Day trip to Cologne.
From Manchester, back by 23:59.
Time in the city
7.3 hours
after transfersAfter transfers and airport time
Airport distance
15km
to the centreFrom Cologne centre (CGN)
Daylight
9.0 hours
07:45 to 16:47Sunrise 07:45, sunset 16:47
Only 2.9h of it while you are in the city
Most of your time in Cologne is after dark. Worth checking what is open in the evening before you book.
10:45
Leave Manchester
Ryanair
13:54
In the city
Lands 13:20, 20min immigration, 14min from the airport. First EU trip since 2025? Allow 25min more
21:11
Leave the city
14min back, 120min at the airport incl. immigration
23:59
Back in Manchester
Flies 23:25 with Ryanair UK
- Leave ManchesterRyanair10:45
- Land in Cologne1h 35min13:20
- In the city20min immigration, 14min from the airport13:54
- Leave the city14min back, 120min at the airport incl. immigration21:11
- Fly homeRyanair UK, 1h 35min23:25
- Back in Manchester23:59
Best day for your flights
Open up the maps to see full detail.
Cologne’s Christmas markets open 16 Nov
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
Getting to the airportShowHide
Getting to Manchester
Per person. Not in the total above. Prices checked 21 Oct 2026.
Free
- Free drop-off areaFree
24/7 shuttle bus to the terminals. Source
Train
Coach
- National Express from Manchester / Leeds / Liverpool£5.50 each way
Cheapest advertised single. Runs round the clock. Source
Taxi
- From Manchester city centre£25-£35 one way~10 miles
Estimate, not a quote. Uber or Bolt usually £15-£25.
- From Leeds£90-£120 one way~45 miles
Estimate, not a quote. Uber or Bolt usually £60-£90.
- From Liverpool£75-£100 one way~35 miles
Estimate, not a quote. Uber or Bolt usually £50-£75.
Parking at the airport
No same-day price published. See multi-day prices
- Short StayNo same-day price
From £64.00 (4-day stay). Source
- JetParksNo same-day price
From £54.99 (8-day stay). Source
- Mid StayNo same-day price
From £69.00 (8-day stay). Source
- Drop & GoNo same-day price
From £59.99 (8-day stay). Source
- Meet & GreetNo same-day price
From £82.99 (8-day stay). Source
- Multi StoreyNo same-day price
From £64.00 (4-day stay). 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 £25.93. 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.
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.
£168.65/ all in, per person
Google Flights price. Checked 23 Oct, 02:40.
Out with Ryanair, back with Ryanair UK. Two separate tickets. Book both before you go.
Estimated cost. Fares last checked 23 Oct, 02:40. 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 180 kg CO2e per person (UK government 2026 factors), about the same as driving 660 miles in an average UK car. How we work this out
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.
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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