Exploring Cologne, Germany: The Cost Of This Historic City

Cologne, Germany, is a relatively expensive place to live, with a cost of living of around €2,140 per month, though this can vary depending on the type of accommodation. A single person can expect to spend around €1,012 per month without rent, while a family of four can expect to spend around €3,425. The average monthly salary in Cologne is around €2,385, which is slightly lower than the average salary in Berlin. The cost of living in Cologne is also lower than in other German cities such as Munich and Hamburg. However, it is important to note that these estimates may have some inconsistencies and can vary depending on individual circumstances.

Food and drink

Meals:

• A typical fast-food meal (e.g. McDonald's or Burger King) costs around €9-€10.
• A budget-friendly sit-down meal in a restaurant can be found for around €12-€15 per person.
• A more expensive dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost around €60, while a high-end dining experience for two can reach €126.
• Breakfast options range from free (included with hostel stays) to €4-€12 for a full sit-down meal.
• Budget lunch options include street food, takeaway shops, and ethnic cuisine, costing around €6-€14.
• Dinner options on a budget include traditional brewhouses, Indian, Asian, Turkish, and Greek restaurants, with prices ranging from €10-€25.

Groceries:

• Milk (1 liter): €1.10-€1.30
• Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): €1.50-€3.50
• Water (1.5 liters): €0.19-€0.99
• Mid-range wine (1 bottle): €3.50-€7.00
• Domestic beer (0.5 liters): €0.65-€1.50
• Imported beer (0.33 liters): €1.00-€2.20
• Popular yellow cheese (1 kg): €12.00
• Sausage or cold cuts (1 kg): €32.00

Drinks:

• A pint of beer at a bar or restaurant costs around €3-€5, while beer from a grocery store is approximately €1.50.
• A bottle of drinkable wine is priced between €5-€9.
• Coffee: cappuccino (€2-€4) and espresso (€2-€2.50).

Budgeting:

According to various sources, travellers to Cologne spend on average between €50 and €55 per day on food. For those on a tight budget, it is possible to spend as little as €6-€12 per day on meals by opting for cheap options like street food or preparing meals in a hostel.

For a couple, a one-week trip to Cologne costs on average between €1,126 and €2,253, including accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Attractions

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, has a wide range of attractions for visitors. Here are some of the key places to visit:

• Cologne Cathedral – This Gothic cathedral is an international pilgrimage site, holding the shrine of the Three Kings since 1164. It is Germany's most visited landmark and features intricate stained glass, a black marble high altar, and invaluable art.
• Ludwig Museum – Located near the cathedral, this museum showcases art from after 1900, including works by Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein, and Russian Avant-Garde artists.
• Romano-Germanic Museum – This museum was built around the site of a Roman villa discovered during World War II. It displays artefacts from Roman times, including impressive glasswork and the "Cologne cage cup" bearing the inscription, "Drink, live well forever."
• Wallraf-Richartz Museum – Home to an extensive collection of art from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Impressionist periods. Highlights include works by Dürer, Bosch, Rubens, Rembrandt, Monet, and more.
• Cologne's Old Town – Wander through the historic centre to discover charming cobblestone alleys and squares like Heumarkt and Altermarkt, blending old-world atmosphere with post-war concrete constructions.
• St. Maria im Kapitol – One of Cologne's three surviving Romanesque churches, dating back to the 11th century. It features intricate wooden doors from 1046 and an expressive pietà from the 1300s.
• Flora Botanical Gardens – Cologne's loveliest park, featuring sprawling lawns, individual gardens, and greenhouses surrounding a glass palace inspired by London's Crystal Palace.
• KölnTriangle – This skyscraper offers panoramic views of the city, including the old town, cathedral towers, and the Colonius telecom tower.
• Hohenzollern Bridge – A historic bridge adorned with love locks, providing scenic views of the river and bustling railway.
• National Socialism Documentation Centre – Housed in the former Gestapo headquarters, this museum offers an insightful journey through Germany's past, with a focus on the sobering realities of World War II.
• Chocolate Museum – Operated in collaboration with Lindt & Sprüngli, this museum educates visitors about the history of chocolate and cocoa, featuring a chocolate fountain, tropical rainforest exhibit, and demonstrations of chocolate-making.
• Cologne Zoo – One of the oldest and most modern zoos in Europe, with over 700 species, specialising in primates.
• Boat Trips on the Rhine – Take a cruise along the Rhine River to enjoy panoramic views of the city, including the cathedral, spires of the old town, and under four bridges.

Transport

Cologne has a well-developed transport system, with 60 lines, 380 trams, and 320 buses connecting the city. The average traveller spends around $21 (€19) per day on local transportation, which is less than the country's average of $26. The city's public transport system is divided into zones and ticket prices depend on the number of zones travelled through.

Tickets

There are several ticket options for travellers, including:

• Single ticket: Allows one journey with changes but not for return or round trips.
• 4-trip ticket: Allows four single trips for one or more persons.
• 24-hour ticket: Allows unlimited trips for one or up to five persons within 24 hours.
• 10-day flex ticket: Consists of 10 individual 24-hour tickets for one person, to be used within 30 days.
• Week ticket: Valid for seven consecutive days for one person.
• Month ticket: Valid for one person for one month.

Ticket prices vary depending on the zones travelled and the type of ticket chosen. For example, a 24-hour ticket for one person costs €9, while a 48-hour ticket for five people costs €38.

Public Transport

Public transport in Cologne includes buses, trams, underground trains (U-Bahn), and local train services (S-Bahn, Regionalbahn, and RegionalExpress). The infrastructure is well-connected, making it easy to get around the city. However, some locals have commented that the public transport system is expensive compared to other German cities, with a single ticket costing €3.

Cycling

Cycling is a popular option in Cologne, with well-developed cycle paths making it the fastest way to get around the city centre. The Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB) offers red and white bikes for rent, and there are also options like 'Radstation' or NextBike for those who want to cycle for a full day.

Air Travel

Cologne Bonn Airport is just 15 minutes from the city centre by local train, and it is served by both international and domestic flights. Düsseldorf International Airport is also accessible, with a 40-minute train ride to Cologne Central Station. Frankfurt Rhein Main International Airport, Germany's largest airport, is connected to Cologne Central Station by Inter City Express high-speed trains in less than an hour.

Train Travel

Cologne is served by two main train stations: Koln Hauptbahnhof and Koln-Deutz. The city is well-connected to other European destinations, with Thalys and Inter City Express (ICE) High-Speed trains linking it to Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris.

Car Travel

By car, the motorways Autobahns A1, A4, A3, A57, and A555 lead to Cologne. However, to drive around the city centre, cars must have a "Low Emissions" sticker.

Accommodation

Cologne offers a range of accommodation options, from hostels to luxury hotels, with prices varying depending on location, amenities, and travel season.

For those on a budget, hostels are available, with dorm beds averaging $39 per night. The cheapest options can be as low as $20, while the most expensive are around $91. Some popular hostels include Die Wohngemeinschaft, Weltempfänger Backpacker Hostel, and 404 Hostel.

For mid-range options, three-star hotels offer reasonable rates at an average of $84 per night. Two-star hotels are even more economical, with rates around $65 per night.

If you're looking for luxury, five-star hotels in Cologne average $133 per night.

Specific hotel recommendations include:

• Hyatt Regency Köln, with spacious rooms and stunning views of the famous bridge and cathedral.
• Lindner Hotel Cologne City Plaza, part of JdV by Hyatt, with a central location and spacious, comfortable rooms.
• Excelsior Hotel Ernst, an elegant hotel near the Cathedral with excellent service and complimentary breakfast.
• Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne, featuring comfortable rooms and a well-equipped gym and indoor pool.
• URBAN LOFT Cologne, a hip, modern hotel with a cozy lobby and praised shower facilities.

The high season in Cologne tends to be during the summer months, from June to August, as well as during special events like the Christmas Markets and Carnival. Booking during the low season or outside of major events can help you find more affordable rates.

Additionally, consider the location of your accommodation. Staying outside of the city center or in surrounding neighborhoods can often yield more budget-friendly options. Areas like Ehrenfeld, Belgisches Viertel, Südstadt, and Nippes offer a mix of affordability and vibrant cultural experiences.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that Cologne's housing market can be competitive, so it's advisable to start your search early and be prepared with the necessary documents to secure your preferred accommodation.

Salaries and expenses

The average yearly salary in Cologne, Germany, is 53,663 EUR, which equates to an hourly rate of 26 EUR. This is the average across all job titles, with specific salaries depending on the industry, organisation size, skill set, and years of experience.

The cost of living in Cologne is relatively affordable compared to other German and European cities. As Germany's fourth-largest city, Cologne offers a lower cost of living than other major cities such as New York, with rent prices, for example, being 73.2% lower than in New York.

For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs are 3,425.4 EUR (excluding rent), while for a single person, the estimated monthly costs are 1,012 EUR (excluding rent). The daily costs for a traveller on a budget are around 48-75 EUR, including food, accommodation, attractions, and transportation. Hostel prices range from 22-35 EUR per night, while budget hotel prices are typically between 75-125 EUR per night.

Cologne has a variety of food options to suit different budgets. Breakfast can range from free, with some hostels offering a simple breakfast, to 4-12 EUR for a full sit-down meal. Budget-friendly lunch and dinner options include street food, ethnic cuisine, and traditional German restaurants, with prices ranging from 6-25 EUR. A pint of beer typically costs 3-5 EUR, and a bottle of wine is around 5-9 EUR.

Transportation costs are also reasonable, with basic single tickets for public transport costing 2.5 EUR, and a 24-hour unlimited ticket priced at 7.3 EUR. Bicycle rentals are also available, with prices varying depending on the rental period.

Frequently asked questions