Parking during the holidays at Düsseldorf Airport: book early, start relaxed
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As soon as the school holidays begin in North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf Airport gets crowded. Families, couples and groups set off on holiday at the same time, the car parks fill up, and long queues form at the counters and security. If you fly during the holidays, you should plan earlier than usual – especially your parking. In this guide you will learn when the NRW holidays are, why booking early saves real money, which type of parking works best in high season and how to make your departure and return days stress-free.
Key facts at a glance
- Düsseldorf Airport is busiest at the start and end of the NRW school holidays – parking spaces become scarce.
- Book your parking as soon as your flight is confirmed; at Friend-Park cancellation is free of charge up to 24 hours beforehand.
- During the holidays, allow a much bigger buffer for the drive, check-in and security.
- Compare final prices including service fee – not just the base price.
NRW school holiday dates
For Düsseldorf Airport, the school holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia are what matter most. According to the NRW Ministry of Education, the following dates are coming up:
- Autumn holidays 2026: 17.10. to 31.10.2026
- Christmas holidays 2026/27: 23.12.2026 to 06.01.2027
- Easter holidays 2027: 22.03. to 03.04.2027
- Summer holidays 2027: 19.07. to 31.08.2027
- Autumn holidays 2027: 23.10. to 06.11.2027
In exceptional cases the dates can change. The information from the NRW Ministry of Education is binding. Holidays in neighbouring federal states and in the Netherlands also matter, because many holidaymakers from there travel via Düsseldorf too. In addition, long weekends and public holidays such as Whitsun and carnival create further peaks.
Why booking early is so important
Parking spaces around the airport are limited. In normal weeks you can usually still find something at short notice. At the start of the holidays, however, popular and good-value offers are often fully booked weeks in advance. If you are too late, only the expensive remaining spaces are left, or you have to go spontaneously to the terminal car park – at the highest rate.
Booking early at Friend-Park carries hardly any risk: you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the booked start of the service. If your plans change, you simply book again. More in the guide Cancelling and changing a parking booking.
Our tip: book your parking on the same day as your flight. Then you have the widest choice. Start your search here: Find holiday parking at Düsseldorf Airport.
Which type of parking suits the holidays?
Shuttle parking: the budget choice for long holidays
Holiday trips often last one to three weeks. Over such periods, the price difference between parking types becomes particularly noticeable. A shuttle car park at Düsseldorf Airport is usually the cheapest solution. During the holidays, however, allow more time for the transfer, as the shuttles can be very busy.
Valet parking: comfort for families
With children and lots of luggage, valet parking at Düsseldorf Airport is particularly convenient. You hand over the car at the meeting point near the terminal and go straight to check-in. In high season this saves time and nerves.
Terminal car park: only for short trips
For a short trip over a long weekend, the terminal car park can be suitable. For a two-week summer holiday it is usually much more expensive than the alternatives. The guide How much does parking at Düsseldorf Airport cost? gives an overview of the costs.
Compare the final price, not the teaser price
When comparing prices, what counts is the amount you actually pay in the end. At Friend-Park the search results show the final price including service fee. That way you compare fairly. Add-on services such as a car wash or charging an electric car are optional and shown separately.
The start of the holidays: planning your departure day
- More buffer: allow at least 30 to 60 minutes on top of your usual planning. The motorways around Düsseldorf are very busy at the start of the holidays.
- Online check-in: saves you the queue at the counter if you only need to drop off luggage.
- Go to security early: after dropping off your luggage, go straight to security.
- Airport advice: before the holidays, the airport often publishes tips on peak times on dus.com.
- Call the provider: many providers ask you to call about 30 minutes before arrival.
How to calculate your schedule is explained in the guide When should I be at Düsseldorf Airport?
Families during the holidays
Most holiday travellers are families. Besides parking, there is plenty to think about: ID documents for the children, pushchairs, baby food, entertainment at the gate. All the tips are in the guide Travelling with children at Düsseldorf Airport. State the number of people when booking so that the shuttle has enough room.
The return day: busy here too
At the end of the holidays, many holidaymakers return at the same time. Baggage belts are full and shuttles are very busy. Give your return flight number when booking and contact the provider after baggage reclaim. If your return flight is delayed, let the provider know early. More in the guide Returning: collecting your car at Düsseldorf Airport.
Autumn holidays: the underestimated season
The autumn holidays are often underestimated. Many families use them for sunny destinations such as the Canary Islands, Egypt or Turkey. The crowds at the airport are then similar to summer. If you fly during the autumn holidays, book your parking just as early as for your summer holiday.
Christmas and New Year
Around Christmas, many travellers fly to family and friends or to warmer places. Wintry weather can also cause delays on the roads. Allow more time, prepare your car for the cold and check the weather before setting off. Tips in the guide Preparing your car before your holiday.
Group trips and several cars
If you are travelling with several families, it is worth checking whether you can manage with fewer cars. One van with all the suitcases is often cheaper than two cars in two parking spaces. Pay attention to height restrictions at the provider if you come in a minibus. More in the FAQ on large vehicles.
The best days to fly during the holidays
Not every holiday day is equally busy. The crowds are usually biggest on the first weekend of the holidays and on the last weekend before school starts. If you are flexible, you can often avoid queues and bottlenecks by flying midweek or a few days after the holidays begin. The time of day also plays a role: early in the morning many holiday flights depart at once, while midday is often quieter. The same applies to finding parking: the further your arrival day is from the peak days, the wider the choice usually is.
What to do with your car before the holiday
If your car is parked for two or three weeks, a quick check is worthwhile: tyre pressure for the fully loaded drive home, enough fuel or charge, no valuables visible inside, and a sunshade for the dashboard in summer. Empty the boot after unloading your luggage so that the valet driver or the shuttle staff have a clear view. In addition to the handover report, photograph your car from all sides. Detailed tips are in the guide on preparing your car.
Collect coins with every holiday booking
If you fly regularly during the holidays, you benefit from the loyalty programme: with a Friend-Park account you receive one coin for every full euro of booking value, and one coin is worth one cent. On your next booking you can redeem coins for up to ten percent of the price. More in the FAQ on coins.
Checklist for holiday parking
- Holiday dates checked, flight booked
- Parking booked straight afterwards (free cancellation up to 24 h beforehand)
- Final prices including service fee compared
- Number of people and return flight number provided
- Extra time buffer planned
- Online check-in done
Conclusion: during the holidays, early planners win
The holidays are the busiest travel period at Düsseldorf Airport. If you book your parking early, compare final prices and allow enough buffer on the day of travel, you start your holiday relaxed – and often save significantly compared with spontaneous solutions. The best-value offers are under cheap parking at Düsseldorf Airport, and all options on the page Parking at Düsseldorf Airport.
