If you are planning to visit Cologne, you will want to save money on travel and attractions. Tourist cards offer incredible value for visitors by combining free public transport with huge discounts at museums, restaurants, shops, and cultural venues. This complete guide explains everything you need to know about Cologne’s main tourist cards so you can choose the best option for your visit.
The KölnCard: Cologne’s Main Tourist Card
The KölnCard is the official tourist card of Cologne and offers the best value for most visitors. It is the most popular choice for tourists exploring the city for one or two days.
What is Included in the KölnCard
The KölnCard gives you two main benefits that make it excellent value for money:
- Free unlimited public transport on all buses, trams, commuter trains (S-Bahn), and regional trains within the Cologne city area. This means you can get around the entire city without paying for tickets.
- Discounts of up to 50 percent at museums, restaurants, shops, sightseeing tours, and cultural attractions. You will receive discounts with more than 100 partner organisations throughout the city.
How Much Does the KölnCard Cost
| Card Type | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single Card | 24 hours | €9.00 |
| Single Card | 48 hours | €18.00 |
| Group Card (up to 5 people) | 24 hours | €19.00 |
| Group Card (up to 5 people) | 48 hours | €38.00 |
Value for Money Tip: A single 24 hour public transport ticket costs €8.50 on its own. This means by visiting just one museum with your KölnCard, you have already saved money and made the card pay for itself. The discounts add even more value to your visit.
How Long is the KölnCard Valid For
The KölnCard is available in two options: you can choose either a 24 hour card or a 48 hour card. The card becomes valid from the moment you first use it on public transport or at an attraction. So if you stamp your card at 10 AM on Monday, it will remain valid until 10 AM on Tuesday (24 hour card) or 10 AM on Wednesday (48 hour card). This means you choose when to activate your card based on your own travel plans.
Museum and Attraction Discounts
The KölnCard gives you discounts at over 100 partner locations. Here are some of the most popular attractions with major discounts:
50% off Cologne Carnival Museum
50% off Fragrance Museum (Duftmuseum Farina)
50% off Käthe Kollwitz Museum
50% off Cologne Mustard Museum
50% off Dance Museum (Tanzmuseum)
50% off German Sport and Olympics Museum
42% off Wolters Bimmelbahn sightseeing train
40% off Kolumba Art Museum
24% off Chocolate Museum
20% off Museum Ludwig
20% off Wallraf Richartz Museum
20% off Roman Germanic Museum
20% off Museum of Applied Arts
20% off Cologne Cathedral Treasury
20% off Cologne Zoo
20% off Odysseum Science Museum
15% off Cologne Cable Car (Seilbahn)
20% off River boat tours with KD Line
50% off Selected city tours
15 to 20% off Most restaurants and cafes
Restaurant and Shopping Discounts
Beyond museums and attractions, the KölnCard offers valuable discounts at many eating places and shops throughout Cologne. You will typically receive between 10 and 20 percent discounts at restaurants, cafes, and traditional breweries. Shopping discounts range from 10 to 15 percent at various retailers, including famous local businesses like the 4711 Cologne House and koelnwhisky shops.
Where to Buy the KölnCard
You can purchase the KölnCard from many different locations around Cologne:
- Cologne Tourist Information Centre at Kardinal Höffner Platz 1 (open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM)
- KVB App (download the official Cologne public transport app)
- KVB and DB ticket machines located throughout the city
- At many hotels and accommodations
- Travel agencies and tour operators
- Online at the VRS ticket shop website
- Through various booking websites like GetYourGuide, Civitatis, and Expedia
Important Information: The KölnCard is a paper ticket and must be validated by hand before your first journey. You need to write your name, date, and time on the card yourself. You must also validate it in the ticket stamping machine on your first use of public transport. The card is personal and non-transferable, so you must show a valid photo identification when using it.
The MuseumsCard: For Museum and Art Lovers
If you are passionate about museums and art, the MuseumsCard might be a better choice than the KölnCard. It focuses specifically on providing access to Cologne’s cultural institutions.
What is Included in the MuseumsCard
The MuseumsCard gives you:
- Free admission to all Cologne municipal museums on two consecutive opening days. This includes permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions.
- Free public transport in Cologne on the first day of your card’s validity.
- Access to important institutions like Museum Ludwig, Wallraf Richartz Museum, Museum of Applied Arts, Museum for East Asian Art, Museum Schnütgen, Rautenstrauch Joest Museum, Cologne City Museum, and the NS Documentation Centre.
MuseumsCard Prices
| Card Type | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Single Card | €20.00 | One person for two consecutive days |
| Family Card | €30.00 | Two adults and two children for two consecutive days |
| Annual Card (without special exhibitions) | €45.00 | Unlimited visits to all municipal museums for one year |
| Annual Card (with special exhibitions) | €90.00 | Unlimited visits including all special exhibitions for one year |
Best for Museum Lovers
If you plan to visit three or more municipal museums during your stay, the MuseumsCard will likely save you money compared to paying individual museum entrance fees. Cologne’s municipal museums are world class institutions, and the card allows you to explore them deeply. The family card option makes it excellent value for visits with children.
KölnCard Versus MuseumsCard: Which Should You Choose
| Feature | KölnCard | MuseumsCard |
|---|---|---|
| Free Public Transport | ✓ Full network | ✓ First day only |
| Duration | 24 or 48 hours | 2 consecutive days |
| Museum Discounts | 20 to 50 percent off | 100 percent off (free) |
| Restaurant Discounts | 15 to 20 percent off | Not included |
| Shopping Discounts | 10 to 15 percent off | Not included |
| Tours and Activities | Discounts available | Not included |
| Price for One Day | €9.00 | €20.00 |
| Price for Two Days | €18.00 | €20.00 |
| Best For | General visitors | Art and museum lovers |
Which Card Should You Buy
Choose the KölnCard if: You want to explore many different attractions beyond just museums, enjoy trying different restaurants, want maximum flexibility with public transport, or are visiting for just one or two days. This is the best choice for most tourists visiting Cologne.
Choose the MuseumsCard if: You are a serious art and culture enthusiast who wants to visit multiple municipal museums in depth, you are visiting with a family, or you want free admission to all major museums rather than discounts. This is particularly good value if you plan to spend most of your time in museums.
How to Use Your Tourist Card
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the KölnCard
- Purchase your KölnCard from one of the many locations listed above
- Fill in your name, date, and start time by hand on the card before your first use
- Validate the card in the ticket stamping machine (Stempelmaschine) on the bus, train, or tram before your first journey
- Show your card to the ticket inspector if asked on public transport
- At attractions and restaurants, present your card at the entrance or when ordering to claim your discount
- Continue using the card for either 24 or 48 hours depending on which version you purchased
Remember: Your card will not work on public transport until you have stamped it in the ticket machine. This means you must validate it before your first journey. Also, the card is valid only for the person whose name is written on it, so you cannot share it between friends or family members.
What Exactly Does the Card Include on Public Transport
With the KölnCard, you can use:
- All buses and trams (Stadtbahn) in Cologne
- Commuter trains (S-Bahn)
- Regional trains (RE, RB) in second class only
- Unlimited journeys for the duration of your card validity
Note that the card is valid only within the Cologne city area as defined by the VRS transport network. Journeys outside Cologne require additional tickets.
Money Saving Tips for Visiting Cologne
Calculate Your Savings
Before buying a card, think about what you plan to do in Cologne. If you are visiting attractions and restaurants, the KölnCard at nine euros quickly becomes excellent value. A single museum visit (often 12 to 15 euros) plus just one meal discount makes the card worth buying. Most visitors find they save significant money by purchasing a card.
Group Cards Save Even More
If you are visiting with friends or family, the group card is incredible value. For five people paying €19 for 24 hours, that works out to less than €4 per person. The group card includes unlimited public transport for all members, making it perfect for families.
Combine Cards for Extended Visits
If you are staying in Cologne for three days or more, consider buying a 48 hour KölnCard for your first two days and a MuseumsCard for days when you want to focus on museums. You can also buy multiple KölnCards to extend your benefits throughout your entire stay.
Take Advantage of All Discounts
Remember that your card offers discounts far beyond just museums. Visit shops, try restaurants, take sightseeing tours, and go to cultural events. Every discount adds up to significant total savings. The included guidebook lists all partner locations, so review it to find discounts at places you plan to visit.
Your Cologne Tourist Card Summary
Tourist cards are one of the best ways to save money while visiting Cologne. Whether you choose the flexible KölnCard with its excellent value and wide range of benefits or the MuseumsCard for museum focused travel, you will enjoy significant savings on attractions, restaurants, shopping, and public transport.
Quick Facts:
- KölnCard costs from just €9 for 24 hours
- MuseumsCard costs €20 for two days of museum access
- Both include valuable discounts at many locations
- Group cards offer excellent value for families and friends
- Cards can be purchased online or at numerous locations throughout the city
- Free unlimited public transport is included with every card
- The cards pay for themselves with just one or two attractions visited
Book your Cologne tourist card before you arrive or purchase one at the Tourist Information Centre when you get to Cologne. Either way, you will enjoy a wonderful visit to this incredible Rhine River city with fantastic savings on everything from museums to meals.
Is the KölnCard worth buying for a short visit?
Absolutely yes. At just €9 for 24 hours, the KölnCard pays for itself with a single museum visit (most cost €12 to €15). You get unlimited public transport on all buses, trams, and trains plus discounts of up to 50 percent at over 100 attractions, restaurants, and shops. Even if you only visit one museum and eat one restaurant meal with discounts, you save money. It is excellent value for any visitor staying 1 to 2 days in Cologne.
What is the difference between KölnCard and MuseumsCard?
KölnCard (€9 for 24 hours or €18 for 48 hours) includes unlimited public transport plus discounts at attractions, restaurants, and shops. MuseumsCard (€20 for 2 days, €30 family card) gives free admission to all municipal museums but limited transport. Choose KölnCard for general sightseeing and dining. Choose MuseumsCard only if you are a serious museum lover wanting to spend most of your time in museums rather than restaurants or shopping. For group cards, KölnCard group (€19 to €38 for up to 5 people) offers incredible value.
Can I use the KölnCard at all restaurants and shops in Cologne?
No, the KölnCard works at over 100 partner locations including major museums and attractions, plus many restaurants, cafes, and shops. Not every business accepts it. Check the included partner list or contact the tourist office for specific venues. However, most major attractions like the Cathedral, Chocolate Museum, Zoo, and popular restaurants do accept it. Discounts typically range from 15 to 50 percent depending on the venue. The card pays for itself at just one major museum.
Where can I buy the KölnCard?
You can purchase the KölnCard at multiple locations: Cologne Tourist Information Centre at Kardinal Höffner Platz 1 (Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 7 PM), KVB ticket machines throughout the city, major hotels and accommodations, travel agencies, and online through websites like GetYourGuide, Civitatis, and Expedia. The simplest option is buying from a ticket machine at Cologne Central Station when you arrive, which takes just seconds and operates 24 hours.
Do children need to purchase their own KölnCard?
Yes, each person including children needs their own card to receive discounts and use included public transport. However, children’s fares are discounted compared to adults (approximately 50 percent less). Family packages and group options are available for groups of 5 or more people. The KölnCard provides excellent value even for families as discounts at family-friendly attractions like the Zoo (20 percent off), Chocolate Museum (24 percent off), and Odysseum science museum (20 percent off) add up quickly. A family of four can save €50 to €100 daily.