Cologne is famous for its Christmas markets and your students will love using their German to explore all of them.
£255PP
3 days, 2 nights
School trips to Cologne offer your students the exciting opportunity to visit this spectacular cathedral city at the heart of the Rhineland!
Although most popular among German and science groups, whatever your reason for your school trip to Cologne, we’ll tailor it to suit your curriculum and specific learning objectives.
Browse our trips
School Christmas Markets Trip to Cologne
School German Culture Trip to Cologne
Experience German culture in this spectacular city, the largest on the Rhine!
£349PP
4 days, 3 nights
School Science Trip to Cologne
Visit the German Aerospace Center School Lab and inspire the scientists of the future in Cologne!
£429PP
5 days, 4 nights
School German Language Study Trip to Cologne
Boost your students' German in Cologne, where they'll have lessons at a specialist language school - ideal for GCSE and A Level.
£640PP
5 days, 4 nights
Why choose Halsbury?
We build your trip around you
Tell us your learning objectives, curriculum and budget and we’ll do the rest.
Contact usWe’re trusted for a reason
We’re members of ABTA, ABTOT and the School Travel Forum. We also hold an ATOL and the LOtC Quality Badge.
Read moreOur Education specialists
Laura Martin
Tours Sales & Product Manager
Emma Gray da Silva
Senior Tour Consultant
Judit Eleod
Senior Tour Consultant
Paul Hudson
Senior Tour Consultant
Meet our travel specialists and get to know more about the people committed to making your educational trip the best it can be.
Why visit Cologne?
Unbelievable science
For school science trips to Cologne, there are almost too many options to choose from! You could choose to see the highest cold-water geyser in the world in nearby Andernach.
Or you could find out about how the Neanderthal Man was discovered in this area and what that meant for our understanding of hominids at the Neanderthal Museum.
You could even visit the German Aerospace Centre, where the aircraft of the future are developed, rocket engines are tested, and images of distant planets are analysed.
And why not see physics in action at Phantasialand theme park?
Get your students talking!
Cologne is the cultural centre of the Rhineland, which makes it a great choice for introducing your students to Germany.
Here, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to practise speaking German with locals in everyday situations. We can even organise German lessons at a specialist language school, which is a great option for GCSE and A-level groups preparing for exams.
Cologne also hosts a number of Christmas markets, making it a great choice for a festive treat designed to get your students talking! The cathedral is home to the Shrine of the Three Kings, too, so a visit here is a fantastic option on your Christmas markets school trip to Cologne.
Create lasting memories
There is a great variety of activities and visits available in Cologne. For those interested in the city’s history, visits to the Cologne City Museum and the Roman-Germanic Museum are a must. A ride on the Rhine Cable Car offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city, while a boat trip along the Rhine also offers lovely views.
And whatever your reason for visiting Cologne, two highlights of your school trip are bound to be the Chocolate Museum and Phantasialand. At the Chocolate Museum, your students will learn about how chocolate is made and, of course, they’ll be able to taste some! Phantasialand is one of Europe’s top theme parks and a great way to round off an unforgettable school trip to Cologne!
Why Teachers Trust Halsbury
Over 40 years’ experience.
From making the most of your time to supporting you while you’re away, our experience means your trip is in safe hands.
Trusted by over 900 teachers every year.
And 98% of them rated their trip as ‘good’ or above last year*.
Financially protected school trips.
We’re members of ABTA, ATOL and ABTOT, so you know your trip is in safe hands.
We take safety seriously.
As an Assured Member of the School Travel Forum, we have a robust Safety Management System in place.
Risk assessments made easy.
Our LOtC Quality Badge and Safety Management System make the risk assessment process quicker and easier.
We’re safeguarding champions.
We work with Patronus Safeguarding to ensure all safeguarding concerns are recorded and managed clearly and consistently.
Quality trips designed to deliver real impact.
Our experts will work closely with you to design a trip that meets your learning objectives (and we hold the LOtC Quality Badge).
24/7 support while you’re away.
We’ll be just a phone call away while you’re on your trip, ready to step in if the unexpected happens.
Free inspection visits.
Enjoy two nights’ free accommodation on an inspection visit so you can complete risk assessments.
Our smart digital portal makes trip admin easy.
Collect passport and dietary information quickly and simply with our My Trip Zone.
*Customer satisfaction survey January 2025 – December 2025
FAQs
How long should we spend in Cologne on our school trip?
In order to make the most out of everything that Cologne has to offer, we would recommend spending at least 3 or 4 days in Cologne on your school trip.
What's the best time of year to visit Cologne?
Cologne is a great destination for a school trip at any time of year. If you do visit in December, there is the added bonus of the fantastic Christmas markets, but there's plenty to see and do here all year round.
What's the best way to get around Cologne?
Many of the main tourist sights are located within walking distance of each other, but the S-Bahn is also very quick and easy to use.
Which visits are a must on a school trip to Cologne?
Perhaps the most iconic sight in Cologne is the cathedral, so this is definitely a must visit on your school trip. And as the capital of the Rhineland, you must make sure you explore the Rhine - we would recommend the Koln-Dusseldorfer boat trip. The Olympic and Sport Museum and the Chocolate Museum are also excellent inclusions on any itinerary. And make sure you don't miss the opportunity to visit Phantasialand - one of the best theme parks in Europe!
Are there any free things to do in Cologne?
Yes, there are a few free things to do in Cologne. You could take a stroll in the Rheinpark, a lovely park that stretches along the riverbank. Or take a walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge for a photo op that includes the cathedral in the background. And make sure you take some time to explore the atmospheric Old Town which is, of course, completely free.
Can I arrange a cross-curricular school trip to Cologne?
Yes, Cologne is a fantastic destination for cross-curricular school trips, with excellent educational opportunities for German, science and music.
Let's chat!