When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Cologne?
It’s easier to find cheap flights to Cologne during the city’s low tourist season, which tends to be during the months of September through to March (excluding school and public holidays). The weather at this time of year is usually cool and crisp with a touch of frost, which is still beautiful weather for sightseeing, and you can avoid any sun-seeking tourists.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Cologne?
We advise you to book your Cologne flights about three months before your visit if you want to secure the best budget-friendly deals. However, if you are willing to take a chance, it is often possible to find cheaper last-minute flights. A great time for anyone to visit this bustling city is during the Cologne Festival, an amalgamation of festivities that kicks off in November, but reaches its mesmerising peak around Ash Wednesday every year.
Flying to Cologne Bonn International Airport (CGN)
Cologne Bonn International Airport (CGN) is the seventh-largest airport in Germany, handling over 12 million passengers each year and operating routes to 115 destinations in 35 countries worldwide. Situated southeast of Cologne and northeast of Bonn, CGN is a major transport hub for the entire Cologne-Bonn region.
When travelling from the United Kingdom (UK), there are a number of indirect and direct Cologne flights available, depending on your preferred departure airport. From London, the only direct return flights available are with Eurowings and Ryanair from Heathrow and Stansted. Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Airlines also depart from London airports, but each route includes a stopover. The only other direct flight routes from the UK are operated by Eurowings and Ryanair and leave from Manchester, whereas if you’d like to fly from airports like Birmingham, Glasgow and Liverpool, you’ll have to take an indirect flight to Cologne.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
As one of Germany’s only 24-hour airports, Cologne Bonn International Airport is fully equipped to cater to passengers at any hour. Upon arrival at one of the two terminals, you’ll be able to access its amenities, such as ATMs, currency exchanges, luggage storage lockers and mobile charging stations. In addition to these services, there are several shops (duty-free and otherwise) and a supermarket as well as restaurants, cafes, a pharmacy and a post office.
Getting to the City from Cologne Bonn International Airport (CGN)
CGN is located in the centre of the Cologne/Bonn region, about 15 kilometres from downtown Cologne and 16 kilometres from the city of Bonn, making it a great hub for both cities. The airport offers a number of transportation options for travelling to and from both areas, including taxis, car hires and local bus or rail services. Bus stops serving routes to both cities can be found outside both terminal buildings, and access to the Cologne Bonn Airport rail station can be accessed from the terminals as well. This railway station connects Cologne and Bonn to the airport via high speed, and it also provides links to other major German cities.
Why Visit Cologne?
A cultural and historical metropolis, Cologne is the fourth most populated city in Germany and a tourist favourite. Known as the ‘Cathedral City on the Rhine’, the Gothic World Heritage masterpiece that is the Cologne Cathedral is perhaps the most adored landmark by residents and visitors alike. A must-see for anyone who takes a trip to Cologne, the cathedral is affectionately known as ‘the eternal construction site’ as the structure took over 600 years to complete.
In addition to being rich in churches, Cologne is home to an abundance of must-see museums. Admire the exquisite work of a Pablo Picasso at the Museum Ludwig, take the time to visit Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum, a museum devoted entirely to chocolate, or get to know the area you’re visiting by stopping by the Museum of Köln City; the choice is entirely yours.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
British passport holders don’t need a visa to travel to any country in the EU – you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You just need to make sure that your passport has at least six months validity left, on the day you travel. However, if you are a non-EU national residing in the UK, it is possible that you might need a visa, depending on your country of origin. The official currency of Germany is the euro (€), which is easy to obtain either in the UK or during your visit.
