Budget Travel Ideas in Cologne

Cologne (spelled Köln in German) is one of the oldest cities in Germany and the fourth largest, making it a popular attraction for tourists. Cologne is accessible easily via other European countries and also an international airport that is served by numerous airlines, most importantly European budget airlines.

Getting There

One of the ways Europe can be both cheap and enjoyable is by their abundance of budget airlines, and cheap buses and trains that go all over Europe. Cologne is a major hub for international travelers and Germans alike. Germany itself has 2 budget airlines, not including the European budget airlines. This means that you can fly into practically any city in Europe that you want and, if booked far enough ahead, you can get a ticket to Cologne for as little as $20. If you are flying into Europe, the larger airports are usually cheaper because of the numerous flights per day. That means airfare to places like London, Amsterdam or Paris can be quite reasonable. Remember, though, traveling on weekends will almost always be more expensive, as will traveling during holidays. Book ahead!

What to Do

Bicycling is always a great and cheap way to see any European city. Cologne, like many other areas, has a city plan that is bicycle friendly. This means that you can go most anywhere that you want by bike, and that there are a number of places to rent a bike for a low cost. Germany is fairly cheap compared to many other European destinations, so you're in luck! Cologne has numerous festivals, including the Cologne Carnival which starts in mid-November and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and locals. Also, if you like antique architecture, you will find Cologne to be a very welcoming city.

What to See

The Cologne tourist board offers the Köln WelcomeCard which can be purchased for a reasonable price. This card will give you large discounts to the zoo, numerous cathedrals, museums and a free 2-hour bike rental. You will also get discounts and some free offerings from restaurants, theaters and even some shops in the city. These cards are offered per person for rates between $13 and $31 depending on what all you would like included on your card (certain transportation, certain areas, etc.). There are also discounts on the WelcomeCard for groups or families wanting these same discounts. Again, Germany tends to be cheaper than many other western European countries so choosing Cologne instead of, say, Amsterdam or Brussels, will prove, in itself, to be a great destination for the budget traveler!