Best Time to Visit

Summer is the most popular time to visit Cologne, with pleasant temperatures but some humidity and higher hotel rates. You can find cheaper offers in late spring and early autumn, which are chillier but still good periods for sightseeing (and hanging out in beer gardens). Winters are not harsh though, and they can get quite busy due to Christmas and Carnival celebrations.

Passport / Visa

Germany can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

Airport Cologne Bonn (CGN)

Cologne Bonn airport is 17 km southeast of the city centre. The journey to the city takes around 15 minutes by car or by train. The trains from and to the airport depart every twenty minutes during weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, the trains run every half an hour and the last train leaves at 23.11.

• Web:

  www.cologne-bonn-airport.com/en.html

• Address:

  Kennedystraße, Cologne

• Phone:

  +49 220 3404 001

Public Transport

Cologne has a good transport system with an integrated network covering the area from Bonn to the Ruhr district (U- and S-Bahn as well as buses). If you plan to see all the sights, it may be worth buying a day or a weekly ticket, which give you access to all transportation means for 24 hours or 7 days. You can buy tickets at sales offices, online or at ticket machines in buses, trains and at stops.

• Web:

  www.vrsinfo.de

• E-mail:

  info@vrsinfo.de

• Address:

  Glockengasse 37-39, Cologne

• Phone:

  +49 221 208 080

Taxi

The taxis are cream-coloured. All registered taxi drivers have a licence with a number on display where it is visible to passengers. Taxi Ruf:

• Web:

  www.taxiruf.de

• Address:

  Bonner Wall 37, Cologne

• Phone:

  +49 221 2882

Pharmacy

For pharmacies look out for the red "Aphoteke" sign. Germany has a rotating after-hours service and the number of the current after-hours pharmacy can be found on every pharmacy door. Below are two pharmacies located in the city centre. Augustiner-Apotheke: Martinstraße 16-20, Cologne +49 221 2582296 Monday-Friday 8.00-19.00, Saturday 9.00-18.00 http://www.augustiner-apotheke-koeln.de augustiner-apo@web.de Dom Apotheke:

• Web:

  www.dom-apotheke-koeln.de

• E-mail:

  info@dom-apotheke-koeln.de

• Address:

  Bahnhofsvorpl. 1, Cologne

• Phone:

  +49 221 20050500

• Opening hours:

  Monday-Friday 8.00-18.30, Saturday 9.00-18.30