Day trip to Cologne.
From London Stansted, back by 21:45.
Germany·Sat 28 Nov · 9.5 hours on the ground
Day Trip Flight Details
Time in the city
9.5 hours
after transfersAfter transfers and airport time
Airport distance
15km
to the centreFrom Cologne centre (CGN)
Daylight
8.4 hours
08:06 to 16:32Sunrise 08:06, sunset 16:32
07:40
Leave London Stansted
1h 15min
10:10
In the city
Lands 09:55, 15min from the airport
19:40
Leave the city
15min back, 90min at the airport
21:45
Back in London Stansted
Flies 21:25
- Leave London Stansted07:40
- Land in Cologne1h 15min09:55
- In the city15min from the airport10:10
- Leave the city15min back, 90min at the airport19:40
- Fly home1h 15min21:25
- Back in London Stansted21:45
Typical weather for this date
7°C
average high
2°C
average low
6 in 10
years it rained
This date is too far out to forecast. These are Cologne's actual figures for the same date across the last 10 years.
Football in Cologne that day
Bundesliga · RheinEnergieStadion
Prices are a rough floor for a normal league game and kickoff times can move for TV.
On in Cologne that day
Music
Music
Only events that start while you are still in the city. Listings from Ticketmaster.
Christmas markets in Cologne
Markt der Herzen (Cathedral)16 Nov - 23 Dec 2026Open on Sat 28 Nov, 10:00 to 22:00.
Works as a day trip
You're in Cologne 10:10 to 19:40 and the market is open all of it. About 3 hours of that is after dark.
Open: Every day, Sun-Wed 11:00-21:00, Thu-Fri 11:00-22:00, Sat 10:00-22:00
Closed by 24 Dec (last day 23 Dec)
Entry: not confirmed yet
Where: By Cologne Cathedral
Heinzels Wintermärchen (Heumarkt)23 Nov 2026 - 10 Jan 2027Open on Sat 28 Nov, 11:00 to 22:00.
Works as a day trip
You're in Cologne 10:10 to 19:40 and the market is open from 11:00. About 3 hours of that is after dark.
Open: Every day, 11:00-22:00 daily (31 Dec-10 Jan until 21:00)
Closed on 24 Dec
Entry: not confirmed yet
Where: Heumarkt and Alter Markt
Photo: Corradox, CC BY-SA 4.0
To Cologne from other airports
- ManchesterFri
Fri out 11:00, back 20:40
From £110, cheapest seen on this route, checked 25 Sep
What a day in Cologne costs
Flights and on-the-ground spend, per person.
£79/ all in, per person
Entry fees, on top (optional)
Month low
Estimates based on average costs. Actual spend may vary.
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Ask about Cologne
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Tips from day trippers
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Comments
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Other day trips from London Stansted
Before you book
How long do you actually get in Cologne?
About 11.5 hours on the ground, measured from landing to the time you have to leave for the airport, not from take-off to touch-down. The airport is 15km from the centre, and that journey is counted twice.
How do you get from Cologne airport into town?
S-Bahn 15 min, €3 A day ticket on local transport is KVB 24h Tageskarte €9.20.