Getting Around Krefeld
Krefeld is a compact city in North Rhine-Westphalia, and most of what a visitor wants to see is reachable by tram, bus, or on foot. The public transport network is run mainly by the municipal company SWKmobil, which operates both the trams and the buses. A handful of other operators, including regional bus and rail companies, fill in the routes to neighbouring towns and cities.
Trams and Light Rail
The tram is the backbone of getting around Krefeld. All tram lines meet in front of the central station, which makes it easy to change between routes, and they share a stretch of track along Ostwall through the city centre. One line, the U76 light rail, connects Krefeld directly to the Düsseldorf system, so you can travel between the two cities without leaving the rails.
The trams run in every direction until about midnight, and on weekend nights they keep going until around 03:00. Most vehicles are low-floor, which helps if you have luggage or a pushchair, though at some stops you still board from the middle of the street, so take care when crossing.
Buses
Buses cover the neighbourhoods that lie away from the tram lines and also run out to the surrounding towns and cities. On weekend nights, night buses supplement the late trams, so you are not stranded if you stay out late. If you are heading to a district without a tram, the bus is usually your option.
Note that the stop in front of Krefeld station has been undergoing modernisation, which can mean temporary changes or bus replacement services. It is worth checking with SWK for the latest before you travel.
Regional Trains
Krefeld's central station is served by frequent regional trains, with direct connections to Cologne, Duisburg, Mönchengladbach, Aachen and Kleve. There is also a daily ICE service from Berlin, Hanover and Aachen. For most other long-distance journeys you will change at Düsseldorf or Duisburg.
A second station, Krefeld-Uerdingen, is a smaller regional stop served by several of the same regional lines. It is the terminus for one of the trams and for buses heading to Moers and across the Rhine to Duisburg's southern suburbs, and it is accessible for disabled travellers.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available, and the source material notes a taxi from Düsseldorf Airport to Krefeld costs around €50. For shorter hops within the city, taxis are a straightforward fallback when trams and buses have stopped for the night.
Walking
Krefeld is known for its extensive parks and tree-lined avenues, which makes walking between the centre and nearby sights pleasant. The tram and bus network is dense enough that you can combine walking with short rides rather than relying on a car.
Arriving from the Airport
The main airport for Krefeld is Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), which has many international connections and lies about 20 km away. From the terminal, public transport — an S-Bahn and underground combination — takes about an hour to reach Krefeld main station. A taxi takes roughly the same journey for around €50.
If you are flying with a low-cost carrier such as Ryanair, you may land at Weeze/Niederrhein Airport (NRN), about 50 km away. From there, a bus and train combination takes about an hour to reach Krefeld main station.
Practical Tips
- Buy your ticket before boarding; SWKmobil operates most trams and buses, and tickets are valid across the network.
- All trams converge at the central station, so it is the easiest place to change lines.
- Trams run until about midnight, with weekend services until around 03:00 and night buses filling the gaps.
- Check SWK for updates on the station stop modernisation, which may affect bus routes.
- For Düsseldorf Airport, allow about an hour by public transport or budget around €50 for a taxi.
- For Weeze/Niederrhein, allow about an hour by bus and train.