48 Hours in Cologne (Köln)
Wait, Is Köln the Same as Cologne?
Yes it is!
Köln is the original German name of the city. Cologne is just the English version of Köln.
You’ll notice the same thing when you plan your trip to Munich, where you might see München.
Is Cologne Good for a Weekend Trip?
Absolutely, especially if you’re looking for a short but fun side trip from your hometown in Germany, or from your European holidays.
Plus, the people in Cologne are some of the most outgoing and friendlier bunch of people in Germany.
If you get lost or have any questions, just ask and someone will help you out.
How to Get Around Cologne with Public Transportation?
If you’re visiting from outside of Germany, then you can consider purchasing a day-pass or a multi-day pass for their public transportation.
If you’re in a rush, you can even purchase the tickets from the machines inside their U-Bahns.
P.S. You should also look into the Köln Card that is perfect for tourists and visitors.
What’s Included in the Köln Card?
It’s the perfect card any visitors to Cologne.
At a glance, it includes the following:
Free ride on public transportation within Cologne
Discounted admission to most museums
Up to 50% discount on most tours
For only 9 EUR per 24-hour period or 18 EUR for 48 hours, it’s a bargain.
Travelling as a family? A group ticket only costs 19 EUR for a 24-hour period, or 38 for 48 hours.
Which Hotel & District to Stay at in Cologne?
When we visited during the Carnival weekend in February 2025, we stayed in Neumarkt, specifically at the Motel One Hotel.
But don’t let the name fool you.
Coming from Canada and the US, we were hesitant too.
We immediately thought that it might be like a Super 8 motel or similar, right?
But once we arrived in Neumarkt, the Motel One Hotel in Neumarkt only impressed us.
Why You Should Stay at the Motel One in Cologne’s Neumarkt
Motel One Neumarkt is a central location in Cologne, where you are a 3-minute walk from the nearest U-bahn station & a 15-minute walk to the Cologne Cathedral (Köln Dome).
It’s far from a classic “motel” in North America.
You’ll be welcomed with a giant lobby.
On the left, you will find the check-in counter.
On the right, you can’t miss a giant lounge where you can enjoy a drink & snacks from the bar.
Straight ahead (past the elevators) is the breakfast restaurant, where you can enjoy a breakfast buffet for 17.90 Euros.
Though I should warn you - there are no warm dishes like scrambled eggs, hot sausages, or bacon.
Food aside, Motel One Neumarkt lived up to its high cleanliness rating, which is a big factor for us.
We weren’t disappointed, and neither will you.
Even after you checked out of your room, you can request to store your bags at the front desk, so that you see more of Cologne before your train ride or flight.
Up for it? Book your stay at Motel One Köln-Neumarkt.
Do They Speak English in Cologne?
Heck yes!
And the local Colognians are known to be very outgoing & friendly.
So if you have any questions, need recommendations, or if you got yourself lost...just ask & they will likely understand and help you.
Which Cologne Museums to Visit in Cologne?
There are two main cologne museums in Köln: Farina-Haus and 4711.
On Google Maps, you can search for them as ‘Duftmuseum im Farina Haus’ and ‘Dufthaus 4711’.
We learned about these Duftmuseums thanks to the Motel One’s Hotel manager, Matthias!
On Saturday afternoon, we only managed to take the tour (in English) inside the Farina Haus.
We didn’t get a chance to visit the 4711 because they only had 1 public tour per weekend - and it’s on Saturdays at 1 PM for 50 minutes.
Learn from our mistake and here’s what we recommend for you & cologne-ethusiasts:
Book your public tour at 4711 on Saturday at 1 PM
Then booked the English tour at Farina Haus at 4 PM
With this, you’ll hear both sides of the controversial cologne history.
You’ll learn and discover who was pioneered fragrance and who ran off with the idea to profit for more money.
Which Kölsch Brewery (Brauhaus) to Visit in Cologne?
After arriving in Cologne, we recommend going to Früh am Dom for your first night’s dinner.
Here, you will find the classic Schnitzel and Käsespätzle alongside their house beer - the Früh Kolsch.
When ordering your Kolsch, they will write one stick on your coaster for every refill. Yes, they tally it up in front of you!
Granted, the Kolsch are served in smaller 200 ml glasses.
Interested? Check out the full menu (Speisekarte) of Früh am Dom.
What to Expect on the ICE Trains to Cologne on Carnival Weekend
Coming from Stuttgart, we booked a high-speed DB ICE train to Cologne for the short 2.5 hour train ride.
We booked our tickets 2 months in advance & not even being aware of the Carnival weekend.
For only 95 Euros, we found 2 direct round-trip ICE tickets on Deutsche Bahn.
Yes, for 2 people. Round trip.
But...the excitement ended there.
In the coming weeks, our ICE trains were delayed & eventually cancelled due to timetable changes.
On the travel day, all of the ICE trains en route to Cologne were filled to the brim.
So much so that we had to stand or sit on the floor during the entire train ride from Stuttgart to Cologne - along with tens of other passengers.
Just something to keep in mind for your next Cologne Carnival trip!
