Cologne's Airport: A Guide To Germany's International Hub

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is the major airport serving Cologne, Germany. It is located about 17-18km southeast of Cologne and is the seventh-busiest airport in Germany. The airport is also one of the few in the country that operates 24 hours a day.

Cologne Bonn Airport's history

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is the international airport of Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, and also serves Bonn, the former capital of West Germany. With approximately 12.4 million passengers in 2017, it is Germany's seventh-busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers and the third-largest in cargo operations. The airport is located in the district of Porz, 12 km southeast of Cologne and 16 km northeast of Bonn.

The history of Cologne Bonn Airport can be traced back to 1938 when the first airfield was built on the site for the German Luftwaffe. After World War II, the British military took over and expanded the airport, naming it RAF Wahn (B-119) and constructing a 1,866-metre runway. In 1950, the airport was opened for civilian air traffic, serving both Cologne and the new West German capital of Bonn. The first scheduled international route was inaugurated on January 1, 1951, with flights between London, Cologne/Bonn, and Berlin operated by BEA.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the airport underwent significant expansion, with a second and third runway opened in 1954 and 1961, respectively. Lufthansa also inaugurated the first scheduled intercontinental service from Cologne/Bonn to New York City in 1961.

In 1970, the new passenger terminal, now known as Terminal 1, was inaugurated. Throughout the 1970s, the airport's passenger and freight facilities were substantially expanded, and by 1978, it handled more than 2 million passengers annually.

In 1986, United Parcel Service (UPS) chose Cologne Bonn Airport as the location for their European hub, and TNT Express followed suit in 1988. By 1990, the airport was handling 3 million passengers per year.

The mid-1990s saw another major expansion program, including the construction of several new parking lots, a new control tower, and a second terminal (Terminal 2). In 2004, a new long-distance railway station connecting the airport with InterCityExpress trains was opened, improving transport links.

With the emergence of several low-cost airlines in Germany in the 2000s, Cologne/Bonn Airport adapted and attracted new airlines, leading to a 43% increase in passenger numbers in 2003 compared to the previous year. Germanwings and TUIfly established operations at the airport in 2002, followed by easyJet in 2003 and Wizz Air in 2006.

Today, Cologne Bonn Airport continues to be a significant aviation hub, serving as a base for various airlines and offering flights to numerous destinations worldwide.

Airlines that fly to Cologne Bonn Airport

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is an international airport located in the district of Porz, about 9 miles southeast of Cologne and 10 miles northeast of Bonn. It is Germany's seventh-busiest airport, handling around 9-12 million passengers annually. The airport has three runways and two passenger terminals and serves as a hub for Eurowings, Germanwings, FedEx Express, and UPS Airlines. Several leisure and low-cost airlines also use the airport as a focus city.

• Eurowings
• Germanwings
• Lufthansa
• Turkish Airlines
• United Airlines
• British Airways
• Air Cairo
• MySky 24
• Trade Air
• Ryanair
• Norwegian Air Shuttle
• Wizz Air
• EasyJet
• Condor
• BRA
• Continental Airlines
• TNT Express
• FedEx Express
• UPS Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• Iran Air
• Air Canada
• Lufthansa
• Air Arabia Maroc
• Aegean Airlines
• Alltours Reisecenter
• Familystar Reisebüro

Facilities at the airport

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is the international airport of Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city. It is located in the district of Porz, 12 km southeast of the city centre, and also serves Bonn, the former capital of West Germany. The airport has two passenger terminals, which are located directly beside each other, and three runways. It is one of Germany's few 24-hour airports and is the seventh-busiest airport in the country, serving approximately 9-12.4 million passengers annually.

Cologne Bonn Airport offers a range of facilities for travellers, including:

• Retail stores and restaurants in both terminals. Terminal 1 has a wider selection, with a u-shaped main building featuring shops and restaurants, as well as a star-shaped pier with additional stands.
• A conference centre.
• Travel agencies.
• ATMs and currency exchange services.
• Charging stations and free WiFi.
• An observation deck.
• Luggage storage and lockers.
• An information desk.
• Postal services.
• A smoking lounge.
• Airport tours.
• Medical services.
• Prayer room.

There are also a number of hotels located near the airport, including the Leonardo Hotel Koln Bonn Airport and the Moxy Cologne Bonn Airport.

Transport to and from the airport

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is the major airport serving Cologne, Germany. It is located approximately 12-18 km (7.5-11 miles) southeast of Cologne's city centre and is easily accessible by several transport options.

By Train

Cologne Bonn Airport has its own train station, which is served by both local and regional trains. The Cologne/Bonn Airport station is connected to the long-distance Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed line, providing connections to ICE services and other trains at least once an hour in each direction. The S-Bahn line S19 to Düren and the regional train line RE6 to Minden (Westfalen) connect the airport station to Cologne Main Station. Additionally, the RB27 and RE8 lines between Mönchengladbach and Koblenz also stop at the airport station.

By Car

The airport is conveniently located off motorway A59, which links it directly to the city centres of both Cologne and Bonn, as well as the Ruhrgebiet region. It has its own dedicated "Flughafen" exit, making it easily accessible by car.

By Bus

Local bus lines provide connections between the airport and Cologne (route 161) and Bonn (route SB60). Additionally, a new coach terminal opened in 2015, offering long-distance bus services to other German cities and European countries.

By Taxi

Taxis are also available at the airport for a more direct and comfortable journey to and from your destination.

Hotels near the airport

The major airport in Cologne, Germany, is the Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), which is located about 12 kilometres southeast of the Cologne city centre and 16 kilometres northeast of Bonn. Here are some hotel recommendations near the airport:

Leonardo Hotel Köln Bonn Airport

Located just 300 metres from the airport, the Leonardo Hotel offers a free 24-hour airport shuttle service and soundproofed rooms with internet access and international cuisine. The hotel also has a fitness centre, a restaurant, and a charming beer garden.

Moxy Cologne Bonn Airport

This hotel is situated 0.2 miles from the airport and features a fitness centre, a shared lounge, a terrace, and a restaurant. It is known for its modern and clean rooms, and convenient 24/7 customer service.

Art of Comfort Haus Ingeborg

This 3-star hotel, located 2 kilometres from the airport, offers free Wi-Fi, a daily breakfast buffet, and peaceful terrace views. It is conveniently located near the A59 motorway, making it easy to access the airport and other parts of Cologne.

Hotel Spiegel

Conveniently located for accessing the airport and exhibition grounds, Hotel Spiegel offers modern guest rooms and is situated beside the beautiful Porzer Stadtwald conservation area.

Akazienhof Hotel & Brauhaus

The Akazienhof Hotel is located close to the airport and provides free parking and affordable accommodation. The restaurant serves delicious food, and there is also a petrol station nearby for snacks and drinks. The staff are friendly and accommodating.

Frequently asked questions