Airport location, terminals and transportation
Cologne Airport is an international airport, located in the suburbs of the city, in the nature reserve. The airport is situated halfway between Cologne and Bonn, at a distance of 15-16 kilometres from each city. The airport is often referred to as Cologne Bonn Airport, but it is also known as Konrad Adenauer Airport. Cologne Bonn Airport was put into operation in 1938. This airport is one of the major aviation hubs of Germany. A large proportion of the flights handled by the airport are low cost passenger ones. Besides, it is the third-largest airport in terms of cargo operations. The airport encompasses 2 passenger terminals, 1 terminal for business and private aviation flights and 3 runways. The airport services about 15 million people a year on a round-the-clock basis.
The airport is connected to Cologne as well as to other localities of the region and Europe by high-speed motorways, railway and public buses (number 161 and SB 60). There is an underground railway station (ICE Station) in the territory of the air terminal. It is placed between Terminals 1 and 2. Information counters, where the airport transport schedule can be found, are located in the arrival hall of Terminal 2. The taxi service is positioned in the departure area of Terminal 1 and the arrival area of Terminal 2. Travellers can order a transfer from the airport or hotel. In addition, car sharing services are available.
Rental offices, how to find them, where to return car
Several international car rental companies offer their services at Cologne Bonn Airport. The following firms provide their services in the territory of the airport: Avis, Budget, Buchbinder rent a car, Global, Enterprise rent a car, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Inter rent, and Thrifty. The information desks and car rental facilities are placed at the exit from the arrival area (level D) of T2, next to the baggage claim hall. The offices of the companies do not operate round the clock. The car rental facilities start working between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. (depending on the company) and are open until 11 p.m. The only company that serves customers at night (Europcar) closes at 3 a.m.
The rental terms and conditions of some companies include limited mileage (the limit is set by the company). In accordance with fuel policy of most companies, clients pick up and return rental vehicles with a full tank. The rental cars are collected and returned at the airport. The firms accept only credit cards for payment. The driver's minimum age is set by the car rental company (18 or 21 years old). In order to conclude a rental agreement, one is required to present a passport, a driver's license and a credit card. The sum of the security deposit and the deductible depends on the company and the class of vehicle.
Long-term and short-term parking, hotels nearby
Cologne Bonn Airport offers three parking garages (P1 – P3), and general car park P-Nord (Parkplatz Nord), with approximately 12,500 parking spaces in total. A parking space can be reserved in advance. Parking garages 1 and 2 are positioned beside the terminals, and car parks P3 and P-Nord are situated within walking distance.
Several hotels are nestled beside the airport. These are the Leonardo Airport, which lies at a distance less than 1 kilometre, the New Yorker, the Art of Comfort Haus Ingeborg, and the Spiegel which are found within 1-2 kilometres of the air terminal.