE history, reading, will eat anything, love to travel, are generally well-mannered, are game and we are packing VERY light. So, we should be mobile and want to maximize our time.

My eldest would really love to see a German castle if that is at all possible in that amount of time.

Oh, and I need to not spend a fortune.

THANKS!!!

Posted by
2297 posts

Cecily,

the famous medevial Rhine castles are probably just outside your range to make it back in time for your connecting flight. But you could see a palace pretty close by that's very accessible by train:

http://www.schloss-benrath.de/en/portal_stiftung/bootportal.asp

Another option would be to take a train from the airport straight to Cologne. They run very frequently and the trip takes about 40-45 minutes. Cologne is great because you've got the main sight right next to the train station: the cathedral. Climb the stairs up the tower, you've got a fantastic view!!! It's 508 steps but very worth while. And yes, my kids did it, too! Though it might be too much for the 2 year old.

Afterwards, just walk around the old town centre, get a gelato for the kids and have a "Koelsch" beer yourself.

Posted by
2297 posts

I found one restored medevial castle that might work out for you - if you are arriving on a weekday with better train and bus connections than on the weekend. The train ride from the airport to Solingen takes about 45 minutes. From there you take a local bus that leads you to the base of the hill with the castle on top. You can then take a small chair lift up to visit the castle. Especially this last part could be very fund for your kids as well!

Looks like the website is in German only but I'm sure that if you email them directly they can give you better information and tell you if it's indeed logistically feasible without cutting it too close:

http://www.schlossburg.de/index.php?id=4

I haven't been there personally but a friend of mine who lives in Duesseldorf loves going there with her kids.