Moving to Cologne

Cologne Bonn Airport has its own station. The S19 and regional trains reach Köln Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes. Düsseldorf Airport is about 30 to 45 minutes away by regional train or ICE, if your flight lands there.

KVB runs the trams (Stadtbahn) and buses; the S-Bahn and regional trains are part of the same VRS ticket system.

• The €63 Deutschlandticket covers the whole network, including trips to Bonn and Düsseldorf by regional train.
• Most universities include the Deutschland-Semesterticket in the semester fee. Check yours before you buy a ticket.

You can register at any Kundenzentrum in Cologne. On Mondays and Wednesdays you can walk in without an appointment; on the other weekdays you need to book. Registration is free, and you can also register online.

Cologne's Ausländeramt has a central office and district offices (Bezirksausländerämter). Which one you use depends on your postcode and the type of permit; the online booking finds the right one from your postcode.

The median WG room in Cologne was advertised at €640 a month in September 2026, according to the Moses Mendelssohn Institute's analysis of WG-Gesucht listings.

• Student halls are run by the Kölner Studierendenwerk.
• Districts on the right bank of the Rhine, such as Kalk and Mülheim, are usually cheaper.

The University of Cologne and TH Köln run welcome services for international students and researchers. For skilled workers, the federal Make it in Germany hotline answers questions before you move.