Tickets – Cologne Cathedral

For church services, personal prayer, or to light a candle, you do not need a ticket.

Please also see our frequently asked questions about ticket booking for Cologne Cathedral.

Entrances

1
Main Portal
For visitors with pre-purchased tickets
2
North Portal Entrance
Free entry for prayer, to light a candle, and to visit the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

1
Main Portal
For visitors with pre-purchased tickets
2
North Portal Entrance
Free entry for prayer, to light a candle, and to visit the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

The main portal is generally opened for church services. On weekday mornings and evenings, entry is usually via the north portal.

Please note:

You can purchase a maximum of 9 tickets per booking. For larger groups, please use the group booking option.

Photography for private use only

Only small bags measuring up to 40 × 35 × 15 cm are permitted.

Please note our visitor guidelines

Please refer to the frequently asked questions about visiting Cologne Cathedral.

Frequently asked questions

When am I required to pay a visitor admission fee to enter Cologne Cathedral?

Outside liturgical services and other acts of worship, Cologne Cathedral is open for silent visitation. Opening hours are generally daily from 10:00 to 17:45 (last admission 17:30), and on Sundays and ecclesiastical holidays from 13:30 to 16:30 (last admission 16:15).

Why is Cologne Cathedral introducing a visitor admission fee?

The Metropolitan Chapter of Cologne Cathedral regards it as its responsibility to preserve Cologne Cathedral and maintain it as a place of faith and continuity. The upkeep and day-to-day operation of a cathedral of this scale entails significant expenditure. At present, approximately €16 million is required annually for the maintenance of Cologne Cathedral, equivalent to around €44,000 per day. For many years, we were able to offer free admission to all visitors. This was made possible through generous donations, including those made by the dedicated members of the Central Cathedral Building Association ("Zentral-Dombau-Verein"), grants from the Archdiocese of Cologne, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the City of Cologne, as well as revenue generated through ticket sales for the Cathedral Tower and the Treasury. However, these funds are no longer sufficient. Personnel, material and energy costs have risen significantly in recent years, while the financial reserves previously used to offset deficits have been exhausted. For this reason, we are asking tourist visitors to Cologne Cathedral to contribute through a visitor admission fee, as is already common practice at many other prominent churches and heritage attractions. The resulting income will help safeguard the Cathedral for future generations.

Where can tickets be purchased?

Tickets for admission to the Cathedral interior, the Cathedral Tower and the Treasury are available online at www.koelner-dom.de/tickets.
Tickets may also be purchased in person from the Central Ticket Office in the Curia Building ("Kurienhaus"), Roncalliplatz 2, 50667 Cologne. The ticket office is open daily from 09:00 to 17:30.

When do I not have to pay the visitor admission fee?

Admission remains free if you are attending a service in Cologne Cathedral. This also applies if you wish to visit the Cathedral for prayer or to light a candle before the Shrine Madonna ("Schmuckmadonna"). For these purposes, visitors may enter the Cathedral free of charge through the North Transept entrance on the side facing Cologne Central Station. This entrance is generally open outside liturgical times from 06:00 to 20:00.

How far in advance can tickets be booked?

Tickets may be booked up to three months in advance.

How many tickets can be purchased in a single booking transaction?

Each booking transaction is limited to nine tickets. If you wish to book tickets for a larger group, multiple booking transactions will be required. Alternatively, for ticket requests relating to larger groups, you may submit an individual booking request via https://tickets.koelner-dom.de/dombesichtigung-gruppe. We endeavour to process such requests within one working day.

Who is eligible for reduced-price tickets?

Reduced-price tickets are available upon presentation of official photographic identification to: • School pupils aged 14 and above; apprentices and trainees; students in higher education; • Holders of a social welfare pass issued in North Rhine-Westphalia (e.g. a Cologne Pass), subject to proof of eligibility; • Accompanying adults of school groups.

Are discounts available for holders of a CologneCard?

Holders of a CologneCard are entitled to reduced admission to the Treasury. No discount applies to admission to the Cathedral interior or the Cathedral Tower.

Do accompanying adults of school groups qualify for reduced admission?

Yes. Accompanying adults of school groups are charged the reduced admission rate.

Who is exempt from the visitor admission fee?

Free tickets are available upon presentation of official photographic identification for: • Children under the age of 14; • Persons with disabilities who are able to present a severely disabled person’s identity card bearing the designation "B", together with one accompanying person; • Members of the Central Cathedral Building Association (Zentral-Dombau-Verein), upon presentation of a valid membership card.

As a member of the Central Cathedral Building Association (ZDV), how do I obtain a free ticket?

Please book a free ticket online or at the Cathedral's Central Ticket Office for your chosen date. Upon entry, present your ZDV membership card as proof of membership.

Are residents of Cologne exempt from the visitor admission fee?

The standard admission charges, concessions and exemptions apply equally to residents of Cologne.

Are members of the Catholic Church exempt from the visitor admission fee?

The preservation and ongoing maintenance of the High Cathedral ("Hohe Domkirche"), currently amounting to approximately €16 million per year, is supported in part by Church tax revenue. However, this contribution represents only a small proportion of the total costs. Church tax revenue alone is insufficient to cover the ongoing expenditure associated with Cologne Cathedral. The Cathedral is unlike most other churches and cathedrals in terms of its architectural complexity, which makes conservation work exceptionally demanding and costly. Furthermore, its status as a world-renowned tourist attraction results in substantial ongoing expenditure, including cleaning and security costs. In view of the significant increases in personnel, energy and material costs in recent years, all visitors who come to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the Cathedral are now asked to contribute to its upkeep, irrespective of whether they are members of the Catholic Church. Accordingly, the standard admission charges, concessions and exemptions apply equally to members of the Catholic Church. Attendance at services remains free of charge. The same applies if you wish to visit the Cathedral for prayer or to light a candle before the Shrine Madonna ("Schmuckmadonna"). For this purpose, you may enter the North Transept of Cologne Cathedral free of charge via the entrance on the side facing Cologne Central Station. This entrance is generally open daily from 06:00 to 20:00.

What regulations apply within the Cathedral?

Where large numbers of people gather, certain regulations are necessary. In order to distinguish the Cathedral from public space and preserve its dignity as a house of worship, eating and drinking, making telephone or video calls, and bringing animals into the Cathedral are not permitted. The full Cathedral Regulations are available here. In addition, all male visitors are requested to remove any head covering upon entering the Cathedral. This gesture is regarded as a sign of respect and courtesy towards a place held sacred by Christians. Accordingly, the practice has become established for male visitors in many Christian places of worship. By contrast, in many Christian traditions, the covering of a woman’s head has long been regarded as a sign of reverence towards a sacred place. Women may therefore retain their head coverings within the Cathedral. The following applies equally to women and men: head coverings required for religious or medical reasons may be retained within the Cathedral. By purchasing a ticket, visitors automatically agree to comply with the Cathedral Regulations. Responsibility for enforcing these Regulations rests with the Cathedral Stewards ("Domschweizerinnen und Domschweizer"), who are readily identifiable by their distinctive red gowns.

Where can I book a guided tour of the Cathedral?

The complete official programme of guided tours is available at www.domfuehrungen-koeln.de. Here, visitors may book both standard guided tours of the Cathedral interior and tours of special-access areas of Cologne Cathedral.
Please note that, when booking an interior tour, a separate admission ticket for Cologne Cathedral is also required.
Please also note that all guided tours require prior registration and may only be conducted by authorised or registered Cathedral guides. Private individuals, groups and tour operators must therefore arrange group tours of Cologne Cathedral through the Domforum.

Do I need a separate admission ticket if I have booked a guided tour?

Yes. Visitors are advised during the booking process that a separate admission ticket for Cologne Cathedral is required.

How much time should I allow for a visit to the South Tower?

This depends on how quickly you are able to climb the 533 steps and how long you wish to spend on the viewing platform. Visitors should generally allow between 30 and 45 minutes.

Is there a lift in the South Tower?

No. Owing to structural constraints, it is not possible to install a lift in the South Tower of Cologne Cathedral. Access is by means of spiral and metal staircases.

Does the ascent to the viewing platform pass the Cathedral bells?

Yes. The ascent generally passes through the bell chamber, where eight of the Cathedral’s twelve bells are housed. However, the bell chamber remains closed during periods of extensive bell-ringing prior to Cathedral services (for example, on Sundays and ecclesiastical holidays before 14:00) and during maintenance work.

From what age may children climb the South Tower?

Children may undertake the tower ascent accompanied by their parents, provided they are capable of climbing the 533 steps to the viewing platform independently. From the age of twelve, children and young people may ascend the Cathedral Tower unaccompanied.

Tickets for Cologne Cathedral

Frequently asked questions