Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), officially known as Flughafen Köln/Bonn "Konrad Adenauer," is a busy international airport situated between the cities of Cologne and Bonn in Western Germany.
Cologne Bonn airport is close to two other German airports - Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA), both no more than an hour away by carn bigger and busier than CGN.
Even so, CGN saw over 10 million passengers in 2024, ranking as the 6th busiest in Germany, and is one of the largest low-cost hubs in continental Europe.
Major Airlines - Ryanair, Eurowings, Lufthansa
Cologne Bonn Airport accommodates a variety of airlines but is a hub for only 2 cargo airlines - FedEx Express and UPS Airlines.
When it comes to commercial aviation, CGN is an operating base for:
Eurowings: A German low-cost carrier operating numerous European routes.
Ryanair: An Irish budget airline offering cheap flights to various European destinations.
Corendon Airlines: A holiday charter airline with routes to popular seaside destinations.
Other prominent low-cost airlines serving Cologne Bonn Airport are the Turkish Pegasus and Turkish-German SunExpress.
Full-service airlines present at CGN include the German flag carrier Lufthansa, as well as international giants like Turkish Airlines, British Airways, and Austrian Airlines.
Find out all the airlines operating at Cologne Bonn Airport.
Terminal Layout at CGN
Cologne Bonn Airport has two passenger terminals. They are right next to each other and it takes about 10 minutes to walk between the two.
The 2 terminals are not connected airside, so to move between them, you need to clear Immigration and Customs and transit landside.
Terminal 1: The older terminal that is predominantly used by Eurowings, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines. It includes piers B and C located on both sides of the main building, each with five aircraft stands equipped with jet bridges, and an additional central airside hall added in 2004. Terminal 1 features its own direct connection to the railway station.
Terminal 2: A modern glass and steel building opened in 2000. It is located north of Terminal 1 and offers eight stands with jet bridges and several bus-boarding stands. This terminal is used by most low-cost airlines, including Ryanair. Terminal 2 is also connected to the airport's railway station via its basement level.
Discover all destinations from Cologne Bonn Airport.
Late Night Check-In
Certain select airlines allow you to check in and drop off your bags the night before your flight (usually between 6 PM and 8 PM). Contact your airline for up-to-date information about this service.
The airlines that currently offer late-night check-in at CGN are:
Lufthansa
Eurowings
Austrian Airlines
Visitor Terrace in T1
If you have time to spare, make sure to check out the Visitor Terrace located on the 5th floor of Terminal 1 (reach by lift via staircase 4).
It is open daily from 6.30 AM to 10 PM and offers a fantastic view of the aprons, the cargo area, and the runway, so you can watch or take photos of the airport’s ground operations and the planes taking off and landing.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Having a layover at Cologne Bonn Airport is simple, especially if you have 2 flights by the same airline and using the same terminal. Simply find your new gate and enjoy the airport facilities until boarding time.
If you have a self-transfer, then verify visa requirements based on your nationality and destination to ensure compliance with German and EU regulations. Note that Terminals 1 and 2 are NOT connected airside, so any self-transfer must enter German territory to get to the other terminal. There is a landside walkway between the two terminals and walking takes about 10 minutes.
Wi-Fi at Cologne Bonn Airport
Complimentary unlimited WiFi is available throughout the airport. Connect to the “AIRPORT FREE WIFI” network, then open your browser to load the registration page where you just need to enter your name.
Dining Options at CGN
There are many places to eat and drink at Cologne Bonn Airport, ranging from quick-service outlets to full-service restaurants.
You will have pretty much the same amount of choices before and after Security.
Here are some of the notable dining places at CGN:
At Terminal 1:
Mangal Doner before Security offers classic kebabs and other traditional Turkish specialties.
Starbucks before Security is your go-to place for coffee, sandwiches, and cakes.
Mishba before Security serves burritos, baked potatoes with various fillings, and healthy bowls.
51 Bar & Kitchen after Security is a local grill and beer bar-restaurant.
Wiener Feinbäcker Heberer after Security is a marvelous pastry shop.
At Terminal 2:
McDonald’s in the Public Area for the quick burger and fries.
Espresso House before Security for snacks and coffee. A kiosk can also be found after Security.
Brewgate: Beer & Bites in the Security Area is a mix between a coffee bar and a beer hall.
Mosaic in the Security Area serves Middle Eastern affair like böreks and oriental salads plus Arabic mocha.
Lounges at Cologne Bonn Airport
You shouldn’t expect a wide variety of lounges to choose from at Cologne Bonn Airport. Given its positioning as a low-cost hub, the premium and VIP amenities are limited. But they do still exist.
For example, in Terminal 1 you will find the unoriginally named The Lounge - a small place with complimentary food and limited drinks but limited seating space and an overall atmosphere lacking an exciting spirit.
In Terminal 2, you will find a branch of the same lounge - The Lounge T2 which also leaves a lot to be desired in terms of amenities and quality. Some full-service airlines, such as British Airways, send premium fliers to this lounge, but unless you have complimentary access, it’s perhaps better value to go to a restaurant.
Right beside it is the Airport Business Lounge which is accessible to most premium programs and business fliers. As with the other lounges at the airport, it fails to deliver a truly premium service, so unless you can enter for free, it’s probably not worth the entrance fee.
Transport to and from CGN Airport
Cologne Bonn Airport is very well connected to its nearby namesake cities, the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, and further afield.
The airport has its own ICE railway station accessible from both terminals. Take the S19 train to reach downtown Cologne or Bonn. Numerous long-distance trains pass by the airport too.
There is also an express bus connecting Cologne Bonn Airport with Bonn Central Station.
The long-distance bus station is located directly next to Terminal 2. There you can catch a bus to many destinations in Germany and Europe.
You can, of course, also take a taxi. You will find the taxi lane on the arrivals level in front of the terminals. Taxis are metered. A journey to Cologne typically costs around 30-40 EUR whereas a taxi to Bonn costs around 50-60 EUR.
Check out private transfer options from Cologne Bonn Airport.
Parking at CGN
Cologne Bonn Airport offers 3 multi-story car parks and 2 parking areas. Between them, they have over 12500 parking spaces. Still, pre-booking your parking slot is a wise idea and will guarantee your slot even if no availability is displayed.
To make the airport a worthwhile weekend shopping destination, between 9 AM and 7 PM on Sundays and public holidays, all entries and exits in car parks 1, 2, or 3 are priced at a modest 3 EUR.
For Short-Term Parking, the airport has 5 different car parks:
Terminal Access: Maximum 1-hour stay and direct entry into the terminals. Up to 10 mins for free, then the rate rapidly increases.
P32: near the long-distance coach station. The first 30 mins cost 5 EUR.
P1K: Level 0 of T1 with its own access ramp. The first 30 mins cost 5 EUR.
P1A: Level -1 of T1. The first 30 mins cost 5 EUR.
P20: Level 0 of T1. The first 30 mins cost 5 EUR
For Long-Term Parking there are 4 more economical options:
Car Park 1: Directly at Terminal 1. The hourly fee is 7 EUR and the daily rate maxed at 43 EUR.
Car Park 2: Directly at Terminal 2. The hourly fee is 6 EUR and the daily rate maxed at 43 EUR with discounts for longer stays.
Car Park P-Nord: The hourly fee is 11 EUR and the daily rate is maxed at 43 EUR with the first week costing 180 EUR. Discounted if booking online.
Car Park P3: The cheapest parking option with weekly rates as low as 39 EUR if booked online.
Hotels near Cologne Bonn Airport
There are 2 hotels in close proximity to the terminals:
Moxy Cologne Bonn Airport: Located within the airport compound, near the train station. It’s a playful hotel with competitive rates and the breakfast buffet and 24-hour pizza from the bar make it a worthwhile stay.
Leonardo Hotel Köln Bonn Airport: About 300 meters from Terminal 2 and with a free shuttle to and from, this classy business hotel is a delightful option near CGN.
Cologne, Germany
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