thanks to the courtesy of Air Berlin cancelling our morning flight from DUS to FCO we are now left with a 8 1/2 hour layover in DUS after arriving from USA at 7am.
Having never been to Dusseldorf, my questions are the practicality of going into the city itself for part of the day, and be the ability to leave luggage someplace so as not have to lug around.

Appreciate any insight Fodorites might have.

It takes about 5-10 minutes to ride the RE, RB or S train from DUS into Düsseldorf's main station. Take your bags and stow them in a locker at the station.

There's a tourist info office at the main station. Opens 9:30. Gather ideas there.

Or take a walk into the old town from there and out to the Rhine promenade. Nice.

What day will you be arriving?

a Thursday

Hi nygv-

Have you contacted AB and ask them what options you have? Like flying from US directly to Berlin (instead of Dusseldorf)then on to Rome. Also, AB is a partner with AA- call them to see if they can help...ESPECIALLY IF ONE OF THE PASSENGERS IS AN ELITE AA FLYER!!!

Good luck and have a great trip!!!

With a 8.5 hour layover, I would consider going to Köln instead. It's a 40 min ride and you go see the Dom plus tons of Roman stuff.