http://www.koeln-bonn-airport.de/main.php?id=78&lang=2

I'll be using this airport several times in 2007. When looking at Cologne sightseeing possibilities, I was surprised to find that the above guided tour is offered. Is there something about Cologne that is more fascinating than other airports?

Moving thread to FT Europe forums.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

I did the CGN tour back in time because I knew somebody who knew the head of public relations of the airport...

The airport itself is boring... If you have done an airport tour somewhere else, don't do it, there are nicer parts to see in Cologne.

THE one thing which is amazing to see and which is offered as a tour as well at CGN airport is the tour through the UPS air cargo facilities during the night...

CGN is the european HUB of UPS, the biggest hub of UPS in the world outside the US. I can tell you it is amazing...

We were even allowed to enter the belly of the empty planes, we saw how the opend the incoming container, packed the outgoing containers, how customs checked packages from south america with dogs to find drugs, etc....

If you find a possibility to do that, than go for that...

Only problem, it's between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. or so...

Airport tours are probably not of much interest to the wider public, but if you are an aircraft/aviation enthusiast then a guided tour of ANY airport will be an attractive proposition.

I am aircraft/aviation enthusiastic but some 737s and 319/320s is nothing special is it?

They don't show you the military part which might be interesting besides the CARGO AREA!!!!!

I am aircraft/aviation enthusiastic but some 737s and 319/320s is nothing special is it?

They don't show you the military part which might be interesting besides the CARGO AREA!!!!!


There are all kinds of aviation enthusiasts... some get excited by heavy metal, others are into light aircraft; some like modern military aircraft, others are into the (vintage) warbird scene. And you get those that get excited about ANY aircraft as long as they can write down its number in their little book... :D

(I found myself sitting next to a spotter on a bus at Schiphol a few weeks ago. Boy was he getting excited by all those exotic aircraft registrations!)

Wow, if you have the chance for the tour, you should take it while you have a chance. I would even try for the UPS tour that supermasterphil mentioned. No question, definitely go for the CGN tour, and hopefully the UPS tour.

If you are crazy about airport tours in Germany and you have a chance, try a tour in FRA (http://www.airportcity-frankfurt.com/cms/default/rubrik/9/9922.maxi_tour.htm) or in MUC (http://www.munich-airport.de/EN/Areas/Consumer/Erlebnis/Besucherpark/Rundfahrten/Gruppen2005/index.html). That might be the most interesting airports to see in Germany but all others like e.g. DUS offer that as well.

Actually now that I think about it, I can see that a tour focusing on the operational aspects would be very interesting. I tend to see airports as places I have to spend a lot of time waiting around, but obviously there's more to them than that.

I'm out of luck for this one, though, because it requires bookings of 10.

Well, I do not belong to any group. How can I manage to take a night tour in the UPS facility?

Well, I do not belong to any group. How can I manage to take a night tour in the UPS facility?

Uh, tough one... Try to call the airport visitor center and ask them or call UPS Cologne and ask whether you can join a tour...

I count on the airport visitor center that they have the right contact at UPS to ask for that...