How to plan a trip to Cologne?

Located on the banks of the Rhine, the city of Cologne is a captivating destination that draws travellers with its street art exhibitions, bustling life and impressive black Gothic cathedral. But above all, the city is famous for its carnival, which attracts thousands of people from all over the world to take to the streets in their best costumes. There are also museums, art galleries and numerous beer gardens to delight the palate. As you can see, there’s so much to do that you’d better start planning your trip to Cologne now.

In this post we’ve set out to help you organise your adventure. That’s why, below, you’ll be able to delve into different sections where we go over some travel basics such as the best time to travel, where to stay or how to get to and around the city. We also give you lots of travel tips to keep in mind, such as the currency, the type of plugs and the languages you can communicate in. Once you’ve decided what you want to see in Cologne, it’s important to review this post so you’re 100% prepared.

1. Prepare your travel documents for Cologne

The documentation for travelling to Cologne, Germany, will depend on your country of origin. Citizens who belong to the Schengen area can enter the country with a valid passport or ID card. If you are travelling by car, you can cross borders without showing any documents, but you must still be identified at all times. Remember that documents must not be out of date, and if you are travelling by train or plane, you will be asked to see them.

If you’re travelling from a European country, remember to proceed with the European Card to be covered against medical contingencies. Otherwise, you may have to pay for care services.

There are also other countries outside the Schengen area that will be able to enter the country with just a passport such as: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Great Britain, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

All other travellers will have to apply for a visa via the online form or at the embassy or consulate of their country. To apply for a German visa, you need a completed application form, a passport valid for three months, a recent photo, health insurance covering the Schengen area with a minimum coverage of €30,000, and a travel itinerary with return reservations. In addition, financial capacity must be demonstrated, with bank statements showing at least €45 per day in Germany or a formal declaration from a third party financing the trip, accompanied by proof of your financial resources.The visa costs €80.

Also remember that if you want to drive in the country, you’ll need to check if your licence is valid, and if not, get an international driving licence.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Cologne

The city of Cologne is perfectly suited to visiting at any time of year, but most people prefer to visit between May and September, when temperatures are more pleasant and you can spend the day out and about sightseeing.

If you’re travelling in summer, bear in mind that it can be hotter during the day, and also that, as it’s high season, prices will rise. Therefore, if you are travelling during this time of year, we encourage you to book in advance.

And despite the northern German cold, winter is another favourite time to visit the city for the beautiful Christmas markets that fill the streets and the city’s famous carnival, which takes place between February and March. It is one of the biggest and most famous carnivals in Europe and attracts millions of visitors with its colourful parades, elaborate costumes, and the general merriment that takes over the whole city. Just like during the summer months, if you want to travel during this time, you’d better book in advance.

3. Find out how to get to Cologne

Cologne is part of a cluster of large cities in close proximity to each other, such as Düsseldorf, Frankfurt or Dortmund, and as a result is very well connected both nationally and internationally.

• Plane: the main gateway is Cologne/Bonn Airport, which connects to several European and some international cities. Tickets are not particularly expensive as there are several low-cost airlines operating. Another option, sometimes cheaper, is to fly to Düsseldorf-Lohausen Airport, which is about 60 km from Cologne. And remember, with the Passporter App you can buy your tickets directly through Skyscanner.
• Train: Cologne is an important hub of the German rail network with connections from many German and European cities with both regional and high-speed (ICE) trains. If you’re moving between nearby cities, it’s the best option. Plus, it’s not particularly expensive.
• Car: the city is accessible by car via the A3, A4, A57, and A59 motorways. However, this option is not recommended for exploring the city as traffic in the centre is limited and parking is difficult.
• Bus: several international bus lines, such as Flixbus, connect Cologne with many cities in Germany and Europe. It’s a cheap but also slow option.

To get from the airport to Cologne city centre, you can take the S-Bahn S13 or the regional RE train, which will take you to Cologne Central Station (Köln Hauptbahnhof) in about 15 minutes. Tickets cost around €3 and trains run frequently.

Once in the city, getting around Cologne is easy thanks to its efficient public transport network, which includes trains (S-Bahn and Regional), trams and buses. The KölnCard offers unlimited travel on public transport within the city, plus discounts at tourist attractions. Another great idea is to rent a bike to explore the city at your own pace.

4. Find the accommodation that matches your expectations to enjoy Cologne

Our recommendation is to always search for accommodation well in advance so you can choose the option that suits you best in terms of price and location, and even more so during the busiest times of the year such as summer or carnival. So download the Passporter App and start comparing accommodation with Booking today.

Here’s a list of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Cologne. You’ll see that there’s a wide variety of options to suit all budgets depending on the neighbourhood you choose.

• Altstadt: is the historic centre and features Cologne Cathedral, museums and cobblestone streets; it is generally where the most expensive accommodation options are located.
• Neustadt-Nord: trendy and vibrant, full of cafes and shops; moderate accommodations.
• Deutz: quiet, across the Rhine, with views of the Cologne skyline; moderate to affordable prices.
• Neustadt-Süd: relaxed and popular with students, with parks and a lively nightlife; prices vary from moderate to affordable.
• Ehrenfeld: artsy and multicultural, with a strong street art scene; affordable to moderate.
• Sülz: residential and quiet, ideal for a laid-back experience; moderate prices.

In the Passporter App itself you can compare and book your accommodation through Booking. It’s an easy and convenient way to keep all your bookings in order.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in Cologne

While many tourists travel during Carnival to join in the festivities, the rest of the year the city also has a wide range of leisure and cultural offerings, which can usually be covered in a couple of days. We spent one day in the city, including the night, and we saw it all, though we didn’t stop for a second.

The city, in addition to the main sights, is home to a number of street art, so we encourage you to take a tour so you don’t miss anything.

Here are the must-sees in Cologne so you can start creating your itinerary with the Passporter App:

• Cologne Cathedral: an impressive example of Gothic architecture characterised by its black colour, it is also a symbol of the city. You can visit the interior for free and climb its towers for around €4 for a panoramic view of Cologne.
• Hohenzollern Bridge: famous for the thousands of love locks adorning its railings and the views of the Rhine.
• Museum Ludwig: noted for its collection of modern art, including important works by Picasso and Warhol. General admission costs around €13.
• House of Eau de Cologne 4711: here you can discover the history of the famous Eau de Cologne. Admission is free and you can take part in a tour for a small additional cost.
• Chocolate Museum: this is a chocolate lover’s paradise, where you can learn about the history and making of chocolate. Admission is approximately €12.
• Belgian Quarter: a vibrant district full of independent boutiques, bars and restaurants.
• Roman-Germanic Museum: displays Roman-era artefacts found in the region, including the famous Dionysus mosaic. General admission is around €9.

6. Where and what to eat in Cologne?

Cologne’s cuisine is characterised by its simplicity and robust flavours. Typical Cologne dishes are usually hearty, ideal withthe famous Kölsch beer and the most common ingredients are potatoes, cabbage, and meat, especially pork.

Our recommendation is that you try these typical dishes, we loved them:

• Himmel un Ääd: combining mashed potatoes with apple and black pudding.
• Sauerbraten: a marinated roast served with a thick sauce.
• Reibekuchen: fried potato pancakes.
• Rheinischer Sauerbraten: regional version of the marinated roast.
• Halver Hahn: a sturdy gouda cheese sandwich with raw onion on rye bread.

Cologne is also famous for its beer culture, with Kölsch being an emblem of local identity. This clear, top-fermented beer is served in thin cylindrical glasses called ‘Stangen’ in the city’s traditional pubs and beer gardens. Kölsch is unique to Cologne, and its production is protected by law. When you order a beer, remember to put the coaster over your glass if you don’t want to drink any more, otherwise you’ll still be served all night.

7. Organise a trip with friends to Cologne

Exploring new destinations with friends is a memorable adventure that will stay with you forever. However, coordinating plans, especially in large groups, can present its challenges, such as reaching consensus on various decisions. It is crucial to have a good understanding of the people with whom you are sharing your trip and to discuss what each person expects from the experience before you leave.

No two trips are the same, but in this post you will find some tips that can help you when organising a trip with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

The Passporter App gives you the tools you need to effectively organise your route, allowing you to be inspired by the adventures of others and getting everyone in the group to contribute to the travel plan. Invite your friends and design together the ideal itinerary for your future holiday. Plus, during the trip, you can share your photos and experiences, further enriching this shared journey.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Cologne

• The currency in Germany is the euro.
• You can pay by card in the vast majority of shops.
• Waking up early will allow you to enjoy the city with fewer people and give you plenty of time to explore.
• Germany uses plug type F, with 230V voltage and 50Hz frequency. Be sure to bring an adaptor if your devices have different specifications.
• If you are travelling from the European Union, you will not need a visa to travel to Germany; a passport will suffice.
• The official language is German, but in tourist areas you can communicate in English and other European languages.
• Buy the KölnCard for unlimited travel on public transport within the city.
• Water in Germany is safe to drink.
• Cologne is a safe city, but it is always wise to keep an eye on your belongings.
• Book flights and accommodation in advance to get the best prices.
• Find out about events or festivals during your visit.
• Sign up for Passporter and discover our Cologne travel itinerary. Using Passporter to plan trips is free and helps you to get inspiration from other travellers 🙂
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Cologne?

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to Cologne.

If you have doubts about how to create your itinerary, you can consult our post: Plan & manage your travel itinerary.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Cologne