Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Cologne Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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Sleeping in the Konrad Adenauer Airport of Cologne/Bonn is fine. Especially the older Terminal 1 has excellent benches to sleep on. – Roland
CGN Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Cologne Bonn International Airport.
What to Expect
Cologne Bonn Airport (Code: CGN) consists of two terminals joined by a connecting hall. The airport hosts a small selection of shops, cafes and restaurants on both airside and landside, though passengers report that airside Terminal 1 has far more options than Terminal 2. WiFi is available, but some reviewers say it’s hard to find charging areas. For a more comfortable layover, economy-class passengers can get paid access to one of the airport’s first-class lounges.
Sleeping in Cologne Airport
Several travellers mention a sleeping hide-away opposite the 24-hour market in Terminal 1 as the best place in the airport to sleep. It reportedly has comfortable leather sofas and is relatively quiet. Both terminals also have armrest-free metal benches in various spots, should the leather sofas already be taken. A reader (June 2018) recommends sleeping in the piano bar opposite the REWE Supermarket (Terminal 1), where the lights are turned off until opening time at 5:00 AM, and the benches provide a comfy sleep. If you are in the Airside/Secure Zone, security will ask you to move to the Landside/Public Zone after the last flight. Those seeking uninterrupted sleep can choose from among several nearby airport hotels. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Cologne Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Cologne Airport:
- Leonardo Hotel Koln Bonn Airport – (300 meters to the airport) This is the closest hotel to the airport. The hotel is about a 7-minute walk from the terminal, or you can use the free shuttle bus. » Check Rates
- Moxy Cologne Bonn Airport – The hotel is on airport grounds and can be reached on foot. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Cologne Bonn Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- The Lounge Koeln-Bonn – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Concourse C gates • Terminal 2, Airside, Concourse D gates. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€26) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Cologne Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us that drinking water fountains are available on the airside. One was spotted near gate 61, next to the toilet. (March 2025)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. These options are open 24 hours: Chillout (Terminal 1, landside, Concourse C) • McDonald’s McCafe (Terminal 2, landside, D Departures).
If you need to pick up some groceries, stop by Rewe City Supermarket. Location: Terminal 1, landside, C Departures. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
A reader (September 2018) tells us some outlets were located airside by Gate C61, while another reader (January 2019) found some in the McDonalds in Terminal 2 (landside).
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Unlimited free WiFi is available throughout the airport. Connect to the “AIRPORT FREE WIFI” network and enter your name on the registration page for access.
Late Night Check-In
The following airlines offer passengers the possibility of checking in the evening before departure. Contact the airlines directly. Below is the latest information we have:
| Lufthansa | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Terminal 1 |
| Austrian | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Terminal 1 |
| Eurowings | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Terminal 1 |
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Duty-Free & Shopping – Setur Duty-Free shops are available airside in Terminal 1 (B Departures and Starwalk) and Terminal 2 (D Departures). Hours: 24 hours.
Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit one of the airport information desks for assistance. Locations: Terminal 1, landside, B/C Departures • Terminal 2, landside, D Departures. Both are open 24 hours.
Luggage
- Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage. Safe Bag & Fly offers services in Terminal 2, landside, D Departures. Hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Rates: €10 / bag.
- Porter Service – Porter service is available at a certain fee. Rates: €2.60 per piece • More than ten pcs luggage/ €2.10 per piece • Bulky luggage/ €4.20.
Medical Services – Comprehensive and emergency medical and dental services are available in the airport. Location: Terminal 1, landside, A/B Departures. Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon – Fri).
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs, operated by Sparkasse Köln Bonn, are available 24 hours a day. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Terminal 1, landside, B Departures (foreign currency is available) • Terminal 1, landside, C Departures (2 banks offer services here) • Terminal 2, landside, D Departures • Terminal 2, landside, D Arrivals.
- Currency Exchange – Travelex offers foreign currency exchange. Location: T1, landside, C Departures Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM.
Postal Services – Send your last-minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s Deutsche Poste branch. Location: Terminal 2, landside, D Arrivals. Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Stamps are also available for sale 24 hours at the stamp machine in Terminal 1, landside.
SIM Cards – A reader says, “You can buy SIM cards at Rewe. They are called “Ja! Mobil”. The Rewe is located in the public zone.” (October 2023)
Smoking Lounge – Terminal 1, airside, Gate B 70/73 (part of Cafeterio) • Terminal 2, airside, across from Gate D71.
Things to do & see
- Airport Tours – Find out what happens at the airport during a behind-the-scenes airport tour for groups of 10 people or more. Reservation is required. Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 11:45 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:15 PM. Tour Duration: 90 minutes. Rates: 5.40€ for adults, 3.30€ for students and senior citizens. Night tours are also available upon request. Rate: 13€ per person.
- Observation Deck – Relax and watch planes taking off and landing from the vantage point of the airport’s Visitors’ Terrace! Location: Terminal 1 at “Stern C.” The Visitors’ Terrace can also be reached by elevator near Staircase 4. Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM. Rate: free of charge.
Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Cologne and need local arrangements or help planning a last-minute trip abroad, several travel agencies have offices at the airport. Alltours • DB Resezentrum • Holimaxx • L’Tur Tourismus • My Travel Company • Reiseland Köln Bonn • Sonnenklar TV • TUI Travel Star.
Bus
Local bus 161 links the airport to Porz Markt in Cologne city center, where connections are available to other local bus lines and the Metro. Airport Express Bus SB60 runs a daily, direct route between the airport and Bonn Hauptbahnhof (central railway station), with departures available every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 30 – 60 minutes on weekends and public holidays. For route maps, schedules and fare information for Bus SB60 and other Bonn public transportation, visit the SWB Bus und Bahn website.
In addition to the buses listed above, CGN Airport is serviced by long-distance buses. For more information, visit the Cologne Bonn Airport website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are located in Terminal 2, Level 0, D Arrivals: Avis/Budget • Buchbinder/Global • Enterprise • Europcar • FlexRent • Hertz • Sixt.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, we found only one hotel offering an airport shuttle: Leonardo Hotel Cologne Bonn Airport. See also Airport Hotels above.
KölnCard
If you plan to use public transportation during your visit to Cologne, consider buying the KölnCard. KölnCard includes unlimited rides on the public transportation network in Cologne and 50% off on area attractions, restaurants and shops. For one person, a 24-hour card is €9, and a 48-hour card is €18. Parties of up to five people travelling together can buy a 24-hour group card for €19 or a 48-hour group card for €38. KölnCards are sold at the Cologne Tourist Board Service Centre, in many hotels and hostels, at DB ticket machines in areas where the card can be used, at some travel and tour agencies and KundenCenters and KVB service centers. For further information, visit the Köln Tourismus website.
Taxis
Taxis are available on a 24-hour basis. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. A one-way fare is approximately €27 to/from Cologne City Center and €57 to/from Bonn City Center (as of September 2023).
Train
Cologne/Bonn Airport Station is accessible from the Terminal 2 basement level and attached to the Terminal 1 C check-in area. This station is served hourly by ICE intercity trains, with connections to international trains available at Cologne Central railway station. S-Bahn line S13 and regional express train RE8 connect the airport to the central train stations in Cologne and Bonn. For routes, schedules, fares and ticket sales, visit the Deutsche Bahn website.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.