Port information & tips for Duisburg
Duisburg is the important heart of European inland navigation and a fascinating gateway to the Ruhr metropolis. The city combines impressive industrial history with modern urbanity and offers guests a unique, maritime panorama thanks to the world's largest inland port. In the immediate vicinity, the lively Innenhafen attracts visitors with its diverse culinary scene and the renowned Museum Küppersmühle for Modern Kunst, as well as the architecturally charming Garten der Erinnerung. River cruise ships usually dock at the centrally located Steiger Schwanentor, from which the bustling city center with the Königstraße shopping boulevard can be easily reached in just a few minutes on foot, providing travelers with a perfect starting point for their tour of discovery.
Duisburg, known as the world's largest inland port, is an important starting point and destination for river cruises on the Rhine. The berths for cruise ships are mainly located on Mercatorinsel or at Mühlenweide and are easily accessible thanks to the good transport links.
Car
Motorways such as the A3, A40, A42, and A59 enable a direct journey to the port. Especially for the Innenhafen, where one of the mooring points is located, use the A59 exit "Duisburg-Duissern" and follow the signs. Booking a secure car park is recommended for the duration of your trip. In the Innenhafen, the Schifferstraße multi-storey car park with 300 parking spaces and a car park under the A59 are available. Please note that Duisburg is part of the Ruhrgebiet environmental zone and your vehicle requires a corresponding environmental badge.
Train
Duisburg Hauptbahnhof is an important hub in the ICE and IC network and offers excellent connections from the entire DACH region. From there, the easiest way to reach the berths on Mercatorinsel or at Mühlenweide is by taxi in just a few minutes. Alternatively, you can reach the Innenhafen from the main railway station using bus lines 934 or 947 in about 11 to 15 minutes.
Airplane
The nearest major airport is Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), located around 25 kilometres from Duisburg and well-connected with direct flights from many European cities. From Düsseldorf Airport, you can reach Duisburg Hauptbahnhof quickly and directly by train in just about 10 to 14 minutes. In addition, various shuttle and taxi services offer a comfortable transfer in about 20 to 25 minutes to the port or your pre-cruise hotel.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the cruise: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Duisburg, known as the world's largest inland port, is an important starting point and destination for river cruises on the Rhine. The berths for cruise ships are mainly located on Mercatorinsel or at Mühlenweide and are easily accessible thanks to the good transport links.
Car
Motorways such as the A3, A40, A42, and A59 enable a direct journey to the port. Especially for the Innenhafen, where one of the mooring points is located, use the A59 exit "Duisburg-Duissern" and follow the signs. Booking a secure car park is recommended for the duration of your trip. In the Innenhafen, the Schifferstraße multi-storey car park with 300 parking spaces and a car park under the A59 are available. Please note that Duisburg is part of the Ruhrgebiet environmental zone and your vehicle requires a corresponding environmental badge.
Train
Duisburg Hauptbahnhof is an important hub in the ICE and IC network and offers excellent connections from the entire DACH region. From there, the easiest way to reach the berths on Mercatorinsel or at Mühlenweide is by taxi in just a few minutes. Alternatively, you can reach the Innenhafen from the main railway station using bus lines 934 or 947 in about 11 to 15 minutes.
Airplane
The nearest major airport is Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), located around 25 kilometres from Duisburg and well-connected with direct flights from many European cities. From Düsseldorf Airport, you can reach Duisburg Hauptbahnhof quickly and directly by train in just about 10 to 14 minutes. In addition, various shuttle and taxi services offer a comfortable transfer in about 20 to 25 minutes to the port or your pre-cruise hotel.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the cruise: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Thanks to its central location at Schwanentor or in Ruhrort, the Port of Duisburg offers an ideal starting point for exploration and is excellently connected to the city's public transport network.
On Foot
The city center and the vibrant Innenhafen can be easily reached from the Schwanentor pier in about 10 to 15 minutes. A stroll along the harbor promenade also offers first impressions of the modern architecture and the diverse gastronomy right by the water.
Public Transport (DVG)
The buses and trains of the Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft provide a quick connection to more distant sights such as the Landschaftspark Nord. Nearby stops ensure straightforward onward travel and connect the port directly to the main train station as well as the surrounding districts.
Taxi
Taxi ranks are located in the immediate vicinity of the piers and offer a comfortable service for individual trips. Drivers are waiting at the pier and, thanks to the good transport links, will take you to destinations throughout the Metropole Ruhr or to the nearby Düsseldorf Airport in a short time.
To make the most of your stay in Duisburg, we recommend exploring the impressive industrial heritage and the revitalized waterfront locations directly in the heart of the city.
Innenhafen Duisburg
The harbor area, formerly used as a grain storage facility, has transformed into a vibrant district with a modern waterfront promenade and stylish restaurants; additionally, the first-class architecture is perfect for a relaxed stroll in the immediate vicinity of the moorings.
Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord
This decommissioned ironworks is considered one of the most significant industrial monuments in Europe and allows visitors to climb a former blast furnace; thanks to the well-developed paths, the grounds are ideal for a fascinating insight into the history of the region.
Sechs-Seen-Platte & Wolfssee
The extensive local recreation area attracts visitors with dense forests and the popular sandy beach at Wolfssee; at the same time, the idyllic lake landscape offers a relaxing contrast to the urban bustle thanks to its good accessibility and is perfect for nature lovers.
Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord
The impressive Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord is easily accessible from the Schwanentor pier in only about fifteen minutes by taxi and offers you a globally unique experience combining industrial history and green nature. The extensive grounds of the former ironworks invite you to take relaxing walks and also allow you to climb a decommissioned blast furnace, from which you can enjoy a wide panoramic view over the entire Ruhr region. Thanks to the modern visitor center and the welcoming gastronomy in the historic main switching house, you will find a first-class infrastructure for a carefree stay. It is best to visit the park directly in the morning to explore the monumental backdrop in peace and quiet, and plan your return to the port for a relaxed boarding about ninety minutes before departure.
The return journey to the berths at Schwanentor or Mühlenweide is very simple and relaxed thanks to the central location and good signage.
On Foot
From the city center and the Königstraße shopping mile, you can walk directly across Calaisplatz to the Steiger Schwanentor at the Innenhafen in about ten minutes. The path is flat throughout and leads you safely along the harbor promenade directly back to your ship's gangway.
Taxi
You can easily find central taxi ranks at Duisburg Hauptbahnhof and directly in front of the CityPalais on Königstraße. The drivers will take you directly to the various berths in just a few minutes and ensure a punctual arrival at Schwanentor or Mühlenweide in the Ruhrort district.
Public Transport
The tram line 901 connects the city center directly with the harbor district of Ruhrort and also stops at the central Schwanentor station. Thanks to the frequent service and short walking distances from the stops to the water, you can reach your ship flexibly and comfortably at any time.
