Hello, I live here in the inner city of Cologne, play hockey here, and am volunteering for the IIHF WC 2017. I'll try to answer some questions, but feel free to PM me or ask more.
Paris > Cologne?
- I'd take a Thalys train Gare du Nord to Köln Hbf (main station). It's more than other trains, but fast and comfortable. There would be other trains or cheapo buses (check out FlixBus as low as 5 Euros).
Beer?
Our local beer is called Kölsch (like the local dialect). It is traditionally served in 200ml glass which should be refilled quickly. In a pub 1-1.70 Euro. In a bar 2-2.5 Euro. In a Kiosk 1.20-1.50 for 500ml. In a grocery store 0.50 to 1.20 Euro.
A larger Pilsner or Weizen beer could be more like 3-4 Euro.
You don't need to tip.
You can drink on the streets, in the park, ... as you wish.
Logistics?
Near the Hbf (main station) are a bunch of big hotels, but transportation here is great so consider other areas.
The arena is in Deutz, maybe 2km over the main bridge from Hbf and easily accessible via. 5 Ubahn lines and also Sbahn lines (EASY!).
Just South of Hbf is the big Cathedral (Dom) and continuing South on the river is Altstadt (old town) and Heumarkt (Haymarket). Lots of food and pubs in there, but will be all the WC people and tourists. Just off the river is Hohe Str. (High street) which is loaded with shops.
On "the ring" are also tons of bars and restaurants, also clubs.
Friesen Str. near Friesenplatz is a cool party street including a Irish Pub (Jamesons) that is a bit expensive, but quite popular.
Zülpicher Str. near Barbarossa Platz is a great party street, more of a Uni crowd.
Ehrenfeld is more of a "Brooklyn-type" neighborhood with lots of trendy restaurants, clubs, bars, etc.
Aachener Str has door after door of restaurants (just walk West from Rudolf Platz).
"Belgian Quarter" is another gem of a neighborhood with more local nightlife and weekend hangout at the Brusseler Platz (for the more chill among you).
Transportation?
KVB is the Cologne transit authority. They have an office in the UBahn station connected to Hbf. Also at Neumarkt (inside the Neumarkt Passage underground).
You can buy day tickets which would be the easiest.
Single journey is maybe 1.90 Euro.
Lots of people "black ride" which means just walk on. This works when it's super busy.
If you have a ticket for a sporting even the KVB transportation to and from is normally included.
Stay?
On the cheap side you can go for a hostel. Example: A&O Hostel Köln near Neumarkt. Easy to get to Deutz on the Ubahn.
Air BnB are everywhere. Near Barbarossaplatz you might find cheaper or more available accommodation. There are 4 Ubahn lines there and another 2 at Post Str. to take you anywhere.
Other activities?
EL-DE-Haus is an old Gestapo HQ, now National Socialism museum.
There are several big museums near the Cathedral (Art, German/Roman, Praetorium, etc.).
Climb the Cathedral Tower.
Hang out in a park > Rheinpark, Stadgarten, Volksgarten, Aachener Weiher, ...
Stroll or bike down the Rhine (go South).
Take a Rhine cruise.
Take a car for a tour of castles, vineyards, and old towns on the Rhine or Mosel rivers. Go to Koblenz area and South.
Short train ride to Konigswinter then up to see the Castle at Drachenfels.
See the medieval gates at Ebert Platz (Eigelstein), Rudolf Platz, and Severins Platz.
Go to a German sauna > Claudius Therme, Neptunbad, Mauritius Therme
Check out the "bermuda triangle" Gay area near Rudolf Platz (Schaafenstraße) or behind Heumarkt
Huge brothel > Pascha
Check out Nürburgring (only 80km from Cologne), drive thru the Eifel region, and/or drive on an Autobahn (A555 to Bonn and A4 to Aachen have no speed limit areas).
From pics of the city, architecture looks mesmerizing.
