Exploring Cologne: Taxi Fares From Airport To City Center

Cologne, located on the Rhine River in western Germany, is a 2,000-year-old city known for its cultural significance and vibrant attractions, including its famous Cathedral and Old Town. When travelling to Cologne, you will likely arrive at Cologne Bonn Airport, which is conveniently connected to the city centre by taxi and train. This paragraph aims to explore the cost of taking a taxi from the airport to the city centre, offering insight into the pricing, convenience, and alternative options available to travellers.

Taxi prices from the airport to the city centre

Cologne Bonn Airport is located just 14.5 km from Downtown Cologne, so it takes around 15 minutes to reach the city centre by taxi.

Taxis in Cologne calculate their fares using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled. A 15-minute taxi ride from the airport to the city centre should cost around €25, depending on traffic conditions. However, some sources suggest that the price could be as high as €38.

You can find the taxi ranks at Cologne Bonn International Airport directly in front of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Taxis are available 24/7 and offer door-to-door services. Most drivers prefer to be paid in cash, but if your driver accepts card payments, there will be a €1 supplement. Tipping is not required but is always appreciated; most travellers round up the fare to the highest value.

If you prefer to pre-book your taxi, you can use an online booking platform such as Taxi2Airport, which compares prices and provides affordable airport transfers. Alternatively, Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services with English-speaking drivers at the same price as a regular taxi.

Taxi rank locations at the airport

Cologne Bonn Airport has excellent connections to local and long-distance public transport. The taxi rank at the airport is located just outside the two terminal buildings. The taxi rank for Terminal 1 is outside the Departure area on the third level, while the taxi rank for Terminal 2 is outside the Arrivals area. Passengers arriving at the airport will find a large fleet of mainly cream-coloured Mercedes Benz taxis waiting at the taxi rank. Only licensed taxis with permits to operate from the airport will be operating here. All taxis will display a 'TAXI' sign on their roof, have a meter, a well-trained driver with a photo ID card, and an official permit displayed in the front of the car.

Taxi Ruf Köln is the main taxi company operating at Cologne Airport. Their contact number is +49 (0) 221 2882, and they offer 24/7 service. A typical journey to the city centre will cost approximately $€25-27 for the 15-minute trip. Taxis can be pre-booked by contacting info@taxiruf.de. However, there is usually no need to book in advance, as there is always a large fleet of taxis waiting for new arrivals.

Train as an alternative to a taxi

Cologne Bonn Airport is located about 14km southeast of Cologne and has excellent connections to local and long-distance public transport. If you're looking for an alternative to a taxi to get to the city centre, taking the train is a great option.

The airport has its own ICE railway station, which is located near both terminals. It is served by various S-Bahn, regional and bus lines, providing connections to Cologne, Bonn, Bergisch Gladbach and the surrounding region. The S-Bahn train provides a direct route from the airport to the city centre in just 14 minutes and is available 24/7. It runs every 10 minutes from Monday to Friday and every 30 minutes on weekends. A one-way ticket costs €3 and is valid for 90 minutes. Tickets can be purchased online or at the airport train station's vending machines.

In addition to the S-Bahn, there are also Regional Express (RE) and Intercity-Express (ICE) trains that serve the route between the airport and the city centre. The RE train is faster, taking only 11 minutes, but it only runs twice an hour. The ICE train is the fastest option, taking just 10 minutes, but it is more expensive at €8 per person.

Taking the train is a budget-friendly option for travellers and can help you avoid the heavy street traffic in Cologne. However, once you arrive at Cologne Central Station, you will need to arrange further transportation to your final destination, which can be inconvenient if you have children or heavy luggage.

Taxi booking options

There are several options for booking a taxi from Cologne Bonn Airport to the city centre. The first option is to use a taxi booking website such as monTransport.com or Taxi2Airport. These websites allow you to compare prices and book a taxi in advance, which can be more convenient and affordable than trying to find a taxi at the airport. Additionally, booking in advance can help to minimise waiting times at the airport. You can also specify additional requirements, such as a booster seat for a child or a private shuttle for an event.

Another option is to call a taxi company directly and book over the phone. This way, you will know immediately if a taxi is available, but you may not know the rate. Alternatively, you can find the taxi rank at your terminal and simply hop into the next available taxi. However, this option may involve metered rates and potential queues.

Taxi fares from Cologne Bonn Airport to the city centre are typically around €25, depending on traffic conditions. The trip should take approximately 15 minutes. It is worth noting that there is no price difference for day, night, or weekend trips, and most taxi drivers prefer to be paid in cash. If your driver accepts card payments, there may be a small supplement of around €1. Tipping is not required but is always appreciated; most travellers round up the fare to the nearest euro.

When booking a taxi, it is important to ensure that the taximeter is turned on and reset before starting your journey. This will help ensure that you are charged fairly based on the time and distance travelled.

Taxi prices from the city centre to the airport

When travelling to Cologne, you will be landing at Cologne Bonn Airport, which is located 14.5 km away from the city centre. The fastest way to get to the city centre is by taxi, which takes around 15 minutes.

Taxi fares in Cologne are calculated using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled. A taxi from the airport to the city centre should cost around €25, depending on traffic conditions. You can find the taxi ranks at the airport directly in front of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

While taxis offer a comfortable and convenient way to get to the city centre, there are also other transportation options available. The S-Bahn train, for example, provides a more affordable option, with tickets costing €3 for a 90-minute ride. The train ride takes 14 minutes, which is only slightly longer than the taxi ride, and the train is available 24/7.

If you prefer to have a driver waiting for you at the airport, you can pre-book your airport transfer with a service like Welcome Pickups. This option offers a friendly introduction to Cologne at the same price as a regular taxi.

It is important to note that taxi drivers in Cologne usually prefer cash payments. If your driver accepts card payments, there may be a small supplement added to your fare. Tipping is not required but always appreciated, and most travellers round up the fare to the nearest convenient amount.

Frequently asked questions