Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)
Cologne Bonn Airport, officially Flughafen Köln/Bonn “Konrad Adenauer” (Cologne/Bonn Airport), carries the IATA code CGN and the ICAO code EDDK. It sits in North Rhine-Westphalia between Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city, and Bonn, the former capital of West Germany.
The airport handled about 10 million passengers and 845,000 tons of cargo in 2024. It operates around the clock for freight.
Two terminals share one underground rail station, making the trip into either city straightforward without a car. Travelers can reach Cologne Hauptbahnhof (Cologne Central Station) from the airport station in roughly 15 minutes by S-Bahn, while regional trains and buses cover Bonn and the wider Rhineland just as directly.
That rail link is the detail most first-time visitors miss. Many budget airports leave passengers 40 minutes from the nearest station, but CGN puts the platforms directly beneath the terminals.
Key Takeaways
- CGN sits about 15 km from Cologne and 16 km from Bonn, with trains linking both cities to a station beneath the terminals.
- Terminal 1 handles most scheduled carriers, while Terminal 2 covers additional traffic and the long-distance coach station.
- The route network leans heavily toward European city pairs, Mediterranean holiday destinations, Turkey, and North Africa.
What Should Travelers Know Before Using CGN?
CGN is a mid-sized international airport with two terminals, an underground rail station, and 24-hour cargo operations. Its location lets travelers reach both Cologne and Bonn in under half an hour.
The passenger network serves more than 120 non-stop destinations across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia.
Location Between Cologne and Bonn
The airport lies roughly 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) southeast of Cologne city centre and about 16 kilometres from Bonn. By road, either trip takes 20 to 25 minutes outside peak traffic.
That position places CGN inside one of Europe’s most densely populated economic regions. Düsseldorf, Leverkusen, and much of the Rhine-Ruhr area sit within an hour by rail or motorway.
Airport Codes and What They Mean
CGN is the IATA code used on tickets, baggage tags, and booking sites. EDDK is the ICAO code used in flight plans, air traffic control, and aviation weather reports.
The airport’s full name honors Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and a former mayor of Cologne. Booking systems sometimes display it as Köln/Bonn or Konrad Adenauer Airport.
Arrivals, Departures, and Live Flight Status
Live arrival and departure boards appear in both terminals and on the airport’s official website. Each entry lists the flight number, operating airline, scheduled time, terminal, and gate.
Gate assignments frequently shift after check-in opens. Screens inside the terminal remain the most reliable source once a traveler arrives.
When to Verify Flight Information
Check the airline’s own status page 24 hours before departure, then again about three hours out. Terminal allocations, gate numbers, and check-in desk assignments can all change with little notice.
For flights to non-Schengen destinations, confirm passport and entry requirements separately with the operating carrier. Border rules for Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and the Western Balkans differ from intra-EU travel.
How Do Terminals and Departure Procedures Work?
CGN operates two passenger terminals connected by a short walkway and the shared underground railway station. Terminal 1 holds most scheduled traffic and offers the widest selection of shops and restaurants.
Terminal 2 handles additional flights and sits next to the long-distance coach station.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
Terminal 1 is divided into concourses that group airlines and gates together. Most Eurowings and Lufthansa departures use this building.
Terminal 2 serves charter and additional scheduled carriers, with its own check-in hall and security control. Walking between the two takes only a few minutes at ground level, though travelers should always confirm the terminal shown on their boarding pass that day.
Check-In, Bag Drop, and Security
Check-in desks open a set number of hours before departure, and the exact window varies by airline. Self-service machines allow contactless baggage check-in at both terminals.
CGN offers a free online booking system for a security check time slot. It helps spread passenger flow across the morning peak, so travelers who prefer that option can reserve a slot in advance through the airport’s website.
Boarding Gates and Airport Maps
Gates are numbered by concourse, and interactive terminal maps appear on the airport site and throughout the buildings. Boarding times printed on a pass reflect gate closure, not aircraft departure.
Accessible Travel and Family Services
Passengers who need mobility assistance should notify their airline, travel agent, or tour operator when booking, and at least 48 hours before the flight. That advance notice lets the airport assign the right support at arrival, security, and the gate.
Family facilities include baby-changing rooms and play areas. Travelers moving through Germany with children may find broader practical context in guidance on visiting Germany with kids.
How Do You Travel Between the Airport, Cologne, and Bonn?
Rail is the fastest and cheapest way into both cities. The S-Bahn reaches Cologne Hauptbahnhof in about 14 to 15 minutes, and Bonn is reachable in under half an hour by train or express bus.
Taxis, car hire, and on-site parking cover the remaining needs.
Rail Connections to Cologne City Centre
The Flughafen Köln/Bonn station sits underground between the terminals. The S19 S-Bahn and the RE6 and RE8 Regional-Express services run to Cologne Central Station, with departures roughly every 20 minutes on weekdays.
The airport station falls inside Cologne’s city fare zone. A single ticket costs about 4.00 EUR under the Rheinlandtarif fare system.
From the central station, Cologne Cathedral is a two-minute walk. That makes the airport unusually well placed for short city breaks in Cologne.
Travel to Bonn and the Rhine Region
S-Bahn line 60 and the Express Bus 60 both connect CGN with Bonn Hauptbahnhof. The journey takes around 19 to 30 minutes, depending on the service.
Bonn works well as a base when Cologne hotels fill up during trade fairs or Karneval. From Bonn, regional trains continue south toward the Middle Rhine Valley and its castle-lined stretch of the river.
Taxis, Ride Services, and Car Hire
Taxi ranks stand directly outside both terminal arrival halls. A metered ride into Cologne takes 20 to 25 minutes in normal traffic.
Car hire desks operate in the terminal area, with pickup in the adjacent parking structures. Ride-hailing services collect passengers from designated pickup zones rather than the taxi rank.
Parking, Drop-Off, and Pick-Up Options
CGN operates multiple parking zones next to the terminals, from short-stay drop-off to long-term structures. Online booking starts at 39 euros per week, and reserving in advance costs less than driving up unbooked.
Short-term drop-off bays sit immediately in front of the terminals with a limited free period.
Continuing to Düsseldorf and Other German Cities
Regional and long-distance trains from Cologne Central Station reach Düsseldorf in about 25 minutes and Frankfurt in just over an hour by ICE. Travelers connecting between airports should compare CGN with Düsseldorf Airport and Frankfurt Airport, both of which carry more intercontinental routes.
Which Airlines and Direct Destinations Serve CGN?
CGN offers non-stop service to more than 120 destinations in over 30 countries. Eurowings runs its largest base here, while Ryanair operates a substantial share of the low-cost network.
Antalya ranks among the busiest single routes.
European City and Regional Routes
Short-haul city links cover London Heathrow (British Airways, seasonally around Advent), Vienna (VIE) and Klagenfurt with Austrian, and Prague, Budapest (BUD), and Sofia (SOF) with low-cost carriers.
Additional European routes include Nice (NCE), Bastia, Lisbon (LIS), Malta, Edinburgh (EDI), Manchester (MAN), Newcastle (NCL), Bari (BRI), and Stockholm Arlanda (ARN). Jet2 and Wizz Air both contribute to this segment.
Holiday Flights to Spain, Greece, and Croatia
Mediterranean leisure routes form the seasonal backbone of the schedule.
| Region | Sample destinations |
|---|---|
| Spain | Palma de Mallorca, Fuerteventura (FUE), Lanzarote (ACE) |
| Greece | Athens (ATH), Corfu, Heraklion (HER), Rhodes (RHO) |
| Croatia & Adriatic | Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Rimini (RMI) |
| Cyprus | Paphos |
Frequencies rise sharply between May and October and thin out in winter.
Connections to Turkey, the Caucasus, and the Balkans
Turkey is served by Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, Pegasus, AJet, Corendon, and Freebird Airlines. Antalya and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) rank among the highest-frequency links.
Balkan routes reach Belgrade (BEG), Niš (INI), Sarajevo, Tuzla, Tirana (TIA), Varna (VAR), and Burgas. Further east, flights serve Yerevan in Armenia and Tbilisi in Georgia.
Routes to Egypt, Morocco, and Other African Destinations
Egyptian service covers Cairo (CAI), Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Medina (MED) in Saudi Arabia. Carriers include Air Cairo and Nesma Airlines, which operates flights to Hurghada every Tuesday and Saturday.
Air Arabia Maroc links CGN with Fes, Agadir (AGA), and Marrakesh (RAK).
Airlines Operating From Cologne Bonn Airport
Around 25 to 28 airlines serve CGN. The list includes Eurowings, Ryanair, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, Pegasus, AJet, Corendon, Air Cairo, Air Arabia Maroc, Freebird Airlines, Jet2, British Airways, Nesma Airlines, LEAV Aviation, Wizz Air, Wizz Air Malta, Aegean, Austrian, and Air Serbia.
Based in Cologne, LEAV Aviation launched direct service to Aleppo, Syria, on 17 August. Flights operate on Mondays and Saturdays.
The airline has also expanded its Syrian network to include Deir ez-Zor. Route lists change each season, so verify them with the airline before booking.
What Facilities Are Available Before and After a Flight?
Terminal 1 offers the widest range of food, retail, and services at CGN. These facilities sit in the public area before security and in the airside area near the gates. Free Wi-Fi covers the whole airport.
Food, Drinks, and Shopping
Terminal 1 dining includes 51° Bar & Kitchen for beer, hot dogs, and snacks, Espresso House for coffee, Le Crobag for baguettes and pastries, Terracotta for Italian dishes, and Two Tigers for sushi and noodles.
Früh bis spät serves Kölsch beer in a rustic Cologne setting, giving arriving visitors an early taste of local hospitality. Bistrot Grab & Go handles quick purchases in Terminal 1, while Trendwerk stocks fashion and gift items.
Lounges, Wi-Fi, and Workspaces
The Lounge Köln-Bonn operates in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with seating, Wi-Fi, and charging points. Neither location has shower facilities.
Free Wi-Fi runs throughout the airport. Passengers can connect to the “AIRPORT FREE WIFI” network without a time limit.
Pharmacy, Cash Services, and Travel Essentials
A pharmacy operates at CGN daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, including weekends and public holidays. ATMs and currency exchange counters are located in the landside areas of both terminals.
Medical services are located in Terminal 1 and open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Lost & Found and Left Luggage office is in Terminal 2, open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Observation Areas and Airport Services
CGN runs seasonal family attractions in the terminals, including interactive LEGO and Pokémon installations. Information desks in both terminals help with wayfinding, terminal transfers, and assistance requests.
Opening hours for individual outlets and services can change. If you need a specific facility, confirm its hours with the airport before arrival, just as you would check destination hours across Germany when building an itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Cologne Bonn Airport to Cologne city centre?
Take the S19 S-Bahn or the RE6 or RE8 Regional-Express from the station beneath the terminals to Cologne Hauptbahnhof. The ride takes about 14 to 15 minutes.
Trains run roughly every 20 minutes on weekdays, and a single ticket costs around 4.00 EUR. Taxis cover the same 15-kilometre trip in 20 to 25 minutes.
Which terminal should I use at Cologne Bonn Airport?
Terminal 1 handles most scheduled carriers, including Eurowings and Lufthansa. Terminal 2 serves additional traffic and sits next to the long-distance coach station.
Your boarding pass and the airport’s live departure board show the terminal. Confirm it on the day of travel, since allocations can shift.
How early should I arrive for a flight from CGN?
Plan on 2 hours before flights within Germany and the Schengen area, and 2 to 3 hours for other international departures. During peak periods, roughly 5:00 to 8:00 am and 4:00 to 7:00 pm, add another 30 minutes.
Booking a free security time slot online through the airport can help during busy periods.
Is there parking at Cologne Bonn Airport?
Yes. Several parking zones sit directly next to the terminals, covering everything from short-stay drop-off to long-term parking.
Online booking starts at 39 euros per week. Reserving in advance costs less than arriving without a booking.
Which airlines fly from Cologne Bonn Airport?
Around 25 to 28 airlines serve CGN. Eurowings leads the list and bases its largest fleet here, while Ryanair also operates extensively from the airport. Other carriers include Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, Pegasus, Wizz Air, Jet2, British Airways, Air Cairo, Air Arabia Maroc, and Cologne-based LEAV Aviation. Check the airport’s published airline list for current season schedules.