Currywurst in Terminal 1 when you don’t want another sandwich
Currywurst Express sits in Terminal 1 at Cologne Bonn Airport and fills the “quick German bite” gap that most airport food courts ignore. It’s a straight fast-food setup: currywurst, fries, soft drinks, usually priced in the single digits per item, so you’re not dropping €20 on a basic meal before boarding.
You’ll find it airside in Terminal 1, so this only works if your flight leaves from T1 and you’re already past security. Think of it as a grab-and-go stop between check-in and your Schengen gate, not a sit-down restaurant. Seating in this part of T1 tends to be shared with nearby outlets, so expect more bar tables and benches than proper dining tables.
Menu focus is exactly what the name says: sausage with curry ketchup and fries. Figure roughly €4–€7 for a sausage portion and a couple more euros for fries or a combo. If you want something recognisably local in under 10 minutes, this beats yet another generic baguette or muffin. It’s more about speed and salt than nuance, so set expectations accordingly.
Food comes in paper trays, so it’s easy to carry back to your gate in Terminal 1 if shared seating is packed. Turnover is quick, which usually keeps lines moving even in the morning and early evening bank of departures. If your layover at CGN is under 45 minutes, this is one of the few hot food options that still makes sense.
Tip: check your actual gate number in Terminal 1 before ordering; some gates at CGN are a 7–10 minute walk, and currywurst plus carry-on plus a last-minute gate change is not a fun sprint.