Driving to Cologne/Bonn Airport: A59, terminals and time planning
Published on · updated on
No car parks can be booked through Friend-Park at Cologne/Bonn Airport yet.
As soon as a partner is activated, you will find their offers with real prices on the airport page.
Cologne Bonn Airport has a convenient location: it lies in the south-east of Cologne on the Wahner Heide, between the two cities, and is directly connected via the A59. For many travellers from the Rhineland, the Bergisches Land and the Siegerland, driving there is therefore straightforward – as long as you keep an eye on the Cologne motorway network and its traffic jams. Here are the most important tips.
Key facts at a glance
- The A59 leads directly to the airport with its own “Flughafen” exit.
- Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are close together – still check beforehand.
- The Cologne motorway ring and the Rhine bridges are prone to congestion.
- Enter the address from your car park booking in the satnav.
The A59 as the lifeline
The A59 connects the airport with Cologne to the north and Bonn to the south. The exit is signposted “Flughafen” (airport). After that, follow the signs to the terminals or – if you have booked a parking service – the instructions in your confirmation.
From Cologne
From within Cologne, depending on your starting point, you take the A59 or feeder roads from the right bank of the Rhine. If you live on the left bank, you have to cross the Rhine; the bridges are often congested at peak times. Allow for rush hour.
From Bonn and the south
From Bonn, the A59 leads north to the airport. For travellers from the Siebengebirge, the Rhein-Sieg district or further south, the route is similar – the A59 collects the traffic.
From the surrounding region
From Düsseldorf, Leverkusen, the Bergisches Land, Aachen or the Siegerland, various motorways lead to the Cologne ring and from there to the A59. An overview by region can be found in the guide Getting to Cologne/Bonn Airport from the region.
Terminal 1 or Terminal 2
The two terminals are close together and connected by a short walkway. For driving to the car park or valet meeting point, it is still worth knowing your terminal in advance. It is stated in your flight documents. More: Terminals at Cologne/Bonn Airport.
Planning your schedule backwards
- The airline's lead time until arrival in the terminal.
- Time for parking: a few minutes with valet, a transfer block with a shuttle.
- Journey time plus buffer – generous in Cologne rush-hour traffic.
Example: departure 15:45 from Terminal 1, two hours' lead time: 13:45 in the terminal. Valet meeting point 13:30. From Leverkusen via the A3 and A59 you allow 30 minutes, plus 30 minutes' buffer: departure 12:30. For early flights, the guide Early flight from Cologne/Bonn will help.
Satnav tip
If you want to go to the airport itself, you can use the address Köln Bonn Airport, Kennedystraße, 51147 Köln. For shuttle car parks and valet meeting points, however, the address from the booking always applies. Many providers would like a quick call in advance – see frequently asked questions about calling the provider.
When time gets tight
If you are stuck in traffic, inform the parking provider first, then check whether online check-in is possible, and if time is very short contact the airline. See frequently asked questions about delays on the way.
From the direction of Frankfurt and the Siegerland
If you come from the south via the A3 – from the Rhine-Main area, the Westerwald or via the A45 from the Siegerland – you approach the airport from the east. The “Flughafen Köln/Bonn” signs start early, and the switches to the A59 or the airport feeder road are well signposted. Follow the signs and your satnav with the address from your booking. The A3 between Siegburg and Cologne is one of the busiest stretches in North Rhine-Westphalia; especially on Friday afternoons and at the start of the holidays, traffic jams quickly form there. Allow more reserve for this route than for the route from Bonn.
From the north: Leverkusen, Düsseldorf, the Ruhr
From the north, the route usually leads via the A3 or the A1 to the Cologne ring and on to the A59. The Rhine crossings in the north of Cologne have been marked by construction work and bridge renewals for years; diversions and lane reductions occur again and again. A look at the current traffic situation before setting off is therefore a must. If you are travelling from the Ruhr area, you should also check whether Düsseldorf Airport might be closer for your trip – what matters in the end is where the right connection departs from.
From Aachen, Düren and the Eifel
From the west you come via the A4 towards Cologne. The west of Cologne, the Köln-West motorway junction and the Rhine crossing in the south of the city are often congested at peak times. After that, you continue on the right bank of the Rhine towards the airport. From the Eifel, federal roads and the A1 or A61 lead towards Cologne or Bonn; from Bonn, the A59 is then the direct route. Which route is fastest depends heavily on the time of day – a satnav with traffic data helps you decide.
Carnival, trade fairs and major events
Cologne is a city of major events. On the carnival days, streets in the city centre are closed and traffic shifts to alternative routes. During large trade fairs in Köln-Deutz – such as gamescom in summer or the Anuga food fair in autumn – it is busier than usual around the exhibition centre and in the east of Cologne. Football matches at the stadium in Müngersdorf or concerts at the arena in Deutz also affect traffic. If you fly on such days, you should know the event calendars and allow more time.
Refuelling, charging and breaks
On the way to the airport, you will find numerous petrol stations and charging points along the motorways and in the Cologne area. Refuel or charge before the trip so that you can get home without a detour after your return – especially after late landings, when not every petrol station is open. On long journeys from the Sauerland or the Eifel, plan a short break. If you arrive at the airport overtired, you start your holiday stressed.
Navigating with care
Satnavs and map apps are a great help, but not infallible. The airport has several access roads, multi-storey car parks and forecourts. If you only enter “Cologne/Bonn Airport”, you may end up at the terminal forecourt instead of a provider's booked car park. So check the evening before whether the address from your confirmation is found correctly, and look at the last stretch in the map view. If the provider has sent directions or photos of the entrance, look at them beforehand.
With a motorhome or trailer
With a large vehicle, a motorhome or a trailer, not all multi-storey car parks and parking areas are suitable. Height restrictions in multi-storey car parks are a common obstacle. Check before booking whether the provider can accept your vehicle, and state its length and height. With valet providers, there is also the question of whether the drivers move such vehicles. Without this clarification, there may be an unpleasant surprise on the day of departure.
Driving home after landing
The drive home also needs to be planned. After an evening flight, the A59 towards Cologne is usually clear, but night-time roadworks can lead to closures. If you are tired, have a drink and something to eat before driving. Check the traffic reports when setting off, set the satnav to your home address and only drive once everyone is buckled up and the luggage is safely stowed. Children who slept on the plane are sometimes restless – allow for the drive taking a little longer.
If you take these points to heart, you will experience the drive to Cologne Bonn Airport as what it usually is: a manageable route via the A59 that works without stress with a little reserve and the right address in the satnav – from the right bank of the Rhine as well as from Bonn, the Eifel or the Bergisches Land.
Have a good drive and a relaxed start to your trip!
Checklist
- Terminal checked
- Address or meeting point from the booking in the satnav
- Traffic situation on the Cologne ring, Rhine bridges and A59
- Provider's number to hand
- Fuel or charge for the return journey
All parking options: Parking options at Cologne/Bonn Airport. Whether offers can be booked via Friend-Park: Parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.
