Cologne Airport's Operating Hours: Is It Open 24/7?

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is located between Cologne and Bonn, serving both cities. The airport is open 24 hours a day and offers a range of services for travellers, including dining options, Wi-Fi, and various transport options. With its strategic positioning, Cologne Bonn Airport is a convenient gateway for tourists and business travellers alike. In this article, we will explore the facilities and amenities available at the airport, as well as provide essential information for visitors.

24-hour food options

Cologne Bonn Airport is open 24 hours. If you're looking for food at any time of day, there are a few options. In Terminal 1, you can find Chillout in the landside concourse C, and a Rewe City Supermarket in landside C Departures. In Terminal 2, McDonald's McCafe is open 24 hours in landside D Departures. If you're looking for something more comfortable, there are several hotels in the vicinity, some of which offer shuttle services and 24-hour desks and restaurants.

Transport to and from the airport

Cologne Bonn Airport is located about 14km southeast of Cologne and has excellent connections to local and long-distance public transport. The airport is served by the S-Bahn, regional trains and buses from Cologne, Bonn, Bergisch Gladbach and the region.

The airport has its own train station, which is located in the basement level of Terminal 2 and attached to the Terminal 1 C check-in area. The S-Bahn trains connect to the Köln-Hauptbahnhof (Cologne Central Station) around three times an hour and 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. The Regional Express (RE) trains are faster, taking just 11 minutes to reach the city centre, but they only run twice an hour. The Intercity-Express (ICE) trains are the fastest option, taking just 10 minutes, but they are also more expensive at €8 per person.

If you don't want to catch a train, you can get to Cologne by bus. 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, but Porz Markt station is not in the city centre, so you will need to catch another bus or train to reach your final destination. The Airport Express Bus SB60 runs a daily, direct route between the airport and Bonn Hauptbahnhof (central railway station), with departures every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 30 to 60 minutes on weekends and public holidays.

Taxis are available outside the airport terminal 24/7 and the journey to the city centre takes about 15 minutes, costing around €27. Uber also operates in Cologne, and there is the option to pre-book a private transfer from the airport.

If you plan to use public transportation during your visit to Cologne, the KölnCard is a must-have. This card gives you access to all public transport within the city for a fixed time (24 or 48 hours) and offers discounts for attractions, museums, tours and restaurants.

Sleeping in the airport

Sleeping in Cologne Airport

Cologne Bonn Airport is open 24 hours a day, so you can sleep in the airport if you need to. However, there are no dedicated sleeping, quiet or rest areas.

Where to Sleep

There are benches without armrests and sofas throughout the airport. Some travellers recommend a hideaway opposite the 24-hour market in Terminal 1, which has comfortable leather sofas and is relatively quiet. There are also armrest-free metal benches in various spots in both terminals. One traveller recommends sleeping in the piano bar opposite the REWE Supermarket in Terminal 1, where the lights are off until 5:00 am.

Food and Drink

If you're spending the night, you'll be pleased to know that there are 24-hour food options in both terminals. In Terminal 1, landside in Concourse C, you'll find Chillout. In Terminal 2, landside in D Departures, there's a McDonald's McCafe. There's also a Rewe City Supermarket in Terminal 1, landside in C Departures, which is open 24 hours.

Other Amenities

• Unlimited free WiFi
• 24-hour ATMs
• 24-hour information desk in Terminal 1, landside in B/C Departures, and Terminal 2, landside in D Departures
• 24-hour main customs office in Terminal 1, staircase 2, level 0
• 24-hour duty-free shops in Terminal 1, B Departures and Starwalk, and Terminal 2, D Departures

Nearby Hotels

If you'd prefer the comfort of a hotel, there are several options nearby, some of which offer shuttle services. The closest is the Leonardo Hotel Koln Bonn Airport, just 300 metres from the airport. The Moxy Cologne Bonn Airport is also within walking distance.

Observation decks

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is open 24 hours and features an observation deck in Terminal 1 at Stern C. The observation deck, which opened in 2012, offers views of the main runway, apron, cargo areas, and the military section. It can be reached by elevator near Staircase 4 and is free to access. From the observation deck, you can also take a guided tour of the airport for an additional fee.

The observation deck at Cologne Bonn Airport is one of the most spacious in the world. It features outdoor seating and provides wonderful views of the tarmac. If you're interested in airport operations, you can take a guided tour of the facility, which departs from the observation deck. While access to the deck is free, there is a small charge for the tour.

The airport consists of two terminals joined by a connecting hall. The older Terminal 1 has been noted to have excellent benches for sleeping and more food options than Terminal 2.

Nearby hotels

If you're looking for a place to stay near Cologne Airport, there are several hotels in the vicinity. Here are some options:

• Leonardo Hotel Köln Bonn Airport: Located just 300 metres from the airport, this hotel offers a free 24-hour airport shuttle, soundproofed rooms with internet access, and international cuisine. The hotel also has a fitness centre, a restaurant, and a bar.
• Moxy Cologne Bonn Airport: This hotel is within walking distance of the airport and features a fitness centre, a shared lounge, a terrace, and a restaurant. It offers modern and clean rooms with 24/7 customer service.
• Art of Comfort Haus Ingeborg: A 3-star hotel located 0.9 miles from the airport, offering free WiFi, a daily breakfast buffet, a peaceful terrace, and free parking.
• Hotel Spiegel: Conveniently located for accessing the airport, this 4-star hotel offers modern guest rooms and is situated beside the beautiful Porzer Stadtwald conservation area.
• Akazienhof Hotel & Brauhaus: Located 1.1 miles from the airport, this hotel offers free parking and affordable accommodation in the Porz district. The restaurant serves delicious food and there is a petrol station nearby for snacks and drinks.
• ETAP Hotel: Within walking distance of Frankfurterstrasse - S-Bahn, just one stop from the airport, this hotel is run by the Accor hotel chain and offers rooms at around 30 euros per night.
• Ibis Hotel: Located next to the ETAP Hotel, Ibis offers a 24-hour desk and restaurants.

Frequently asked questions