Arriving Early: Navigating Cologne Airport Stress-Free

Cologne Bonn Airport is located in Porz district, about 15 kilometres southeast of Cologne and 16 kilometres northeast of Bonn. It is Germany's seventh busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, serving around 12.5 million passengers annually. Travellers have various options for getting to the airport, including train, bus, taxi, private transfer, or car. The S-Bahn and trains are available 24/7, but the last bus to Bonn departs at 00:56, with the next one leaving at 04:24. It is recommended to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before the departure time of your flight.

Transport to the airport

Cologne Bonn Airport is located about 14km southeast of Cologne and is open 24 hours a day. The airport is well-connected to the city centre by various means of transportation.

If you are travelling by public transport, it is recommended to get a KölnCard, which gives you access to all public transport within the city for a fixed time (24 or 48 hours) as well as discounts to attractions, museums, tours and restaurants. You can buy this card online, from ticket machines at the airport, or at the tourism office in the city centre.

The fastest way to reach the city centre from the airport is by train, with the train station located in the centre of the passenger terminal. The S-Bahn trains connect to Cologne Central Station around three times an hour and take about 14 minutes. Tickets cost €3.50 and can be purchased from vending machines at the station.

Regional Express (RE) trains are faster and take only 11 minutes, but they only run twice an hour. These tickets also cost €3.50 and can be purchased at the airport train station.

Intercity-Express (ICE) trains are the fastest option, taking just 10 minutes, but they are more expensive at €8 per person.

There is only one bus that travels to the airport. Bus line 161 travels between the airport and Porz Markt train station every 30 to 60 minutes between 4.18 am and 11.48 pm. It takes about 15 minutes and costs €3.50. However, you will then need to get another bus or train to reach the city centre.

Taxis are available outside the terminal 24/7 and the journey to the city centre takes about 15 minutes, costing around €27. Uber also operates in Cologne, offering a convenient and cashless experience.

A private transfer can also be pre-booked, offering a door-to-door service with an English-speaking driver.

Finally, you can rent a car at the airport, with main international car rental companies such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt offering a range of car models and services.

Check-in times

The general rule of thumb for check-in times at Cologne/Bonn Airport is to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before the stated departure time. Security checks can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on how many people are on shift and how many stations are open. It is recommended to plan an extra hour into your arrival time to account for any delays or cancellations if you are travelling to the airport by train.

If you are travelling with children or have additional needs, it is advisable to allow for more time at the airport. In one instance, a traveller with a young son was advised that 2 hours would be enough time to check in and pass through security. However, this may vary depending on the time of day and day of the week, with early morning or rush hour flights requiring a longer check-in time.

For those taking a domestic flight, it may be possible to check in as little as 1 hour before the flight. However, this is not recommended, as it could result in a rushed and stressful experience.

It is worth noting that the check-in times may vary depending on the airline and destination. Some airlines provide detailed instructions and step-by-step guides on their websites or apps, including check-in times, gate information, and boarding times. Additionally, certain airlines offer reminders for checking boarding times when crossing time zones.

To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, it is generally advisable to arrive at the airport well in advance of your departure, allowing ample time for check-in, security, and any potential delays or unforeseen circumstances.

Security waiting times

The general recommendation is to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight. This is to account for any potential delays at security, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to get through, depending on how many staff are on duty and how many security stations are open.

One source suggests that 2 hours before your flight is more than enough time, even if you are travelling with a child. They state that this will usually leave you with over an hour's wait at your gate before boarding begins. However, another source suggests that the airport recommended being there 2.5 hours before departure, especially during vacation time when it can be busier.

If you are taking a train to the airport, it is suggested that you plan for an extra 60 minutes of travel time, as trains are prone to delays and cancellations.

One traveller, who flew out of Cologne/Bonn Airport in November 2023, said that security took them about 15 minutes to get through. Another traveller, who flew to Heathrow earlier in 2024, said that they waited for about 5 minutes at security.

If you are travelling with priority boarding, you can skip the line at security.

Facilities before check-in

The central security checkpoint is located in the centre of Terminal 1, and all passengers use this checkpoint. There are seating options before the check-in area, including a Starbucks, McDonald's, and Burger King. There are also shops, restaurants, and cafes. However, it is important to note that most of these options are located airside in Terminal 1, which you can only access after checking in and passing through security. Terminal 2 has fewer options, and everything in the airport is closed at night.

If you are looking for a place to rest, Terminal 1 has excellent benches for sleeping. There is also a sleeping hideaway opposite the 24-hour market in Terminal 1, which has comfortable leather sofas and is relatively quiet. Both terminals have armrest-free metal benches as well. If you prefer a private space, there are nearby hotels within walking distance of the airport, including the Leonardo Hotel Koln Bonn Airport and the Moxy Cologne Bonn Airport.

For food and drinks, there are 24-hour options available, including Chillout (Terminal 1, landside, Concourse C) and McDonald's McCafe (Terminal 2, landside, D Departures). Rewe City Supermarket in Terminal 1 is also open 24 hours if you need to pick up some groceries.

Other facilities available before check-in include ATMs, currency exchange, postal services, a smoking lounge in both terminals, an observation deck, and travel agencies.

Transport from the airport

Cologne Bonn Airport is well-connected to local and long-distance public transport. The airport has its own train station, which is located close to both terminals. It is served by various S-Bahn, regional and bus lines from Cologne, Bonn, Bergisch Gladbach and the region.

Trains

The S-Bahn trains connect to the Köln-Hauptbahnhof (Cologne Central Station) around three times an hour and only take about 14 minutes to get there. Tickets from the airport to the central station cost about €3, or nothing if you've bought a KölnCard. You can't buy tickets online for the S-Bahn as it's part of the DB (Deutsche-Bahn) local transport system. You will need to purchase your tickets from the vending machines at the station.

You can also take the Regional Express (RE) trains to get to Cologne Central Station from the airport. These trains are faster, taking you to the city centre in just 11 minutes, but they only run twice an hour. The website shows both S-Bahn and RE trains. Like the S-Bahn trains, you can only purchase these tickets at the station (they also cost €3), unless you have a KölnCard, which lets you ride for free.

The Intercity-Express (ICE) is the fastest train from the airport to Cologne, taking just 10 minutes, but it's also a bit more expensive than the DB trains at €8 per person.

Buses

If you don't want to catch a train, you can also get to Cologne by bus, although there's only one bus that travels to the airport. Bus line 161 travels between the airport and the Porz Markt train station every 30 to 60 minutes between 4.18 am and 11.48 pm. It takes about 15 minutes and costs €3, however, Porz Markt station is a fair way out of the city centre so you will then need to catch another bus or train to get to the Hauptbahnhof.

The Airport Express SB60 runs between the airport and Bonn, connecting the airport with Bonn Central Station. Travel time is 30 minutes (via Markt) from the airport, whereas the journey to the airport takes only 27 minutes (via Mozartstrasse). On weekdays the bus leaves every 30 minutes. On weekends and public holidays, it runs less frequently, every 30 to 60 minutes. You can find the bus stop in front of Terminal 1. A single ticket costs €6.30, and €3.10 for children from 6 to 14 years.

Taxis

Official airport taxis wait outside the airport terminal 24/7 if you don't want to use public transport. It takes about 15 minutes to drive from the airport to the Cologne city centre and generally costs around €27.

As of 2019, Uber also operates in Cologne, which can be a more worry-free experience as all the payments are managed within the app. This is also ideal if you don't speak German as you set your pick-up and drop-off points in the app.

Frequently asked questions