Cologne Bonn Airport: Finding Your Way To The Gateway

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. The airport is located in the district of Porz, approximately 12 km southeast of the Cologne city centre and 16 km northeast of Bonn. It is one of the few 24-hour airports in the country and is easily accessible by road and public transport. Cologne Bonn Airport offers a range of facilities and services for passengers, including dining options, shops, and passenger services.

Cologne Bonn Airport's location

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is located in the district of Porz, in Germany, and is surrounded by Wahner Heide, a nature reserve. The airport is situated approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of Cologne city centre and 16 km (9.9 mi) northeast of Bonn. This strategic positioning allows the airport to efficiently serve both cities and the broader region.

The airport is within easy reach of both city centres, making it a convenient gateway for tourists and business travellers alike. Cologne Bonn Airport is centrally located and can be accessed by various transport modes, including bus, train, and car rental services. The airport has clear signage on the nearby motorways, providing easy directions for drivers.

Cologne Bonn Airport is well connected to the surrounding areas. It has its own exit, named "Flughafen", on motorway A59, which links it directly to the city centres of Cologne and Bonn, as well as the Ruhrgebiet. The airport is also easily accessible from Autobahn 3 (A3) and is just 49 km (30 mi) south of the larger Düsseldorf Airport.

In terms of public transport, there are convenient rail and bus options available. The airport has an S-Bahn station, with the S19 line offering a quick journey of less than 20 minutes to Cologne Central Station. Additionally, bus lines 161 and SB60 connect the airport to Cologne and Bonn, respectively.

Transport to and from the airport

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is well-connected to local and long-distance public transport. The airport is located in the Porz district, about 15 kilometres southeast of Cologne and 16 kilometres northeast of Bonn. Here are the transport options for getting to and from the airport:

By Train

Cologne Bonn Airport has its own ICE railway station, which is conveniently located close to both terminals. The airport is connected to the main stations in Cologne and Bonn by high-speed train lines. Trains depart to and from the airport every 10 to 15 minutes. Here are the train lines that serve the airport:

• S-Bahn line S19 to Düren
• Regional train line RE6 to Minden (Westfalen)
• RB27 and RE8 between Mönchengladbach and Koblenz

The journey from the airport to the main railway station in Cologne takes approximately 15 minutes, and trains run 24/7. A one-way ticket to Cologne costs around €3.00.

By Bus

Local bus lines connect the airport with Cologne and Bonn.

• Bus line 161 departs from the airport to Porz Markt in Cologne (the main rail station) every 30 to 60 minutes from 04:18 to 23:48. The travel time is 15 minutes, and a ticket costs €3.
• Bus line SB60 connects the airport with Bonn Central Station. The travel time is 30 minutes, and a ticket costs €3.60 per way.
• Airport Express SB60 runs between the airport and Bonn, with a travel time of 30 minutes from the airport and 27 minutes to the airport. On weekdays, the bus departs every 30 minutes, and less frequently on weekends and public holidays. The bus stop is located in front of Terminal 1.

By Taxi

Official airport taxis are available outside the terminal 24/7. The average taxi fare to Cologne is around €27, and to Bonn is around €40. The travel time to both cities is approximately 15 minutes. You can calculate the approximate fare using the taxi calculator from Taxiruf Köln.

By Car

The airport has its own exit (named Flughafen) on motorway A59, which provides easy access to the city centres of Cologne and Bonn, as well as the Ruhrgebiet region. Car rental companies such as Sixt, Europcar, and Hertz have offices at Terminal 2 arrivals.

Terminal facilities

Cologne Bonn Airport is located in the district of Porz, 12 km southeast of Cologne city centre and 16 km northeast of Bonn. The airport is jointly owned by the City of Cologne, the Federal Republic of Germany, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Bonn, and two counties.

Cologne Bonn Airport has two passenger terminals located directly beside each other. The older Terminal 1, a 1970s building, features a u-shaped main building with shops, restaurants, check-in and service facilities, and a visitors deck on its roof. Terminal 1 is used by airlines such as Eurowings, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines. It has its own direct connection to the railway station. Piers B and C have five aircraft stands each, with jet bridges at all ten stands. There are also several bus-boarding stands available at the apron. A central airside hall was added in 2004, featuring joint security-check facilities, shops, and restaurants.

Terminal 2, located to the north of Terminal 1, is a modern-style rectangular building made of glass and steel. It is equipped with eight stands with jet bridges and several stands for bus-boarding. Terminal 2 is used by airlines such as Ryanair and Iran Air. It is directly connected to the airports' railway station via the basement level and features an interdenominational prayer room. Both terminals are linked and walkable.

The airport offers a variety of shopping and dining options, including high-quality clothing, travel literature, children's toys, restaurants, bars, and cafes. There are also essential services such as ATMs, currency exchange, and a pharmacy. A left luggage facility, an observation deck, and a conference centre with meeting rooms are also available. Free Wi-Fi internet access is provided throughout the airport.

History of the airport

Cologne Bonn Airport is located in the district of Porz, 12 km southeast of Cologne city centre and 16 km northeast of Bonn. The airport is named after Cologne native Konrad Adenauer, the first post-war Chancellor of West Germany.

The history of Cologne Bonn Airport dates back to 1938 when the first airfield was built on the site for the German Luftwaffe. After World War II, the British military took control of the site and expanded it, constructing a 1,866-metre runway. The airport was then known as RAF Wahn (B-119) and was utilised by various RAF squadrons until the 1950s.

In 1950, the airport opened for civilian air traffic, serving both Cologne and the new capital of West Germany, 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. A second runway was opened in 1954, followed by a third in 1961. Lufthansa inaugurated the first scheduled intercontinental service from Cologne/Bonn to New York City in 1961.

The current Terminal 1 was inaugurated in 1970, with substantial extensions to passenger and freight facilities throughout the decade. By 1978, the airport handled more than 2 million passengers annually.

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

The mid-1990s saw another wave of major expansion, including the construction of a new control tower and Terminal 2, which opened in 2000. A new long-distance railway station was also opened in 2004, providing high-speed rail connections to other German cities.

The 2000s brought the emergence of low-cost airlines in Germany, and Cologne/Bonn Airport adapted by opening new capacities. This attracted carriers such as Germanwings, TUIfly, easyJet, and Wizz Air, leading to a significant increase in passenger numbers.

The airport has continued to develop its cargo operations, with FedEx Express and UPS Airlines operating a high volume of flights each week. It has also become a hub for Eurowings and a focus city for several leisure and low-cost airlines.

Cologne Bonn Airport is one of Germany's few 24-hour airports and has a range of facilities, including two passenger terminals, multiple runways, and efficient ground transportation connections.

Airlines and destinations

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is an international airport located in the district of Porz, in the Cologne Bonn Region. It is surrounded by Wahner Heide, a nature reserve. The airport is 12 km southeast of the Cologne city centre and 16 km northeast of Bonn.

Cologne Bonn Airport is one of Germany's few 24-hour airports and is a hub for several major airlines, including Eurowings, FedEx Express, and UPS Airlines. It also serves as a focus city for several leisure and low-cost airlines.

The airport offers flights to a variety of destinations across the world, including:

• European Cities: Athens, Berlin, Bologna, Brussels, Budapest, Catania, Chisinau, Dublin, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Istanbul, Jeddah, Lanzarote, Larnaca, Lisbon, London, Milan, Munich, Palma de Mallorca, Paris, Prague, Rome, Sarajevo, Stockholm, Vienna, Zurich, and many more.
• Scandinavia: Arvidsjaur, Stockholm, and other scenic destinations.
• Eastern Europe: Ankara, Antalya, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Fuerteventura, Heraklion, Ibiza, Izmir, Kavala, Kos, Prague, Rhodes, Santorini, Split, and many others.
• Mediterranean and Atlantic Beach Destinations: Alicante, Barcelona, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, and more.
• Long-Haul Destinations: All long-haul destinations in the British Airways and Turkish Airlines network can be reached with just one stopover in London-Heathrow or Istanbul.
• United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.
• Other Worldwide Destinations: Bengaluru, Guangzhou, Indianapolis, Memphis, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tel Aviv, and many more.

These destinations are served by a variety of airlines, including British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Ryanair, Iran Air, and many others.

Frequently asked questions