Advice On Cologne Please

stressedoutmum

My OTH is travelling with a large group of friends in November to Cologne. Flying from local airport but any advice on where to stay in Cologne, distance from airport or anything and costs etc. None of them know anything about the place they just 'fancied it for a change'. I suggested posting a message to this very helpful site. :T

elona

I am sure that you will get some helpful replies - but how about getting a book from your local library abot Germany and getting some info on Cologne in general.
Stuff like early closing or half days could be very useful.

You could also use Google.

Good luck

Saint_Chris

Try

https://www.holidaytruths.co.uk

If you go into city breaks or the german forum you will see loads of queries and answers on cologne.

I went last december, we were staying with my sis in law outside of cologne and we visited for 1 day to see the christmas markets. it is a wonderful city, i'm not sure about accommodation though. The cathederal is excellent and for 2 euros you can walk right up to the top. Around the old area of cologne there is some wonderful bars and restaurants.

but do go to this website it would be very useful to you.

Backbiter

Cologne is really nice - been there loads of times. The cathedral is astounding - definitely worth climbing up as mentioned above. I've never flown there but am thinking of going for the Christmas markets - it's about €3 from the airport to the centre by train, but that may well be an off-peak return family ticket. The chocolate museum is worth a visit, and Phantasialand is a good theme park about half an hour away in Bruhl.
I've always stayed in the Youth Hostels - both are newly refurbished with ensuite facilities - but you'll find a decent hotel for a reasonable price if you search. Try venere.com

Babu

Check out:

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Germany/Land_Nordrhein_Westfalen/Cologne-45550/TravelGuide-Cologne.html

flip

Drove to Cologne last October and we stayed at the Etap hotel just off frankfurte stratte think it was Cologne East Etap and was fine for a short break. The train which went to the airport stops right next to hotel and carries on to city centre. If they wanted a hotel a little better then there is an Ibis hotel also next door.

City Centre hotels when we went were quite expensive.

The_Lambton_Worm

Was there the other weekend on an end of season session.

We (20 lads) stayed at the SAS Radisson which is on the west side of the Rhine and a 5 min taxi ride from the cathedral on the other side. Its also about 15min walk from the Köln-Deutz train station which has a direct link with the airport.

The two best places to go for food & drink are the Old Town (which has an authentic Irish pub with authentic Irish barstaff :doh: ) and the Hohenzollernring area wihich has a wide variety of bars and restaraunts.

Joe Champs (click on map for a look at the bars etc in the area) is an American theme bar in the middle of Hohenzollernring which shows all live British sport and is reasonably priced at €4 for a 0.5l glass of the local fallydowngear.

EDIT > Forgot to say it cost us £145pp flying from newcassle with 2ppr for two nights b&b at the above hotel and return coach travel (we booked ours in advance) from the airport.