Day trip to Cologne.
From London Stansted, back by 22:15.
Time in the city
6.9 hours
after transfersAfter transfers and airport time
Airport distance
15km
to the centreFrom Cologne centre (CGN)
Daylight
9.9 hours
07:49 to 17:43Sunrise 07:49, sunset 17:43
10:00
Leave London Stansted
Ryanair, direct
12:49
In the city
Lands 12:15, 20min immigration, 14min from the airport. First EU trip since 2025? Allow 25min more
19:41
Leave the city
14min back, 120min at the airport incl. immigration
22:15
Back in London Stansted
Flies 21:55
- Leave London StanstedRyanair, direct10:00
- Land in Cologne1h 15min12:15
- In the city20min immigration, 14min from the airport12:49
- Leave the city14min back, 120min at the airport incl. immigration19:41
- Fly home1h 15min21:55
- Back in London Stansted22:15
Best day for your flights
Open up the maps to see full detail.
Best day for your flights
Open up the maps to see full detail.
What a day in Cologne costs
Flights and on-the-ground spend, per person.
£114.65/ all in, per person
Google Flights price. Checked 17 Oct, 20:20.
Estimated cost. Fares last checked 17 Oct, 20:20. Prices and availability change and are set by the airline or agent when you book.
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Day Trip Flight Details
Return flights are about 120 kg CO2e per person (UK government 2026 factors), about the same as driving 460 miles in an average UK car. How we work this out
Things to do in CologneShowHide
Bubble Planet CologneTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Chocolate Museum CologneTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Cologne Zoo & AquariumTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
TimeRide CologneTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
IceBar CologneTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Farina Fragrance MuseumTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Cologne Sightseeing CruisesTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
Cologne Attraction PassesTickets on TiqetsAffiliate link
All things to do in Cologne · Tiqets, affiliate link
With kids in CologneShowHide
Busy that day, local schools are off
- Winter Holidays, 8 Feb to 19 Feb, some regions
Expect queues at the big family sights. Book tickets ahead where you can.
Holiday data OpenHolidays (ODbL)
Getting to the airportShowHide
Getting to Stansted
Per person. Not in the total above. Prices checked 21 Oct 2026.
Free
- Free drop-off at the Mid Stay car parkFree
Free shuttle bus to the terminal. Source
Train
- From London (Liverpool Street, Stansted Express)£9.90 each way48 min
Advance single. First train 04:10, last train 23:21 Source
Coach
- National Express from London£10.50 each way
Cheapest advertised single. Runs round the clock. Source
Taxi
- From London£90-£130 one way~42 miles
Estimate, not a quote. Uber or Bolt usually £55-£85.
Parking at the airport
No same-day price published. See multi-day prices
- Short StayNo same-day price
From £87.00 (4-day stay). Source
- Meet & GreetNo same-day price
From £81.00 (8-day stay). Source
- Mid StayNo same-day price
From £69.99 (8-day stay). Source
- Long StayNo same-day price
From £49.99 (8-day stay). Source
- JetParksNo same-day price
From £59.99 (stay length not stated on stanstedairport). Source
Cologne on a budgetShowHide
A day in Cologne costs £16.26 per person on the ground on a budget, before the flight, eating and drinking at the cheaper end of what places charge. At typical prices it is £16.93, and a day that does not watch the pennies runs to £25.90. The food and drink prices are real menu prices we read in Cologne on 22 Oct and 27 Oct, turned into pounds at the day's exchange rate, not guesses.
Costs people forgetShowHide
Costs people forget
Not in the total above. Worth a minute before you go.
- Phone data. EE, Vodafone and Three charge about £2.75 a day to use your allowance in Europe. O2, Tesco Mobile and giffgaff include it free.
- Card fees. Many cards add a foreign-exchange fee to every payment abroad. Check yours before you go, or take one that doesn't charge it.
- Ryanair airport check-in. £55 per person, per flight, if you don't check in online. Without a paid seat, online check-in opens 24 hours before and closes 2 hours before. Ryanair, fees
- Ryanair bags. One small bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) under the seat is free. A 10kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) needs Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, £12.49 to £36 when booked. An oversize bag at the gate is refused or put in the hold for £70 to £75. Ryanair, fees
Ask about Cologne
Your hours, your budget, what you like. Answered from real costs and tips from people who have been.
Comments on CologneShowHide
Comments
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