Cologne Bonn Airport Terminal 1 Map (Most Up-To-Date)
Cologne Bonn Airport Terminal 1 is a concrete, U-shaped landside hall feeding a central airside “Starwalk” hub that splits into two star-shaped gate piers (B and C). Everything important funnels toward the middle, especially the single security node in Starwalk, so orientation is basically “get to the center fast.” Located within Cologne’s main airport hub, Terminal 1 also sits directly above the rail station, with the correct platform-sector exit determining whether you surface near Concourse C or end up hiking over from Terminal 2.
Map Table
| Zone | Connection | Walk Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rail station exit “Terminal 1 / Bereich B–C” | Concourse C departures level | 5–7 min |
| Terminal 1 Entrance B/C doors | Central security in Starwalk | shortest |
| Central hub (post-security marketplace) | Pier B gates (B70–B73) | 4–5 min |
| Central hub (post-security marketplace) | Pier C + “The Lounge” area | ~2–3 min |
Cologne Bonn Airport Terminal 1 Map Strategy
- Treat Starwalk security as the non-negotiable choke point: build your buffer around it, and use CGNGateWay when you can to remove queue volatility from your plan.
- Avoid the split-workflow trap: Terminal 2 can look “easier,” but Terminal 1 security is centralized—enter via Terminal 1 (closest doors B/C) unless you are intentionally using the connector.
- De-risk levels early: rail starts deep (Level -2), and the wrong platform-sector exit can surface you in the wrong building; aim for “Terminal 1 / Bereich B–C” for the shortest climb into departures.
- Use pier-choice discipline after security: Pier B vs Pier C is a hard commitment—wrong pier means full backtrack through the central hub, so verify B/C signage before walking out into the star arms.
2026 Cologne Bonn Airport Terminal 1 Map + Printable PDF
Current operations still hinge on the centralized Terminal 1 security checkpoint in the Starwalk hall, so throughput changes (lane rotations, peak-hour surges) matter more here than in split-checkpoint airports. Ongoing security modernization (including CT-scanner lane impacts) makes the queue pattern less predictable, and CGNGateWay time-slot access is the single clean way to turn “unknown wait” into a controlled departure plan when printing a 2026 map.
2026 Cologne Bonn Airport Terminal 1 Map Guide
What is the exact walking distance from Terminal 2 check-in/bag drop to the Terminal 1 security entrance using the fastest indoor route?
Walking distance is 500 meters from Terminal 2 check-in (Departures Level) to the Terminal 1 security entrance in the Starwalk hall via the fastest indoor route.
The shortest path stays landside and fully indoors: start in the Terminal 2 check-in hall (Level 2), walk south to the covered connection corridor (Verbindungsgang), enter Terminal 1 near Concourse C check-in, then continue straight toward the geometric center where Starwalk begins and the single Terminal 1 security queue forms. This is a mandatory transfer leg that typically consumes 12–15 minutes with luggage and crowd friction, so the distance matters most when you’re trying to time-buffer the security choke point.
Where is the single main security checkpoint located in Terminal 1 relative to the primary landside entrances, and what are the two closest entry doors to reach it?
The single main security checkpoint is in the central Starwalk hall on the departures level, positioned between Piers B and C.
The closest landside approach is to enter Terminal 1 near the building’s geometric center rather than the far ends of the U-shaped hall. Door labeling on the curb is alphabetical, and the two nearest entry doors to reach the Starwalk security funnel are Entrance B and Entrance C. Entering from more distant doors (like A) adds a landside walk before you even join the single consolidated queue.
What is the fastest indoor connector route between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and what is the measured walking distance end-to-end?
The fastest indoor connector is the covered landside walkway (Verbindungsgang) linking Terminal 1 near Concourse C to the southern end of Terminal 2 on the departures level.
This route is fully landside and functions as the only reliable correction path between buildings for departing passengers. End-to-end walking distance is measured at roughly 450–500 meters, with real-world transit typically 12–15 minutes once you include crowd friction, signage hesitation, and luggage speed. The critical dealbreaker is that there is no usable airside connection for departures—clearing security in the wrong terminal forces an exit and re-screening cycle.
From the CGN train platform, which platform exit/entrance leads directly into Terminal 1, and what is the indoor path length from that entrance to Terminal 1 departures?
The platform exit marked “Terminal 1 / Bereich B–C” leads directly into Terminal 1, surfacing closest to Concourse C on the departures side.
The fastest path starts by moving along the platform toward sectors B/C, then taking the escalator/elevator signed for Terminal 1 (Bereich B–C) up from Level -2 to the station concourse (Level -1). Follow the blue “Abflug Terminal 1” signs to the next escalators up to the departures hall, where you emerge near Check-in Area C and the Starwalk approach. Total indoor path length from the platform to Terminal 1 departures is about 200 meters, typically 5–7 minutes with vertical transitions.
From the CGN train platform, which platform exit/entrance leads directly into Terminal 2, and what is the indoor path length from that entrance to Terminal 2 check-in?
The platform exit marked “Terminal 2 / Bereich D” leads directly into Terminal 2, emerging into the Terminal 2 basement connection.
The fastest approach is to position yourself toward platform sectors D/E before exiting, then take the escalator/elevator signed for Terminal 2 (Bereich D) up from Level -2. You’ll surface on the Terminal 2 lower level and use the main atrium escalators/elevators to reach the departures/check-in level, then walk into the check-in hall. Total indoor path length from the platform to Terminal 2 check-in is about 150 meters, typically 3–5 minutes including the vertical rise.
If a traveler enters the wrong terminal (Terminal 2) first, what is the fastest correction path to reach Terminal 1 security without backtracking outside?
The fastest correction path is the indoor landside connector walkway (Verbindungsgang) from Terminal 2 departures to Terminal 1 near Concourse C, then straight to Starwalk security.
Stay inside Terminal 2 and follow “Terminal 1” signs from the departures/check-in level toward the covered corridor. Walk the connector end-to-end into Terminal 1, entering near the Concourse C check-in area, then continue centrally to the Starwalk hall where the single security checkpoint queues. This avoids the curbside vehicle lanes and eliminates shuttle-bus waiting time; the walk is typically 10–12 minutes in motion and keeps you aligned for the Entrance B/C “center of building” approach to the checkpoint.
From Terminal 1 security, what is the distance to the furthest common gate pier (the longest walk after security), so travelers can set a worst-case buffer?
Walking distance is about 300 meters from Terminal 1 security to the furthest common pier tip in either Pier B or Pier C.
The route starts at the security exit into the central post-security marketplace, then continues through the glass connector into the chosen star-shaped pier and out to the farthest gate cluster at the tip. This is a physical worst-case walk of roughly 5 minutes, but the operational worst case is longer if your boarding pass shows a Bus Gate (often on lower levels near B10–B19-style zones). For bus gates, the walking distance stays short, yet you should add about 15 minutes of buffer because buses close earlier to allow tarmac drive time.
From the Terminal 1 security exit, what is the shortest route to Gates B70–B73, and what is the distance?
Distance is approximately 300 meters from the Terminal 1 security exit to Gates B70–B73 via the shortest route through Pier B.
Exit security into the central airside marketplace (Starwalk), then turn left toward the Pier B connector. Cross the glass bridge into the B star-shaped pier, continue through the pier’s center, and walk out to the far tip where the B70–B73 cluster sits (often associated with the smoking lounge area near Cafetiero). Typical walking time is 4–5 minutes, and the main error to avoid is entering Pier C first—there’s no shortcut between the star piers without returning to the central hub.
Where is “The Lounge” (Terminal 1) located relative to the main post-security circulation path, and what is the shortest route from security to its entrance?
“The Lounge” is on the Pier C side, positioned off the main post-security circulation path leading from the Starwalk marketplace toward the C gates.
From the Terminal 1 security exit, enter the central airside hall and turn right toward Pier C. Follow the lounge signage as you approach the C-side connector corridor/entrance area, staying near the main flow rather than walking deep into the pier first. The shortest route is about 150 meters from the checkpoint exit to the lounge entrance, typically a 2–3 minute walk if the central marketplace area isn’t congested.
Where are the Terminal 1 baggage claim belts positioned relative to the rail station access and main arrivals exit, and what is the shortest path to each?
Terminal 1 baggage claim belts sit on the arrivals level flanking the central axis above the rail station, with the rail access reached by going inward to the central escalators rather than out to the curb.
After collecting bags, pass through the customs exit doors into the public arrivals hall. For trains, turn toward the interior/center of the hall and follow “Bahnhof / Train Station” signs to the main escalator bank that drops two levels (Arrivals Level 0 → Level -1 → Level -2). This route is about 150–200 meters from the customs doors to the platform edge. For curbside pickup, use the main arrivals exit: walk straight to the glass sliding doors and step directly onto the arrivals curb.
For arrivals pickup, where is the Terminal 1 arrivals curb/meeting point located on the map, and what is the shortest indoor route from baggage claim to curb exit?
The Terminal 1 arrivals curb/meeting point is immediately outside the main arrivals hall exit doors on the ground level.
From Terminal 1 baggage claim, collect your bag and walk to the customs exit (green/red channel) into the public arrivals hall. Continue straight toward the glass sliding doors facing the roadway and step out to the curb pickup lane; there’s no internal detour or separate building. The shortest indoor route runs essentially in a straight line from the baggage claim exit into the arrivals hall and out to curbside, about 50 meters from the customs doors to the curb exit.
For arrivals pickup, where is the Terminal 2 arrivals curb/meeting point located on the map, and what is the shortest indoor route from baggage claim to curb exit?
The Terminal 2 arrivals curb/meeting point is directly outside the main Terminal 2 arrivals exit doors on the ground floor.
From Terminal 2 baggage claim, exit through customs into the public arrivals area and walk straight forward to the main exterior doors facing the roadway. Terminal 2’s layout is shallow and direct, so the indoor segment is minimal and typically free of level changes. The shortest indoor route from the baggage claim exit to the curbside doors is about 30–40 meters, making it one of the quickest “bags-to-curb” loops at CGN.
Where are the nearest restrooms immediately after Terminal 1 security, and what is the shortest route to them from the checkpoint exit?
Restrooms are immediately adjacent to the Duty Free/marketplace frontage in the central airside hall, about 40 meters from the Terminal 1 security exit.
After you clear the security lanes, you enter the Starwalk post-security marketplace. Don’t commit into Pier B or Pier C first—stay in the central hub and walk straight ahead with a slight lateral move toward the Duty Free/Travel Value shops. The restroom icons are located right in this central distribution zone, flanking the main circulation area near the pier connectors, so you can reach them in under a minute without entering either star pier.
Archive Cologne Bonn Airport Terminal 1 Map
Below are all historical map versions for Cologne Bonn Airport. Each year includes the official map available for that period, presented as both WebP and PDF.
2023-2025 Cologne Bonn Airport Terminal 1 Map (Official 2023 Edition)
