Getting from Cologne Bonn Airport to your destination

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is about 15km from Cologne city center and 16km from Bonn. The S-Bahn (S13) takes you to Cologne Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes for 3.20 EUR. A taxi costs 30-45 EUR and a private transfer about 35-55 EUR. The train is excellent here — fast, frequent, and cheap. Unless you have special needs (family, lots of luggage, late night), take the S-Bahn.

CGN has two terminals. Terminal 1 handles most airlines, Terminal 2 is mainly used by low-cost carriers (Eurowings, Ryanair). Both terminals are connected by a short walkway.

The airport train station (Koln/Bonn Flughafen) is connected to Terminal 1 via a covered walkway — about 5 minutes on foot. From Terminal 2, add another 5 minutes. Follow the train symbols.

Taxis wait outside both terminals at marked ranks. For pre-booked transfers, drivers wait in the arrivals hall.

RE/RB Regional trains — Faster connections to Bonn (about 20 minutes) and other cities along the Rhine. Same station as the S-Bahn. Costs depend on distance.

Taxi — Reliable, metered. To Cologne center: 30-45 EUR depending on traffic and exact destination. To Bonn center: 30-40 EUR. German taxis are regulated — no scams.

Private transfer — Pre-booked car at 35-55 EUR to Cologne, 35-50 EUR to Bonn. Fixed price, driver waiting at arrivals.

Bus — Local buses connect to nearby areas but aren't useful for Cologne or Bonn city center. The train is better in every way.

Rental Car — Available at the airport. The A59 and A3 motorways provide quick connections, but parking in Cologne's old town is expensive and limited.

| Destination | Distance | Taxi estimate | Transfer estimate | |---|---|---|---| | Cologne Hauptbahnhof | 15 km | 30-40 EUR | 35-50 EUR | | Cologne Messe / Deutz | 13 km | 28-38 EUR | 32-45 EUR | | Cologne Altstadt (Old Town) | 16 km | 32-42 EUR | 35-50 EUR | | Bonn Hauptbahnhof | 16 km | 30-40 EUR | 35-50 EUR | | Bonn Bad Godesberg | 22 km | 40-55 EUR | 42-58 EUR | | Dusseldorf | 65 km | 90-120 EUR | 80-110 EUR | | Aachen | 85 km | 110-140 EUR | 100-130 EUR |

S-Bahn to Cologne Hbf: 3.20 EUR. Regional train to Bonn Hbf: ~6.50 EUR.

The last S13 to Cologne leaves around midnight. After that, you're limited to taxis or pre-booked transfers. Night buses exist but are impractical from the airport. CGN handles a lot of low-cost and charter flights that arrive late — the taxi rank stays active.

German taxis have minimal night surcharges (1-2 EUR extra). A late-night taxi to Cologne center costs about the same as daytime.

The S-Bahn is manageable with luggage — there's space for suitcases and the trains aren't as packed as Frankfurt's. With a stroller and multiple bags, it gets tricky though.

For families, a taxi or transfer makes the 15km ride much easier. Request a minivan if you need child seats and extra space. A minivan transfer to Cologne runs about 50-70 EUR — very reasonable for a family.

Taxi: Ranks are directly outside the arrivals exits of both terminals.

Transfer: Drivers wait in the arrivals hall of your terminal with a name sign. They'll contact you with exact meeting instructions before your flight.

Take a taxi if: You have lots of luggage, it's late, or you're going somewhere not near a train station.

Book a transfer if: You're a family, need child seats, traveling in a group, heading to Bonn or beyond, or want a fixed price with zero thinking.

Take the regional train if: You're heading to Bonn — it's faster and cheaper than a taxi.