Kölner Zoo

The zoo is open every day of the year, making it easy to fit into your travel plans any time you’re in Cologne. During the summer season (Mar–Oct) it generally opens 9 am–6 pm with last entry at 5:30 pm, while in winter it usually runs 9 am–5 pm with the final entry around 4:30 pm. Tickets cover both the zoo and the aquarium inside. Standard adult day tickets are around €23, children 4–12 about €11, and kids under 3 enter free. You can buy online to save time and even get a combined ticket that includes travel on local buses or trains within Cologne’s VRS network on the day of your visit. 

Before heading in, plan for a full day, especially if you want to enjoy feeding times and special exhibits — there’s a lot to see! Paths are stroller‑ and wheelchair‑friendly and wheelchairs are available to borrow (reservation recommended). Bring comfortable shoes because you’ll walk a lot, and check the weather — indoor sections like the aquarium are perfect if it rains. Note that dogs and bicycles aren’t allowed inside, and larger toys like balls or frisbees are also restricted to keep the animals safe. Finally, many visitors mention that weekends and school holidays can get busy, so arriving early helps you enjoy quieter animal encounters. 

Getting to the zoo from central Cologne is easy: tram line 18 takes you from the Cologne main station (Hauptbahnhof) directly to the Zoo/Flora stop, which is right at the zoo’s entrance. You can also use bus 140 from Ebertplatz. If you arrive by car, address your GPS to Riehlerstraße 173, 50735 Cologne, where limited parking is available close to the zoo. The central location means the zoo connects well with other attractions like the Botanical Garden and Flora next door.