If you like planes this is probably the most fun you can have for 2 Euros and 20 cents.

Unlike the UK where everytime you show an interest in anything you are labelled a terrorist, and if you actually have a camera you are masterminding a plot or have come to take photographs of children, even if you are halfway up Ben Nevis in winter, the Germans actually seem to like it when someone takes an interest in their transport system, in fact they go further than that, they actually encourage it.

Dusseldorf Airport is such a place, you turn up, go to the information desk, ask for a ticket, pay your money and get in the lift. No security check, no questions, easy.

When you get to the observation platform its right at the edge of the runway so depending on the wind direction you will either be close to lots of planes taxiing or planes actually taking off near where you are standing. In fact the only drawback is that it can get a little crowded with quite a few people jockying for the good spots along the railings. I spent a happy 2hrs there this morning and there was lots of activity, unfortunatley the wind was blowing in the wrong direction so I saw lots of planes taxiing, but with a 70-300mm zoom you can come back with some amazing pictures.

Be warned though it is a little windy, so even though it might be a warm day its best to have a jacket, but you can always go inside and watch the planes from there as all the walls are glass.

Getting there is easy, either catch a train to Dusseldorf Flughaven and follow the signs to the airport once you get off, the information desk is near the entrance to the airport, or if you are driving set you satnav to the railway station as the carpark here is beside the airport entrance and its a 2 minute walk to the information desk. Currently it is 7 euros and 40cents for a whole day of carparking, so you could spend a whole day there for 10euros.

A bargain, but bring a drink and a snack as I couldn't find anywhere to buy food while I was there.