When are the Düsseldorf Christmas markets in 2026, and are they worth the trip from Amsterdam?
Düsseldorf runs seven themed Christmas markets from Friday, November 20, to Wednesday, December 30, 2026, so they are still open between Christmas and New Year. New this year is a Winter Village on the Königsallee; the others are Roncalli's circus-style promenade by the Rhine, a crafts market, the old town market at the Marktplatz and town hall, a fairy-tale market for children, and markets on the Schadowstraße and around the Kö-Bogen. Düsseldorf is about 225 km from Amsterdam, 2 h 42 by car on a clear road, the closest of the big German market cities.
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With a driver by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Düsseldorf day from Amsterdam | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, Düsseldorf day from Amsterdam | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, Düsseldorf day from Amsterdam | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, and the day starts and ends in the same city. The driver waits between stops. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
What to expect
| Item | Price guide (2026) |
|---|---|
| Entry to the markets | Free |
| Wheel of Vision Ferris wheel, Burgplatz | About €7 |
| Ice rink, Corneliusplatz | €5 to €10 with skates |
Getting around
The markets connect on foot in the center, and roads are very busy in Advent, so the market guide recommends public transport; with a driver you are dropped close to the old town.
A day from Amsterdam
A day of 12 hours covers the round trip of about 452 km: €780 in Business Class, €960 in Van Class, €1,200 in First Class. Because the markets stay open after Christmas, Düsseldorf suits December 27 to 30.
Related questions
Which market suits children?
The fairy-tale market, with carousels.
Can we combine Düsseldorf and Cologne?
Yes. They are about 41 km apart, but it makes a long day.
Do I need a passport for Düsseldorf?
Carry it: Germany runs checks at its land borders until March 15, 2027.
Sources
- Festivals in Deutschland: Düsseldorf (checked October 20, 2026)
- European Commission: temporary border controls (checked October 20, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.