Germanwings: Moscow to Cologne

The carrier: Germanwings

Upside
One of Europe's bigger low-cost airlines, with very good reach into the Balkans.

Downside
Operates in part on a connecting flight model, feeding passengers via hubs.

About
Germanwings is an indisputable giant, one of Germany's big three budget airlines. In 2007 Germanwings brought seven new Airbus A-319 planes into the fleet. These new planes currently have the lowest emissions rate.
In addition to its nine German destinations, 'wings' flies to four destinations in Turkey, six in Greece, six in Italy, and four in Croatia. The airline's less-served destinations include Moscow, St. Petersburg, Skopje, Tirana, Ohrid, Belgrade, and Pristina.

It benefits from one of the best and most wide-ranging destination tallies among the airlines we profile. Unlike many carriers, Germanwings' route map is broad and well-distributed across Europe. An added bonus we love? With the airline's "Smart Connect" one-stop booking tool, it is possible to purchase connecting flights as single fares.

Baggage
* Carry-on: No weight restriction specified, though baggage cannot measure more than 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters.
* Checked: Up to 20 kg of baggage (online €5 per piece is charged, at the airport €7 per piece); over this a charge of €7 per kilo applies.

Seating
Passengers are allowed on the plane in blocks according to when they checked in for the flight. Pre-booking is allowed online no later than 24 hours before departure for €5 per seat.

Tip
Germanwings hosts monthly offers, so check in often. Avoid early morning flights, which tend to be packed, out of their hubs. In general, allow enough time for check-in.
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Departure: Moscow, Russia - Vnukovo Int'l (VKO)

Vnukovo International is the oldest of all operating airports in Moscow, Russia.

Location: Vnukovo International is located 28 km (18 miles) outside Moscow's city center.

Transport:

- Rail: There is a high-speed rail link between the Kievsky Train Station in Moscow and Vnukovo Airport. A commuter train is also available with a similar route.

- Bus: There are many bus routes available to and from the airport and Moscow.

- Taxi: Taxi ranks are located outside the main airport terminal.

Service: Airport services include information desks, various shops, cafes, and restaurants, a first aid facility, currency exchanges, banks, nursery, and a pharmacy. If you're in a gambling mood, check out the airport's slot machines.
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Arrival: Cologne, Germany - Koeln (CGN)

In Brief: The Cologne-Bonn Airport is located 13 km (9 miles) southeast of Cologne. While not even among Germany's top five airports in terms of traffic, it punches above its weight in the budget air field. Germanwings and TUIfly both rely on Cologne-Bonn as a kind of superbase, and Air Berlin, easyJet, and Wizz Air all route multiple flights in and out of the airport.

Transportation: A bus connection links the airport with Cologne's main train station. It takes 20 minutes and costs €4.60.
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