Dusseldorf or Bonn ?
Mar 16, 2008 | 4:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
Dusseldorf or Bonn ?
Mid April, I will be doing a quick trip to CGN (arriving Sat am-leaving the next day back to EWR). As I've been to Koln a couple of times, I thought I'd do a side trip to city within a 20-40 min train ride. I'm not looking for museums, but merely want to do some walking around, sightseeing, shopping, eating etc for 3-4 hours mid day, as I will be staying in CGN. Most guidebooks (Fodors, Frommers etc) have only a page or 2 on each city, so was hoping an FT'er would be able to give me some help. If there is another city I should be considering, please let me know 
Mar 16, 2008 | 5:01 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,233
I'd say that if it's nice weather, head to Bonn. Enjpy the Old Town, the University and adjoining gardens and have a leisurely lunch in the city. Very pictoresque.
Dusseldorf is a good choice if it's raining or colder. On the Konigsallee and the nearby department stores all the shopping needs one could ever have can be fulfilled. Food choice is well above Bonn and some of it is truly excellent. It has a more big city feeling and is mostly about business but shopping and eating are well catered for.
Another option would be Koblenz about an hour by train from Cologne, one of the most scenic German cities.
Dusseldorf is a good choice if it's raining or colder. On the Konigsallee and the nearby department stores all the shopping needs one could ever have can be fulfilled. Food choice is well above Bonn and some of it is truly excellent. It has a more big city feeling and is mostly about business but shopping and eating are well catered for.
Another option would be Koblenz about an hour by train from Cologne, one of the most scenic German cities.
Mar 16, 2008 | 11:07 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
If you've an interest in beer, head to Dsseldorf. There are four brewpubs in the Altstadt that brew a unique beer (altbier) pretty much just brewed there.
Of course, that's just me
Dsseldorf is a modern city so not much to see if you're interested in old buildings, castles, cathedrals, etc. But they do have a nice promenade along the Rhine.
Of course, that's just me
Dsseldorf is a modern city so not much to see if you're interested in old buildings, castles, cathedrals, etc. But they do have a nice promenade along the Rhine.
Mar 17, 2008 | 5:15 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SZG, Austria
Programs: LH(OS) HON, IC RA
Posts: 33,193
If you've an interest in beer, head to Dsseldorf. There are four brewpubs in the Altstadt that brew a unique beer (altbier) pretty much just brewed there.
Of course, that's just me
Dsseldorf is a modern city so not much to see if you're interested in old buildings, castles, cathedrals, etc. But they do have a nice promenade along the Rhine.
Of course, that's just me
Dsseldorf is a modern city so not much to see if you're interested in old buildings, castles, cathedrals, etc. But they do have a nice promenade along the Rhine.
Mar 17, 2008 | 6:19 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
Programs: AA, DL Gold, UA Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 8,713
Mar 17, 2008 | 7:02 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: DCA
Posts: 1,413
If you go to Bonn, you could stop at Bruehl (half way between Cologne and Bonn) and see Augustusburg Palace, which is right next to the train station. Nice European palace with extensive gardens.
Mar 17, 2008 | 11:56 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC (home), DUS (office), XXX (customer)
Programs: LH, AB, SPG, CC, Sixt, EC
Posts: 6,332
It worked yesterday and today around 2:30 pm. I have been a heavy user of it for about two years, now it has become a very rare occasion. I am still scared 
Bonn vs. Duesseldorf? Tough one... They both have their charm. As I haven't spent enough time in either one of the cities but I think, I have seen more of Duesseldorf, I would go for Bonn.
Also, Brühl was a nice suggestion. I study in Brühl these days and I passed the castle a few times but never made it in. Yes, I feel ashamed of myself but I will try my very best to see it at some point.
Send me PM if you are interested to have a beer in CGN at some point.
Bonn vs. Duesseldorf? Tough one... They both have their charm. As I haven't spent enough time in either one of the cities but I think, I have seen more of Duesseldorf, I would go for Bonn.
Also, Brühl was a nice suggestion. I study in Brühl these days and I passed the castle a few times but never made it in. Yes, I feel ashamed of myself but I will try my very best to see it at some point.
Send me PM if you are interested to have a beer in CGN at some point.
Mar 22, 2008 | 9:22 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
PS- anyother FT'ers around CGN are more then welcome to join us as well!
Mar 25, 2008 | 9:04 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 17
well both are really nice, duesseldorf is better if u want to go shopping go out etc bonn is quite boring for that ( i lived there for 6 years.. ) but if the weather is nice the rheinaue in bonn and all the small village around are great koenigswinter for example i mean if u take tha train you can do both ... have fun :-D
Mar 25, 2008 | 9:12 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nairobi • London
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum • AA Gold [1MM]
Posts: 358
As a previously regular traveller to Germany, I have to say that I have a soft spot for DUS.
A lot of people don't know, but it is the fashion capital of Germany, with great shops and designs.
It's a great town with good beer and nice people! :-)
A lot of people don't know, but it is the fashion capital of Germany, with great shops and designs.
It's a great town with good beer and nice people! :-)
Mar 25, 2008 | 12:30 pm
#13
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,199
Hm, working in Düsseldorf having relatives in Cologne and friends in Bonn - I tend to say Cologne over Düsseldorf over Bonn ...
But it's not only a question of weather. Okay, in sunny weather Bonn might be the nicer town, but it's much smaller.
It has been our capital for some year, but this not mean it has any flair of the big wide world, it's more a viallage - but this might be exactly the point why many people prefer Bonn over Düsseldorf. The people there are friendler and not that snobish than the inhabitants of Düsseldorf are sometimes - go for Bonn!
But it's not only a question of weather. Okay, in sunny weather Bonn might be the nicer town, but it's much smaller.
It has been our capital for some year, but this not mean it has any flair of the big wide world, it's more a viallage - but this might be exactly the point why many people prefer Bonn over Düsseldorf. The people there are friendler and not that snobish than the inhabitants of Düsseldorf are sometimes - go for Bonn!
Mar 26, 2008 | 8:17 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
Thanks for all the info, I'll probably go with Dusseldorf, for the shopping and walking around (that is if the weather is ok 
). I assume there will be lots of trains from the Koln Hofbahnhof ? and that I will not need a reservation? Any suggestion for a casual lunch in DUS ?
). I assume there will be lots of trains from the Koln Hofbahnhof ? and that I will not need a reservation? Any suggestion for a casual lunch in DUS ?
Mar 26, 2008 | 8:30 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
Thanks for all the info, I'll probably go with Dusseldorf, for the shopping and walking around (that is if the weather is ok ). I assume there will be lots of trains from the Koln Hofbahnhof ? and that I will not need a reservation? Any suggestion for a casual lunch in DUS ?
). I assume there will be lots of trains from the Koln Hofbahnhof ? and that I will not need a reservation? Any suggestion for a casual lunch in DUS ?If the weather is nice (i.e. sitting outside) and you like seafood, I've always had a good lunch at the Fisch Haus, on Bergerstrasse basically right at Flingerstrasse. You're close to the Rhein there so you walk along the Promenade .
The fancy shops are mostly on the Knigsalle (the "K") which is five or six blocks back towards the train station. I'm not much of a shopper so I can't give advice there, but I have heard the Schadow Arkaden mentioned and it's in the area also.