Getting to Cologne/Bonn Airport from the region: Rhineland, Bergisches Land, Eifel
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Cologne Bonn Airport is not just the airport of Cologne and Bonn. Travellers come from Düsseldorf and the Ruhr area, from Aachen, from the Bergisches Land, the Siegerland, the Eifel and the Westerwald. For all of them, the A59 is the final stage – before that, various routes lead through the dense motorway network of the Rhineland. Here is an overview of typical routes. Your satnav provides the current route for the day.
Key facts at a glance
- Almost all routes lead via the Cologne motorway ring to the A59.
- The tangle of motorway interchanges around Cologne is prone to congestion.
- From the south and from Bonn, the A59 can be reached directly.
- For a long journey, allow a buffer and book parking in advance.
From the north: Düsseldorf, Leverkusen, Ruhr area
From Düsseldorf and the Ruhr area, the A3 and the A1 lead towards Cologne. Via the right-bank section of the Cologne ring road, you reach the A59 towards the airport. Incidentally, if you come from Düsseldorf, you have the choice between two airports – for some destinations, only one of the two operates flights.
From the west: Aachen, Düren
The A4 leads from Aachen and Düren to Cologne. Then you continue via the Cologne ring road and across the Rhine to the A59. The Rhine crossing is a bottleneck at peak times – allow a buffer for it.
From the east: Bergisches Land, Oberberg, Siegerland
From the Bergisches Land and the Oberbergisches Land, you reach Cologne via the A4 or the A1 and continue to the A59 without having to cross the Rhine. From the Siegerland, the A45 and the A4 or A3 lead towards Cologne.
From the south: Bonn, Eifel, Westerwald
If you are coming from Bonn, the Rhein-Sieg district or the Westerwald, use the A59 heading north or the A3 to the junction with the A59. From the Eifel, the A61 or A1 lead towards Cologne/Bonn.
How much buffer?
The Greater Cologne area has many motorway interchanges and roadworks that make journey times vary greatly. Plan the buffer in proportion to the distance and take into account rush-hour traffic, the start of the holidays and Friday afternoons. For night flights the roads are quieter, but roadworks are often set up at night. More: Early flight from Cologne/Bonn. The final stage is described in the guide Driving to Cologne/Bonn Airport.
Parking for travellers from the surrounding area
If you travel an hour or more, you don't want to search at the airport. With a parking space booked in advance, you have a fixed address. With valet parking you drive straight to the meeting point; with shuttle parking to the provider's car park. For longer trips: Long-term parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.
Train from the surrounding area
The airport station is connected to S-Bahn, regional and long-distance services. From some cities there are direct connections; from others you have to change. With large luggage, with children or for flights at off-peak times, many still take the car.
From the Ahr valley and northern Rhineland-Palatinate
For travellers from the Ahr valley, from Remagen, Sinzig or the Koblenz area, Cologne Bonn Airport is often the nearest larger airport. The route leads via the A61 or the B9 along the Rhine towards Bonn and then via the A59 to the airport. If you are travelling on the left bank of the Rhine, cross the Rhine in Bonn or use one of the ferries in the south, provided they operate at your time. Plan the Rhine crossing carefully, because the Bonn bridges are often busy during rush hour.
From the Sauerland
From the Sauerland, the route leads via the A45 and the A4 or via federal roads towards Cologne. Depending on where you start, Dortmund or Düsseldorf Airport may also be closer. What matters is where your flight departs from. If you fly from Cologne/Bonn, you should allow enough time for the journey from the Hochsauerland, especially in winter when snow and ice can slow the journey down.
From the Netherlands and Belgium
Travellers from neighbouring Netherlands and Belgium also use Cologne Bonn Airport, for example for certain destinations or airlines. From the Aachen direction, you take the A4 to Cologne and then the A59. Note that different traffic rules may apply in Germany than in your home country, for example regarding low-emission zones in cities. The airport itself is outside the Cologne low-emission zone, but it may be relevant on your way through the city. Find out about the rules in advance.
From the Westerwald and the Siebengebirge
From the Westerwald, the A3 leads towards Cologne, past Siegburg. From the Siebengebirge, the route leads via Königswinter and the Bonn Rhine bridges or via the A3 to the airport. The A3 between Siegburg and the east of Cologne is one of the busiest routes in the region. At peak times, congestion builds up quickly here. If you drive early in the morning or at the weekend, you usually get through quickly.
Car sharing from the surrounding area
If several people are travelling from the same place, car sharing can be worthwhile. One car instead of two saves parking costs and is better for the environment. With shuttle parking, check the provider's rules on passengers; with valet, the number of passengers is usually irrelevant. Agree beforehand who will drive and who will take care of the booking.
Using traffic information
For the journey from the surrounding area, it is worth checking traffic information. Satnavs with real-time data, radio traffic reports and apps show congestion and roadworks. Check them before setting off and on the way. If you know an alternative route, you can react quickly to congestion. Especially with early departures, overnight roadworks are a common cause of delays.
In brief
Cologne Bonn Airport is easy to reach from all directions. What matters is the right route, enough buffer and a look at the traffic situation. If you are travelling from further away, also check whether your flight does not also depart from a closer airport.
From Cologne itself: left and right bank
Even within Cologne, the routes differ. If you live on the right bank, for example in Mülheim, Kalk or Porz, you usually reach the airport without crossing the Rhine via city streets and the A59. If you live on the left bank, in Ehrenfeld, Nippes, Lindenthal or the Südstadt, you have to cross one of the bridges. The Zoo Bridge and the Severin Bridge are very busy at peak times, as are the motorway bridges in the north and south. For the Rhine crossing during rush hour, allow significantly more time than at night or at the weekend.
From Bonn: short distances, but not always
For people from Bonn, the airport is close. Via the A59 it can be reached in a short time from the city centre and from Beuel. If you live in Bad Godesberg or on the left bank of the Rhine, you first cross the Rhine. In the mornings, traffic towards Cologne on the A59 occasionally backs up. A look at the traffic situation before setting off is usually enough to arrive relaxed.
From the Euskirchen district and the Voreifel
From Euskirchen, Zülpich or Rheinbach, the A1 and the A61 lead towards Cologne or Bonn. From Bonn you continue via the A565 and the A59 to the airport; alternatively via the south of Cologne and the motorway bridge near Rodenkirchen. Which route is faster depends on the time of day. Check the traffic situation before setting off and follow the satnav with real-time data.
From the Rhein-Erft district
From Kerpen, Hürth, Frechen or Brühl, you reach the Cologne ring road via the A4 or the A1 and then cross the Rhine in the south of Cologne. At peak times this section is very busy. If you drive early in the morning, you usually get through quickly.
Have a good journey – whichever corner of the Rhineland you come from.
Tips for the journey
- Check the route with the traffic situation shortly before setting off.
- Keep the parking provider's phone number to hand.
- If you are delayed, let them know early – see frequently asked questions about delays on the way.
- After a night flight, drive home well rested.
Which parking offers at Cologne Bonn Airport can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on the page Parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport. More answers: Frequently asked questions about parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.
