Cologne Travel Forum

My child needs to find an inexpensive place to stay and plan for staying in Cologne for two months after her High School graduation in 2010. So far, it is very hard to find hotels in Cologne for a good price that will even house her because of her age. I was wondering that there might be any courteous families or responsible people who may need a roommate for so long so that she can stay for a smaller price? It is her graduation gift from us, we just want her to stay comfortably and have enough room to meet people and have her fun.

You might wish to check with some of the universities in your area. She might be able to travel to Europe in conjunction with a study program. That should help with the logistics, (food, lodging, some travel), get her to some of the sites a bit easier, put her with a group of people near her age, and possibly get her some college credit. If that isn't of interest, you might wish to visit the following web site for some ideas,information, and possible savings: (www.statravel.com). Gary

You are planning about 18 months in advance! Therefore I'm not sure you can you tell exactly what a good price would be, when you don't know what the exchange rate will be for the U.S. dollar at that time! Why can't she stay in a youth hostel (http://www.hostel-cologne.de, http://www.jugendherberge.de/jh/rheinland/koeln-deutz/?m)? You don't actually say how old she will be: there is no reason why people in the rest of the world should know at what age people leave high school in America! Where I live, people don't leave school to go to university till age 18 or 19
Naturally, however, 2 months in a hotel would be expensive, if she is doing a language course in Cologne I would have thought they would help with homestays - although these are not necessarily a cheap option as they often include food as well.

Do a google search for schools in Cologne, check out "Gymnasium". In German that's not a gym, but a school preparing students for college. Write them a letter, address it to the English teacher and ask for a penfriend. Your daughter may get to know soemone through emails/letters and may get to stay there in 2010. The school may even have an exchange program where she could participate.

Some good options and advice. You might also want to check out the website www.belodged.com. 2 months is definitely a long time but you might find someone there.

check this website, maybe you do an own posting which is free of charge:
www.wg-gesucht.de
Most of them are students offering a free room in their flat. living together is pretty common in Germany. And there is the advantage your daughter finds friends pretty soon.
best chris.