How to Get to the Airport in Cologne

Congratulations! You’ve booked a trip to Cologne and you’re about to land at the KölnBonn Airport, our main air travel hub in the Cologne area.  However, in between the salted peanuts and Ryanair Scratch Cards you’ve completely forgot to figure out how to get into the city.  Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.  Here’s how  to get to (and from) the Airport to the City Center of Cologne!

• By Train!

Train is probably the fastest way to and from the airport.  Cologne’s airport is serviced by S-Bahn, RE and RB trains.   These are more regional trains that travel around the area making frequent stops at slightly bigger stations.  The line S19, RE6 and RB27 departs from the airport’s train station and from the Köln Hauptbahnhof (the main train station of the city).  These trains take between 10 to 20 mines and depart every 20 to 30 mins.

From the Hauptbahnhof, depending on where you are staying, you are often in walking distance of your lodging or can use the metro system of Cologne to easily get where you’re going.  Learn more about our transportation here.

Tickets can be purchased on the platform at both stations and shouldn’t cost more than 5€.

From our perspective, (and we’ve been doing this a long time), this is the best way into and out of the city if you’re on a budget (or honestly, in general).

• By Bus!

We don’t recommend it but if you’d love to live out your Magic School Bus dreams, you can jump on the lines 161 or 423 and catch connecting trains to their departing stations.  Plan out a route here.

• By Taxi, Uber or Freenow!

This is clearly the most convenient but also the most expensive of the options.  It is also the only other way that makes sense in our opinion.  Taxis will be found waiting for you directly outside the terminals.  Plus there at different taxi stands in the city (you can always ask at your accommodation to book one in advance).  The ride will take you between 20 and 30 mins to the center city and costing anywhere between 30€ and 60€.

• By Car Rental!

We’re guessing you’ve probably figured this one out in advance but you could always rent a car! There are several kiosks at the airport that provide the service.  That and a car is a great way to visit the Rhein Valley and some of the nearby towns of Cologne.

• By Foot!

Just kidding, don’t do this.  It will take you 3 hours.

Getting to a from the airport is pretty simple with train and taxi.  No need to make it complicated!

Questions? Ask us while joining one of our tours or by shooting us a message over Instagram or email!

Written by Mike Clarke, Trainspotter