Rent an electric scooter in Cologne? This is how you do it

An electric scooter is called an electro-scooter in Germany. As a tourist, you can use an electric share scooter in Cologne.

Download an app, scan the QR code on the scooter and you are ready for the ride. So you can ride at your own pace to various highlights, such as the Alter Markt and Cologne Cathedral.

Find out how it works, what the rules are and what the costs are here.

Table of Contents

The rules for using an e-scooter in Cologne

As a driver of an electric share scooter, you follow the same traffic signs as cyclists in Cologne. In addition, you must observe the following rules:

The minimum age for using an e-scooter is 14 years;
There is no driving licence requirement for e-scooters in Germany;
The use of a helmet is not compulsory but recommended;
You have to ride on the cycle track. If you can’t, you use the carriageway;
You must not drive on the pavement or in a pedestrian area;
Are you under 21? Then an alcohol ban applies. For those aged 21 or over, the limit is 0.5 promille.

Note that fines for drink-driving can exceed £862,84.

This is how to use an e-scooter as a tourist

There are no local rental companies in Cologne where you can rent your own e-scooter. However, you can easily use a shared scooter. You will find these vehicles on the street and activate them using an app. This works as follows:

how to rent an e-scooter in cologne

Download the app

Download the mobile app from one of the active providers in Cologne. Check which providers are active below.

Add means of payment

Create an account and link a payment method. Most providers accept payments via credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Vehicle search

See in the app where the nearest scooter is located.

Unlock share scooter

Unlock the scooter by scanning the QR-code on the handlebar via the app. You are now ready to ride off.

Close ride

At the end of the ride, park the vehicle in the designated zone. End the ride via the app and you will receive a statement of the charges incurred.

These shared-scooter providers operate in Cologne

The three largest providers in Cologne are Bird, Bolt, Dott, Lime, Tier and Voi. Each provider has its own app and different costs:

Bird

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.13 per minute for using it

Bolt

Cost: no charge for unlocking and £0.043 per minute for using it

Dott

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.22 per minute for using it

Lime

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.22 per minute for using it

Tier

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.13 per minute for using it

Voi

Cost: £0.86 for unlocking and £0.22 per minute for using it

Benefit from free rides

Each provider allows new drivers to benefit from free rides. In the mobile app, you will find unique referral codes that you can share with friends.

Are you going out with several people? Then share this personal code with each other before the first ride and enjoy free credit in the following way:

Example: Tier app

looking for your own e-scooter?

Browse the electric scooter overview, or navigate to our list of today’s best electric scooters.