Best Airports For Easy Access To Cologne

Cologne is a city in Germany, located within the North Rhine-Westphalia region. The city is known for its gothic architecture, and its famous Cologne Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the country's most visited landmark. The city is served by two airports, Cologne Bonn Airport and Düsseldorf Airport. Cologne Bonn Airport is the seventh-largest airport in Germany and is located within a 15-minute drive southeast of the city centre. Düsseldorf Airport is located approximately 70 kilometres north of Cologne and is one of the largest airports in the country. Both airports are served by a range of airlines, offering both domestic and international flights.

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)

With more pubs and taverns per capita than any other major city in Germany, as well as a famously easy-going population, Cologne is the perfect destination for a weekend of fun. The bohemian Agnesviertel district is also worth a visit, with its colourful array of bars, art galleries and bookstores.

If you're looking for more culture, head to the former capital of West Germany, Bonn, a smaller city known for being the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. Now a museum, you can visit the house where this famous composer was born.

For family-friendly fun, be sure to visit the Phantasialand theme park, or take a cruise down the River Rhine and enjoy the incredible scenic views.

Airlines that fly to Cologne

Ryanair offers cheap flights to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN). The airline highlights Cologne as an ""undiscovered gem bursting with culture", famed for its historic centre and gothic architectural masterpiece, Cologne Cathedral.

Ryanair also provides travel guides for Cologne, including a 3-step guide to Cologne's Brauhaus Culture, which highlights the city's pubs and taverns, and a list of top attractions, such as the River Rhine and the family-friendly Phantasialand theme park.

So, if you're looking for a cultural trip to Germany, Ryanair suggests Cologne as a great option, and with flights from as little as £14.99, it's an affordable choice too.

The best time to visit Cologne

Cologne, or Köln, is a bustling German city nestled along the Rhine River. With its mix of activities, there is never a bad time to visit. However, if you want to experience the city's legendary Karneval (Carnival) celebrations, plan your trip for February. This joyful and silly celebration touches every corner of Cologne and beyond. It is one of the city's biggest draws, along with Christmas markets, so expect crowds!

Spring and autumn are perfect for sightseeing. In spring, the city opens up with warmer weather, sunny skies, and temperatures ranging from 40 to 65 degrees F. Bring your umbrella, though, as rain is still frequent! In autumn, the days are shorter and cooler, with temperatures in the low 40s to high 50s until late November. This is a great time to visit if you're looking for budget-friendly options, as tourist traffic is low.

Summer in Cologne is warm and pleasant, but it can get crowded. June, July, and August make up the summer months, with an average temperature of 23°C, sometimes reaching 30°C. Expect around 180 hours of sunshine per month! The warm weather draws visitors to the city's parks and outdoor spaces, and prices for hotels, airfare, and car reservations are typically at their highest.

Winter in Cologne is cold, with temperatures averaging around 3°C during the day and freezing at night. The festive atmosphere, however, warms up the city, and the Christmas market is a popular attraction. The market is filled with Christmas music, arts and crafts, and the scent of festive goodies. So, if you don't mind braving the cold, this is a magical time to visit Cologne.

How to book the cheapest flight to Cologne

Cologne is a 2,000-year-old city in western Germany, with a rich cultural heritage and a stunning example of High Gothic architecture in the form of its twin-spired cathedral. Served by Cologne Bonn Airport, 9 miles from the city centre, and Düsseldorf Airport, 40 miles away, there are a variety of options for booking the cheapest flight to the city.

Firstly, it is recommended that you book your flight in advance. While it is possible to find good deals on last-minute flights, prices tend to increase as the departure date nears. The best time to book is considered to be between 21 and 45 days before your trip.

The cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays, with an average price of $876 for a one-way ticket, while Saturdays are the most expensive, with an average price of $1,672. The cheapest month to fly is January, with an average price of $811 for a one-way ticket, while September and June are the most expensive months.

You can also save money by being flexible with your travel dates, departure and arrival airports, and the number of stops on your route. While non-stop flights are often more convenient, they can be more expensive than routes with connections.

When searching for flights, you can use online tools to compare prices across multiple travel sites at once. You can also set up price alerts to notify you when prices change or drop for your chosen route. It is worth checking the prices for flights on different days and at different times, as prices can vary. Flying at night is generally cheaper than flying in the evening, for example.

You can also save money by bundling your flight and hotel bookings, or by booking with a particular airline and taking advantage of any rewards or frequent flyer programs they may offer.

Cologne's main attractions

Cologne is a city in Germany that is famous for its 12 Romanesque churches and its rich history, with remnants from the Roman era, medieval churches, Baroque palaces, and diverse museums. Here are some of the main attractions in Cologne:

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral, officially called the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary, is a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with towering spires that dominate the city's skyline. The interior boasts treasures such as the 12th-century Reliquary of the Three Kings, the relief of the Adoration of the Kings, and the impressive Treasure Chamber. Visitors can also climb up the south tower for panoramic views and attend various events, including concerts and services.

Historic Old Town

The Historic Old Town, or Altstadt, is filled with charming alleys lined with traditional old houses, boutiques, galleries, cafes, and restaurants. Visitors can explore ancient churches like Great St. Martin and discover countless monuments and fountains. The Old Town's Archaeological Zone features Roman-era ruins, including the Praetorium (Governor's Palace) and a 2,000-year-old Roman sewage system.

Cologne City Hall (Rathaus)

Cologne's City Hall, or Kölner Rathaus, is the oldest public building in Germany, dating back over 900 years. It showcases a mix of architectural styles, including a 14th-century main building, a 15th-century tower, a Renaissance-style loggia, and a 20th-century atrium. The Hansasaal, with its Gothic figures, and the sonorous carillon that plays thrice daily, are particularly noteworthy.

Rhine River Cruises

Taking a Rhine River cruise is a great way to view Cologne's landmarks from a different perspective. The one-hour Cologne Sightseeing Cruise offers views of the cathedral's twin spires, the Old Town, and the Hohenzollern Bridge. The Rhine River Evening Panorama Cruise is a popular choice for a romantic night out, while the Rhine River Dinner Cruise combines sightseeing with a regional buffet.

Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Wallraf-Richartz Museum and the Ludwig Museum, which showcase European paintings from the Renaissance to modern times. The Wallraf-Richartz Museum highlights the work of the Cologne school, while the Ludwig Museum focuses on modern and contemporary art. The same building also houses the Agfa-Foto-Historama, with its collection of vintage cameras and photographs.

NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne

The NS Documentation Centre provides a somber yet important perspective on life under the Nazi regime. It is located in the former Gestapo headquarters, where prisoners were once held. The center includes a memorial site, interactive museum, and research facility. Visitors can enter the basement prison cells and see the writings of prisoners on the walls. English-language guided tours are available.

Cologne Zoological Gardens

Cologne Zoo, founded in 1860, is one of Germany's oldest zoological gardens. It features Ape Island with its mock rainforest, a well-stocked aquarium, and a big cat enclosure. The zoo also showcases 19th-century menagerie buildings, such as the Moorish-style elephant house and the birdhouse, now home to chimps.

Cologne Cable Car

The Cologne cable car, or Rhein-Seilbahn, offers panoramic views of the city, including the Old Town and Cologne Cathedral. It was the first European cable car to cross a river when it was established in 1957. The Cologne Telecommunications Tower and KölnTriangle also offer excellent viewing platforms.

Cologne Chocolate Museum

The Cologne Chocolate Museum traces the history of chocolate making and features interactive displays, antique chocolate boxes, and a working production line. Visitors can design their own chocolate bars and enjoy samples from the chocolate fountain. Guided tours are available, making it an informative and tasty experience.

Flora and Botanical Garden

Flora and Botanical Garden is a public park and botanical garden near the riverbank in Riehl. It covers 11.5 hectares and is home to over 10,000 plant species. Visitors can stroll through the formal flower beds, explore the tropical settings of the greenhouses, and admire "The Flora," a historic building that hosts flower shows and concerts.

The Roman-Germanic Museum

The Roman-Germanic Museum offers insights into Cologne's archaeological heritage, from the Paleolithic period to the early Middle Ages. Exhibits include the 2nd-century Dionysus Mosaic, the 15-meter-high funerary monument of Poblicius, Roman glass, domestic pottery, and Roman and Germanic jewelry.

St. Gereon's Basilica

St. Gereon's Basilica is a Romanesque church built on the site of a former 7th-century church, with roots dating back to Roman times. It features a unique decagonal dome, medieval murals, and an unusually long choir.

Frequently asked questions