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.
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 charging areas are difficult to find. For a more comfortable layover, economy class passengers can get paid access to one of the airport’s first class lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.
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, or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
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. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Cologne Airport Guide.
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. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
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 to also find out how you can gain lounge 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
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 by walking. » 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 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.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
Communications
- 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: 8:00AM – 8:00PM. 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)
- WiFi – see “Airport WiFi/Internet” above.
Food & Drinks
- 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).
- Supermarket – If you need to pick up some groceries, stop by Rewe City Supermarket. Location: Terminal 1, landside, C Departures. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Information
- 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 open 24 hours.
- Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Cologne and need local arrangements or help planning a last minute trip abroad, there are a number of travel agencies with offices at the airport. Alltours • DB Resezentrum • Holimaxx • L’Tur Tourismus • My Travel Company • Reiseland Köln Bonn • Sonnenklar TV • TUI Travel Star.
Luggage
- Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage. Safe Bag & Fly offers services in Terminal 2, landside, D Departures. Hours: 6:00AM – 8:00PM. Rates: €10 / bag.
- Porter Service – Porter service is available at a certain fee. Rates: €2.60 per piece • More than 10 pcs luggage/ €2.10 per piece • Bulky luggage/ €4.20.
Medical Services
- Medical Services – Comprehensive and emergency medical and dental services are available in the airport. Location: Terminal 1, landside, A/B Departures. Hours: 8:00AM – 6:00PM (Mon – Fri).
Mobile Charging
- 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).
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs, operated by Sparkasse Köln Bonn are available 24 hours a day. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your 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: 6:00AM – 9:30PM.
Rest & Relaxation
- Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
- Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
- Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Shopping
- 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.
Smoking
- 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: 10:00AM, 11:45AM, 1:30PM, and 3:15PM. 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: 6:30AM – 10:00PM. Rate: free of charge.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Late Night Check-In
The following airlines offer passengers the possibility of checking in the evening before departure. Contact the airlines directly. This is the latest information we have:
| Lufthansa | 6:00PM – 8:00PM | Terminal 1 |
| Austrian | 6:00PM – 8:00PM | Terminal 1 |
| Eurowings | 6:00PM – 8:00PM | Terminal 1 |
Airlines
Cologne Bonn airport is served by the following airlines: Aegean Airlines • Air Arabia • AirCairo • Air Serbia • Austrian Airlines • British Airways • Corendon Airlines • Eurowings • Flyerbil • Freebird Airlines • Iran Air • Jet2.com • LEAV Aviation GmbH • Lufthansa • Mavi Gök Airlines • Nesma Airlines • Nile Air • Nouvelair • Pegasus Airlines • Ryanair • Smartwings • Star East Airlines • SunExpress • Tailwind Airlines • Trade Air • Turkish Airlines • Wizz Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
Local bus 161 links the airport to Porz Markt in Cologne city center, where connections are available to other local bus lines, as well as 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 served 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 were able to find 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, as well as 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 5 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, some travel and tour agencies and at 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: 2023-12-07
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.