CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf 2026 guide: tickets, halls and parking
CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf is open now and runs through Sunday, September 6, 2026. The show uses 15 halls and 250,000 square metres at Messe Düsseldorf, with more than 800 exhibitors. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The scale is the problem. A visitor who starts in the wrong hall can spend much of a one-day ticket walking past vehicles and suppliers that do not match the trip. Decide whether you want to compare motorhomes, campervans, roof tents, off-road models, equipment or destinations before choosing an entrance.
Photo: Messe Düsseldorf, photographed by Constanze Tillmann, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. The photograph shows the 2021 entrance, not the 2026 show.
The short answer: buy the admission ticket online, then buy a separate Rheinbahn fare if you are using public transport. Choose a weekday when possible. Start at the entrance nearest your priority halls, use the official app to build a shortlist, and allow at least one full day for a focused visit. Book car parking before arrival if spaces remain. Caravan Center pitches have their own booking and 7 p.m. turnover rules.
This guide was checked on August 29 against the official 2026 visitor pages, floor plan, ticket shop, parking shop, app page and FAQ. Prices, availability and operating details can change while the show is running, so use the linked official pages as the final source before travel.
CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf 2026 at a glance
| Decision | Current answer |
|---|---|
| Dates | Preview Day was August 28; public show runs August 29 to September 6, 2026 |
| Hours | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily |
| Venue | Messe Düsseldorf, Stockumer Kirchstrasse 61, 40474 Düsseldorf |
| Size | 15 halls, 250,000 square metres and more than 800 exhibitors |
| Tickets | Sold online; public transport is not included |
| Weekend adult ticket | EUR 20 on the official at-a-glance page when checked |
| Weekday adult ticket | EUR 18 on the official at-a-glance page when checked |
| Child ticket | EUR 6 on the current official page |
| Main public transport | U78 and U79 from Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof; bus 896 from the airport |
| Car parking | EUR 10 when prebooked; EUR 12 on site, cashless, when checked |
| Official app | Free, in German and English, with ticket, floor plan and offline exhibitor search |
| Main entrances | North A/B, East, South and Southeast |
Choose the day before buying a ticket
A weekday is the better first choice for most visitors. Admission is currently cheaper, the halls are generally easier to compare, and staff conversations are less likely to happen through a dense weekend crowd. The trade-off is taking time away from work or a longer holiday.
Weekend tickets suit families and groups that cannot visit midweek. Arrive before 10 a.m. with the ticket already saved. Do not use the first hour to decide which brands matter. Build a shortlist in the official app the night before and start with the two or three halls that answer the biggest purchase question.
The show is too large for a useful completion challenge. A focused one-day visit is realistic. Seeing every hall properly is not. Consider two days if you are comparing several vehicle classes, need supplier meetings, or want both technical components and finished motorhomes.
Current ticket prices are published on the official at-a-glance page. The ticket shop states that admission does not include local public transport. Keep that distinction in the budget.
Use the hall map as a buying route
The official floor plan groups products well enough to create a practical route. Start with the category that could change your decision, not the hall closest to the first train exit.
| Main interest | Halls to prioritize | Sensible starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Motorhomes and caravans | 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 17 | Compare the shortlist first, then revisit finalists later |
| Campervans | 12 and 15 | Start here if vehicle size and everyday parking matter most |
| Equipment and outdoor gear | 3 | Save for a dedicated block rather than carrying purchases all day |
| Technical parts and components | 13 and 14 | Useful for self-builders, repairs and detailed systems questions |
| Roof tents | 7a | A compact stop for car-based trips and lightweight setups |
| Premium vehicles | 16 | Visit only if this category matches the actual budget and use case |
| Off-road vehicles | 16 and 17 | Pair these halls instead of crossing the grounds twice |
| Travel and nature destinations | 7 | Fit this around the vehicle route or use it as a quieter change of subject |
First-time buyers should also look for StarterWelt and the self-conversion programme listed on the organizer's what to expect page. Those areas can answer basic ownership and build questions before a salesperson starts comparing trim levels.
A realistic one-day route
- Enter beside the first priority hall and compare two or three shortlisted models while attention is fresh.
- Record dimensions, payload, bed arrangement and the exact model name. Photographs without a label become hard to identify later.
- Take a scheduled break before lunch queues peak.
- Visit one adjacent category, such as components after self-build vehicles or Hall 7a after travel planning.
- Return to no more than two finalists with specific questions.
- Finish near the entrance needed for the trip home.
Do not carry every brochure. Photograph the cover beside the model label or save the exhibitor inside the app. A comparison note with the same fields for each vehicle is more useful than a bag of unrelated specifications.
Getting there from Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof
The official map lists U78 and U79 between the exhibition grounds and Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof. Check the current Rheinbahn journey before leaving because the useful stop depends on the entrance and first hall.
The ticket shop is explicit: CARAVAN SALON admission does not include public transport. Buy a separate fare through Rheinbahn or use its supported contactless fare option. Save enough time to walk from the stop, pass entry checks and reach the first hall before a booked conversation.
If you arrive by intercity train, do not route automatically to the first entrance suggested by a map app. Compare the hall plan with North, East, South and Southeast entrances. Ten minutes spent choosing the correct entrance can save a much longer cross-site walk.
From Düsseldorf Airport
The official floor plan lists bus 896 for the airport connection. Check the live stop and operating time before landing through the airport's to and from information and Rheinbahn. A taxi may be simpler for a group with luggage, but road traffic around the exhibition can remove some of the time advantage.
Visitors going directly from a flight should decide what to do with luggage before reaching the gate. The official FAQ permits suitcases and trolleys and lists cloakrooms at the entrances, open from 90 minutes before the show until one hour after closing. Space and queues can still vary. Keep medicine, passports and valuables with you rather than treating a staffed cloakroom as permanent storage.
Driving and current car parking rules
The official parking shop listed car parking at EUR 10 when prebooked and EUR 12 on site when this guide was checked. On-site payment is cashless. Availability can tighten on busy days, so check the live Messe Düsseldorf parking page before starting the drive.
Free shuttle buses connect the P1 and P2 parking areas with the entrances. Save the parking location and entrance used before boarding. The return shuttle may take you to a different-looking part of a large parking area after a full day indoors.
Vans used as ordinary day vehicles are treated differently from motorhomes staying overnight. The parking shop listed EUR 15 on site for a day van when checked, while overnight vehicles belong in the Caravan Center system. Use the vehicle type shown in the live shop rather than choosing the cheapest label.
Staying at the Caravan Center
The Caravan Center is the event's motorhome site, not an ordinary car park. You can book a pitch only after buying an admission ticket. The official booking day runs from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m.; arriving earlier can trigger an additional daily parking charge.
Only the registered vehicle is admitted. The site provides fresh water and waste disposal, plus free shuttles to the fair. The organizer also advertises a daily shuttle to Düsseldorf Old Town during the event. Use the current Caravan Center page for pitch availability and the live price rather than relying on an older article.
The organizer says the Caravan Center can be reached from the A44 without entering Düsseldorf's low-emission zone. Follow the booked arrival instructions. A navigation route through the city can create a different emissions requirement from the signed motorway approach.
What you can bring into the show
The official FAQ allows food and drink in a backpack. That makes a water bottle and simple lunch practical, especially for visitors who do not want to spend a comparison window in a restaurant queue. Bags remain subject to normal entry controls.
Suitcases and trolleys are permitted, and cloakrooms operate at the entrances. That does not make a large suitcase comfortable inside crowded vehicle displays. Store it when possible, then use a small bag for the floor.
Bring:
- the admission QR saved offline;
- a separate public transport ticket or parking booking;
- the floor plan and shortlist;
- water and a compact snack;
- comfortable shoes;
- a small power bank and cable;
- a tape measure if dimensions matter to the purchase;
- a note template for model, price, payload, dimensions and follow-up.
Dogs are not formally prohibited, but the organizer advises visitors not to bring them because no dedicated facilities are provided. Assistance dogs are welcome. A full exhibition day also means noise, crowds and repeated entry into compact vehicles, so leaving a pet in suitable care is the more practical plan.
Plan shorter routes for children and mobility needs
Children can attend, and the current official ticket page lists a EUR 6 child ticket. The family programme includes activities such as the kids rally and adventure areas, but these should break up a focused route rather than expand it. Alternate one adult's detailed comparison with a child-friendly stop, food and time outside the busiest vehicle queue.
Strollers are possible in the exhibition complex, but narrow vehicle interiors and crowded weekend aisles can make them awkward. Park only where staff permit and keep the child with an adult while another person inspects a small interior.
The official FAQ lists a limited wheelchair rental service. Standard wheelchairs are free, while electric wheelchairs are listed at EUR 20. The published maximum load is 100 kg, and advance reservation is recommended through [email protected]. Confirm availability and the pickup entrance before travel.
The fair ambulance is at North Entrance, Hall 7 ground floor, according to the FAQ. This is useful orientation, not a substitute for calling Germany's emergency number 112 in an emergency. Anyone who needs step-free routes, rest seating or other adjustments should contact the organizer before choosing the arrival entrance. Do not assume every display vehicle itself is accessible because the exhibition halls are.
Use the official app, then make it work offline
The free CARAVAN SALON app is available in German and English. It can hold the ticket QR, build a MyOrganizer shortlist, search exhibitors and products, and show an interactive floor plan. The organizer says exhibitor and product search also works offline.
That offline support is useful, but complete the setup before leaving reliable Wi-Fi:
- Sign in and load the admission ticket.
- Add priority exhibitors and programme items to MyOrganizer.
- Open the floor plan and the first route.
- Save the parking booking or Rheinbahn journey separately.
- Screenshot the return stop, parking marker or airport route.
A saved QR and downloaded map protect the essential visit from a weak signal. Mobile data should handle changes and coordination, not carry the only copy of the ticket.
Mobile data for the journey and the event
The official app supports offline searching, so CARAVAN SALON does not require a travel data plan just to open an exhibitor listing. Data is more useful around the event: checking a delayed train, opening a changed parking instruction, finding the correct entrance after the airport bus, messaging a separated group and continuing a wider Germany trip.
Visitors can compare current Germany Roaming eSIM plans without looking for a physical SIM after arrival. The public package feed returned 17 Germany options when checked on August 29. Those listings included O2 and Vodafone coverage fields and 5G-capable options. Sixteen listed top-up support and one did not, so the selected product card remains the source of truth for network, hotspot, top-up, calls, SMS, validity and speed behavior.
Roaming eSIM's practical advantage here is continuity outside the exhibition Wi-Fi and offline app. It can cover the airport, public transport, parking approach and the rest of the trip with one preselected data plan. It cannot reserve radio capacity in a crowded hall or guarantee a particular local network at every point in the venue.
Use the travel data calculator for a longer Germany itinerary. Install early enough to fix setup on Wi-Fi with the pre-travel installation guide, and check the phone through the eSIM compatibility guide. Travelers continuing through several countries can compare the choice in the country versus regional eSIM guide.
Ten current visitor questions answered
What dates is CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf 2026 open?
The Preview Day was Friday, August 28. The public show runs from Saturday, August 29 through Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Can I buy a CARAVAN SALON ticket at the entrance?
The organizer says tickets are available exclusively online. Buy before arrival and save the QR offline. Current official prices and inventory should take priority over figures copied into an article.
Does the admission ticket include Düsseldorf public transport?
No. The official ticket shop says the admission ticket does not include public transport. Buy a separate Rheinbahn fare for U-Bahn or bus travel.
Is one day enough for CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf?
One day is enough for a focused shortlist and one adjacent category. It is not enough to inspect all 15 halls properly. Use two days when comparing several vehicle classes or combining finished models with detailed component research.
Which day is best for a first visit?
A weekday is usually the better first visit because the current adult ticket is cheaper and comparisons are easier in a lighter crowd. Choose a weekend only when schedule constraints outweigh that advantage, then arrive with a planned hall route.
How do I get from Düsseldorf Airport to CARAVAN SALON?
The official floor plan lists bus 896 between the airport and exhibition grounds. Verify the current stop and timetable on the day. A taxi can help a group with luggage, but exhibition traffic can affect the journey.
Can I bring food and drinks?
Yes. The official FAQ permits food and drink in a backpack. Keep the bag compact for entry checks and use a secure bottle around display vehicles.
Can I take a suitcase or trolley into the halls?
Yes. Suitcases and trolleys are allowed. Cloakrooms operate at the entrances from 90 minutes before opening until one hour after closing, but storing a large bag is more comfortable than pulling it through vehicle displays.
Are dogs allowed at CARAVAN SALON?
Dogs are not prohibited, but the organizer advises against bringing them because there are no dedicated facilities. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Do I need a separate booking for the Caravan Center?
Yes. Buy an admission ticket first, then book the registered motorhome and pitch through the Caravan Center system. The pitch day runs from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m.; ordinary car parking is a different product.
Evidence and editorial method
The ten leading pages were reviewed for the same visit-planning intent. Current third-party coverage often summarizes dates, brands or ticket sales. The content gap was a single English route that connects the hall plan to day choice, entrance choice, separate transport fares, current parking, Caravan Center turnover, luggage storage, accessibility and offline preparation.
