Cologne Essentials

Cologne Essentials & Tourist Information

Currency	Euro
Flight Time	UK 1H 20 minutes aprox
Time Zone	GMT = +1 hour
Language	German
Voltage	220 V (European two-pin plugs)

Cologne Tourist Attractions
It pays to purchase a Welcome Card for your visit to Cologne with free unrestricted access on the entire public transport system and 50% off entry at most attractions in the city. Another surprising perk is free beer or schnapps at certain city centre bars. It costs €12 for 24 hour validity. Cologne's most iconic monument is its outstanding cathedral which no visit should miss. This 13th century structure is the perfect example of gothic elegance with towering spires that dominate the city skyline. It contains many important religious works of art and beautifully ornate windows. English language tours are conducted daily and cost €7.  

German Phrases For Tourists

Hello	Hallo		Do you speak English?	Sprechen Sie Englisch
Goodbye	Auf Wiedersehen		Excuse me	Wie bitte
Good Evening	Guten Abend		How much is it?	Was bitte
Yes	Ja		Where is...?	Was kostet?
No	Nein		Hotel	das Hotel
Please	Bitte		The bill pease	Die Rechnung, bitte
Thank you very much	Danke schön		Beer	das Bier
How are you?	Wie gehts?		Coffee	der Kaffee

Cologne Opening Hours
The main shopping district of the Hohe Straße and Schildergasse are open on weekdays from 10 am to 8 pm and on Fridays until 10 pm. Central and out of town shopping malls keep similar business hours and supermarkets are usually open until 8pm Monday-Saturday. Most high street banks open at 10am and close at 6pm during the week and at 4pm on Saturdays.

Tipping & Etiquette in Cologne
Service charges are almost always included on restaurant bills but its common practice to leave an additional 10% for an enjoyable meal. Tipping is also common in cafes, bars, for tour guides and taxi journeys where a few Euros should be adequate.    

Cologne Food & Drink
Cologne is a renowned gastronomic city with a fabulous range of restaurants to cater to all palates. High class French and Italian food, South American steak houses and Asian restaurants provide a cosmopolitan choice for diners. Traditional food is still popular and features a range of tasty snacks. Sample a plate of Rievkooche grated potato cakes or Himmel un Ääd, which is fried black pudding with potatoes and applesauce and wash it down with a cold glass of Kölsch - the most famous beer brewed in Cologne. Rhenish Sauerbraten (marinated roast beef) is one of the most popular main dishes and fresh salmon is also a key ingredient for many tasty recipes.

Cologne Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Cologne – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 110
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire – 112

Disabled Access in Cologne
There are some obstacles to the disabled visitor in Cologne which mainly centres around the difficult access on the public transport system. Tram and subway stations are almost all inaccessible to wheelchair users and a good supply of adapted taxis should resolve difficulties in getting around. Most public buildings offer some form of ramp access and even most of the historic attractions have been adapted. All major cinemas and theatres allow easy entry for wheelchairs and many hotels - from youth hostels to five star suites - offer a good selection of adapted disabled accommodation.

German Embassies
• British Consulate Yorck Strasse 19, 40476 Düsseldorf Telephone: +49 (0) 211 94480
• German Embassy - 23 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PZ Telephone 020 7824 1300

Cologne City Breaks  Getting Around Cologne

Things To Do In Cologne  Cologne Weather