Terminal and piers A, B, C at Düsseldorf Airport: finding your way

If you are at Düsseldorf Airport for the first time, you often wonder: where do I have to go? Are there several terminals? And how do I get from the car park to the right gate? The good news: Düsseldorf is comparatively easy to navigate. There is one connected terminal building with three piers – A, B and C. In this guide we explain the layout, the most important routes, how to find your gate and how to get quickly into the terminal from the car park, the valet meeting point or the station.

One terminal, three piers

Düsseldorf Airport consists of a central, curved main building from which piers A, B and C branch off. You often read “Terminal A”, “Terminal B” or “Terminal C” – what is meant are these piers. In the main building you will find the departures hall with check-in counters, security checkpoints, shops, restaurants and the arrivals areas.

Which airline departs from which pier can change and depends on the destination – for example on whether the flight stays within the Schengen area or not. So don’t rely on older experiences or forums, but on your boarding pass, the airline app and the departure boards in the terminal.

The levels at a glance

As at most large airports, departures and arrivals are spread over different levels in the terminal. You reach the departures level via the drop-off road for departing passengers; the arrivals level is below it. On the lower level is the S-Bahn station “Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal”, served by the S11. The SkyTrain stops can be reached by following the signs. The airport provides an up-to-date map on dus.com – a quick look before your trip helps you find your way.

From your car to the terminal

Terminal car parks

The airport’s car parks are connected to the terminal by bridges or short walkways. This is convenient, but for longer trips usually the most expensive option. The pros and cons of the car parks are explained in the guide Parking at the terminal of Düsseldorf Airport.

Valet parking

With valet parking at Düsseldorf Airport you drive to the meeting point stated by the provider in your booking confirmation – usually close to the terminal, often in a multi-storey car park. There you hand over your car and key and walk on to check-in. When you return, your car is waiting for you at the meeting point again.

Shuttle parking

With a shuttle car park at Düsseldorf Airport you leave your car with the provider outside the airport grounds. The shuttle takes you to the departures level. On your return it picks you up at an agreed point – usually at the arrivals level. Exactly where is stated in your booking confirmation.

From the station to the terminal

If you arrive at the long-distance station by regional or long-distance train, you continue by SkyTrain. According to the airport it stops at, among others, car park P4/P5, Terminal A/B and Terminal C. With the S11 you reach the station directly below the terminal. Everything about travelling by train is in the guide By train to Düsseldorf Airport.

How to find your gate

1. Check your boarding pass: it shows pier and gate, if they have already been assigned. Sometimes the gate is only announced shortly before boarding.
2. Watch the departure boards: the screens in the terminal show the current status, including gate changes and boarding start.
3. Use the airline app: many apps send push notifications when something changes.
4. Follow the signs: after security, signs lead you to the piers and gates.
5. Allow time for passport control: for non-Schengen flights, border control comes before the gate.

Routes and walking times

Compared with large hubs, the distances in Düsseldorf are short. Even so, there can be several minutes’ walk between security and a gate at the end of a pier. With children, lots of hand luggage or reduced mobility, you should plan more generously. There are moving walkways, lifts and seating areas along the way. If needed, you can request assistance through your airline – more in the guide Accessible travel from Düsseldorf Airport.

Services in the terminal

In the terminal you will find restaurants, shops, currency exchange, toilets, baby-changing rooms and quiet zones – both before and after security. If you have time, it is best to go through security promptly and relax afterwards near your gate. The airport publishes the opening hours of shops and restaurants on its website.

Arrival: from the gate back to your car

After landing, follow the signs for “baggage reclaim” or “exit”. On flights from non-Schengen countries you first go through passport control and, after baggage reclaim, customs. In the arrivals hall you contact your parking provider – either at the shuttle stop or at the valet meeting point. Details are in the guide Returning: collecting your car at Düsseldorf Airport.

Schengen or non-Schengen: why it matters for your route

One distinction that many travellers don’t know plays a big role in finding your way around the terminal: flights within the Schengen area and flights to countries outside it are handled separately. The Schengen area includes most EU countries as well as, for example, Switzerland and Norway. Destinations such as the UK, Ireland, Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates or the USA are outside it.

On non-Schengen flights you also pass through the Federal Police border control after security. That takes time, especially at peak times when many holiday flights leave for Turkey, Egypt or the Canary Islands at the same time – although the Canary Islands, as part of Spain, are in the Schengen area. So pay attention to the signs and to which area is stated on your boarding pass. If you are unsure, ask at the information desk or the staff at the checkpoint.

Finding your way on arrival when picking someone up

Even if you are not flying but picking someone up, you need to find your way. The arrivals boards show at which exit the passengers of a flight come out. Important: between landing and the moment travellers stand in the arrivals area with their suitcases, 20 to 60 minutes often pass – depending on luggage and passport control. If you drive into the car park too early, you pay unnecessary parking fees. How to avoid this is explained in the guide on dropping off and picking up.

Tips for travellers who rarely fly

• Look at the map beforehand: there is a terminal map on dus.com. A look before the trip removes a lot of uncertainty.
• Use the information desks: there are information desks in the terminal where staff can help with questions.
• Don’t follow the crowds: follow the signs, not the biggest group – it may be flying somewhere else.
• Note the boarding time: your boarding pass often shows a boarding time well before the departure time. That is the time that matters for you.
• Charge your phone: if your boarding pass is on your phone, you need battery. A power bank in your hand luggage helps.

Common orientation mistakes

• Wrong drop-off road: if you are dropping someone off, drive to the departures level; if you are picking someone up, to the arrivals level. More in the guide Dropping off and picking up at Düsseldorf Airport.
• Outdated gate information: gates sometimes change at short notice – check the screens regularly.
• Sat-nav destination “airport”: if you have booked shuttle or valet parking, enter the address from your booking confirmation.
• Too late at the gate: boarding often starts well before departure time; the gate closes before departure.

Booking parking to suit the terminal

Because Düsseldorf has only one terminal, choosing a parking space is easier than at airports with several buildings. What matters are price, transfer time and comfort. Compare the providers with their final price including service fee here: Find parking at Düsseldorf Airport. More information about the pier when booking is in our FAQ on piers in Düsseldorf.

Conclusion: easy to navigate once you know the basics

With one terminal and three piers, Düsseldorf Airport is easy to get around. If you keep an eye on your boarding pass, the departure boards and the signs, you will find your gate without detours. A parking space with a short, predictable route to the terminal ensures a relaxed start. All options at a glance are on the page Parking at Düsseldorf Airport.