Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is one of Europe's most visited landmarks, attracting over 6 million visitors per year. A guided tour turns a walk-through into a proper look at 800 years of history, art and Gothic architecture. This guide explains who is allowed to guide you inside, what each option really costs, and how to book.
Tour Options & Pricing at a Glance
| Tour Type | Price | Duration | Group Size | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private group tour of the interior | €120 per group (€130 in English) | 60 min | Up to 20 | German, English |
| Public interior tour (join a group) | €8 per person (€6 reduced) | 60 min | Open group | German; English on set dates |
| Private Treasury tour | €120 per group (€130 in English) | 60 min | Up to 20 | German, English |
| Private roof, excavation or bell tour | €330 per group (+€10 foreign language) | 90–120 min | Up to 12, age 16+ | Chosen when booking |
| Visitor ticket (interior tours) | €12 per person (€6 reduced, under-14s free) | — | — | — |
Option 1: Private Group Tour with a Cathedral Guide
Private Interior Tour
Licensed guide Best for groupsThe cathedral's tour service at the DOMFORUM, across the square from the main entrance, runs every tour in, on and under the cathedral. A private interior tour gives your own group a licensed cathedral guide for 60 minutes. Students and trainees pay €100 per group (€110 in English).
What to Expect
- A licensed cathedral guide for your group only
- A 60-minute tour of the interior and its main highlights
- Group tour headsets, so your guide can speak quietly in the busy nave
What's Not Included
- Visitor tickets: €12 regular / €6 reduced per person; children under 14 get a free ticket
- Tower climb: €8 / €4, separate ticket
- Treasury: €8 / €4, or €12 / €6 combined with the tower
How to Book
- Online or in person: through the cathedral's tour service, or at the DOMFORUM opposite the main entrance
- Booking window: the current month and the next three, and at least 14 days before the date
- Cancellation: free of charge up to 14 days before the tour
Option 2: Join a Public Tour
Public Interior Tour
Budget-FriendlyIf you are a couple or a small family, joining a public tour is far cheaper than booking a whole group. Public interior tours last 60 minutes and run in English on set dates. Children below primary-school age join for free.
- Tickets go on sale for the current month and the next two months
- Public tour tickets cannot be cancelled or exchanged
- Only the interior tour runs publicly in English
Roof, excavation and night tours (€27 per person, age 16+) are compared on our Cologne Cathedral tours page.
Option 3: Private City Guides (Outside the Cathedral)
Old Town and Cathedral Walks
OutdoorIndependent city guides can show you the cathedral's facades, the Roncalliplatz, the Old Town and the Rhine. Inside the cathedral, a guide may only lead a tour if the cathedral has authorised or registered them, so ask before you book anyone who promises an interior tour. Prices are set by each guide or platform.
- Through tour platforms: GetYourGuide (partner link) lists Old Town walks with reviews.
- Interior ticket: if a listing says it goes inside, check whether the €12 visitor ticket is included.
Is There an Audio Guide?
No. The cathedral's tour service says there are no audio guides in Cologne Cathedral, and the Treasury does not offer one either. For a free alternative, follow our self-guided tour route, which you can print or save as a PDF.
Cathedral Rules for Guides & Groups
These rules come from the cathedral's house rules and its tour service. Knowing them avoids surprises at the door.
- Licensed guides only: tours inside need a specially issued licence; book them through the DOMFORUM.
- Group size: up to 20 people on an interior tour, and up to 12 on roof, excavation and bell tours.
- Headsets: guided groups inside use group tour headsets; they are compulsory for school groups from year 5 up.
- Age 16+: roof, excavation, bell and night tours have no exceptions, even with a parent.
- Bags: only bags up to 40 × 35 × 15 cm are allowed. Suitcases, trolleys and hiking backpacks are not allowed and cannot be left there.
- Photos: allowed without flash for private use outside services; tripods need permission and drones are banned.
- Tickets: every interior tour participant needs the €12 / €6 visitor ticket.
What to Wear
Dress respectfully: it is an active church. See our visitor rules page for clothing, bags and photography in one place.
How to Choose the Right Tour for You
For Couples and Small Families (Recommended: Public Tour)
A public English tour costs €8 per person plus the visitor ticket, about €20 per adult in total. It covers the main highlights in 60 minutes and is the cheapest way to get a licensed guide.
For Groups of 6 or More (Recommended: Private Group Tour)
A private tour is priced per group, not per person. Ten adults on an English tour pay €130 for the guide, €13 each, plus their visitor tickets. You also choose the date and time.
For History & Architecture Enthusiasts (Recommended: Roof or Excavation Tour)
If you are 16 or older, the 90-minute roof and excavation tours show parts of the building you cannot see on your own. Public tickets cost €27 and include entry; in English they are only available as a private group.
For Budget Travelers (Recommended: Self-Guided Route)
There is no audio guide, but our free self-guided tour route takes you past the main highlights in order, for nothing beyond the €12 visitor ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private tour guide at Cologne Cathedral cost?
A private 60-minute group tour of the interior with a licensed cathedral guide costs €120 for up to 20 adults in German, or €130 in English (€100 / €110 for students and trainees). Each person also needs the €12 / €6 visitor ticket; children under 14 get a free ticket. Private roof, excavation and bell tours cost €330 for up to 12 adults, plus €10 for a foreign language.
How do I book a private tour of Cologne Cathedral?
Book online through the cathedral's tour service or in person at the DOMFORUM, across the square from the main entrance. Group tours can be booked for the current month and the next three, and at least 14 days before the date. They can be cancelled free of charge up to 14 days before.
Are there audio guides for Cologne Cathedral?
No. The cathedral's tour service says there are no audio guides in Cologne Cathedral. Use a free self-guided route, or join a 60-minute public tour in English for €8 (€6 reduced) plus the visitor ticket.
Do I need to pay the €12 entry fee in addition to the tour guide price?
For interior tours, yes: every participant needs the €12 regular or €6 reduced visitor ticket on top of the tour price, and children under 14 get a free ticket. Treasury tours need a Treasury ticket (€8 / €4) instead. Roof, excavation, bell and night tours already include entry.
Can I bring my own tour guide to Cologne Cathedral?
Only if they are authorised or registered by the cathedral. The cathedral's house rules say tours inside need a specially issued licence, so private visitors, groups and tour companies book interior tours through the DOMFORUM. A city guide you hire yourself can still show you the outside of the cathedral and the Old Town.
What languages are private tours available in?
Interior tours run in German and English, and there is even one in Kölsch, the Cologne dialect. Public tours in English cover the interior only. For roof, excavation and bell tours, private groups choose the language when booking, for a €10 surcharge.
Tour prices and rules checked on 17 October 2026 at domfuehrungen-koeln.de and in the cathedral's house rules. They can change; check before booking.
Plan Your Cathedral Visit
Combine your guided tour with our visitor resources: