# Cologne Airport Transfer Guide (CGN) 本文件提供中文说明与当前英文指南原文。详细机场内容为英文，并非经过核实的完整中文翻译；请以实时预订流程确认价格、可用性及服务条款。 Practical guide to getting from Cologne Bonn Airport to the city. Real pricing, honest transport advice. **Airport:** CGN **City:** Cologne **Country:** Germany **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn **Last updated:** 2026-07-17 Prices and transport schedules in this editorial guide are indicative. Confirm current public transport fares with the operator. Current transfer prices, availability and terms are shown in the live booking flow. ## Main Guide ### Quick answer Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is about **15km from Cologne city center** and **16km from Bonn**. The S-Bahn (**S19**) takes you to Cologne Hauptbahnhof in about **14 minutes**, every 20 minutes. The airport station sits inside Cologne's city fare zone, so the ticket is a Preisstufe 1b EinzelTicket — **4.00 EUR** under the Rheinlandtarif that replaced the old VRS fares on 1 June 2026. A taxi is metered on the official Cologne tariff and works out much dearer (see below). The train is excellent here — fast, frequent, and cheap. Unless you have special needs (family, lots of luggage, late night), take the S-Bahn. ### What actually happens after landing 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. ### Transport options explained honestly **S-Bahn S19** — The best option for most travelers. Runs every 20 minutes between the airport and Cologne Hauptbahnhof and takes about **14 minutes**. Also stops at Messe/Deutz. The fare is a Preisstufe 1b EinzelTicket — **4.00 EUR** under the Rheinlandtarif (in force since 1 June 2026). Fares are revised periodically, so check the machine or vrs.de for the current price. Note that the S13, named in a lot of older advice, does not serve the airport today — a preliminary S13 service via the airport is planned from December 2026. **Bonn — the SB60 bus** — For Bonn Hauptbahnhof the airport points you at the SB60 express bus rather than a train. It needs a Preisstufe 2 ticket (**5.50 EUR**) plus a compulsory SB60 supplement (**5.00 EUR**) per person per journey — about **10.50 EUR** all in. Deutschlandticket holders do not need the supplement. Regional trains from the same station serve other Rhine destinations; fares depend on distance. **Taxi** — Reliable and metered on the official Cologne tariff: **4.90 EUR** to start plus **2.90 EUR per kilometre**, with waiting time at **0.60 EUR per minute** (City of Cologne, in force since 1 June 2026). On that tariff the roughly 15 km into central Cologne comes to about **50-60 EUR** once time in traffic is counted — well above what older guides quote. The tariff is revised periodically (a rise to 5.00 EUR base and 3.00 EUR per km is already set for 1 March 2027), so check the rate card in the cab before you travel. Rides beyond the Cologne city area, Bonn included, fall outside the regulated tariff — agree the fare before you set off. **Private transfer** — Pre-booked car, fixed price, driver waiting at arrivals. Cologne's rules let pre-booked rides be priced within a corridor of plus or minus 20% of the meter tariff, so a fixed quote is usually in the same territory as a metered fare. Prices vary by operator and vehicle — check the quote when you book. **Bus** — For Bonn, the SB60 above is the direct link. Other local buses connect to nearby areas but aren't useful for Cologne 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. ### Realistic pricing expectations Cologne taxis run on a tariff set by the city, so the fare into town is arithmetic rather than guesswork: **4.90 EUR** to start, **2.90 EUR per kilometre**, **0.60 EUR per minute** of waiting time (in force since 1 June 2026). The meter figures below are derived from that tariff and the road distances shown — waiting time in traffic pushes the real total higher. | Destination | Distance | On the meter (before waiting time) | |---|---|---| | Cologne Hauptbahnhof | 15 km | ~48 EUR | | Cologne Messe / Deutz | 13 km | ~43 EUR | | Cologne Altstadt (Old Town) | 16 km | ~51 EUR | | Bonn Hauptbahnhof | 16 km | Outside the Cologne tariff — agree the fare first | | Bonn Bad Godesberg | 22 km | Outside the Cologne tariff — agree the fare first | | Dusseldorf | 65 km | Outside the Cologne tariff — agree the fare first | | Aachen | 85 km | Outside the Cologne tariff — agree the fare first | The regulated tariff only binds inside Cologne's mandatory service area. For anything beyond it — Bonn, Dusseldorf, Aachen — the fare is negotiable, so settle it before departure or book a fixed price. *Public transport: S19 to Cologne Hbf **4.00 EUR** (Preisstufe 1b). SB60 bus to Bonn Hbf **5.50 EUR** plus the **5.00 EUR** SB60 supplement. Tariffs change — check vrs.de for the current fare.* ### Late night arrivals A late landing here does not automatically mean a taxi. Cologne Bonn Airport says its station is served around the clock by S-Bahn, regional and bus lines — but night frequencies are much thinner than daytime ones, so check the live departure board against your actual landing time rather than assuming a train is waiting. CGN handles a lot of low-cost and charter flights that arrive late, and the taxi rank stays active. The Cologne taxi tariff is a base fare plus a per-kilometre rate plus waiting time; check the rate card in the cab for any surcharge that applies to your ride. ### Families and luggage 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. Cologne's taxi tariff adds a surcharge for large vehicles, and transfer operators price minivans separately — check the quote when you book. ### Where you meet the driver **S-Bahn:** Follow train signs from either terminal to the airport train station. It's a covered walkway, about 5 minutes from Terminal 1. **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. ### Decision helper **Take the S-Bahn if:** You're heading to Cologne city center and traveling light to moderate luggage. At 4.00 EUR and about 14 minutes, it's one of the best airport rail links in Germany. **Take a taxi if:** You have lots of luggage, it's late, or you're going somewhere not near a train station. Just budget for the metered tariff, not the low numbers older guides quote. **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 SB60 bus if:** You're heading to Bonn — it runs direct to Bonn Hauptbahnhof and costs a fraction of a taxi. ## Summary ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How long does it take to get from Cologne Bonn Airport to Cologne city center?** The S19 takes about **14 minutes** to Cologne Hauptbahnhof. By taxi or transfer, expect **20-30 minutes** depending on traffic. **Q: How do I get from Cologne Bonn Airport to Bonn?** Take the **SB60 express bus** to Bonn Hauptbahnhof. It needs a Preisstufe 2 ticket (**5.50 EUR**) plus a compulsory SB60 supplement (**5.00 EUR**) per person — about **10.50 EUR**. Deutschlandticket holders skip the supplement. A taxi to Bonn is outside Cologne's regulated tariff, so agree the fare before you set off. **Q: Which terminal is for Ryanair at Cologne Bonn Airport?** Ryanair and most low-cost carriers use **Terminal 2**. It's a short walk from Terminal 1 and connected to the train station via Terminal 1. **Q: Is there a direct train from Cologne Bonn Airport to Dusseldorf?** Not directly. Take the **S19 to Cologne Hbf** and change to an ICE or RE to Dusseldorf. Total time: about 45-60 minutes. A taxi or transfer to Dusseldorf is outside Cologne's regulated tariff — get a fixed price before you travel. **Q: How much is a taxi from Cologne Bonn Airport?** Into Cologne the meter runs on the city tariff — **4.90 EUR** to start plus **2.90 EUR per kilometre**, waiting time **0.60 EUR per minute** (in force since 1 June 2026) — so the roughly 15 km to the city center works out around **50-60 EUR** with traffic. To Bonn or any destination outside Cologne the tariff does not bind; agree the fare first. Tips of 5-10% are customary. ## Arriving late at Cologne Bonn Airport: your real options **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn/late-night CGN handles plenty of low-cost and charter flights that arrive late. Ryanair and Eurowings evening flights often land after 10 PM. Here's what works. ## The good news about nights at CGN Cologne Bonn Airport states that its station is served **around the clock** by S-Bahn, regional and bus lines. That makes CGN unusual — at most airports a late landing means a taxi by default, and here it often doesn't. The caveat is frequency, not existence: night service is far thinner than the every-20-minutes daytime S-Bahn, so the question is not whether a train runs but how long you'll wait for it. Check the live departure board or the DB Navigator app against your actual landing time — not the scheduled one. | Transport | At night | |---|---| | S-Bahn S19 to Cologne | Runs through the night, reduced frequency — check the board | | Regional and bus lines | Airport says around the clock — check the board | | Taxis | 24/7 at the rank | | Pre-booked transfers | 24/7, driver waits for your flight | ## After midnight: taxis The taxi rank stays active for late flights and there are usually cars waiting when a flight lands. The fare works on the same published Cologne tariff at 3 AM as at 3 PM: **4.90 EUR** base plus **2.90 EUR per kilometre**, waiting time **0.60 EUR per minute** (in force since 1 June 2026). Check the rate card in the cab for any surcharge that applies to your ride. The one genuine night saving is traffic: with empty roads there is almost no waiting time on the meter, so the roughly 15 km into Cologne lands nearer the tariff's own figure — about **48 EUR** — rather than the 50-60 EUR a rush-hour run reaches. The ride is also faster, about 15-20 minutes. For Bonn, remember the Cologne tariff does not apply outside the city's mandatory service area — agree the fare before you set off. ## After midnight: pre-booked transfer The reliable choice. Your driver: - Tracks your flight — delay adjustments automatic - Waits at arrivals — no searching for transport at midnight - Fixed price agreed before you land Cologne allows pre-booked rides to be priced within plus or minus 20% of the meter tariff, so compare the quote against the tariff maths above. Ask specifically whether a night rate applies to your booking. ## During Carnival Cologne Karneval (usually February, Weiberfastnacht through Rosenmontag) means the city is chaotic at night. Taxis are harder to find, everything is more crowded. If you're arriving during Carnival week, **definitely pre-book a transfer.** The S-Bahn also gets packed with costumed revelers. ## Airport hotels If you land very late and don't want to deal with getting into the city: - **Leonardo Hotel Koln Bonn Airport** — at the airport, walking distance - **Holiday Inn Express** — near the airport, shuttle available Rates move a lot with trade fairs and Carnival, so check on the night. Could make sense if you have an early morning ahead. ## Safety The airport area is safe at night. Well-lit terminal, security present. Cologne city center is generally safe too, though the area around Hauptbahnhof can feel a bit edgy late at night (same as most German cities). ## Our recommendation Check the departure board before you join the taxi queue — the airport runs trains around the clock, and a short wait beats a 48 EUR meter. If the next service is too far off, the taxi rank is your fastest option. Pre-book a transfer for maximum certainty, especially during Carnival season or holiday periods, when a guaranteed car is worth more than the fare difference. ## Cologne Bonn Airport: Taxi or private transfer? **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn/taxi-vs-transfer With the S-Bahn being so good at CGN, taxis and transfers are really for people with specific needs. Here's when each makes sense. ## What a taxi actually costs Cologne publishes its taxi tariff, so you can work the fare out before you land: **4.90 EUR** base, **2.90 EUR per kilometre**, **0.60 EUR per minute** of waiting time (City of Cologne, in force since 1 June 2026). | Destination | Distance | On the meter, before waiting time | |---|---|---| | Cologne Hauptbahnhof | 15 km | ~48 EUR | | Cologne Altstadt | 16 km | ~51 EUR | | Bonn Hauptbahnhof | 16 km | Outside the Cologne tariff — agree the fare first | | Bonn Bad Godesberg | 22 km | Outside the Cologne tariff — agree the fare first | | Dusseldorf center | 65 km | Outside the Cologne tariff — agree the fare first | Two things follow from that tariff. First, a cab into Cologne is not the 30-something EUR that older guides quote — the meter alone clears 48 EUR before you sit in any traffic. Second, the regulated tariff stops at the edge of Cologne's mandatory service area, so for Bonn, Dusseldorf or Aachen there is no meter rule protecting you — settle the price up front or book a fixed one. A pre-booked transfer is not automatically dearer. Cologne allows pre-booked rides to be priced within plus or minus 20% of the meter tariff, so a fixed quote can land either side of what the meter would have said. Compare the actual quote against the tariff maths above rather than assuming. ## When the taxi wins - **Quick city trips** — walk out, get in, go. No pre-booking needed - **1-2 people with normal luggage** — simple, no booking, and inside Cologne the meter is regulated - **You know exactly where you're going** — just give the address - **Daytime arrivals** — plenty of taxis, no waiting German taxis are among the most regulated and reliable in Europe. CGN's taxi rank is well-organized. Mercedes sedans, clean vehicles, professional drivers. ## When the transfer wins - **Family with child seats** — request in advance, guaranteed fit - **Group of 4+** — minivan transfer beats squeezing into a sedan or splitting into two taxis - **Heading to Dusseldorf, Aachen, or beyond** — fixed price for the longer ride - **During Carnival** — Cologne's Karneval (February) means packed trains and surge pricing on ride-hailing. A pre-booked transfer avoids the chaos - **Trade fair periods** — when Koelnmesse has major events, everything's busier and pricier - **Late night certainty** — a guaranteed car when night frequencies thin out ## The S-Bahn elephant in the room Let's be real: for most travelers going to Cologne city center, the **S19 (4.00 EUR, about 14 minutes)** makes both taxis and transfers unnecessary — it costs roughly a twelfth of the metered cab fare. For Bonn, the SB60 bus at about 10.50 EUR does the same job. You'd only choose a taxi or transfer when: - You have heavy/bulky luggage - You're traveling with small children - It's very late at night - Your hotel is far from a train station - You're going somewhere the train doesn't serve well ## Vehicle quality CGN taxis: mostly **Mercedes E-Class** sedans and vans. Clean, comfortable, well-maintained — standard for German airports. Transfers: similar Mercedes/BMW vehicles, sometimes newer. Not a significant quality difference. ## Our honest take If the S-Bahn works for your situation, take it — no question. If you need a car, price the quote against the published tariff instead of assuming the taxi is cheaper; within Cologne the two are often close, and beyond the city limits a fixed price is the only real protection. Book a transfer when you have specific needs: child seats, group transport, long distance, or events and carnival periods when Cologne gets chaotic. ## Cologne Bonn Airport with kids: getting to your hotel easily **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn/family-and-kids Cologne is a great city for families — the cathedral, the chocolate museum, the Rhine promenade. Getting from the airport with kids just needs a little planning. ## The S-Bahn with kids The S19 to Cologne takes about 14 minutes and costs **4.00 EUR** per adult (Preisstufe 1b, Rheinlandtarif, in force since 1 June 2026). Children aged 6-14 pay **1.80 EUR**, and **children under 6 travel free** — the Rheinlandtarif says so explicitly, along with dogs. VRS also sells a **24hTicket valid for up to 5 people**, usually the best-value option for a family; check vrs.de or a machine for the current price at level 1b. With one child and a rolling suitcase: totally fine. The trains have space and the ride is short. With a stroller, two suitcases, and two kids: it's doable but annoying, especially the walk from the terminal to the station (about 5-8 minutes through covered walkways). ## Taxi with kids The taxi rank is right outside arrivals. Quick and easy, and German taxi drivers are professional with spacious (mostly Mercedes) cars. Cost is the catch: Cologne's regulated tariff is **4.90 EUR** base plus **2.90 EUR per kilometre** plus **0.60 EUR per minute** of waiting, which puts the roughly 15 km into the city around **48 EUR** on the meter before traffic — a lot more than older guides suggest, and more than ten times the train. **The child seat issue:** German taxis rarely carry child seats. German law technically exempts taxis from child seat requirements for short trips, but many parents aren't comfortable with that. If car seat safety matters to you, book a transfer. ## Private transfer with kids The smart choice for families with young children. Cologne allows pre-booked rides to be priced within plus or minus 20% of the meter tariff, so a fixed family quote is often close to what a cab would have charged anyway — and a minivan removes the two-taxi problem entirely. Prices vary by operator and vehicle size, and Cologne's tariff adds a surcharge for large vehicles, so check the quote when you book. Benefits over a taxi: - **Child seats guaranteed** — specify the type when booking - **Minivan space** — room for strollers, bags, and kids who need room - **Driver helps with luggage** — no wrestling bags while holding a toddler's hand - **Fixed price** — no meter stress during an already stressful family journey ## Airport tips for families - **Terminal 2 (low-cost flights)** is more basic than Terminal 1 — fewer amenities but also fewer crowds - **The walkway to the train station** is covered but long-ish with kids — about 5-8 minutes of walking - **Restrooms and changing facilities** are in both terminals - **If connecting to Bonn:** the SB60 express bus runs direct to Bonn Hauptbahnhof. It needs a Preisstufe 2 ticket (5.50 EUR) plus a 5.00 EUR SB60 supplement per person — about 10.50 EUR each, and still far below a taxi ## Cologne with kids: where to stay The neighbourhoods families usually pick — **near the Dom / Altstadt** (walkable and central), **Deutz / Messe** (modern hotels by the Rhine), and **Sudstadt** (quieter and family-friendly) — are all a similar distance from the airport, so there is little to choose between them on transfer cost. Pick on the neighbourhood, not the fare. ## Our advice For families with kids over 6 and light luggage: the **S-Bahn is great** — cheap, fast, and the kids might enjoy the train. Under-6s ride free, which makes it cheaper still. For families with younger children, car seats needed, or heavy luggage: **book a minivan transfer** and compare the quote against the meter tariff above. At this distance the convenience usually costs less than people expect. ## How much does it cost to get from Cologne Bonn Airport to the city? **URL:** https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn/cost-to-city Cologne Bonn Airport sits between two major cities, and costs depend on where you're heading. Both the train fare and the taxi meter here are set by published tariffs, so most of this is arithmetic rather than guesswork. ## To Cologne ### S-Bahn S19 — 4.00 EUR The cheapest and fastest option. The S19 runs every 20 minutes and takes about **14 minutes** to Cologne Hauptbahnhof. Buy tickets from machines at the platform — they accept cards and cash. The airport station is inside Cologne, and the Rheinlandtarif charges **Preisstufe 1b** for journeys within Aachen, Bonn or Cologne. That makes the EinzelTicket **4.00 EUR** (Rheinlandtarif, in force since 1 June 2026). Children aged 6-14 pay **1.80 EUR**; **children under 6 travel free**. For two adults: 8.00 EUR. VRS also sells a **24hTicket valid for up to 5 people**, which is normally the best deal for a group or family — it is priced by the same Preisstufe system, so check vrs.de or a ticket machine for the current price at level 1b. Note that the S13, which older advice often names, does not currently serve the airport. A preliminary S13 service via the airport is planned from December 2026. ### Taxi — metered on the city tariff Cologne sets its taxi tariff by regulation, so the fare is predictable: - **4.90 EUR** base - **2.90 EUR** per kilometre - **0.60 EUR** per minute of waiting time (City of Cologne, in force since 1 June 2026; a rise to 5.00 EUR base and 3.00 EUR per km is already set for 1 March 2027.) | Cologne destination | Distance | On the meter, before waiting time | |---|---|---| | Hauptbahnhof / Dom | 15 km | ~48 EUR | | Altstadt (Old Town) | 16 km | ~51 EUR | | Messe / Deutz | 13 km | ~43 EUR | Those are meter figures derived from the tariff and the road distance. Time stuck in traffic is charged on top at 0.60 EUR per minute, so a rush-hour run costs more. ### Private transfer — fixed price Cologne's rules allow pre-booked rides to be priced within a corridor of plus or minus 20% of the meter tariff, so a fixed quote generally lands near the metered fare. Prices vary by operator and vehicle size — check the quote when you book. ## To Bonn ### SB60 express bus — about 10.50 EUR The airport's own advice for Bonn Hauptbahnhof is the SB60 express bus. It needs a **Preisstufe 2** ticket (**5.50 EUR**) plus a compulsory **SB60 supplement of 5.00 EUR** per person per journey. Deutschlandticket holders do not need the supplement. ### Taxi to Bonn — agree the fare first Cologne's regulated tariff only binds inside the city's mandatory service area. Bonn is outside it, so the fare is negotiable rather than fixed by the meter rules. Settle the price before you set off, or book a fixed-price transfer. ## Cost comparison | Group size | S19 to Cologne | Taxi to Cologne | |---|---|---| | 1 person | 4.00 EUR | ~48 EUR on the meter | | 2 people | 8.00 EUR | ~48 EUR on the meter | | 3 people | 12.00 EUR | ~48 EUR on the meter | | 4 people | 24hTicket (up to 5) — check vrs.de | ~48 EUR, tight with luggage | | 5 people | 24hTicket (up to 5) — check vrs.de | Two taxis needed | The taxi meter does not care how many of you there are, so the maths flips somewhere around three or four passengers — which is exactly why the 24hTicket for up to 5 people is worth pricing up before you queue for a cab. ## The Deutschlandticket option If you have a **Deutschlandticket** (**63.00 EUR** per month for local and regional transport across Germany, per the VRS price table of June 2026), it works on the S-Bahn and regional trains from CGN. There is also a **Deutschlandticket Sozial at 53.00 EUR** for those who qualify. Many visitors buy one for a multi-city trip — it covers everything except ICE and other long-distance trains. The price has been raised more than once, so check before you subscribe. ## Hidden costs - **No tolls** on roads to Cologne or Bonn - **Rush hour taxis** cost more because waiting time is charged at 0.60 EUR per minute — Cologne's ring road (A1/A3/A4 junction) gets congested - **Parking** in Cologne old town is expensive and limited; check the current rates for your car park - **Fare evasion:** boarding without a valid ticket costs a **60 EUR** increased fare (erhöhtes Beförderungsentgelt). Always buy before boarding. ## Bottom line The S19 at 4.00 EUR is one of the best deals at any European airport — fast, cheap, reliable. A taxi into Cologne is a genuine step up in cost: the tariff puts the 15 km around 48 EUR on the meter before traffic. If you are one or two people heading to central Cologne, the train is not a close call. Fares and tariffs here are revised regularly, so treat every figure above as a starting point and check the current one before you travel. ## Published Guide Pages - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn/late-night - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn/taxi-vs-transfer - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn/family-and-kids - https://www.airporttransferportal.com/airport-guides/cgn/cost-to-city ## Booking and Support Search: https://www.airporttransferportal.com/search?airport=CGN Airport Transfer Portal is a marketplace; local operators fulfil the transfer. Availability depends on the route, travel date and eligible operator. Phone: +44 20 4538 9927 — UK office hours (London local time). WhatsApp: +44 7828 732663 — 24/7 (https://wa.me/447828732663). Terms: https://www.airporttransferportal.com/terms Complaints: https://www.airporttransferportal.com/complaints Published by Airport Transfer Portal (airporttransferportal.com), operated by Funny Tourism Ltd.