Explore Cologne On A Budget: Best Affordable Stays

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a popular tourist destination with a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. The best cheap hotels in Cologne offer comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and convenient locations near the city's top attractions. Here is a guide to the best budget-friendly places to stay in Cologne.

Altstadt (Old Town)

The Altstadt, or Old Town, is Cologne's medieval heart, located on the left bank of the Rhine River. This area offers a mix of budget-friendly hotels, hostels, and guesthouses. It's an ideal base for exploring the city's top attractions, including the Cologne Cathedral, the Roman ruins, and the Romano-Germanic Museum. The Excelsior Hotel Ernst, Hotel Mondial am Dom, and Stern am Rathaus are popular choices for travellers seeking affordable accommodation in the Old Town.

Neumarkt & Belgisches Viertel (Belgian Quarter)

The Belgian Quarter, or Belgisches Viertel, is a trendy and vibrant neighbourhood known for its hip cafes, indie boutiques, art galleries, and nightlife. It's a great option for those looking for a more unique and artsy experience. The Belgian Quarter offers a range of budget-friendly options, such as the Hotel Cologne Rudolfplatz, Hotel Flandrischer Hof, and Limehome Köln Friesenplatz.

Deutz

Deutz, located just across the Rhine River from the city centre, is a quieter and more residential area. It's a convenient base for families, offering easy access to the Cologne Zoo, the Rheinpark, and the KölnMesse exhibition centre. The Radisson Blu Hotel and Günnewig Stadtpalais are popular choices for families looking for affordable accommodation in Deutz.

Altstadt-Süd

Altstadt-Süd, just south of the city centre, is a charming neighbourhood filled with budget-friendly hotels and hostels. It's an excellent option for those seeking a central location without breaking the bank. The Hotel im Wasserturm, Hotel Allegro, and Hotel Marsil are highly-rated budget options in this area.

Ehrenfeld

Ehrenfeld is a trendy and multicultural district known for its street art, indie boutiques, live music venues, and diverse food scene. It's a great choice for those looking to immerse themselves in Cologne's local culture and arts scene. The Imperial Cologne, Ameron Hotel Regent, and Park Inn by Radisson Cologne City West are popular budget-friendly options in Ehrenfeld.

When planning your trip to Cologne, consider visiting during the shoulder months of April, May, September, or October, when hotel rates tend to be lower. Additionally, booking in advance and utilising price comparison websites can help you find the best deals on accommodation.

Cheap hotels in Cologne's Old Town

Cologne's Old Town is a popular area to stay, with many of the city's top attractions within walking distance. Here are some cheap hotel options in the area:

• Hotel Mondial am Dom Cologne-MGallery is located just 0.1 miles from Historic Old Town and offers a superb location and attentive staff.
• CityClass Hotel am Dom is just 0.1 miles from Historic Old Town and offers discounted parking and comfortable rooms.
• Ibis Koeln Am Dom is a decent budget hotel located directly on the station and in front of the Dom.
• Rhein Hotel St.Martin is located 0.1 miles from Historic Old Town and offers a good location, comfy beds, and a tasty breakfast.
• XII Apostel Albergo Hotel is located 0.1 miles from Historic Old Town and offers a great location, good wifi, and all necessary facilities.
• Hotel Zur Malzmuehle is located 0.3 miles from Historic Old Town and offers a super central location, clean and tidy rooms, and excellent food and service.

Budget-friendly accommodation in the Belgian Quarter

The Belgian Quarter, or Belgisches Viertel in German, is one of the coolest neighbourhoods to stay in when visiting Cologne. Located in the heart of the city, this vibrant area is known for its hip cafes, indie boutiques, art galleries, and nightlife. It's where the city's young trendsetters and creatives hang out.

The Belgian Quarter is a food lover's dream. You'll find an eclectic mix of international restaurants, from Thai to Mexican to Italian. Some recommended spots include Fräulein Fiona, a cosy cafe with amazing breakfast/brunch; Ban Canteen, for authentic Thai street food; Freddy Schilling, for gourmet burgers and cocktails; and Mashery, for innovative fine dining.

For unique fashion, home decor, vinyl records, and more, stroll along Brüsseler Platz and duck into the many independent shops. A few must-visits are Magasin 2 concept store, STUF vintage, and Boutique Belgique. On weekends, check out the artisan stalls at the Stadtgarten market.

The Belgian Quarter has a thriving art scene, with numerous galleries like Ruttkowski;68 contemporary and Galerie Biesenbach. Catch an indie film at Filmpalette cinema. In the evening, see live music at popular venues like YUCA and Tsunami Club.

The neighbourhood is very walkable and easy to navigate. It's about a 20-minute walk to the train station. You can also hop on the U-Bahn (subway) lines 3 or 4 at Friesenplatz to get around the city quickly.

• Hotel Cologne Rudolfplatz: Offering spacious rooms with views, a restaurant with a buffet breakfast, and free WiFi access. This great hotel stands on Rudolfplatz Square, just 200 metres from Hahnentorburg Castle.
• Hotel Flandrischer Hof: This 3-star hotel offers modern rooms with free WiFi. It’s located near the city centre, just a 15-minute walk from the Rhine promenade.
• Limehome Köln Friesenplatz: This condo hotel features an elevator and free WiFi. Neumarkt Square is a 13-minute walk away, and Museum Ludwig is 1.1 miles from the condo hotel.
• Hostel Die Wohngemeinschaft: Stay in a historic building with a sunny courtyard at this top-rated hostel. The dorms and privates are simple but comfortable. The friendly staff hosts fun events like movie nights. Centrally located near restaurants and nightlife.

Affordable places to stay in Deutz

Deutz, Cologne, is a great neighbourhood to stay in if you're visiting the city. It's home to the Cologne Cathedral, shops, historical sites, museums, and river views. Here are some of the best affordable places to stay in Deutz:

• Hotel Freiheit: This Art Deco hotel offers free breakfast, free WiFi, and a snack bar.
• Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne: This hotel features an indoor pool, a restaurant, free WiFi, a sauna, a fitness centre, and a bar.
• Dorint An der Messe Köln: This hotel has an indoor pool, a restaurant, free WiFi, a steam room, a fitness centre, and a bar.
• Radisson Blu Hotel: This luxury hotel has two restaurants, a spa, free WiFi, a sauna, a fitness centre, and a bar with a terrace.
• Akazienhof Hotel & Brauhaus: This affordable, pet-friendly hotel is located in a quiet area. It's close to cultural points of interest such as the Deutz Technikum Engine Museum.

Low-cost hotels in Altstadt-Süd

Premier Inn Köln City Süd

Premier Inn Köln City Süd is located 1.4 km from Theater am Dom and offers air-conditioned rooms and a bar. A guest described the staff as "great", the view as "great" and the breakfast as "awesome".

B-Chill Cologne

B-Chill Cologne is 400 metres from Wallraf-Richartz Museum and 1.3 km from Musical Dome Cologne. A guest praised the "very friendly staff", "great location" and "really clean room".

Hotel Lyskirchen

Hotel Lyskirchen is 2 km from the Cologne Chocolate Museum and 2.3 km from the National Socialism Documentation Centre.

Mercure Hotel Severinshof

Mercure Hotel Severinshof is 1.2 km from the Cologne Chocolate Museum and 1.5 km from the National Socialism Documentation Centre.

Ibis budget Koeln Marsdorf

This hotel is located outside the LEZ zone and is a quick hop onto the tram, which is an 8-minute walk away.

Hotel Servatius Köln

Hotel Servatius Köln is located a bit out of town and offers free parking.

Cheap rooms in Ehrenfeld

Ehrenfeld is a hip, multicultural district in Cologne, known for its thriving art and creative scene, and global food offerings. Here are some cheap room options in Ehrenfeld:

B&B Hotel Köln-Ehrenfeld

This hotel is located in the heart of Ehrenfeld and offers air-conditioned rooms, a bar, and a family-friendly atmosphere. The tram station is a 10-minute walk away, and there is a big parking lot available.

B&B Hotel Köln-City

This hotel is 3.2 km from Neumarkt Square Cologne and provides air-conditioned rooms and a bar. The staff is helpful, and the rooms are clean and comfortable.

Hotel Imperial

This fine 4-star hotel is located in a peaceful area of Ehrenfeld, near the Stadtgarten park. It offers free WiFi and is about a 5-minute walk to U-Bahn lines 3/4, making it convenient for getting to Koelnmesse and the city centre. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the staff is friendly and helpful.

Black Hotels Köln

This hotel provides accommodation with a bar, private parking, and a terrace. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the rooms are spacious.

Best Western Plus Hotel Koeln City

This 4-star hotel has a fitness centre, a terrace, a restaurant, and a bar. It offers room service, a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi. The location is perfect for a city tour, and the beds are comfortable.

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