How to get there
Smooth Journey: How to Travel from North America to Cologne
Updated Mar 09, 2025
Reach Cologne via flights to Frankfurt or Düsseldorf, then take a short train ride. Some direct flights to Cologne-Bonn Airport are available.
Overview
Ease of getting there
Traveling to Cologne from North America is straightforward. Most visitors fly into Frankfurt Airport, Germany's largest international hub. Direct flights are available from major US and Canadian cities. From Frankfurt, high-speed trains reach Cologne in about an hour. Alternatively, some travelers opt for flights to Düsseldorf Airport, just 45 minutes from Cologne by train. For a scenic route, consider flying into Amsterdam and taking a train through the Dutch and German countryside. Cologne-Bonn Airport serves some North American routes, offering the most direct option when available. Regardless of your entry point, efficient public transportation makes the final leg to Cologne easy and comfortable.
Customs and immigration
Germany uses automated border control gates for EU/EEA/Swiss passports. US and Canadian travelers typically use staffed booths. Processing is generally quick, often under 30 minutes. Have your passport and completed arrival card ready. Customs declarations are usually made by simply walking through the appropriate channel.
Flights from the US / Canada
Frankfurt Airport receives daily flights from New York, Chicago, Toronto, and other major North American cities on Lufthansa, United, and Air Canada. Düsseldorf and Cologne-Bonn airports offer fewer direct flights but are serviced by major carriers and budget airlines.
From airport to city center
From Frankfurt Airport, take the ICE high-speed train directly to Cologne Hauptbahnhof in about an hour. From Düsseldorf, regional trains reach Cologne in 45 minutes. Cologne-Bonn Airport connects to the city center via S-Bahn train in 15 minutes.
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