EU citizens need only ID. Many others need a Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days. Check with the German embassy.

What language is spoken?

German. English is widely understood in tourist areas, but learning a few German phrases is appreciated.

What currency is used?

Euro (€). Credit cards are accepted in most hotels and larger shops, but cash is king in smaller venues.

Is tap water safe to drink?

Yes, tap water is safe and of high quality. Bottled water is also widely available.

What is the local beer?

Kölsch is the local beer, a light, top-fermented ale served in small 0.2L glasses. It's a must-try.

How to get from the airport to city center?

Take S-Bahn lines S13 or S19 from Cologne/Bonn Airport to Hauptbahnhof (about 15 minutes). Taxis cost around €25-35.

Are there any local festivals?

Cologne Carnival (February) is the biggest, with parades and costumes. Cologne Lights (July) features fireworks on the Rhine. Christmas markets run late Nov-Dec.

What is the dress code for churches?

Modest attire is required: cover shoulders and knees. Remove hats. Silence is expected inside.

Köln

CityNorth Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Köln is a CITY in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Köln, a vibrant city on the Rhine, is a captivating blend of ancient history and modern energy. The iconic Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, dominates the skyline, while the charming Old Town (Altstadt) offers cobblestone streets, traditional breweries serving Kölsch beer, and the fragrant scent of Eau de Cologne. Explore the Roman-Germanic Museum for ancient artifacts, stroll along the Rhine promenade, or cross the Hohenzollern Bridge, adorned with thousands of love locks. The city buzzes with art galleries, the Museum Ludwig's modern art, and lively festivals like Cologne Carnival. With its friendly locals, excellent shopping on Schildergasse, and a thriving food scene from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, Köln is a dynamic destination that seamlessly marries its 2,000-year history with a contemporary, welcoming spirit.

Best time to visit Köln

The best time to visit is May to September for warm weather and outdoor festivals. Spring (April-May) offers blooming parks and mild temperatures. Summer (June-August) is peak season with long days, river cruises, and the Cologne Lights fireworks. Autumn (September-October) has pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Winter (November-February) is cold but magical with Christmas markets (late Nov-Dec). Carnival in February is a highlight but very crowded.

October

Now

Typical for October

Weather: Cool 8-14°C, autumn colors

Travel notes

Crowds: Moderate
Prices: Moderate

Oktoberfest-like events, pleasant for walking.

Know before you go

Getting there

CGN

Cologne Bonn Airport

International

15 km away

DUS

Düsseldorf Airport

International

40 km away

FRA

Frankfurt Airport

International

150 km away

Getting around

"Köln has an excellent public transport system (KVB) including U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses. A single ticket covers all modes within zones. The city center is walkable. Taxis are available but pricey. Biking is popular with rental bikes (e.g., Nextbike). The Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN) is connected by S-Bahn and regional trains. For day trips, the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) is a major hub for ICE trains."

Stay connected

WiFi speed

50 Mbps

Mobile data

Excellent

WiFi

Widely available in cafes, hotels, and public spaces. Free Wi-Fi at Hauptbahnhof.

Local SIM

Local SIM available at airport or shops from €5 (e.g., Aldi Talk, Lebara).

Stay safe

Overall

8/10

Very safe overall; night safety good in central areas but caution in less busy spots.

Night safety

7/10

Very safe overall; night safety good in central areas but caution in less busy spots.

Transport

9/10

Scam risk

6/10

"Köln is generally very safe for tourists. Petty crime like pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas (train stations, festivals, tourist spots). Keep valuables secure, especially on public transport. The city is well-lit and patrolled at night, but exercise caution in less busy areas. Scams targeting tourists are rare but be wary of unsolicited help at ATMs. Overall, violent crime is low. Use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings."

Police

110

Ambulance

112

Fire

112

Entry and health

Health information

"Germany has excellent healthcare. EU citizens should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU visitors need comprehensive travel insurance. Pharmacies (Apotheke) are widely available and well-stocked. Tap water is safe to drink. No specific vaccinations are required, but standard travel vaccines are recommended. In case of emergency, dial 112 for ambulance. For minor ailments, visit a pharmacy first; pharmacists can advise on over-the-counter medications."

Culture

Local customs

"Germans value punctuality and directness. Greet with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact. Use formal 'Sie' until invited to use 'du'. Tipping 5-10% in restaurants is customary. In breweries, it's polite to wait for a seat rather than standing. Sunday is a quiet day; most shops are closed. Dress casually but neatly; avoid overly revealing clothing in churches. Always carry cash as some smaller places don't accept cards."

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Costs and practicals

Cost level

Mid-range

Meals

$12 | a cheap local meal costs ~$12

Hotels

$60-120 | budget hotels range $60-120/night

Local transport

$3 | single public transport ticket ~$3

Cost notes

Prices in EUR; mid-range restaurants $15-25 per person. Beer is affordable (~$4).

Timezone

Europe/Berlin
Local time 05:57

More facts

Population

963,395

Type

City

Frequently Asked Questions

Also known as: Augusta Ubiorum, CGN, Cologna, Cologne, Colonha, Colonia, Colonia Agrippina, Colonia Agrippinensis, Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, Colònia, Colônia, Cołogna, Culonia, Cwlen, K'oln, Kel'n, Keln, Kelnas, Kelne, Kelni, Keulen, Kiolns, Kjol'n, Koelle, Koeln, Kol'n, Kolin nad Rynem, Kolin nad Rynom, Koloin, Kolon, Kolonia, Kolonjo, Kolín nad Rýnem, Kolín nad Rýnom, Kyoln, Këlni, Kölle, Köln, Lungsod ng Cologne, Oppidum Ubiorum, gu long, kalana, kalon, ke long, kerun, kholoy, kln, klwn, koelleun, koln, kolon, kwln, kwlwn, kwlwnya, kyolna, qln, qlwnyt, quluniat, Ķelne, Κολωνία, Келн, Кельн, Кьолн, Кёльн, Кӧльн, Көлн, Քյոլն, קלן, קעלן, قلونية, قُلُونِيَة, كولن, كولونيا, کلن, کلون, کولون, क्योल्न, ਕਲਨ, கோல்ன், కొలోన్, ಕಲೋನ್, โคโลญ, კელნი, ኮልን, ケルン, 古龍, 科隆, 쾰른, Kolun, Colónia, کولن, Kologn;Koln;Keuln, কোলন, Коьльн, कलोन्, ಡುಸ್ಬುರ್ಕ್, Kolin, കൊളോൺ, ကိုလုန်းမြို့, ڪولون, Këllni, Кёлн, کۆڵن, 看勒尔, Cöln;Coellen, Kēlóng

Major HubHistoricCulturalFamily-FriendlyNightlifeFood & DrinkShopping

Köln

Best time to visit Köln

October

Know before you go

Getting there

Getting around

Stay connected

Stay safe

Overall

Night safety

Transport

Scam risk

Police

Ambulance

Fire

Entry and health

Health information

Culture

Local customs

Costs and practicals

More facts

Neighborhoods in Köln

Altstadt Nord

Altstadt Sud

Bayenthal

Bilderstöckchen

Bonn Hardtberg

Boseroth

Buchforst

Buchheim

Deutz

Endenich

Friesdorf

Höhenberg

Humboldtkolonie

Kalk

Kessenich

Mengenich

Neuehrenfeld

Neustadt/Nord

Neustadt/Süd

Nippes

Ossendorf

Ostheim

Poll

Porz am Rhein

Rath

Riehl

Rodenkirchen

Worringen

Frequently Asked Questions