Düsseldorf Stadtbahn

The Düsseldorfer Stadtbahn, the renowned underground railway of Düsseldorf, Germany, has been in operation since its inauguration on 6 August 1988. With a comprehensive network of 11 lines serving 161 stations, it provides convenient connections to the diverse transport services offered by Rheinbahn, the owner of the metro service. The central station is only 7 minutes from Düsseldorf International Airport by regional train. While some lines only operate from Monday to Friday, others run all year round. Affordable tickets for students and daily commuters, coupled with a strict no-smoking policy, enhance the overall commuting experience. Interestingly, the metro system operates without turnstiles. Future expansion plans include the construction of two new lines, U80 and U81. A notable tourist attraction accessible by metro is the Königsalle.

The Düsseldorf Metro, also known as the “Stadtbahn” in Germany, does not operate 24 hours a day. Fares for this metro system are based on an honour system and the daily number of passengers is not provided.

The metro does not use driverless trains and does not have platform screen doors. The metro does not have air conditioning. However, passengers are allowed to walk between platforms.

The Düsseldorf metro operates from 4:15 am to 12:00 am Monday to Friday, and from 4:15 am to 2:30 am on weekends and holidays.

Düsseldorf Metro Map

Map of Düsseldorf Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Düsseldorf Metro map in PDF format.

A Closer Look at Düsseldorf: A Hub of Commerce and Culture

As the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Düsseldorf is home to around 600,000 people, making it the seventh most populous city in the country. With its vibrant economy, Düsseldorf is considered one of Germany’s key cities. It is famous for hosting the Boot Messe, a prestigious boat show. It is also a popular destination for fashionistas and avid shoppers.

Düsseldorf boasts three major airports: the largest being Düsseldorf International Airport, followed by Köln Bonn Airport and Weeze Airport. The city’s public transport system is varied and includes buses, trams, suburban trains (S-Bahn), regional trains (Regionalbahn), regional express trains (Regionalexpress), the national Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) and the Düsseldorf Stadtbahn (underground). The main operator of the metro and several other transport services in the city is Rheinbahn AG.

Tracing the History of Düsseldorf Stadtbahn

The Düsseldorf metro was officially inaugurated on 6 August 1988, following efforts to establish an underground rail service dating back to the 1960s. Initial proposals from 1959 included a five-station metro service, but due to the diversion of funds to the construction of a regional train in the Rhine-Ruhr area, the plans were shelved. This regional train would later become the Stadtbahn Rhein-Ruhr.

The Düsseldorf Stadtbahn was initially divided into four sections, the first two of which started running alongside the underground. The subsequent third section, known as the Wehrhahn line, was completed on 20 February 2016, while the fourth section was eventually cancelled. Although the metro was officially inaugurated in 1988, the first stations – Kennedydamm/Musikhochschule, Heinrich-Heine-Allee and Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof – were opened on 3 October 1981 and 7 May 1981, respectively, during the light rail phase.

Exploring the Lines and Stations of the Düsseldorf Stadtbahn

Known for its comprehensive service, the Düsseldorf Stadtbahn comprises 11 unique lines: U70, U71, U72, U73, U74, U75, U76, U77, U78, U79 and U83. Taken together, these lines have 161 distinct stations, with some stations serving several lines, so the total number exceeds 161. Each line provides access to a unique set of stations, as detailed below:

Line U70

Line U70 serves 18 stations, including Krefeld, Rheinstraße, Diessem, Krefeld Hbf, KR-Grundend, Fischelm, Bovert, Hoterheide, Haus Meer, Landsknecht, Mb. Büderich, Belsenplatz, Lörick, Tonhalle/Ehrenhof, Luegplatz, Heinrich-Heine-Allee, Oststraße., Steinstraße/Königsallee, and Düsseldorf Hbf.

Line U71

Line U71 connects 37 stations, among them Rath S, Rath Mitte S, Rotdornstraße, Haeselerstraße, Am Schein, Hansaplatz, Heinrichstraße, Brehmplatz, Grunerstraße, Uhlandstraße, Schillerplatz, Pempelforter Straße, Wehrhahn S, Heinrich-Heine-Allee, Schadowstraße, Graf-Adolf-Platz, Benrather Straße, Bilk S, Kirchplatz, Auf’m Hennekamp, Karolingerplatz, Christophstraße, Uni-Kliniken, Werstener Dolstraße, Südpark, Ickerswarder Straße, Opladener Straße, Holthausen, Elbruchstraße, Am Trippelsberg, Niederheid, Kappeler Straße, Urdenbacher Allee, Schloss Benrath, Benrath S, Schöne Aussicht, and Benrath, Betriebshof.

Line U72

Line U72 covers 31 stations, including Ratingen Mitte, Europaring, Weststraße, Ratingen, Felderhof, Gerhardstraße, Hirschweg, Hubertushain, Rather Waldstadion, Oberrath, Rather Broich, Graf-Recke-Straße, Mörsenbroicher Weg, Vantierstraße, Engerstraße, Schlüterstraße/Arbeitsagentur, Lindemannstraße, Wehrhahn S, Uhlandstraße, Schadowstraße, Pempelforther Straße, Heinrich-Heine-Allee, Graf-Adolf-Allee, Benrath Straße, Bilk S, Kirchplatz, Südring, Suitbertusstraße, Volmerswerther, Aachener Platz, Krahkampweg, and Hellriegelstraße.

Line U73

Line U73 serves 23 stations such as Gerresheim S, Hardenbergstraße, Morper Straße, Schönaustraße, Von-Gahlen-Straße, Vor der Hardt, Auf der Hardt/LVR Klinikum, Burgmüllerstraße, Pöhlenweg, Auf’m Hennekamp, Christophstraße, Uni-Kliniken, Karolingerplatz, Südpark, Engerstraße, Uhlandstraße, Lindemannstraße, Schlüterstraße/Arbeitsagentur, Dörpfeldstraße, Gerresheim, Rathaus, Friedingstraße, Benrather Straße, and Universität Ost/Botanischer Garten.

Line U74

Line U74 connects 31 stations, including Mb. Görgesheide, Kamperweg, Hoterheide, Haus Meer, Bovert, Mb Büderich, Landsknecht, Forsthaus, Lörick, Lohweg, Löricker Straße, Prinzenallee, Rheinbahnhaus, Barbarossaplatz, Belsenplatz, Tonhalle/Ehrenhof, Luegplatz, Steinstraße/Königsallee, Heinrich-Heine-Allee, Oststraße, Oberbilker-Markt/Warschauer, Düsseldorf Hbf, Ellerstraße, Kaiserslauterner Straße, Oberbilk S, Werstener Dorfstraße, Provinzialplatz, Ickerswarder Straße, Opladener Straße, Elbruchstraße, Heerdter Sandberg, and Holthausen.

Line U75

Line U75 provides access to 21 stations, such as Neuss Hbf, NE-Am Kaiser S, Blücherstraße, Handweiser, D-Vogesenstraße, Heesenstraße, Aldekerkstraße, Nikolaus-Knopp-Platz, Belsenplatz, Drususstraße, Dominikus Krakenhaus, Luegplatz, Barbarossaplatz, Lierenfeld Betriebshof, Ronsdorfer Straße, Schlesische Straße, Jägerstraße, Am Hackenbruch, Alt-Eller, Düsseldorf-Eller Mitte S, Eller, and Vennhauser Allee.

Line U76

Line U76 serves 22 stations, including prominent ones like Krefeld, Rheinstraße, Diessem, Königshof, Fischeln, and Handelszentrum/Moskauer Straße.

Line U77

Line U77, with its 14 stations, includes stops such as Am Seesterm, Provinzialplatz, Tonhalle/Ehrenhof, Belsenplatz, and Holthausen.

Line U78

Line U78, spanning 8 stations, covers important locations like ESPRIT Arena/Messe Nord, Golzheimer Platz, Theodor-Heuss-Brücke, Kennedydamm, and Düsseldorf Hbf.

Line U79

Line U79 connects 30 stations, featuring key stops such as Duisburg-Meiderich Bahnhof, Resser Platz, Alte Landstraße, Wittlaer, and Universität Ost/Botanischer Garten.

Line U83

Line U83 serves 29 stations, including popular ones like Gerresheim-Krankenhaus, Urdenbacher Allee, Kappeler Straße, Niederheid, Benrath, and Betriebshof.

Transit Connections

The Düsseldorf Stadtbahn offers connections with buses and trains operated by other companies, such as VRS (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg) and AVV (Aachener Verkehrsverbund). It also connects with other transport services operated by Rheinbahn, including buses, Regionalexpress, Regionalbahn, trams, S-Bahn, buses and trains of the Nachtexpress and the Schnellbus.

Connection to the Airport

Düsseldorf International Airport is the city’s main airport. The nearest underground station to the airport is Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof. From the airport, passengers can walk to the airport station and take a regional train on line RE6 towards Dormagen Bf. They should get off at Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof, from where they have access to the underground and many other trains. The journey from the airport to this station takes approximately 7 minutes. You will need a zone A3 stamp on your ticket for this journey.

Schedule, Timetables, and Calendar

Some lines, such as U70, operate only on weekdays, while others, such as U71, operate every day, including public holidays. Below are the opening and closing times for each line on weekdays:

• U70: Opens at Krefeld, Rheinstraße station at 6:38 am, and closes at Düsseldorf Hbf station at 5:33 pm.
• U71: Opens at D-Mörsenbroich, Heinrichstraße at 12:11 am, and closes at D-Benrath Betriebshof at 12:34 am the next day.
• U72: Opens at Ratingen Mitte, Weststraße at 12:22 am, and closes at D-Volmerswerth, Hellriegelstraße at 12:29 am the next day.
• U73: Opens at D-Gerresheim at 12:07 am, and closes at D-Universität Ost/Botanischer Garten at 11:44 pm.
• U74: Opens at Mb. Görgesheide at 7:06 am, and closes at Holthausen at 12:20 am.
• U75: Opens at Neuss Hbf at 12:37 am, and closes at Vennhauser Allee at 3:27 am the next day.
• U76: Opens at Krefeld, Rheinstraße at 12:09 am, and closes at Düsseldorf Hbf at 1:11 am the next day.
• U77: Opens at D-Am Seestern at 12:04 am, and closes at Holthausen at 12:05 am the next day.
• U78: Opens at D-ESPRIT Arena/Messe Nord at 6:41 am, and closes at Düsseldorf Hbf at 10:22 pm.
• U79: Opens at Duisburg Meiderich Bf at 5:32 am, and closes at D-Universität Ost at 9:41 am.
• U83: Opens at D-Gerresheim at 4:39 am, and closes at Benrath Btf at 9:58 pm.

Fares, Tickets, and Subscriptions

Metro fares can be paid with tickets and subscriptions. The costs of these payment options are detailed below:

Tickets: These are categorized into: Zusatz Tickets, Einfach Weiter Ticket, Ticket 2000, Ticket 1000, Young Ticket Plus, Semester Ticket, Firmen Ticket, Sozial Ticket, Einzel Ticket, Tages Ticket, 4er Ticket, Happy Hour Ticket, 7-Tage Ticket, 10er Ticket, Hotel-Kombi Ticket, and Kombi Ticket.

Full details about each ticket category are provided below:

1. Additional tickets (€3.40): These can be purchased in a bundle of four tickets for €12.20. If you already have a Metro ticket, the Additional Ticket gives you extra benefits, including: first class travel, access to additional zones, extended travel time in Zone D and the ability to take bicycles with you.
2. Simple extension ticket: To use this ticket, you must also have a Ticket 2000 or Ticket 1000 subscription. Prices are as follows: first class for adults = €6.40, first class for children = €4.80, second class for adults = €6.40 and second class for children = €3.20.
3. Ticket 2000: This ticket offers unlimited travel for one month. It can be bought as a single ticket or as a subscription. It offers more benefits than the Ticket 1000. Ticket 2000 prices are as follows Zone A1 = €76.40, Zone A2 = €80.40, Zone A3 = €83, Zone B = €117.15, Zone C = €151.25 and Zone D = €194.50. A version of this ticket called Ticket 2000 9:00 is available for travel after 9:00. The prices for the Ticket 2000 9:00 are: Zone A1 = €56.85, Zone A2 = €59.55, Zone A3 = €61.40, Zone B = €88.70, Zone C = €113.25 and Zone D = €146.70. For first class travel with Ticket 2000 9:00, the prices are: zones A and B = €45.45, zones C and D = €80.90.
4. Ticket 1000: This ticket allows unlimited travel within certain zones for one month and offers fewer benefits than the Ticket 2000. It is available in two types: regular and 9:00, the latter allowing travel after 9:00. The prices for the regular Ticket 1000 are: Zone A1 = €67.85, Zone A2 = €71.65, Zone A3 = €74.30, Zone B = €107.40, Zone C = €142.30 and Zone D = €181.30. Ticket 1000 9:00: Zone A1 = €50.25, Zone A2 = €53, Zone A3 = €54.75, Zone B = €79.35, Zone C = €104.65 and Zone D = €135.10. Prices for First Class with Ticket 1000 9:00 are: Zone A and B = €45.45, Zone C and D = €80.90.
5. 30-day ticket : This ticket offers travel for one month, with the advantage that the user can choose the starting date of its validity. This ticket is a variation of the Ticket 2000 and the Ticket 1000. The prices for the 30-day Ticket 2000 are: Zone A1 = €76.40, Zone A2 = €80.40, Zone A3 = €83, Zone B = €117.15, Zone C = €151.25 and Zone D = €194.50. The price of the 30-day ticket 2000 9:00 is as follows: zone A1 = €56.85, zone A2 = €59.55, zone A3 = €61.40, zone B = €88.70, zone C = €113.25 and zone D = €146.70. The prices for the 30-Day Ticket 1000 are: Zone A1 = €67.85, Zone A2 = €71.65, Zone A3 = €74.30, Zone B = €107.40, Zone C = €142.30 and Zone D = €181.30. The price of the 30-day ticket 1000 9:00 is: zone A1 = €50.25, zone A2 = €53, zone A3 = €54.75, zone B = €79.35, zone C = €104.65 and zone D = €135.10.
6. Young Ticket Plus: This ticket is for students at universities and vocational schools. It is an alternative to the Semester Ticket and the Chocolate Ticket. The prices for the Young Ticket Plus are: Zone A1 = €53.05, Zone A2 = €54.40, Zone A3 = €56.35, Zone B = €82.10, Zone C = €106.50 and Zone D = €122.10.
7. Semester ticket: This ticket is for students enrolled at a university in Düsseldorf. The cost is included in the semester fees.
8. Company ticket: This ticket allows people to travel from home to work for one month. The prices for the company ticket are: zones A and B = €45.45 and zones C and D = €80.90.
9. Social Ticket (€35.35): This ticket is for people who are unemployed or on benefits.
10. Single ticket: This ticket allows you to travel for a certain number of minutes: Zone A = 90 minutes, Zone B = 120 minutes, Zone C = 180 minutes and Zone D = 300 minutes. The prices for the single ticket are Adults: zones A1, A2 and A3 = €2.70, zone B = €5.80, zone C = €12.10 and zone D = €15; children between 6 and 14 years: €1.60 for all zones.
11. Day ticket: This ticket allows individuals or groups of up to five people to travel for one day until 3:00am. Prices vary according to the number of people and zones covered.
12. 4-Ride Ticket: This ticket offers four rides and is cheaper than the single ticket. The prices for the 4-ride ticket are Adults: Zones A1, A2 and A3 = €10, Zone B = €20.90, Zone C = €42.80 and Zone D = €52.20; Children between six and 14 years: €5.90.
13. Happy Hour Ticket (€2.99): This ticket allows you to travel between 6pm and 6am.
14. 7-day ticket: This ticket allows you to travel for one week. The prices are: Zone A1 = €21.90, Zone A2 = €26.65, Zone A3 = €27.65, Zone B = €40.40, Zone C = €53.15 and Zone D = €67.70.
15. 10-trip ticket: This ticket includes 10 rides. Its prices are: Zone K (short journey) = €13.60, Zone A = €22, Zone B = €44, Zone C = €88 and Zone D = €100.
16. Combined hotel ticket: This ticket allows you to travel in Zone D if you have checked into one of Düsseldorf’s hotels. The price is included in the hotel rate.
17. Combined ticket: This ticket allows you to travel to sporting and other events. The price is included in the ticket for the event.

Travel Tips in Düsseldorf Stadtbahn

If your itinerary includes visiting museums and eating out during your stay in Düsseldorf, we recommend you purchase the Düsseldorf Welcome Card. This card offers unlimited travel for between one and five days, depending on the subscription you choose. The card also offers free admission to museums and discounts on concerts and restaurants.

All major attractions and points of interest are located in Zone A. It’s likely you won’t need tickets for Zones B, C or D.

Regulations

• Park and Ride services are available.
• Bicycle parking is available at many stations, such as Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof, which can accommodate up to 500 bikes.
• If you are caught using the underground without a validated ticket, you could be fined €40 and possibly taken to a police station. Please note that ticket inspectors usually only communicate in English.
• Smoking is not allowed on the metro or in the stations.
• Emergency equipment such as intercoms, emergency levers and escape windows should only be used in a real emergency.

Interesting Facts

• The Düsseldorf Metro fare system is based on trust. There are no turnstiles at the stations, but ticket inspectors may randomly ask to see your ticket to ensure that you have paid for your journey.
• The trains used in the Düsseldorf Metro are LRT models, similar to those used in the Mülheim, Bonn, Bochum, Cologne, Essen and Dortmund metros.
• Lines U74 to U79 use old monorails, while the stations between Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof and Oberbilk have new monorails.
• The tunnel connecting the U71, U72, U73 and U83 lines is tiled, giving it a snakeskin appearance. This tunnel is regularly cleaned to prevent graffiti.

Future Expansions

Two new lines, U81 and U80, are planned for future construction. The first, the U81, is expected to be built by 2019. A construction date for the U80 has yet to be determined.

Future stations include Düsseldorf Airport Terminal (to be built by 2019), Musikhochschule/Kennedydamm, Messe-Süd, Theodor-Heuss-Brücke and Resser Platz.

Nearby Attractions

Many of Düsseldorf’s attractions can be easily reached by underground from Düsseldorf Central Station. Here are some directions:

Benrath Palace: The journey takes 29 minutes and requires a zone A3 ticket. From Düsseldorf Hbf Bstg. 4, take the U77 towards D-Holthausen for 15 minutes. Change at D-Holthausen Bstg. 4 and take the U83 in the direction of D-Benrath Btf for 7 minutes. Get off at D-Schloss Benrath and walk to Benrather Schlossallee 100-106, D-40597.

Kaiserswerth: The journey takes 12 minutes and requires a zone A3 ticket. From Düsseldorf Hbf Bstg. 1, take the U78 towards D-ESPRIT arena/Messe Nord for 9 minutes. Get off at D-Golzheimer Platz and walk towards Pempelforth, Kaiserswerther Straße.

Königsallee: The journey takes 7 minutes and requires a zone K ticket (short journey). From Düsseldorf Hbf Bstg. 1, take the U78 towards D-ESPRIT arena/Messe Nord for three minutes. Get off at D-Heinrich-Heine-Allee U Bstg. 1 and walk towards the city centre, Königsalle 1.

Old town: The journey takes 14 minutes and requires a zone A3 ticket. From Düsseldorf Hbf Bstg. 3, take the U75 towards Neuss Hauptbahnhof for five minutes. Get off at D-Tonhalle/Ehrenhof and walk towards Altstadt, Altstadt 2.

Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen: The journey takes 10 minutes and requires a zone K ticket. From Düsseldorf Hbf Bstg. 1, take the U78 towards D-ESPRIT Arena/Messe Nord for three minutes. Get off at D-Heinrich-Heine-Allee U Bstg. 1 and walk towards the Altstadt, Grabbeplatz 5, 40213.