Cologne Airport luggage storage

About the airport 

Cologne doesn’t enjoy the distinction and reputation that Munich and Berlin have, but this city’s charm and history make it a worthy stop on any trip to Germany. One can (rightly) argue it merits its own trip. This city on the Rhine offers much in the way of historic charm. The distinctive Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, headlines the city’s historic offerings, and its massive size, stained glass windows, and Gothic architecture absolutely don’t disappoint. 

Cologne is famous for its Carnival festival during the early spring. It’s highly reminiscent of New Orleans’ Mardis Gras, as this colorful party spills out from the beer halls onto the street, and the whole city is engulfed in the revelry. While the city may seem geared towards the traditional, Cologne’s lively student and yuppie populations have made neighborhoods like Ehrenfield worthy cultural destinations. 

Many travelers will arrive in the city via train from France or other German cities, but Cologne is served by multiple airports. There is the international hub Flughafen Düsseldorf nearby, which has the most international connections of any airport in the region and is connected via train to Cologne’s city center. There’s also Cologne Bonn Airport, which directly serves the city and is only located a few miles from downtown. It’s well connected via tram or train, and the trip into the city center takes less than 30 minutes.

Are there lockers at Cologne Airport?

The only option for luggage storage Cologne Bonn Airport has would be a small number of luggage lockers. While these aren’t the most extensive luggage storage facilities, they can be convenient for quick layovers. This does assume that they’re available, which unfortunately isn't always the case. It’s a common event that travelers looking to store luggage for a few hours are forced to look into alternative luggage storage options in the city center. 

Where can you leave luggage in Cologne?

Some shopping centers or transit stops will have a left luggage facility, but these aren’t always reliable. Sometimes they’re not secure or will be filled up due to lack of inventory. Travelers looking to store their personal belongings safely have been turning to luggage storage services for their convenient access to secure locations along with useful features like customer support and mobile apps. The best luggage storage Cologne has available is through Bounce, where you can store your luggage for a few hours, an entire day, and beyond.

Are there lockers in Cologne station?

Like most train stations in Germany, Cologne Hauptbahnhof does have a limited number of lockers available to rent for about $5 per day. They do have strict policies about the amount of time you’re allowed to rent these for, and there won’t be much in the way of customer service. 

Where are the best luggage storage facilities in Cologne? 

Easily your best option for luggage storage in Cologne, Bounce offers the most convenient locations along with premium features that make the experience as easy as it gets. Bounce partners with local shops and businesses throughout cities like Cologne, so each luggage baggage storage facility will be staffed by a helpful (and friendly, given it’s Cologne) professional. 

How to get to the city from Cologne Bonn Airport 

It’s fairly easy to get to and from the city center when visiting Cologne, thanks to the city's highly efficient Intercity-Express (ICE) railway station that’s situated right outside the main terminals. These provide access to the S-Bahn trains that service the entire city and beyond. There are also numerous car rental companies operating out of Cologne Bonn Airport that open up the region to travelers looking to utilize the Autobahn. Here are a few of the quickest ways to get to and from the airport: 

• Bus: From Cologne - Messe Deutz (across the river from the main travel hotspot and Cologne Hauptbahnhof) you can use the #161 Bus. This will provide access to Cologne Lanxess Arena if you’re in town for a concert or sports event. From Messe Deutz, the rest of the city will be your oyster via the expansive bus network. A bus ride only costs about $3. 
• Train: The S19 Train that runs through the city is the most popular way to get to the top attractions in Cologne, with the trip only taking 30 minutes and costing $3. You’ll notice the S19 runs to Dusseldorf and its large international airport, making it an ideal way to make connections. The RE6 Train via the Rhein Weser Express (RE 6) regional service route is another quick way to get between Hauptbahnhof (main Cologne train station) and the airport. The trip takes about 28 minutes and costs $5. 
• Taxi and rideshare: To get to the city center from the airport, you can always hail a cab or use a rideshare app. Uber and Lyft are the most common services, and taxis are readily available at the arrivals terminal. The average ride to the area around Cologne Cathedral and Hauptbahnhof (where most of the hotels are situated) will cost around $50 to $70 and take about 25 minutes or less. 

Things to do near Cologne Bonn Airport 

Cologne Cathedral 

Easily the most popular and culturally significant landmark in Cologne, the Kölner Dom is a can’t-miss experience. Luckily, it’s right in the heart of Cologne only steps away from the Hauptbahnhof, so admiring this Gothic masterpiece is as simple as it gets. The largest cathedral in Germany boasts looming towers topped with twin spires that make it visible from the rest of the city. These were once the tallest structures in Europe until the Eiffel Tower was built.

Touring the interior is a must, with the remarkable stained glass windows cresting the ‘symphony of light’ every afternoon when the light hits just right. The Shrine of the Three Kings is the centerpiece, a bejeweled gold sarcophagus that (according to legend) holds the remains of the kings who were present at Jesus’s birth. Don’t miss the chance to climb the south tower for epic views of the city and river. 

Cologne Cathedral bag policy 

All luggage (including roller bags, suitcases, duffles, rucksacks, and even backpacks) is prohibited inside the cathedral. It wouldn’t be ideal to bring them in any case because there are stairways leading to certain parts of the cathedral. Because it’s a church, there aren’t lockers or a cloakroom onsite. 

Museum Ludwig 

This popular art museum is situated right near Hauptbahnhof, so it’s an easy first stop on your way into the city center from the airport. Some of the names represented on these walls will impress even casual art fans. We’re talking about abstract works from Rothko and Pollock. Fans of classic and expressionist work will enjoy paintings from Beckmann, Kirchner, and Picasso. Need some color in your life? Try not to be energized by a whole suite of art from Roy Lichtenstein and the effortlessly cool Warhol paintings on display. There’s also an impressive array of photography from German legends Andreas Gursky and Wolfgang Tillmanns. 

Museum Ludwig bag policy 

All larger items (backpacks, roller bags, suitcases) larger than a small handbag have to be left in the cloakroom along with bulky coats and rain jackets. There isn’t a fee associated with the use of the cloakroom, but there’s often a line, so it’s advisable to store your belongings elsewhere to save time. 

The Hohenzollern Bridge 

This mighty bridge connecting both sides of Cologne is the most used railway bridge in Germany, and there’s a walkway providing some of the best views of the city. The Hohenzollernbrücke spans the Rhine’s full width near the best parts of Cologne. You’ll have an impeccable vantage point of the Cathedral and waterfront from the middle of the bridge. It’s a beautiful structure built with appealing painted steel that transcends its industrial nature. Curiously, there are thousands of “love locks” fixed to the bridge by lovers looking to make a romantic gesture in the most Instagrammable place possible.  

Chocolate Museum 

Willy Wonka jokes aside, one of Cologne's best attractions is a museum dedicated to this delectable sweet treat. Skeptics might question the cocoa plant’s ability to justify an entire museum, but with over 5,000 years of chocolatey goodness to explore, there’s a lot to unpack. This plant grows in many corners of the globe, and there are exhibits dedicated to its early cultivation in Africa and pre-Columbian cultures in the Americas. There’s even an indoor palm house where visitors can see and smell the plants that give us the mighty cocoa bean. There is also antique chocolate production equipment and a recreation of an old workshop where chocolate was made in the early industrial period. Fascinating and delicious, indeed.

Chocolate Museum bag policy 

For sanitary reasons (it’s literally a chocolate factory) most items aren’t allowed inside the museum, and this includes all luggage. There is a cloakroom located in the foyer at the entrance. They’ll store your small items for $2 and families or groups can pay $6 for multiple items. There are no self-service lockers available. 

Luggage storage near Cologne Bonn Airport 

If you want to find luggage storage near Cologne, look no further than Bounce. But you don’t have to stop looking in Cologne, either. Bounce also offers luggage storage locations in major cities like Munich, Stuttgart, and Berlin, so your trip through Deutschland is covered!