Travelers Guide: Who Flies To Cologne, Germany?

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is the perfect starting point for a trip to Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city. The airport is served by more than 30 airlines, including Aegean Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, United Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, AirBaltic, Ryanair, Eurowings, Lufthansa, Jet2, and EasyJet.

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)

History

The first airfield was built on the site in 1938 for the German Luftwaffe. After World War II, the British military took over and expanded the airport, building a 1,866-metre runway. In 1950, the airport was opened for civilian air traffic to serve both Cologne and West Germany's then-new capital, Bonn. The first scheduled international route was London-Cologne/Bonn-Berlin, operated by BEA and inaugurated on 1 January 1951.

Facilities and Services

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 2 is a modern-style rectangular building made of glass and steel, equipped with eight stands with jet bridges and several stands for bus-boarding. Both terminals feature separate check-in facilities and are connected through a landside walkway.

The airport has the following services available:

• Restaurants and cafeterias
• Shops
• Duty-free
• ATMs
• Currency exchange
• Observatory deck

Transportation

Cologne Bonn Airport is easily accessible by bus, taxi, and train. Local buses connect the airport with Cologne (route 161) and Bonn (route SB60). Downtown Cologne can be reached by taxi within 15 minutes, and the airport station connects to long-distance trains, including the Intercity-Express high-speed train.

Airlines and Destinations

Cologne Bonn Airport is served by several airlines, including Eurowings, Ryanair, Pegasus, SunExpress, Corendon, Jet2, Air Cairo, AJet, Ryanair UK, Marabu, Aegean, Air Arabia Maroc, and many more. The airport offers flights to various domestic and international destinations, including London, Vienna, Berlin, Istanbul, and New York City.

Cargo Operations

Cologne Bonn Airport is also a major cargo hub, functioning as a hub for FedEx Express and UPS Airlines. It is one of the country's largest airports in terms of cargo operations.

Airlines flying to Cologne

• Eurowings
• Ryanair
• Pegasus
• SunExpress
• Corendon
• Jet2
• Air Cairo
• AJet
• Ryanair UK
• Marabu
• Aegean
• Air Arabia Maroc
• British Airways
• Lufthansa
• Turkish Airlines
• Air Serbia
• Freebird Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• EasyJet
• Lufthansa City Airlines
• Air Arabia
• Involatus
• Swiss
• Air Serbia
• Olympic Air
• Freebird Airlines
• Eurowings
• Pegasus Airlines
• British Airways
• Wizz Air
• Olympic Air
• Aegean Airlines
• Air Arabia Maroc
• SunExpress
• Corendon Airlines
• Jet2
• Ryanair
• Lufthansa
• Air Berlin

Cologne Bonn Airport is located 17km east of Cologne's city centre. It is the seventh-largest airport in Germany in terms of passenger traffic and features two terminals.

Things to do in Cologne

Cologne, Germany's oldest city, is famed for its historic centre and gothic architectural masterpiece, Cologne Cathedral. With more pubs and taverns per capita than any other major German city, it's also the perfect destination for a weekend of fun. Here are some ideas for things to do during your visit.

• Take a tour of the Farina Fragrance Museum to discover the story of Johann Maria Farina, creator of Eau de Cologne.
• Visit Cologne Cathedral, an architectural wonder dominated by its twin spires.
• Explore the bohemian Agnesviertel district and its colourful array of bars, art galleries and bookstores.
• Take a cruise down the River Rhine and enjoy the incredible views.
• Visit the birthplace of composer Ludwig van Beethoven in Bonn, now a fascinating museum.
• Indulge in the local delicacy, Kölsch, at one of the city's many pubs and taverns.
• Sample the local food at Peter's Brauhaus, where meals are heavy on the meat and potatoes.
• Visit the Chocolate Museum to learn about the 5,000-year history of chocolate.
• Take a walk around the Historic Old Town, with its colourful buildings, cobbled lanes and preserved cathedral.
• View modern art at the Ludwig Museum, home to the third-largest collection of Picasso works in the world.
• Take a trip to the Cologne Botanical Gardens, with its 12,000 plant species over 5.5 hectares.

Getting to and from the airport

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is located in the district of Porz, 12 km southeast of Cologne city centre and 16 km northeast of Bonn. It is one of Germany's few 24-hour airports and is easily accessible by car, train, bus, taxi or transfer service.

By car

The airport has its own exit (named Flughafen) on motorway A59, which links it to the city centres of Cologne and Bonn, as well as the Ruhrgebiet.

By train

Cologne/Bonn Airport station is a four-track railway station on a loop off the Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed line. It connects the airport to long-distance trains at least once an hour per direction, most of them ICE services. The station features direct connections to the basement of Terminal 2 and the check-in area at Terminal 1-C. The S-Bahn line S 19 to Düren and regional train line RE 6 to Minden (Westfalen) also connect the airport station with Cologne Main Station. RB 27 and RE 8 between Mönchengladbach and Koblenz also call at the airport station.

By bus

Local bus lines connect the airport with Cologne (route 161) and Bonn (route SB60). A new coach terminal, which opened in 2015, is used for remote bus services to other German cities and many other European countries.

By taxi or transfer service

Taxis are available at the taxi rank outside the airport. Alternatively, transfer services such as SIXT ride offer a premium airport transfer service. A skilled local driver will be dispatched to your home or hotel, or can be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal if you provide your flight number.

When to visit Cologne

Cologne is a city with four distinct seasons, each with its own unique attractions. While there is never a bad time to visit, certain months are more popular than others.

Spring (Frühling)

Spring in Cologne sees warmer weather, with temperatures rising to between 40 and 65°F. Rain is still common, and epic thunderstorms can occur, so be sure to pack an umbrella!

Summer

The days are warm and long, with daylight lasting until 10 pm. Temperatures usually range from 65 to 75°F, but the humidity can make it feel much hotter. Locals and tourists alike flock to parks, lakes, and biergartens to enjoy the weather.

Autumn (Herbst)

As the days shorten and the weather cools, temperatures range from the low 40s to the high 50s until late November, when it starts to get colder. Rain is common, and low temperatures can bring early snow flurries.

Winter

Although cold and dark, with average temperatures of 37°F, winter is a popular time to visit Cologne due to its Christmas markets and Karneval celebrations. These events draw large crowds, so booking in advance is recommended.

Best Months for Good Weather

According to one source, the best months for good weather in Cologne are May, June, July, August, and September. June, July, and August are the warmest months, with August being the hottest. January is the coldest month of the year.

Peak Tourist Seasons

The months with the highest number of tourists are June and August, while January and February have the lowest number of visitors.

Cheap Flights and Accommodation

The cheapest month to fly to Cologne is usually March. August typically offers the lowest hotel prices, while June is the most expensive month for accommodation.

Frequently asked questions