Transportation in and around Cologne
How to Get to Cologne
Your best method of getting into the city itself is by train. There are numerous regional trains (RE and RB) as well as city trains (S) operated by Deutsche Bahn that will get you to Cologne Main Station or Cologne Messe/Deutz Station.
Cologne Main Station and Cologne Messe/Deutz are a very short distance from each other and almost all Deutsche Bahn trains as well as many trams stop here.
Although you may decide on a station based on your final destination and accommodation, both these two stations are a wonderful starting point to reach pretty much any part of Cologne and the area around.
Public Transportation in Cologne
Generally speaking there is a distinction between trains and tram lines – the tram lines are part of Cologne (and in part Bonn) and are run by a local transport association called KVB.
In addition to that Cologne has a few train stations which are run by the Deutsche Bahn or short DB (German Railway) – here various kinds of trains will stop.
We will provide you with ticket to be able travel with public transportation in Cologne, valid for all conference days.
How to reach the University of Cologne, Main Campus
The IFTR takes place at the campus of the University of Cologne (Abertus Magnus Platz, 50923), in the heart of the city, reachable by foot, tram or train. Line 9 of the local tram KVB stops directly at the university – the station is called Universität. A bit farther is the stop called Universitätsstraße (university street) that is passed by line 1 and 7. From there it will be a short 10 minute walk to the centre of the campus.
Arriving by train is also an option. You can travel to Köln Süd (Cologne South station) by various trains, e.g. RB 48, RE 5, RB26 etc. and walk the rest of the way, it’s only a short 10 minute walk.
But your options don’t end there. A variety of other trams will get you in walking distance of the campus as well. Lines 12 and 15 will get you to the stop Zülpicher Platz where you can take Line 9 to the university or from which you can go on foot – it will take you around 15 minutes. The next bigger tram stop is right around the corner: Barbarossaplatz. The lines 12, 15, 16, and 18 stop there. A walk to the campus will take you about 20 minutes.
In addition to all of the above, there are a variety of bus lines which will get you to the UoC main campus. However, often it will be fastest to travel by tram.
Apps like Google Maps, the KVB App or DB Navigator can help you plan the quickest way.
Luckily, public transportation in Cologne is, though not always punctual, quite good and it will get you to where you want.
Visa and Schengen Area
To help you find information on visa requirements, we have put together some links to the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.
Linked here is a list of visa requirements and exemptions, telling you whether you will be needing a visa for entry into Germany, or not. There is also a search tool to find German Missions near you, an FAQ with basic information, and an application form for the Schengen visa.
Please consult these resources before writing us an e-Mail with your remaining questions.
If you need an invitation letter for your visa application in addition to the letter of acceptance you received, please follow the link in the letter of acceptance. The form for requesting an invitation letter can only be reached via this link, you will not be able to find it on the website.
Safe travels – we are looking forward to your visit!
Accommodation in Cologne
Using this following link you can find a PDF file with all the relevant information regarding accommodation in Cologne. You will find a list of hotels where a certain contingent of rooms has been reserved for you until March 10. The list also includes other affordable places where you can stay, sorted by price range.
