Düsseldorf Altstadt can be covered easily on foot, with an extensive network of trams (13 main lines) buses and S-Bahn (city trains which travel partly underground, seven main lines) covering the rest of the city. Pick up a linienplan (route map) from any station or the tourist office. The Rhein-Ruhr region (including Cologne) is also very well served by public transport, so unless your plans include a lot of touring, car hire is probably unnecessary.

The integrated public transport system is run by Rheinbahn (tel: 0180 350 4030; website: www.rheinbahn.de). You can buy a 24-hour pass but a much better alternative if you are sightseeing is the Düsseldorf Welcome Card (see Sightseeing). Note too that many hotels offer a free transport pass for the duration of your stay.

Companies include Taxi-Düsseldorf (tel: (0211) 33333 or (0211) 99999) and Rhein-Taxi (tel: (0211) 212 121; website: www.rheintaxi.de).

All major national and international car hire companies operate from Düsseldorf airport. Always park in a secure place if possible, and beware of theft of belongings from vehicles. 

In town you will find Avis, Berliner Allee 26/Kreuzstrasse 55 (tel: (0211) 421 6747; website: www.avis.de), Budget, Eulerstrasse 50 (tel: (0211) 4217 1150; website: www.budget.de), Hertz, Immermannstrasse 65 (tel: (0211) 411 083 or 0180 533 3535; website: www.hertz.de) and Sixt, Willy-Becker-Allee 10 (tel: 0180 525 2525; website: www.e-sixt.de).

Cycling is a popular way of getting around town, and is recommended so long as you have some experience of urban cycling. Cycling around the narrow lanes of the Altstadt and along the Rhine promenade is particularly enjoyable. For bicycle hire, try Rad ab, Friedrichstrasse 112 (tel: (0211) 336 661; website: www.radab.de). Pay special attention to trams and never leave an unattended bike unlocked.