Getting around in Cologne

Cologne has a good network of public transportation. The only two downsides are the relatively high prices and the confusing ticket system. Inside the city of Cologne (which is a fairly large region) you have to buy a ticket in price step 1b. A single ticket ("Einzelticket", valid for one ride of a duration of max. 90 min, but no return-trips allowed) costs 2.80 Euro. A somewhat cheaper alternative if you know you will take several rides might be to buy a ticket for 4 rides ("4er Ticket", 10.40 Euro). If you want to go around the full day for, e.g., sight seeing, it is often useful to directly take a day ticket ("Tagesticket", 8.30 Euro) for 1 person or a group day ticket (for up to 5 persons, 12.50 Euro). You can find more information and timetables on: www.kvb-koeln.de

Visit to Effelsberg

We plan to visit the radiotelescope in Effelsberg located about 1.5 hrs south-west from Cologne. Since it is difficult to reach the place with public transport, probably a bus will be organized. More detailed information about this will follow soon.
The Effelsberg telescope has a diameter of 100m and is the second largest movable telescope in the world (after Greenbank with a diameter of 100-110m). It is operated by the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn. The telescope was built in the late 1960's and is in operation since 1972.