Düsseldorf Travel Forum

HELP

you may be able to help preserve my sanity.

I am in the process of organising a stagg weekend to Germany next spring ( March 2004).
We land at Koln/Bonn airport on Friday morning and leave late afternoon on the Sunday.
I had planned to go to dusseldorf (unless anybody can advise me otherwise)

I have a few questions to ask but even if you dont answer them any comments and suggestions that you can provide will be welcome.

Q1. Is this a good idea and is Dusseldorf a good location for a stagg weekend?

Q2. What can we do when we get there - We dont just want to drink all day. I know that there is a snow dome and also go-karting near by but what else is there in the way of activities - All toourist information could suggest was a walking tour.

Q3. Where should we stay. We dont want luxury but I am after a fairly clean, cheap hotel/guest house to sleep about 20 people. Ideally in the city centre - probably in the aldt stadt.

Q4. Will 20 + men have problms getting into bars in germany and do you have a dress code. Can we dress the stagg up in a dress or other bizzare outfits?

Q5 what time are the bars open until and which are the best ones - also which are the cheapest?

Q6 How much is beer at the moment?

Q7. Can you help with any good cheap restaurants which will accomodate a grooup of 20+ men

Q8. getting around - what is the best way and how long will it take us to get out to the snow dome and also to and from the airport?

Q9 . Is there anything else that we should know. What wuld you do???

Is Dusseldorf the right place to go?
the flights are booked but we can always stop in Koln. What do you think?

Thank you to anyone who replies to this - the worry is causing me great stress already and we do not travel out for 6 months

Mark

a what ????

Dear Mark,
don't despair! There is no particular dress code in German restaurants, and places will be able to accomodate a group of 20+ unless you come for carnival, when there won't be any places but you won't mind because it's all just a big party.
Why did you choose Dusseldorf? Cologne would be the obvious choice when you arrive at Cologne airport. Accomodation prices depend on the date you have in mind - okay when there is no fair on, impossible when there is one on in either Dusseldorf or Cologne. If you're interested in Cologne, I could give you more information. I don't know Dusseldorf well enough.
Beatrice

I suppose that we chose Dusseldorf because of the reputation of the Aldt stadt. However the only thing booked is the flights.

All accommodation, activities and drinking venues are yet to be decided.
so if you think koln is better then I can be persuaded.

My understanding was that Dusseldorf was only about 20 mins on the train from Koln airport ??

Mark

I don't know if there's a direct train from the airport but even if not, youcan also take a bus to Köln or Bonn and go on by train fron there. You'll need to take public transportation anyway to get to Köln or Düsseldorf.

I can't really compare the two town because I only visited Köln. Enjoyed the nightlife with a large group (and with smaller groups later) but Düsseldorf is also well know for this kind of activity.

I'm not such a big help in your case... just one important information: Karneval will be (AFAIK) at the first March-weekend. It will be almost impossible to get rooms or restaurant-places in either town in these days. If you happen to arrive at that time, great, you'll have a lot of fun and you don't need to bother about what to do :-) Just book your room well in advance (read: now!)

Regarding bizarre outfits: Just go ahead, you won't stand out that much (ok, somewhat kidding here, but if it's Karneval-time then it is true)
Generally, people will look at you but it's ok. If you arrive shortly after "the big event", then people might be confused and look strange because they might think you were too drunk to realize that Karneval has ended.

Oh and with 20 persons, you should call the restaurant a few days before and reserve places. Shouldn't be a problem (later in the month), they just need to know that a larger group will come. The more famous/frequented the sooner you have to call.

Habe fun,
- Marko

PS: Oh, I'd also like to know what a stagg weekend is. My guess: pre-marriage party?

It depends what you regard as reasonably priced. The Bahn Hotel, as the name suggests, is handily located opposite the main station but is a good 20-minutes stagger from the Altstadt. But perhaps that is a good idea: it allows you work up a thirst (and pretend you are looking at the sights as you stroll along Koenigsallee) on the way to the Altstadt, and perhaps sober up a bit before you ring to be let into the hotel at 3 a.m.! Details of the hotel can be found at the website (http://www.bahn-hotel.de).
The Altstadt is a drinker's paradise: dozens if not hundreds of bars, cafés and restaurants crammed into a few blocks. Prost!!!

Hi, thanks to all for the answers so far.

Yes a stagg weekend is a pre wedding all male drinking and activities weekend.
For women the weekend is called a hen weekend.

We aim to travel from the 12th to 14th March. I hope that this is not carnival time or else we may be sleeping in tents.

What sort of activities are there to do during the day time either in Koln or Dusseldorf after the snow dome, go carting and of course - a walking tour??

Mark

You are safe, carnival is going to end on 25th February 2004 (Ash Wednesday). The airport is between Bonn (former capital of Germany, smaller than both Cologne and Duesseldorf, though) and Cologne. From the airport, there are buses to both Bonn and Cologne, but not to Duesseldorf. To get to Duesseldorf, you've got to take the train or the tram from Cologne.There are plenty of things to do, e.g. go on a Rhine cruise or climb up Cologne Cathedral - or is it something more "sportive" you have in mind? Considering the short distance between the places, you could easily stay in one place and still see the other. Both Cologne and Duesseldorf have an "Altstadt". About accomodation: Are you looking for dorms or "ordinary" doubles? There are youth hostels, but also reasonably priced hotels. What kind of accomodation do you have in mind?
Beatrice

thanks for all this info mate.

I think that using reasonably priced/cheap hotels with 2 or 3 persons to a room is a possible option for us.

Of the two Aldstadts - which one is more lively - more willing to tolerate a bunch of lively/loud blokes?

My research so far suggests that Dusseldorf has cheaper hotels than Cologne and also that the Aldstadt in Dusseldorf is more of a party town while Cologne is a little more conservative and reserved. This information only comes from a guide book and not from first hand experience - so I am open to advice.

Thanks again for the info sent by everyone so far.

Mark

Q1: Yes!
Q2: Checkout: www.duesseldorf.de
Q3: Actually you might want to check out some of the larger hotels for special group rates, such as the Holiday Inn in Ratingen/Düsseldorf - it will be less expensive in the long run.
Q4: Not if you go early, and dress code? Well don't all go bare-chested and bare-footed. Yes, you can, the bar tenders will find this funny.
Q5: They open around 10/11 am and stay open to about midnight unless it's Friday/Saturday - the best ones are in the Altstadt - the cheapest ones are in Oberbilk
Q6: 2.80 - 3.60 Euro
Q7: Schlösser in the Altstadt, a home-cooked German meal costs as little as 7 Euro - reservations are recommended
Q8: Public transport - U-Bahn, Tram, S-Bahn
Q9: Watch out for trick thieves and pick-pockets. Other than that a group party on a Rhine Ship is pretty cool.