Cologne

[glow]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of going to Cologne this year.
For one reason or another I have never been.

I would love to be able to fly from Exeter or Bristol but can only find a decent price ticket from gatwick flying with easyjet.

For those that have been is the centre easy to get to from cologne airport?

thanks
Kate x

[Mary Poppins]

Have a word with Jen's Husband (Musicman). He has posted in the general section a couple of pictures as he went to Cologne last week.

[friendlybaby]

Miranda at Twinkle went last year I think. She'll be full of advice and ideas.

[blush]

I went when I was about 13, beautiful place, I can still remember eating a knickerbocker glory in the square staring up at the cathedral

[theMusicMan]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of going to Cologne this year.
For one reason or another I have never been.

I would love to be able to fly from Exeter or Bristol but can only find a decent price ticket from gatwick flying with easyjet.

For those that have been is the centre easy to get to from cologne airport?

thanks
Kate x
Hi Kate

Not sure about Exeter, but a colleague joined me last week who flew from Bristol but had a stop over in Schippol. There are no direct flights to Cologne from Cardiff or Bristol, you have to change in Schippol.

As for the place, it is really lovely. I find Germany a very welcoming country, and have always enjoyed my trips there.

The taxi from the airport to my hotel (which was about a mile from the cathedral) cost me €36 and takes only about 15-30 mins depending on time of day and traffic.

I posted a few pics from Cologne the other day in the gossip section.

Hope this helps, Kate.

[friendlybaby]

"Cologne Exhibition Centre is the fourth largest in the world. It is located by the Rhine, directly opposite Cologne Cathedral, and the city centre is just a few minutes away by train, boat, car or on foot."

So add that together with Music Man's info and that tells you how easy and the cost of getting from the airport to the exhibition (I'm assuming it is Kind & Jugend that you are thinking of, and that this is in the main exhibition centre!)

[obscure]

We flew to Cologne when I went to Aachen a few years ago - the train service is amazing and its a dead easy journey into the centre.

Don't expect anything like UK trains though - its utterly efficient! They arrive bang on when they should - or every single train that was scheduled for the platform we were on did anyway! :)

Sadie

[glow]

Thanks everyone
Sorry for quick reply...I am feeding.

looks like I am going :-) can't wait.
Going to take the baby so hopefully can go early and come back same evening.

Kate xx

[Miranda]

Miranda at Twinkle went last year I think. She'll be full of advice and ideas.

Blimey 'twas year before last! I flew from Heathrow cos we're only half an hour away - DH dropped me then did the school run, and picked me up later, difference in cost to Gatwick wasn't a lot as no parking.

Are there any direct routes from Bristol to Frankfurt? Reason I ask is the train service is fab fab fab and I'm sure some visitors went that route due to plane convenience. (:cheesy:) Is less of a journey from Frankfurt to Koln than Bristol to Gatwick, and the train is lovely, I'd think about an hour max away, and train cost could be less than fuel costs/parking to Gatwick.

You will need 2 days for the whole show IME, I flitted about a bit in breaks (was working on a stand) and spent a lot of the last day (Sunday) looking around as that was the quietest day, but barely scratched the surface of what was there. For hotels, there's a good choice in Koln, all a simple shuttle train away from the Kolnmesse. For eating out I'd suggest ask your favourite suppliers (they may treat you, as was the case with me) for recommendations of beer houses - they do traditional German fare.
Lots of walking as the show is BIG, there are 4 halls, each hall is bigger than any NEC/Harrogate show. Comfy shoes are an absolute must! Was very hot when I was there, sometimes is sometimes isn't I was told - so layers will be the way to go. There are huge queues for some of the food stalls/restaurants at lunchtimes , so it's useful to go early if peckish or pick the brains of your suppliers as to which is best or best times to go. It's not cheap inside, so you can sneak in a roll and a bottle of water from the sandwich bar in Koln.

Great show, you'll enjoy it!

[friendlybaby]

Blimey 'twas year before last!

Goodness, how time flies! It doesn't even feel like 1 year since you telling me about it!