Getting Around Bonn
Bonn is a compact, walkable city on the Rhine, and its public transport network makes it easy to reach the surrounding districts and neighbouring Cologne. The city is served by an integrated system of buses, trams, light rail (Stadtbahn) and local trains, all operated or coordinated by the local Stadtwerke Bonn. Tickets bought for one mode are valid across the others, so you can mix and match without buying separate fares.
On Foot
The city centre is not very big, and you can reach the different attractions there on foot. For a visitor staying centrally, walking is often the simplest way to get between the main sights, with public transport filling in the gaps for anything further out.
Trams, Light Rail and the Metro Network
Bonn's light rail system, the Stadtbahn, forms the backbone of local transport. Bonn Central Station (Bonn Hbf) acts as the hub for the light rail system, so it is the natural starting point for most journeys. Trams and Stadtbahn lines connect the centre with the city's districts and beyond, including cross-river links and services toward Cologne. Tram line 66, for example, connects Bonn's city centre with the Siegburg/Bonn high-speed rail station on the far side of the Rhine.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Bonn has an excellent bus, night bus, tram and subway system. Buses complement the rail network, and night buses keep the city connected after regular services wind down. The same tickets are valid on local trains, Stadtbahn, trams, buses and night buses, so a single ticket or pass covers your whole journey regardless of how many modes you use.
Tickets and Passes
There are ticket offices and vending machines at major stations. They offer single tickets, multiple tickets, and 24-hour and weekly passes. Buying a 24-hour or weekly pass is worthwhile if you plan to make several trips, since it covers all the local modes listed above. If you are visiting several attractions, a city tour by open-top double-decker bus lets you hop on and off at each stop; it is valid for 24 hours and is discounted if you hold a Welcome card.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Ride-hailing apps Uber, Bolt and Free Now all cover the city, giving you app-based options alongside conventional taxis.
By Bike
Bonn is also a good city to explore by bike. Rental bikes are available at the train station from Deutsche Bahn on platform 1, or from the Radstation behind the train station. The Radstation also offers tandem and e-bike rentals. Nextbike/Welo provides app-based short-term bike rentals, and several companies offer app-based rental of e-scooters, including Lime, Tier and Voi.
Arriving by Train
As Bonn is the former capital of Germany, the railway transportation is convenient. Bonn Central Station is served by many local and regional trains as well as a few long-distance trains. You can arrive there from Cologne as well as Frankfurt and Koblenz via the slower, scenic route. Most high-speed trains (ICE), however, stop at Siegburg/Bonn station in the neighbouring town of Siegburg on the right-hand side of the Rhine rather than at Bonn Hbf; you can get from there to Bonn's city centre by tram 66. Regional trains also serve Bonn-Beuel on the right side of the Rhine.
Arriving by Coach
Long-distance coaches stop at the Flixbus Bonn stop, also known as the coach station "Museumsmeile", on Joseph-Beyus-Allee between the intersections with Marie-Kahle-Allee and Emil-Nolde-Straße. Tram lines 16, 18, 63, 66 and 68 serve the area, so you can connect onward into the city by public transport.
Getting In from the Airport
Bonn is served by Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), which has become a hub for Lufthansa's low-fare subsidiary Eurowings and is well connected to many major European airports. It is also well served by other low-fare airlines such as Ryanair. That said, the airport sees very little intercontinental passenger traffic, apart from a few flights to countries such as Turkey, Morocco or Iran operated by the respective countries' airlines. For intercontinental flights, Frankfurt (FRA) and Düsseldorf (DUS) are the closest alternatives.
From the airport, the SB60 bus runs between Bonn Hauptbahnhof and Cologne Bonn Airport every 30 minutes. The RB26 train also connects Bonn Hauptbahnhof with the airport, running every 60 minutes and serving the airport station at night time only. The RB27 connects Bonn Beuel station with the airport every 60 minutes. Between the bus and the two rail services, you have a choice of connections from both sides of the Rhine into the city.