Cologne, Germany: Which Airport Is Closest?

Cologne, Germany, has several airports in its vicinity, with varying distances from the city centre. The closest airport to Cologne is the Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), which is approximately 8.5 to 9.7 miles or 15 to 18 kilometres away. Other nearby airports include Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), which is around 25 to 26 miles or 41 to 42 kilometres away, and Dortmund Airport (DTM), which is about 49 to 50 miles or 79 to 83 kilometres from the city. These airports offer a range of domestic and international flight options for travellers visiting the Cologne area.

Cologne Bonn Airport

Other nearby airports include Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS), which is 25.4 miles (41.4 to 41.7 kilometres) away, followed by Dortmund Airport (DTM) at 49.6 to 49.7 miles (79.8 kilometres) from Cologne. Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) is also in the vicinity, situated 51.5 miles (82.8 kilometres) from the city.

There are several other smaller, local airports in the area, including Moenchen-Gladbach, Essen, and Aachen, ranging from 45 to 66 kilometres away from Cologne.

Düsseldorf International Airport

The airport is located in Düsseldorf-Lohausen and is about 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) north of downtown Düsseldorf. It is owned by the city of Düsseldorf and several commercial entities, including AviAlliance GmbH and Aer Rianta International cpt. The airport has a long history, dating back to its opening in 1927, and has undergone various developments and renovations over the years.

Dortmund Airport

Today, Dortmund Airport offers flights to various destinations, including London, Milan, Vienna, and several locations in Eastern Europe and around the Mediterranean. The airport has experienced a drastic increase in air traffic since 2000, with several new airlines commencing service and operating mainline jets.

The airport has an express bus service to Dortmund's main station, a shuttle bus to the nearby Holzwickede/Dortmund Flughafen railway station, and bus connections to Dortmund's metro line U47 and the city of Unna. However, some travellers have noted that ground transportation options are limited and can be inconvenient, with no direct train connection to the airport.

Maastricht Aachen Airport

The airport has a long history, with plans for an airport in southern Limburg dating back to 1919. However, due to debates over location and funding, its construction was delayed. The airport finally opened in 1945 as a temporary airfield for the USAAF Ninth Air Force. It became a civilian airport in 1945, and in 1947, the first semi-permanent terminal was built. The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations since then, including the addition of new runways and cargo terminals.

Today, Maastricht Aachen Airport offers flights to various international destinations, including London, Barcelona, and New York. It is accessible by car via motorway A2, exit 50, and by bus using the Arriva line 30 between Sittard and Maastricht.

Weeze Airport

For ground transportation, direct buses serve Düsseldorf Main Station up to seven times daily, covering early departures and late arrivals. Bus shuttles also frequently serve the railway stations of Weeze, Kevelaer, and Goch.

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