Brussels Zaventem Airport (BRU) to Köln

The drive from Zaventem to Köln

The route covers 220 km (137 miles) and usually takes 2 h 24 m. It leads east from Brussels through Belgium and across the border into Germany. Allow extra time during weekday rush hours around Brussels and on the approach to Köln, and when roadworks or heavy traffic slow the motorways. This route is booked less often than others, but it is available on request like any other.

A Private Taxi suits one to four passengers with normal luggage. For larger parties there are private minibuses with 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 or 48 seats, so a family, a business delegation or a tour group can travel together in a single vehicle.

Meeting Point

Your driver waits at Java Coffee House with a personalised name sign. The spot is easy to find once you have collected your luggage.

Köln as a destination

Köln is best known for its Gothic cathedral beside the Rhine, its old town and its large trade fairs, which can fill hotels quickly. If you are staying in the city, a few long-established addresses are:

• Excelsior Hotel Ernst, a classic hotel right by the cathedral and main station
• Maritim Hotel Köln, close to the Heumarkt in the old town
• Hilton Cologne, in the centre near the Rhine

Public transport alternative

Train to Brussels-Midi, then ICE high-speed train to Köln Hbf, 1 change required, approx. 160–200 minutes total. Services and journey times vary through the day, so check the current timetable before you travel. With luggage, a private transfer saves the change at Brussels-Midi and takes you straight to your address in Köln.