Cologne Bonn Airport liquid rules: Up to 2 litres
Flying from Cologne? The verdict, the airport's own wording and its source link are below. Checked 6 November 2026 against the airport's own website. Same rules for hand luggage and carry-on.
Cologne Bonn Airport states that up to 2 litres of liquids per person may stay in hand luggage, no separate bag is needed, and laptops may stay in the bag. The page is in German and refers to its CT scanners.
| Liquid container limit | Up to 2 litres |
| Clear plastic bag needed | No |
| Liquids can stay in your bag | Yes |
| Laptops can stay in your bag | Yes |
What this means at Cologne Bonn Airport
- Airport states (German page, our translation: up to 2 litres of liquid per person are allowed, unlike at some other airports): "Pro Person dürfen, anders als an einigen anderen Flughäfen, bis zu 2 Liter Flüssigkeit mitgenommen werden."
- Airport states (no separate bag needed): "Für Flüssigkeiten wird kein separater Beutel benötigt."
- Airport states (liquids stay in the bag during screening): "Flüssigkeiten bleiben während der Kontrolle im Handgepäck und müssen nicht ausgepackt werden."
- Airport states (laptops and devices may stay in the bag): "Laptops und andere technische Geräte können bei der Kontrolle im Handgepäck verbleiben."
- Airport states that liquids may be split across several leak-proof containers, for example two 1-litre bottles or four 0.5-litre bottles, and filled drinking bottles are allowed within the 2 litre total.
- Airport's own wording on what is not allowed: "Nicht auslaufsichere Behältnisse, z.B. Coffee-to-go- oder Getränke-Becher." It says these cannot be checked in the CT systems.
- Airport states that medicines and baby food for the journey are on its list of allowed items ("Medikamente und Babynahrung für die Reise").
- Airport states that the central security checkpoint is in the middle of Terminal 1, and that a free time slot can be booked up to 100 days before departure with CGNGateWay.
Source: Sicherheitskontrolle am Köln Bonn Airport. Checked 6 November 2026.
Security rules are set by the airport, but your bag size is set by your airline. Check your bag against every airline here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the liquid rules at Cologne Bonn Airport?
The airport states that up to 2 litres of liquid per person may be taken in hand luggage, split across leak-proof containers if wanted. Containers that are not leak-proof, such as coffee-to-go cups, are not allowed.
Do I need a clear plastic bag at Cologne Bonn Airport?
No. The airport states that no separate bag is needed for liquids.
Do I take my laptop out at Cologne Bonn Airport?
No. The airport states that laptops and other devices may stay in the hand luggage during the check, and liquids also stay in the bag.
Can I bring liquid medicine or baby milk through Cologne Bonn Airport security?
The airport lists medicines and baby food for the journey among the allowed items in hand luggage.
Are liquid rules the same at my destination airport?
Not always. Rules vary by airport, so check your destination and any connecting airports, including your return journey.