A Guide To Paying For Parking In Cologne

If you're looking to pay for parking in Cologne, Germany, there are a few options. On-street parking in the city is unlimited but expensive, with rates of €4.00/hour. A cheaper option is to use a car park, where rates are usually between €1.50-2.50/hour, with a daily maximum of €10.00-25.00. For free or cheap parking, consider the P+R's on the outskirts of the city, which offer parking rates of €1.00-2.50/day. If you're looking to park near the airport, the Cologne/Bonn “Konrad Adenauer” (CGN) Airport offers over 12,500 parking spaces, with parking garages located directly at the terminal.

Parking apps for Cologne

There are several parking apps available for use in Cologne, Germany, that can help you find and pay for parking spots. Here are some options:

EasyPark

This app, formerly known as Parkmobile, is available in over 1500 cities across Europe, including Cologne. It allows you to pay for parking using a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Klarna. You can use it to search for both on-street and off-street parking spots. Additionally, it provides information on the nearest charging stations for electric vehicles. EasyPark offers select packages tailored to businesses looking to save time and money on parking. The app charges a monthly fee of €1.99 per user, plus a €0.25 service fee for each parking activity.

PayByPhone

PayByPhone is another app-based payment method available for on-street parking in Cologne. While specific features and functionalities are not readily available, the app seems to be widely used and recommended.

Parknav

The Parknav app provides real-time parking availability in Cologne. It offers turn-by-turn parking navigation and analytics, helping you find on-street and off-street parking options. While the app is available for download, it requires a subscription for full access.

Ampido

Ampido is mentioned as an app that can be used to pay for parking in private spots in Cologne. However, it is not clear if the app covers a wider range of parking options.

Q-Park

While not explicitly mentioned as an app, Q-Park offers parking deals and guaranteed parking spaces in multiple locations across Cologne. These include parking facilities near the cathedral, old town, and other attractions in the city. Q-Park provides low daily rates and the option to secure a permanent parking space in the city centre.

When choosing a parking app, consider your specific needs, such as the frequency of use, payment methods, additional features, and any associated costs or subscriptions. These apps can help make your parking experience in Cologne more convenient and efficient.

Cologne airport parking

Cologne Bonn Airport has over 12,500 parking spaces available in three multi-storey car parks (P1, P2, and P3) and two parking areas (P-Nord and P-Süd). The car parks are located in the north-west of the terminals, a 5-10 minute drive away, and the car park guidance system will show you where free spaces are and the shortest route to them.

Prices

The parking fee for drive-in customers at P1 is €7 per hour or part thereof, up to a maximum of €43 per day. One week’s parking is available from €119.

P2 offers disabled parking, women’s parking, and exclusive parking with a separate security area. The normal rate is €169 for a week, with a reservation in advance from €69 per week. Security parking costs €55 per day and €205 per week. The maximum entry height for cars in P2 is 1.95 metres.

P3 is within walking distance of Terminal 2. The parking fees are €109 per week, or from €39 per week when booked online.

P-Nord is an outdoor car park suitable for vehicles that exceed the maximum height for the multi-storey car parks. For the first week, you pay €180 at the normal rate, and from €125 per week if you book in advance.

Booking

For P1, P2, P3, and P-Nord, it is recommended to make an online reservation at least 24 hours before parking to secure a parking space at a limited special rate. An express reservation made up to one hour before parking will incur a €5 surcharge. To book, select the booking period and the desired parking space and enter your license plate number if you want the barrier to open automatically. You can then pay online in advance, and you will receive a booking confirmation email with a QR code which you can print out or save to your smartphone. When you arrive, scan the QR code at the barrier of your booked car park, find a space, and walk to the terminal. When you return, you can use the QR code to exit the car park without needing to visit the ticket machine.

Short-term parking

Short-term parking is available directly in front of the terminals. There is one free entry per day for up to 10 minutes. After that, it is €8 for up to 15 minutes, and €3 for every additional 5 minutes, up to a maximum of €43 per day. The maximum parking time is one hour. It is much cheaper to park in one of the multi-storey car parks for a short period than in the terminal driveway.

Alternative providers

Alternative providers offer cheaper parking spaces near the airport, although they are further away from the terminal entrance. They still provide a secure place to park your vehicle and accept debit and credit cards, EC cards, and express bookings. They are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cologne on-street parking

On-street parking in Cologne is unlimited but can be expensive. It costs €4.00 per hour in the Innenstadt/Deutz area, and €2.00 per hour in the rest of central Cologne (Ehrenfeld, Lindenthal, Mülheim, Nippes, Porz). In these areas, parking is unlimited from Monday to Saturday, and costs €5.00 per day.

There are also some free parking options on the outskirts of the city, such as the P+R car parks, which also offer cheap rates for those using public transport into the city centre. The P+R parking rate is €1.00-2.50 per day, or free with a valid public transport ticket.

There are also some loading zones that are time-bound, where you can park for free outside of those times. For example, there is one located behind Früh Brauhaus, which is free after 13:00. However, these spaces are popular, so you may need to be lucky to get one.

Another option is to use the Ampido app, which offers cheap private parking slots.

If you are visiting the cathedral, old town, or other city sights, it may be easier to use a car park in the city centre. These are cheaper than on-street parking, with rates of €1.50-2.50 per hour, and a daily maximum of €10.00-25.00.

Q-Park offers parking in the heart of Cologne, directly on the pedestrian zone Breite Straße. From here, you can reach all the sights and shopping facilities of the city centre within a short time.

Cologne city centre parking

Parking in the city centre of Cologne can be challenging, especially if you are looking for a free parking space near the cathedral, old town, or other sights. On-street parking in the city centre is unlimited but can be expensive, with rates of €4.00 per hour. Cheaper options are available in public car parks, with rates of €1.50-2.50 per hour and a daily maximum of €10.00-25.00.

If you are looking for a parking space near the cathedral, the Parkhaus Kölner Dom parking garage is located directly beneath the Cologne Cathedral. The address is Kurt-Hackenberg-Platz 2, 50667 Köln, Duitsland.

Another option for city centre parking is the Parkhaus Heumarkt Cologne parking garage, located near the Heumarkt square in the Old Town. The address is Markmannsgasse 3, 50667 Köln, Duitsland.

If you are looking for a more affordable option, you can try the P+R parking lots on the outskirts of the city. These offer free or cheap parking, with rates as low as €1.00-2.50 per day, and you can take public transportation into the city centre.

Additionally, there are some apps that can help you find parking in Cologne, such as the Parknav app, which provides real-time parking availability.

Free parking in Cologne

If you're looking for free parking in Cologne, there are a few options to consider:

P+R Parking Lots

P+R parking lots on the outskirts of the city offer free or very cheap parking. These lots are usually located outside the city centre, and you can take public transportation into the city. The parking rate for these lots is typically between €1.00 and €2.50 per day, and parking is often free with a public transport ticket.

Time-Bound Loading Zones

Look for time-bound loading zones (Ladezone werktags 8-18 Uhr) where you can park for free outside of specified days and hours. For example, there's one behind Früh Brauhaus that's free after 13:00. However, keep in mind that these spaces are popular and may be hard to come by.

Street Parking

While street parking in Cologne is unlimited, it can be rather expensive. However, some streets offer cheaper rates, such as "Venloer Wall", where you can park for €4 per day, just a 10-minute walk from Friesenplatz.

Apps

You can also try using apps like "Ampido" to find cheap private parking spots.

Additionally, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Parking garages in the city centre can be expensive, with rates increasing as you get closer to the centre.
• Be mindful of parking regulations and signs designating resident-only parking zones ('Anwohnerparken' or 'Anliegerfrei').
• The city has a Low Emission Zone (Umweltzone) in the city centre, requiring a special sticker for entry.

Frequently asked questions