City in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Cologne
The Rhine's big, friendly city, with its twin-spired cathedral, Kölsch beer, museums and famous Carnival. Easy to meet people; the center is cheap to tour but hotels spike during trade fairs.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,700–3,600Comfortable, one person · €2,400–3,200Details
- Value for money21/100Better value than 20% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 25°CDetails
- Air quality10 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet104 MbpsFixed broadband, Germany medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe and good; ask for Leitungswasser in restaurants.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$68–158Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards are common, but many brewery taverns, bakeries and kiosks are cash-only.Details
Where to stay in Cologne
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Altstadt-Nord and Altstadt-Süd | First-timers: cathedral, Kölsch halls, museums |
| Belgisches Viertel | Cafés, bars, boutiques; young and lively |
| Ehrenfeld | Creative, multicultural, cheaper long stays |
| Südstadt | Relaxed, local, Rhine walks; good for long stays |
| Deutz | Quiet, near the trade fair and Rhine views |
Apps that work in Cologne
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lieferando | Widest choice of restaurants |
| Wolt | Good coverage in central districts |
| Uber Eats | Chains and some independents |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- DB Navigator: Train tickets, Deutschlandticket and live delays
- WG-Gesucht: Rooms and flatshares for longer stays
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and trustworthy; order by app or at ranks. Late-night rides are pricey during Carnival.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Germany.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards are common, but many brewery taverns, bakeries and kiosks are cash-only. Carry €30–50.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs may charge foreign cards a few euros, shown on screen; avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or add 5–10% for table service; tell the server the total when paying rather than leaving coins on the table.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever cards are accepted; PayPal is common online.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across the whole area; days spent in other Schengen countries count.
- The EU Entry/Exit System is live: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry, so expect longer queues.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Carrier shops, drugstores or supermarkets (Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect); ID check by video or in store required. About €10–20 per four weeks. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Germany
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.