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ZRH destination photo
DUS destination photo

ZRHDUS

Which side of the plane to sit from Zürich Airport (Zurich) to Düsseldorf Airport (Duesseldorf)?

Our Recommendation
8.2

Left Side of the Plane

The left side provides a superior view of the winding Rhine River and the Black Forest, culminating in an iconic view of the Cologne Cathedral during the approach to Düsseldorf.

Left Side Highlights
8.2
🏙️

Zurich City & Lake

Immediate views of the Limmat river, the historic Old Town, and the northern tip of Lake Zurich after takeoff.

🌲

The Black Forest

Aerial perspective of the Schwarzwald's dense evergreen canopies and rolling hills as you cross into Germany.

💧

Rhine River Bend

Follow the silver thread of the Rhine as it snakes north, marking the historic border between Germany and France.

⛪

Cologne Cathedral

On the descent, the twin spires of the Kölner Dom are often visible on the left side as the plane tracks toward DUS.

For the best experience, choose a seat ahead of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. On evening flights, the sunset over the Rhine valley creates a golden reflection on the water. Keep your camera ready about 10-15 minutes before landing for the Cologne city skyline.

Right Side Highlights
7.5
🏔️

Swiss Alpine View

A stunning panoramic view of the snow-capped Swiss Alps to the south during the initial climb out of ZRH.

🌊

Lake Constance

The vast expanse of the Bodensee is visible to the east, where Germany, Switzerland, and Austria meet.

⛰️

Swabian Jura

The rugged limestone plateaus and dramatic escarpments of the Schwäbische Alb region.

🏗️

Ruhr Basin

The transition into the high-density urban and industrial landscape of Germany's industrial heartland during landing.

The right side is best for mountain enthusiasts during the first 10 minutes of the flight. If traveling in winter, the snow coverage on the Swabian Jura is particularly photogenic. Afternoon flights on this side may experience direct sun, so bring sunglasses.

Top Activities in Duesseldorf
Route Information

Distance: 444 km (276 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 44 min

Departure: ZRH (47.464699, 8.54917)

Arrival: DUS (51.289501, 6.766780000000001)

Route Type: International

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