Today the fair ferry is again operating in Düsseldorf for the first time in seven years. They even used an excavator for this.
Transfer from Düsseldorf’s old town directly to the Rhine Fair – overlooking the bustle and colorful bustle of the fair. The Drost family travels on a ferry with their granddaughter Kim.
The Drost family travels on the fair ferry with their grandson
This is amazing. Moreover, now that there are children, they are already at the right age. We want to experience something, even on the water.
Dirk Drost
Jessica, Susan and Jürgen Prang come to the Rhine Fair together every year, always on their parents’ wedding day: “It’s just more convenient to take the fair ferry, much quieter than the train. He has his own special style. We did it as kids, with our parents, and we still do it as adults.”
Jessica Prang, Susan Prang and Jürgen Prang visit Rijnkirmes every year.
Frank Neumann is also taking the ferry to the Rhine Fair today for the first time in seven years: “This is something so wonderful, you missed it so much. This is a piece of life.”
Frank Neumann on the fair ferry in Düsseldorf
Looking for a solution
An excavator makes it possible: the Düsseldorf fair ferry is back in operation from today. “It doesn’t work, it doesn’t exist, you can always find a solution somehow,” says Sebastian Kreimaier, managing director of the wine tent in Rijnkirmes. He is responsible for the ferry infrastructure and food on board the ferry. When low water levels on the Rhine threatened to prevent the fair ferry from operating, he turned to ferry operator Hajo Schäfer to find a solution.
From Düsseldorf’s old town you can take a ferry to the fair.
Buried before midnight
Sebastian Kreimeier quickly ordered an excavator. The excavator could be transported through the Rhine fair to the pier using heavy transport. Eight hours before midnight, an excavator was digging up sand from the riverbank around the pier. Then on Saturday the test: the Rhine ferry actually arrived at the pier.
It was planned that this would happen on Friday, when the Rhine Fair opened. But until now the level of the Rhine was too low, and the pier on the banks of the Rhine meadows of Oberkassel was too shallow. The ship could not dock.
The Rhine ferry departed today at 1:30 p.m.
Big concerns
Ferry operator Hajo Schäfer was initially concerned about whether the water would be deep enough when the ferry was fully loaded at its maximum capacity of 700 people. Then it has a draft of 1.30 meters instead of 85 centimeters. The rise of the Rhine has now saved her, so she will set sail again at 1:30 pm today. for the first time in seven years. The water depth at the pier in the Oberkassel-Rhine meadows is 1.50 meters. Sebastian Kreimaier is happy: “It’s perfect, just in time for Pink Monday in Rijnkirmes.”
Return to service after seven years
The ferry connects Düsseldorf’s old town with the fairgrounds on the Rhine meadows of Oberkassel. Seven years later, she is now bringing visitors back to the festival grounds. For adults, the crossing costs 3.80 euros. The second, smaller ferry will not be able to sail yet because it is stuck in the mud in Dusseldorf’s media harbour. They want to be present on two ships for the big fireworks display at the Rhine Fair on Friday.
Those:
- Descriptions by Sebastian Kreimeier, Managing Director of Weinzelt GmbH
- Telephone conversation with ferry operator Hajo Schäfer
- Research by the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration
Broadcast: broadband television, Local time Dusseldorf, July 20, 2026, 19:30.
Broadcast: WDR.fromThe fair ferry in Düsseldorf is operating again, 07/20/202613:10
