MEDICA fills the Düsseldorf fairground every November with medical technology exhibitors and visitors from around the world. The halls are large, the days are long, and most of your meetings will be arranged by message. Here is how to get there and stay connected.
Dates and venue
| Dates | November 16 to 19, 2026 |
| City | Düsseldorf, Germany |
| Venue | Messe Düsseldorf fairground |
| Official site | medica-tradefair.com |
Dates are from the official MEDICA site, checked in October 2026. Opening hours and hall plans are published there. MEDICA runs alongside COMPAMED, the supplier fair, on the same grounds.
From the airport to the venue
Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is close to the fairground, which makes arrival day easy.
- Taxi or ride-hailing. The ride from the terminal to the Messe is short, usually about 10 to 15 minutes. Expect queues at taxi ranks during the show, and slow traffic at the fairground entrances in the morning.
- Public transport. Local buses and trains connect the airport and Düsseldorf main station (Hauptbahnhof) with the Messe stops. From the main station, the U-Bahn runs directly to the fairground. Trade fair tickets at Messe Düsseldorf have often included local public transport in the region: check what your MEDICA ticket includes before you buy a transit ticket.
- From Cologne or elsewhere in the region. Many visitors stay outside Düsseldorf when hotels fill up. Regional trains run to Düsseldorf main station, where you change for the fairground.
Route planners, transit tickets and train delay alerts all need mobile data, so have it working when you land.
Staying connected
The local networks
Germany's main mobile networks are Telekom, Vodafone and O2 (Telefónica). Coverage in Düsseldorf is good. A travel eSIM connects to a local partner network.
Hall Wi-Fi and signal
With thousands of people in the same halls, Wi-Fi slows down at peak times, and indoor mobile signal varies from one hall to the next. Your own mobile data is still the most reliable way to confirm a meeting, check a stand number or send a product sheet. If signal is weak in the middle of a hall, try near the entrances or in the open walkways between halls.
Hotspotting a laptop
If you need to send files or join a call from a stand, hotspot your laptop from your phone. Turn off cloud backups and automatic updates on the laptop first, and keep the phone charging while it shares. A plan with plenty of data, or an unlimited one, suits heavy laptop use: see fixed, daily or unlimited data.
Bring a power bank
Four days of walking a large fairground with maps, messaging and a digital ticket will drain your phone. A charged power bank and a short cable are worth the space in your bag.
Install before you fly
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked: the 30-second check.
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi: iPhone or Android.
- When you land, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line only, and keep it off on your home SIM.
Which coverage fits
Germany is part of our Europe region, which covers 30 countries with one eSIM, including the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland and the UK. That suits a MEDICA trip that adds a visit to a supplier or a customer elsewhere in Europe. More on how it works: eSIM for Europe.
If you have an EU mobile plan, it may already roam in Germany at domestic rates. Check your fair-use limit first: travel eSIM vs international roaming.
Compare our Germany eSIM plans, or the Europe plans if you travel on.
FAQ
How far is Düsseldorf Airport from the MEDICA halls?
Close. A taxi usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, outside the morning rush at the fairground.
Does my MEDICA ticket include public transport?
Messe Düsseldorf tickets have often included local transit in the region. Check your ticket's conditions on the official site.
Which network will my eSIM use in Germany?
It connects to a local partner network, one of Telekom, Vodafone or O2.
Will the same eSIM work if I travel on to the Netherlands or Belgium?
Yes, if you choose a Europe plan. Both are among the 30 countries it covers.
Event details checked on the official site in October 2026. Check the official site for any later changes.