Back at Cologne/Bonn Airport: your way from the baggage belt to your car

Whether the plane touches down at Cologne/Bonn in the afternoon or in the middle of the night: afterwards you want to get home as quickly as possible. Because the airport operates around the clock, a particularly large number of travellers experience late arrivals here. To make sure the return of your car still goes smoothly, it helps to know the procedure – and the special cases.

After touchdown

You leave the aircraft via a jet bridge or by bus. From Schengen countries you go to baggage reclaim; from non-Schengen countries you first pass through passport control. Then you pass through customs. At night this can be very quick – or take a while if several holiday flights land at the same time.

Contacting the provider

Follow the instructions in your confirmation. Often you call as soon as you have your luggage. Some providers plan using the flight number. In the event of delays – especially for landings shortly before the end of opening hours – you should let them know early; see frequently asked questions about a delayed return flight.

Valet

The driver brings the car to the meeting point. Take the key, walk around the car once, drive off. More: Valet parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Shuttle

You go to the pick-up point and ride to the car park. At night, shuttles sometimes run on request – get in touch in good time. More: Shuttle parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

The quick check

• Walk around the car – with a light at night
• Compare with the handover photos
• Mileage and fuel gauge
• Report anything unusual on the spot immediately

More: Vehicle handover at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Special cases

Landing after closing time: if you clarified in advance that your provider also returns cars later, everything is fine. If not, call as early as possible. More: Night flights and parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

Luggage missing: report the loss at the baggage desk, inform the provider.

Diversion or cancellation: inform the provider immediately; additional parking days are possible. See frequently asked questions about a cancelled flight.

Nobody reachable: call again, send a message, for Friend-Park bookings contact support – see frequently asked questions about an unreachable provider.

Collection by another person

Sometimes it is not the traveller who collects the car – for example if a family member flies back earlier. Clarify this beforehand with the provider: may another person take over the vehicle, and what proof do they need? Without prior agreement, a reputable provider will not hand the car over to third parties. If possible, enter the name of the person collecting the car in the notes field when booking and give them the booking number.

After midnight at Cologne Bonn Airport

Many return flights from holiday regions land at Cologne/Bonn late in the evening or after midnight. The airport is quieter then, some shops and restaurants are closed, and the walking routes seem longer. Follow the signs to baggage reclaim and the exits. When you contact the provider, state your flight number and name. With valet the driver brings the car to the meeting point; with a shuttle you call or go to the pick-up point. If you clarified in advance that the provider works at this time, the return goes just as it does during the day.

Passport control and customs

If you are coming from a country outside the Schengen area, such as Turkey, Egypt or the United Kingdom, you pass through passport control before baggage reclaim. Then you go through customs: green exit if you have nothing to declare, red exit for goods above the duty-free allowances. Both can take time, especially if several flights arrive at the same time. Only contact the provider once you have completed these steps.

When several planes land at the same time

During the holidays, several holiday flights often land in the evening one shortly after the other. Then many travellers are waiting for their cars or the shuttle at the same time. Be patient and follow the provider's instructions. Whoever gets their luggage first is not necessarily first in line – the order often depends on when you contacted the provider. A short message right after disembarking can help.

The car after a long time parked

After a long trip, a quick check is worthwhile: tyre pressure, lights, windows. In winter the car may be iced up; in summer the interior is hot. Leave the doors open briefly before driving off, or switch on the air conditioning. The first few braking manoeuvres may be a little rough due to surface rust; this is normal and quickly disappears.

Making the drive home safe

After a long day of travel, tiredness is the greatest risk on the drive home. If you don't feel fit, you shouldn't drive. Take turns, take a break or, if in doubt, stay overnight near the airport. The A59 and the A3 are usually clear at night, but overnight roadworks may require diversions. Check the traffic situation before setting off and set your satnav to your home address.

After the trip

Once you are home, check the car again in daylight. If you notice damage that you missed at the return, report it to the provider in writing immediately, with photos and your booking number. Keep the invoice and handover photos until everything has been resolved. And if everything went well, an honest review helps other travellers choose.

In brief

Returning to Cologne Bonn Airport takes just a few steps: collect your luggage, contact the provider, check the car, set off well rested. At night in particular, preparation at the time of booking counts – then your car will be waiting, even if the plane only lands after midnight.

If the shuttle is full

In high season, a shuttle may already be full and you have to wait for the next one. This is annoying but usually a matter of a few minutes. Stay at the pick-up point so the driver can see you, and keep your phone to hand in case the provider calls. With lots of luggage or children, it is worth telling the provider when you get in touch. That way they can plan better.

An example of the return

A family lands at 23:20 from Hurghada in Terminal 1. After passport control and baggage reclaim it is 00:05. The family contacts the valet provider, who has already been tracking the flight number. At 00:15 the car is at the meeting point; at 00:20 the family drives home via the A59. Because the return time was chosen generously when booking and the night service had been clarified, everything goes without waiting. The times are an example; they may differ for your trip.

If someone else collects the car

Sometimes the traveller cannot collect their car themselves, for example because they are ill or taking a different return flight. Then the person collecting the car must be known to the provider. Inform the provider in writing in advance with the person's name and mobile number, and give them the booking confirmation and, if necessary, proof of identity or a letter of authority. Without this clarification, the provider may not hand over the car for security reasons.

Checklist for the return

• Provider notified after baggage reclaim and customs
• Meeting point or shuttle pick-up point known
• Walk around the car with a light and photos
• Mileage compared with the handover photo
• Set off well rested and with the traffic situation checked

Little helpers for the return

A few things make the return noticeably easier: a charged power bank for the call to the provider, a warm jacket in your hand luggage in the cold season, water and a small snack for the drive home. If you have these little things with you, you will start the last stage of the trip relaxed after landing – from the terminal to your own front door.

The drive home

The A59 takes you towards Cologne or Bonn. After a long day, take a breather before you set off; watch out for roadworks at night. If you are driving further into the surrounding area, plan a break.

Everything about parking at Cologne Bonn Airport – and whether offers can be booked via Friend-Park – can be found on the page Parking at Cologne/Bonn Airport.