Kölner Dom ticket prices for 2026
Since 1 July 2026, tourist entry to the cathedral interior costs €12 regular or €6 reduced. Children under 14 receive a free interior ticket. Tower and Treasury tickets are separate. Book through the official ticket shop or at Roncalliplatz 2.
Interior €12/€6 | Tower €8/€4 | Treasury €8/€4 | Combo €12/€6
Prices checked against the official shop: 16 August 2026
Advertisement
No — not since 1 July 2026. Sightseeing visitors now need a ticket: €12 regular, €6 reduced, and a free ticket for children under 14. Seeing the cathedral from outside still costs nothing.
This is a recent change, which is why so many guidebooks, blog posts and older articles still say the cathedral is free. For most of its modern history it was — like most churches in Germany, you could simply walk in. That ended on 1 July 2026.
If you are reading a source that says entry is free, check its date before you plan around it.
It depends on how much of it you want to see. The interior, the tower and the treasury are three separate tickets.
| What | Regular | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Cathedral interior | €12 | €6 |
| Tower climb (533 steps) | €8 | €4 |
| Treasury | €8 | €4 |
| Tower + Treasury combination | €12 | €6 |
| Children under 14 (interior) | Free ticket | |
| Seeing it from outside | Free, no ticket | |
A free ticket still has to be issued — under-14s are not charged, but they are counted. Full conditions are set by the cathedral ticket office, not by this guide.
Yes for the inside, no for the outside. A ticket is required for the interior, and separately for the tower climb and the treasury. The Domplatte — the square the cathedral stands on — is public space, so walking around the building and photographing it needs nothing at all.
Buy online through the cathedral ticket shop before you travel, or in person at Roncalliplatz 2. Booking ahead mainly saves queueing time rather than money.
Yes. The introduction of a fee changed the price of going in, not whether you can. The cathedral is open to visitors daily and the interior is the reason most people come — the High Gothic nave, the Richter window, the Shrine of the Three Kings behind the high altar and the Gero Crucifix are all inside.
It is a working church as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site, so normal visitor conduct applies: covered shoulders, no beachwear, bags within the size limit. The visitor rules page has the details, and what is inside covers what you will actually see.
Before you go: check current opening hours — the interior, tower and treasury keep different times, and last entry is earlier than closing.
Regular ticket
Regular ticket
Advertisement
A paid tourist ticket is required to visit the interior of Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) as a sightseer. The plaza around the cathedral, Roncalliplatz and the views from outside remain free. Standing in front of the west facade or photographing the towers from Köln Hauptbahnhof does not require a ticket.
The interior ticket is for tourist visits during the published tourist hours. Access for personal prayer is handled by the cathedral administration, not by this guide — check koelner-dom.de for current access rules before you travel. This page does not publish service schedules.
Tower climb and Treasury (Schatzkammer) always need their own tickets, even if you already have interior entry. A Tower + Treasury combination (€12 / €6) is usually cheaper than buying both separately (€16 / €8).
| Ticket | Regular | Reduced | Children | Official booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior (tourist visit) | €12 | €6 | Under 14: free ticket | Interior tickets |
| South tower climb (533 steps) | €8 | €4 | 13 and under: free | Tower tickets |
| Treasury (Schatzkammer) | €8 | €4 | 13 and under: free | Treasury tickets |
| Tower + Treasury combo | €12 | €6 | Follows tower/treasury child rules | Official shop |
Kölner Dom
Domkloster 4
50667 Köln, Germany
The west facade is about a one-minute walk from Köln Hauptbahnhof. For last-entry times see Cologne Cathedral opening hours. For the 533-step climb see the tower climb guide.
One ticket for both visitor attractions
Online booking is generally available up to three months ahead.
Advertisement
Tourist entry costs €12 at the regular rate or €6 at the reduced rate. Children under 14 receive a free ticket. Check the official shop for the complete list of free-ticket eligibility rules.
Tower climb tickets cost €8 at the regular rate and €4 at the reduced rate. Children aged 13 and under enter free.
Yes. Book the cathedral interior, tower or treasury through the official ticket shop, generally up to three months ahead. On-site sales are also available.
Yes. A combination ticket for the tower climb and treasury costs €12 at the regular rate or €6 at the reduced rate.
The tower climb involves 533 steps with no elevator. It's not recommended for people with mobility issues, heart conditions, or claustrophobia. Children must be accompanied by adults.
No. Roncalliplatz and the exterior views are free. A tourist ticket is required only to enter the interior as a visitor. Tower and Treasury tickets are separate.
Advertisement
Check opening hours before you visit