The possibilities are endless for getting around Cologne. There’s a choice of tram, underground, bus, bicycle hire, car sharing, car hire, rickshaw, mini-train or even cable car and ferry across the Rhine at certain times of the year! The centre is fairly compact and it’s easy enough to walk wherever you want to go. However, if you want to get quickly from one area to another, here is a list of possibilities starting with public transport.
From 1 June 2022 you can purchase a nine euro ticket for the month for all local and regional transport, this includes buses, trams and local trains. Express trains and high-speed trains are not included. The ticket is valid for one month. You can also purchase a one-month 9 euro ticket for July and August 2022.
Trams/underground*
The public transport system in Cologne is operated by the KVB (Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG, kvb.de). Tickets are valid for trams/underground and buses, or any combination. Ticket prices depend on the zone travelled. The cheapest ticket takes you four tram stops. However, if you are planning on making several trips throughout a day, then a one-day ticket or even a group ticket for up to five people might be more cost-effective or better still, see the details about the KölnCard below.
Single tickets are already validated but if you purchase a four journey ticket, you will need to validate it each journey (not when changing within the same journey). There is usually a red box attached to a vertical pole near the doors at each end of every tram carriage. Simply insert the ticket to date stamp it - fold back along the line for multiple stamps.
You can purchase tickets at the KVB shops, from a ticket machine on the tram or bus, or at the tram stop. Bus stops do not usually have ticket machines unless they are sharing the stop with a tram.
The machines have been updated over the last couple of years so contactless payment is possible. You can also download the KVB app to purchase your tickets.
KölnCard
This little favourably priced gem gives you unlimited use of public transport within Cologne plus discounts at many museums, shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. You can buy it at the usual ticket machines for public transport, from the Cologne Tourist Office, or possibly even in your hotel or hostel. For more details of how and where to use the KölnCard see here.
Buses
Tickets can be purchased and validated as for the trams. The buses tend to serve the suburbs and outlying areas.
Bicycle
Most of Cologne is served by cycle paths. Some are separate from the traffic and others are alongside the traffic. Bicycles are also allowed to cycle contraflow on one-way streets. This is usually indicated by a sign showing a bicycle with the word “frei” below it. A sign showing a cycle with arrows pointing left and right lets the cyclist know and warns car drivers where a contraflow crosses another road.
There are various bicycle hire systems you can register for to get around the city - or even scooters. Please note that some bicycles for hire, such as those from the KVB and Ford, have a back pedal brake. This means that if you pedal backwards, the brake comes on. I have to admit, this was new to me and I could not get the hang of it. So be warned, it takes some getting used to.
It is recommended to always lock up your bicycle – even if it's in a bike room at your accommodation.
Bicycle hire is available from some bike shops so it’s worth checking out your area. You can also sign up for the Deutsche Bahn (DB) “call a bike” service. The DB bikes are available in the summer months and function like car sharing. You need to register first here. As of 2022, DB is no longer allowing bicycle hire on the east (right) side of the Rhine due to vandalism issues. Another local bicycle sharing service is kvb-rad, you can sign up for it here .
If you are staying longer and want to purchase your own bicycle, there are regular second-hand bicycle markets, which offer a cheap option such as those run by fahrradmarkt-koeln.de.
Car hire
The usual European and international car hire firms can be found in Cologne, both in the city and at the airport.
Car sharing
This is very popular in Cologne and there is a choice. All require registration and usually a full driving licence held for a minimum of 12 months. The most common car share is SHARENOW, which allows you to pick up and drop off a car anywhere within the city limits or, for a surcharge, at the airport or even another city. Alternatively, Flinkster and Cambio, are more similar to a car hire system but one that lets you hire by the hour. You have to register for this and you pick up and drop off a car or van at a designated point.
*The trams running along the lines above ground are usually referred to as the “Strassenbahn” whereas those underground are known as the “U-Bahn”. The same vehicle runs along all the tracks but some lines only run above ground and others only below; the rest alternate between being above and below ground the length of their route. The network covers the whole of Cologne and is fairly efficient. Timetables are posted at every tram stop. An announcement or display on the tram informs you of the next stop and any connections you can make from that stop.