Moving from Berlin to Düsseldorf

From Berlin to Düsseldorf most of the drive is on the A2. There is still planning to do: when the loading happens, whether the team stays overnight on the way, and whether moving day in Düsseldorf falls on a trade fair day.

The route: along the A2 to the Ruhr

A usual route leaves Berlin on the A115 and the ring road for the A2, past Magdeburg, Hanover and Bielefeld into the Ruhr area. From there, depending on the destination address, it continues on other motorways and city roads to Düsseldorf. Heavy traffic in the Ruhr area in particular can lengthen the drive. A car needs a good five and a half hours without a break. A removal lorry is slower, and many removal vehicles fall under the EU driving and rest rules: after four and a half hours of driving at the latest, a break of at least 45 minutes is then compulsory.

Moving to Düsseldorf during a trade fair

Düsseldorf is a trade fair city. During major fairs there can be heavier traffic around the fairground, and hotel prices and availability can affect the cost of an overnight stay for the moving team. If your move is spread over two days and the team stays overnight, a fair date can raise the cost. It is worth checking the fair calendar before fixing the date, and asking whether an overnight stay is included in the quote.

No-parking zones in Berlin and Düsseldorf

In Berlin the district office for the old address is responsible, in Düsseldorf the city. Whether you need a no-parking zone at one address or both depends on whether the lorry can stop there legally and close enough. In densely built districts such as Flingern, Bilk or Pempelfort that can be difficult. Düsseldorf's city centre is in the low-emission zone, which generally requires a green sticker; the moving company can confirm that its vehicle has one.

Public holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia

Corpus Christi and All Saints' Day are public holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia but not in Berlin. On those days offices in Düsseldorf are closed, and restrictions may apply to certain goods vehicles. If your date falls on such a day, ask the moving company what it means for the plan.

What decides the price

Besides the distance, what counts is the amount of furniture, floors and lifts at both addresses, whether a furniture lift is needed for narrow old stairwells, and services such as kitchen assembly or storage. How a long-distance move is made up is explained in Long-distance moves: planning the cost.

After moving in, you usually have two weeks to register at a citizens' office (Bürgerbüro) in Düsseldorf.