Find out how much the trip costs and how to get to Leverkusen, Germany.
A modern city in western Germany, set on the banks of the Rhine, Leverkusen has remained untouched by mass tourism. It lies in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and took its name from the pharmacist Carl Leverkus. A key driver of the city’s development is the Bayer chemical and pharmaceutical industry, headquartered here.
Although Leverkusen is not among Germany’s classic tourist destinations, it stands out for its impressive parks and its close relationship with sport. It is world-renowned as the home of Bayer Leverkusen, with the striking BayArena a landmark for fans and more. Olympiacos is expected to face Bayer Leverkusen on February 24 in the Champions League Playoffs, and the match is an ideal excuse to get to know the city. See how much the trip costs, and what to see if you find yourself in Leverkusen.
Airline tickets
To get from Athens to Leverkusen there are no direct flights. You can fly from Athens to Düsseldorf, whose airport is about 60 km away. However, to reach Düsseldorf on a direct flight you need to stay more days as there are no daily flights and the cost starts from 305 euros round trip.
Another option is to fly from Athens to Frankfurt, where there are plenty of flights, and then take the train to Leverkusen. Prices for direct round-trip flights range from 180-230 euros for those days. The journey from the airport to the city takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and the cost starts from 56 euros round trip.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Leverkusen starts from 65 euros per night for two people, outside the city center. In the area where the BayArena stadium is located there are not many accommodation options and prices for a double start from 200 euros per night. In more central parts of the city accommodation is pricier and starts from 140-200 euros per night.
Getting around and food
Leverkusen is not a large city and you can walk to see the main sights. The city has a public transport network, with buses being the primary means of getting around. Tickets for a single journey start from 2.80 euros, while 24-hour tickets start from 7.60 euros.
Leverkusen offers variety when it comes to food, with restaurants serving many different cuisines, from German and Spanish to Greek. Prices for a meal at the city’s restaurants start from 15- 20 euros per person. For street food options you will spend 6-10 euros.
What to see in Leverkusen
Leverkusen does not have a large tourist center like other German cities, yet it has plenty of places for a stroll. Walk through its beautiful parks such as Neuland Park, a lovely green space by the Rhine, and explore the Japanese Garden in Carl Duisberg Park, perfect for photos. If you love shopping then the Rathaus-Galerie mall is the ideal stop and also has plenty of restaurants for a meal. An impressive historic site worth visiting is the Morsbroich Museum, a baroque castle that houses a museum of contemporary art.
One of the city’s most important attractions, especially for football lovers, is the iconic stadium of Bayer Leverkusen, BayArena. The stadium has a long history spanning decades, as it was called Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion, and in 1986 its reconstruction into a modern arena began, which was completed in 1997. It was renamed BayArena in 1998 and holds 22,500 spectators. Also, if you have a little more time, you can take a short excursion to Cologne, which is about half an hour away by train.
