From history and culture to food, sport and entertainment, Cologne has something for everyone.

When to book flights to Cologne

The main tourist season in Cologne runs from July to August. The warm weather and clear skies offer the perfect conditions to enjoy the city’s parks and beer gardens while regular outdoor events take place throughout the summer months.

Although summer is the most popular time to book flights to Cologne, Germany, the run up to Christmas is also a great time to visit the city. Cologne hosts an enormous festive market complete with food, drink and other seasonal specialities. However, make sure you wrap up warm if you’re booking flights at this time of year as temperatures can be chilly.

How to find cheap flights to Cologne

Whether you decide to visit the city at Christmas, in the summer or at any other time of year, finding cheap flights to Cologne is essential if you want to make the most of your holiday budget. Expedia has a number of handy tools that will help you to find the best deals around.

One of the best ways to find a cheap flight is to click the ‘Show flexible dates’ link on the results page. Flights are often cheaper on different days of the week so being a little flexible with your travel plans can pay dividends.

Another good way to keep the cost of direct flights to Cologne to a minimum is to search for departures from other airports in your local area. Click the ‘Nearby airports’ link at the top of the page to see if there are any other terminals within easy reach of your departure point and then search for cheap flights to Cologne from there.

Arrange your results by price, duration or departure time using the drop down menu at the top of the page. You can also use the filters to the left of your results to further refine your search.

Cologne Bonn Airport

Unusually for a major airport, Cologne Bonn is surrounded by a nature reserve. Located just under 10 miles from the city centre, it’s easily accessible by car and public transport. Both local and national train lines stop at the airport, connecting the terminal with Cologne, Frankfurt, Bonn and Dusseldorf. Buses, taxis and hire cars are all also available at the terminal building.

The majority of flights that depart from Cologne are destined for cities and holiday destinations across Europe. However there are also a number of seasonal services connecting the airport with North Africa and the Middle East.

Which airlines fly to Cologne?

These include:

• Ryanair
• Eurowings
• Lufthansa
• KLM
• British Airways
• FlyBe

How to get around Cologne

Cologne’s public transport network is modern, affordable and easy to navigate. The easiest way to get around the city is by tram. Trams run both overground and underground and connect pretty much all of the main areas of the city. Regional train services link Cologne with other towns and cities in the area while taxis and buses are also available.

One of the best ways to see the city is by bike. Cologne has an excellent network of cycle paths and bikes can be easily and cheaply rented from a large number of locations throughout the city including via Cologne’s public bike share scheme.

Many parts of central Cologne are compact enough to explore on foot. Most of the main sights are within strolling distance of each other, with buses and trams readily available if your feet begin to ache.

Must-see attractions in Cologne

Cologne’s most famous attraction is its towering cathedral. Located on the left bank of the Rhine, the cathedral is a Unesco World Heritage Site and remains one of the most impressive buildings of its type in Europe. Climb one of the cathedral’s famous twin towers to enjoy panoramic views over Cologne.

From the Cathedral it’s just a short walk to Cologne’s old town. Home to a number of beautiful buildings and pretty squares, it’s the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon stroll. Stop to refuel at one of the many bars, cafes and restaurants that dot the area.

Tips for travelling in Cologne

Like many German cities, Cologne offers visitors the chance to purchase a tourist card for their stay. As well as free travel on public transport, this also gives you up to half price entry to a number of attractions.