Parking options at Cologne/Bonn Airport: the overview

Cologne Bonn Airport is conveniently located between two major cities – with its own motorway exit on the A59 and its own station beneath the terminal area. Accordingly, there are many ways to get to the airport and to leave the car during the trip. This overview puts all the options into perspective.

The airport's parking areas

The airport offers numerous car parks and multi-storey car parks near Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. They are ideal for short stays, picking up family or day trips: park, a few steps, done. On longer trips, the daily rates add up. Current prices and site maps are on koeln-bonn-airport.de.

Valet parking

You hand over your car and key at a meeting point near the terminal; the car is parked at the provider's site and brought back for your return. Fast, convenient, usually more expensive than a shuttle. More: Valet parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Shuttle parking

Private providers operate car parks in the area around the airport. You park your car yourself and take the shuttle to the terminal. On long trips often the most economical solution. More: Shuttle parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Being dropped off and picked up

For travellers from Cologne or Bonn, the airport is close – dropping you off is manageable for family and friends. But: with return flights late at night, picking you up quickly becomes an imposition. The airport's rules apply to stopping at the forecourts.

By train

Cologne/Bonn Airport station is served by S-Bahn lines such as the S19 as well as regional and long-distance trains. For travellers with light luggage from the Rhineland, this is a good option – during the day. For very early or late flights, with family or a lot of luggage, many reach for the car.

Which option suits you?

Trip	Suitable option
Picking someone up	Car park at the terminal
Day trip	Valet, car park or train
Two-week holiday	Shuttle parking
Family, lots of luggage	Valet
Departure in the middle of the night	Provider with suitable hours, often valet

A special feature: night operations

Because the airport operates around the clock, some aircraft fly at times when not every parking provider is working. If you fly or land at night, you should check the opening hours particularly carefully: Night flights and parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Large vehicles and electric cars

With a motorhome, van or roof box: clarify space and height restrictions in advance; see frequently asked questions about large vehicles. With an electric car: check whether a provider offers charging as an additional service.

Taxi, hire car and ride services

Besides the car and the train, there are other ways to the airport: taxis wait at the terminals, and many ride services offer trips from Cologne and Bonn. For travellers from the city centre, this can be an alternative on short trips. On longer trips or for large families, however, the costs for the outward and return journeys quickly add up. Car hire companies have their desks at the airport – this is more interesting for arriving passengers who travel on from Cologne/Bonn.

Short-stay parking and picking up

If you are picking someone up, use the airport's multi-storey car parks or the designated short-stay areas. At the forecourts in front of the terminals, you are usually only allowed to stop briefly to get in and out; waiting longer is not permitted there. The airport publishes the exact rules and rates. A tip: follow the flight in an app and only set off when the landing is imminent. That way you avoid long waits in the car park.

Parking for day trips

For a day trip to Berlin, Munich or Hamburg, every minute counts. The car park at the terminal is convenient but costs the most per day. Valet is similarly fast and can be comparable in price on a day trip. Shuttle parking is less often worthwhile for day trips, because the transfer time is incurred twice. Compare the final prices for your day and decide based on your schedule and budget.

Parking for a long holiday

For two or three weeks of holiday, the calculation looks different. Here the differences between the rates come fully into play. Shuttle car parks in the surrounding area are often much cheaper than multi-storey car parks directly at the terminal. Valet usually lies in between. If you have a lot of luggage or fly at off-peak times, you will still often choose valet. More on long trips: Long-term parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Security in the parking areas

Whichever option you choose: don't leave valuables visible in the car, lock all doors and windows and take photos of the condition. With private providers, it is worth looking at the description: is the site fenced, lit, under video surveillance or permanently staffed? This information helps with the assessment. Reviews from other customers can provide additional indications but do not replace checking the conditions yourself.

By motorbike

Motorcyclists fly on holiday too. Many multi-storey car parks have dedicated spaces for motorbikes. With private providers it is not always clear whether motorbikes are accepted; ask before booking. You cannot always leave your helmet and protective clothing with the motorbike – consider where you will store them during the trip.

Accessible arrival

For travellers with reduced mobility, the airport offers disabled parking spaces near the terminals. Valet can also be a good solution, because the meeting point is close to the terminal. You register for assistance in the terminal and when boarding through your airline. The airport publishes information on accessibility on its website.

If the car park is full

During peak travel periods, individual parking areas may be fully occupied. If you reserve in advance, you avoid this risk. Without a reservation, it is worth checking the airport's website, which often provides information on occupancy. Private providers also have limited capacity; during the NRW summer holidays, popular offers are booked up early. More: Reserving a car park at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

A decision aid in three steps

First: determine your parking times – not the flight times, but the times at which you park the car and collect it again. Second: filter out all options that are not available at these times. At Cologne Bonn Airport, with its night operations, this is often the most important step. Third: compare the remaining options by final price, time required and convenience. If you proceed this way, you will make a well-founded decision in a few minutes instead of clicking through countless offers.

Parking when picking up guests

If guests are coming to visit from abroad and you are picking them up, the car park at the terminal is the simplest solution. Track the flight online and allow some time for baggage reclaim. For flights from outside the Schengen area, it takes longer because of passport control. A sign with your guests' name helps if you don't know each other yet.

In brief

At Cologne Bonn Airport you can choose between the airport's car parks, valet, shuttle parking, being dropped off, taxi and train. For short stays the car park at the terminal is ideal; for long holidays it is often shuttle parking; for families with lots of luggage and for flights at off-peak times it is often valet. Above all, what matters at Cologne Bonn Airport is that the option you choose is available at your times – because flights operate here around the clock.

If you follow this basic rule and then decide by price, time and convenience, you will find the right solution for every trip from Cologne/Bonn – from a weekend trip to a long family holiday.

And if you are unsure: the linked guides explain each option in detail – with tips specifically for Cologne Bonn Airport.

Making the right choice

The decision depends on three questions: how long? When? With how much luggage? More help in the guides Valet or shuttle at Cologne/Bonn Airport and Parking costs at Cologne/Bonn Airport. Whether offers can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on the page Parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.