Train after arriving in DUS
 

Hi,

I will arrive on Airberlin on a Saturday morning (6:55am) in DUS. My choices are renting a car (2h drive) or taking the train (at least for the first leg of the trip).

The question now is how much time should I calculate between my arrival and train departure (don't want to miss it or sit around). If I book the train now there are some really good deals out there.

I will be coming from the US / german passport / business / carry on only.

Thanks for any advice

Generally I´d recommend at least 45 mins in a case like yours (carry on only and no visa issue due to german passport) because it depends which station your train will leave from.
DUS has two separate train stations - one with S-Bahn/local trains only inside the terminal and one at the other end of the airport to be reached by the people mover (or a bus at certain daytimes).
Btw. be aware that the people mover/bus is not free but requires the purchase of a ticket.
If you tell us where you want to go/which train you´re planning to take/from which train station you´re leaving ...
Otherwise it´s not possible to give a qualified answer.

Oops! Thanks for this info. Apparently I have been travelling illegally on the damned thing for years! I have, up until now, always bought a train ticket at the railway station.

But a DB-ticket purchased online with DUS as starting point is presumably OK?

Train after arriving in DUS
 

Hi,

I plan to either travel to Minden ( shorter) or Hannover (probably better connection) and rental car from there

Book a comfy 1st class advanced ticket seat on an ICE if you can get a suitable price.

I would leave at least a 1,5 hrs gap in case your flight is delayed, but maybe even two hrs. I have flown both to DUS and FRA tens of times to catch a longhaul train mostly to Berlin so this is based on both experience and respect of Murphy's law.

If you're going to take a rental car in Hannover anyway, I don't see the point in going there by train instead of taking the rental in Dusseldorf and drive all the way to your final destination?

Train after arriving in DUS
 

The point is:
Minden > no premium/airport 20% charge
Both > instead of driving 2:30 minutes on the autobahn etc after arriving from the US I drive 30 minutes country roads ( which I know well)

Normally 45, even 30 minutes should be fine if leaving from DUS airport train station. Depends a little bit on travelling class (always fly premium on long haul so don`t know how long you need if you aren`t at the beginning of the line. If you calculate a delay the 1,5 - 2 hours are realistic. But I guess you will stay around.

A RE to Minden departs *:08 and an ICE to Hannover at 8:00 (both every hour).

As both take the same time to the destination and I have 0 connections it looks as if Minden is the winner (cheaper ticket / and the cheaper ticket is not linked to one specific train as the ICE one would be)

If you want to avoid the surcharge for rental cars at DUS and you are not limited to a certain company, Sixt has an outlet at the neabry Maritim Hotels which does not charge the airport fee. Hertz has an outlet close to the Düsseldorf main station without surcharge.

Just a suggestion ... Of course I understand, that you do not want to drive after a longhaul flight.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I prefer Sixt as I always got nice cars .... I looked into the Maritim hotel but unfortunately the open at 8am (arrival 6:55am) and I really don't want to wait around if not needed (unless it would be more convenient than the Airport station (i.e. for cases when you get the keys > walk a mile > discover a damage > walk back a mile ......).

Maybe I reconsider as 8am is the train departure time too.

Also consider that there's no penalty if your flight arrives late, whereas you would have to buy a new train ticket if you miss your booked service.

Train after arriving in DUS
 

Thanks I thought of that. For the RE train the ticket would not be linked to one train/departure but I can take any train.

Maritim is my new favorite

Unless you hold Diamond Status with Sixt (or rent a Premium Car like S-Class), when they have the car on the VIP parking next to the exit, you have to walk to the airport parking garage. There is an office, where you can report the damage.
The Sixt Outlet in the Maritim is basically at the other end of the terminal (read concourse c) and the Maritim is connected with the hotel by covered walkway. The parking is underneath the hotel.

For what it's worth. There are a McDonalds and some other food outlets in the basement of the terminal next to arrivals and a Starbucks and other outels in the departure hall, if you need a place to wait for either train or rental car.

Sounds as if Maritim is easier than the Airport station. If I have to wait at the Maritim I can always have some breakfast there :) (Can't stomach Starbucks at least here in the US the coffee is way too strong)