Bonn is a straightforward city to visit: compact, English-friendly, and well-connected by train. You are most likely to fly into Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), which is 20km north of the city center, or arrive by train at Bonn Hauptbahnhof from Cologne (25 minutes), Frankfurt (1 hour), or Düsseldorf (45 minutes). See our where to stay in Bonn for more details. Here is the practical information you need for a smooth trip.
Bonn Travel Tips: Getting Here
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to the City Center
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is 20km north of central Bonn. The SB60 express bus runs from the airport terminal to Bonn Hauptbahnhof every 30 minutes between 5:00 and 23:30. The journey takes 30 minutes and costs €8.50 (pay the driver in cash or card). A taxi from CGN to the Altstadt costs €35-45 and takes 25 minutes. There is no direct train; you would need to change at Cologne Hbf or Siegburg/Bonn ICE station, which takes longer than the bus. Uber operates in the Bonn-Cologne region (approximately €30-40 from CGN). Airlines using CGN include Eurowings (main base), Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, and Pegasus. See our best neighborhoods in Bonn for more details. Terminal facilities include a 24-hour REWE supermarket and free WiFi for 24 hours.
Arriving by Train
Bonn Hauptbahnhof is at the southern edge of the Altstadt. Regional trains (RE, RB) connect to Cologne Hbf in 22-28 minutes (€12.40 one-way), Düsseldorf in 45-60 minutes, and Koblenz in 40 minutes. Long-distance ICE trains stop at Siegburg/Bonn station, 12km northeast of the center; tram line 66 takes 25 minutes from Siegburg to Bonn Hauptbahnhof (included with your ICE ticket). See our Bonn events and festivals for more details. The station has luggage lockers (€2-4 per 24 hours), a DB service center, and a REWE To Go open until 23:00.
Bonn Travel Tips: Getting Around
Public Transport (SWB)
Bonn’s Stadtwerke Bonn (SWB) runs trams and buses. Lines 16, 18, 63, 66, 67, and 68 connect the Altstadt to Bad Godesberg, the Museum Mile, and Cologne (line 16 and 18 run to Cologne Neumarkt). A single ticket (EinzelTicket) costs €3.10 for zone 1B (covers the entire city). A day pass (TagesTicket) costs €8.10 for one person, €15.80 for up to 5 people (GruppenTicket). Buy tickets from machines at tram stops (English menu, cash and card). Validate by stamping in the orange box before boarding. Fare inspectors operate in plain clothes; the fine is €60. See our things to do in Bonn for more details. Most trams run from approximately 4:30 to 1:00; night buses (NachtBus) operate on Friday and Saturday nights on 8 lines.
Biking and Walking
Bonn is flat, compact, and bike-friendly with 200km of cycle paths. The Rhine cycle path (EuroVelo 15) passes through the city. Nextbike operates bike-share: €1 per 30 minutes or €9 for a 24-hour pass (download the Nextbike app). Walking covers the entire Altstadt and Südstadt; the historic core is about 1.5km across. See our best time to visit Bonn for more details. Most visitors will not need public transport unless heading to Bad Godesberg or the Museum Mile from the Altstadt.
Bonn Travel Tips: Practical Information
Money and Payment
Germany uses the euro (€). Bonn is more cash-friendly than Berlin or Hamburg: smaller restaurants, bakeries, and market stalls often only accept cash or EC-Karte (German debit card). Bring €50-100 in cash. Contactless Visa and Mastercard work at hotels, chain restaurants, museums, and major stores. ATMs from Sparkasse KölnBonn, Deutsche Bank, and Commerzbank charge no local fees. Avoid blue-and-yellow Euronet ATMs which charge €4-5 per withdrawal. See our Bonn weather by month for more details. Tipping is 5-10% in restaurants, handed directly to the server when paying.
Language
German is the official language. In the Altstadt, Museum Mile, and hotels, English is spoken comfortably. In residential neighborhoods, bakeries, and smaller restaurants in Beuel or Bad Godesberg, English may be limited. Useful phrases: Hallo (hello), Tschüss (bye), Bitte (please), Danke (thank you), Die Rechnung bitte (the bill please), Sprechen Sie Englisch? See our Bonn travel guide for more details. (do you speak English?).
Tap Water
Tap water in Bonn is safe, clean, and comes from the Wahnbachtalsperre reservoir in the Siebengebirge. Restaurants are not required to serve free tap water and most will not unless you order another drink. Ask for Leitungswasser. Public fountains on the Marktplatz and Münsterplatz operate May through October. Carry a reusable bottle.
Safety
Bonn is a safe city by international standards. Violent crime is rare. The area around the Hauptbahnhof (Quantiusstrasse side) attracts street drinkers after midnight; use the main Altstadt entrance instead. The Rheinaue Park is poorly lit at night. Pickpocketing occurs at Karneval and Christmas market crowds; keep valuables in inside pockets. Emergency numbers: police 110, medical 112. The University Hospital Bonn (Universitätsklinikum Bonn) on Venusberg has a 24-hour emergency room.
Bonn Travel Tips: FAQ
How many days do I need in Bonn?
Two full days covers the main sights: day one for the Altstadt, Beethoven-Haus, pick 2 of the 5 Museum Mile museums, and the Rhine promenade; day two for the Drachenfels and Siebengebirge hike or the Ahr Valley wine trail. Add a third day to visit all five museums or do a day trip to Cologne. Bonn works well as a base for Cologne while paying €20-40 less per night on hotels.
Do I need a visa for Germany?
Germany is part of the Schengen Area. US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, and South Korean passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. From 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) requires online pre-registration (€7, valid for 3 years) for visa-exempt travelers. Check auswaertiges-amt.de for current requirements for your nationality.
Where do I get a SIM card or mobile data?
Prepaid SIM cards are available at Vodafone, Telekom, and O2 shops on Poststrasse near the Münsterplatz. Registration requires a passport and a German address (your hotel works). Aldi Talk and Lidl Connect offer the cheapest prepaid data: 6GB for €10, 12GB for €15 on the O2 network. Buy the starter pack at the supermarket checkout, then activate online via video ID verification (15 minutes, available in English). eSIM providers like Airalo and Holafly offer Germany-only data plans (1GB for US$5, 5GB for US$16) that activate instantly.
Is Bonn accessible for travelers with disabilities?
Most tram stops and all SWB trams are wheelchair-accessible with level boarding. The Museum Mile museums all have lifts and accessible toilets. The Beethoven-Haus has a stair-lift to the first floor but the attic rooms are only accessible by stairs (a video tour is available on a tablet at the ticket desk). The Drachenfelsbahn cog railway can carry one wheelchair per trip. Cobblestone streets in the Altstadt are bumpy but most have smooth side strips.
Bonn Travel Tips: Suggested Hotels in Bonn
Kameha Grand Bonn
Bonn’s only 5-star hotel sits directly on the Rhine in Bad Godesberg with a rooftop pool, full-service spa, and four restaurants. The 254 rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary design. Best for luxury travelers, honeymoons, and special occasions. Check rates and availability
Sternhotel Bonn
Historic family-run hotel on the Marktplatz in the heart of the Altstadt. Walk out the front door to the Altes Rathaus and the Christmas market. Best for first-time visitors who want the most central location. Check rates and availability
Motel One Bonn-Hauptbahnhof
Design-budget chain hotel directly at the train station with compact well-designed rooms and a 24-hour lobby bar. 25 minutes to Cologne by train. Best for solo travelers, business stopovers, and Cologne day trips. Check rates and availability
