From Britain, the closest ports to Düsseldorf are Rotterdam (221km/137 miles), Hook of Holland (252km/157 miles) and Zeebrugge (288km/179 miles). An excellent motorway network connects the Netherlands and Belgium to Germany's famous autobahns.

Driving is on the right. Signs suggesting a recommended speed limit of 130kph (80mph) are posted along most autobahns; other limits are 80kph (50mph) on major roads and 50kph (30mph) in towns. Children under 12 years should not travel in the front seat. An International Driving Permit is not required, as long as a national driving licence from the country of origin is held. EU pink format licences are accepted. Trailers and caravans are allowed in without documentation. A Green Card is advisable but not compulsory. Without it, drivers with motor insurance policies in their home country are granted only the minimum legal cover in Germany - the Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the driver's own policy.

National Express/Eurolines (tel: 08705 808 080; website: www.nationalexpress.com) runs a direct coach service from London to Düsseldorf (13 hours). The main coach station is Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof (Hbf), Konrad-Adenauer-Platz (tel: 01803 044 044).

The main German automobile association is ADAC (website: www.adac.de).

Emergency breakdown services:
ADAC (tel: 89 222 222).
ANWB (tel: 0800 0888).