Car Rental at Cologne Bonn Airport

Airport travel guide

Shared between the former German capital and the largest city of North Rhine–Westphalia, Cologne–Bonn Airport serves an important part of the country. These are three of the most interesting places to visit in the area:

• Cologne. Proud, cozy, but also very tech-savvy, Cologne mixes tradition and modernity to great effect. The city’s landmark number one, two, and three is naturally its imposing cathedral, but there are plenty of other buildings, cultural institutions, and entertainment venues to enjoy (check out the Belgian Quarter, the city’s most free-thinking area). Cologne’s city center is only about a 15-minute drive northwest of the airport.
• Düsseldorf. The capital of the North Rhine-Westphalia is often seen as a rival of Cologne, so it’s up to you to visit both and decide which one you like better. A large city with a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere, Düsseldorf charms visitors with its elegant shopping boulevard, the market of Carlsplatz, and unique areas like the Japanese Quarter. The drive from Cologne-Bonn Airport takes only about an hour.
• Bonn. Although considerably smaller than its two aforementioned neighbors, it was Bonn that was the capital of West Germany until 1990 and the reunification of Berlin and the rest of the country. Still maintaining some of its political importance, it is also home to attractions like the Beethoven Monument (arguably the city’s most famous son) and Poppelsdorfer Palace and Botanical Gardens. The drive from Cologne-Bonn Airport will take only about 20 minutes.
• Essen. The Ruhr region has historically been known for its steelworks, mines, and other industrial legacy, and there is perhaps no place that embodies it better than the neighboring city of Essen. The best place to learn about this relatively recent, but defining heritage is Zeche Zollverein, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a complex of museums in what has been called the most beautiful mine in the world. Essen is also known for its Bauhaus architecture and the more classically pleasing Villa Hügel on the coast of Lake Baldeney. The drive from the airport to Essen only takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
• Aachen. Equally famous for its high-quality universities and many spas, Aachen is rightfully considered one of the most enjoyable cities in this part of Germany. Located on the border with the Netherlands and Belgium, it is also only a short drive from the equally interesting cities of Maastricht and Liege which can be visited on the same trip (although make sure to ask the rental car supplier in advance if they permit you crossing the border). The drive from Cologne–Bonn Airport to Aachen takes only an hour.

Top international routes

• Palma de Mallorca
• Munich
• Antalya
• Istanbul
• London
• Vienna
• Milan
• Berlin

Main airlines

Eurowings, Ryanair, TUI fly Deutschland, Condor, Wizz Air, and Pegasus Airlines

Terminals

The two airport terminals, T1 and T2, are connected to each other by a walkway, and you can easily move between them.

Location

Cologne Bonn Airport is about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of central Cologne and about 22 km (14 mi) northeast of central Bonn. A59, A559, Östliche Zubringerstraße, and Opladener Strasse are the main roads connecting the airport to Cologne. A59, A565, Heinrich-Böll-Ring, and Thomastraße are the main roads connecting the airport to Bonn. Aachen, Liège, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Frankfurt, and Eindhoven can all be reached in two hours or less by car.

Most popular types of rental car

• Vans - from $94 per day
• Small cars - from $37 per day
• Medium cars - from $38 per day
• Large cars - from $35 per day
• SUVs - from $37 per day
• Station wagons - from $48 per day
• Premium cars - from $82 per day
• Convertibles - from $159 per day

Car rental desks

Most are in the arrivals areas. The exact location of your car rental provider's desk will be listed on your Confirmation Voucher.

Services and facilities

You’ll find restaurants, cafeterias, bars, and a supermarket, as well as a variety of shops, including duty-free shops in both terminals for passengers leaving the EU. There are also ATMs, a currency exchange, an airport medical center, a dental clinic, a pharmacy, a massage center, an observation deck, and a post office. There are also airport tours, including night tours, which are available on request. The airport is well-equipped for travelers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

Total Tankstelle, at Nordallee 2, can be reached in about two minutes and is open 24/7. There are many other gas stations near Cologne Bonn Airport and on the way to both Cologne and Bonn.

Popular one-way rentals

• Frankfurt (180 km / 112 miles)
• Essen (75 km / 47 miles)
• Dortmund (98 km / 61 miles)
• Duisburg (77 km / 48 miles)
• Aachen (92 km / 57 miles)
• Mannheim (236 km / 147 miles)
• Antwerp (219 km / 136 miles)
• Münster (160 km / 99 miles)