What is the cheapest and best public transportation from Cologne airport to central Cologne?

Question

I dont want to rent a car or take a taxi.

Answer 1

There should be a commuter train which would be very cheap and would probably run from the inside the airport directly to the city center.  Look around after you get past the customs entry point.  Lots of Germans know English, so asking someone shouldn't be too difficult.  Or, look for signs that say 'Stadtszentrum' (city center) or 'Hauptbahnhof' (a city's main train station - every large city has one of these in the middle of the city).  I did this in Frankfurt, Germany about 9 years ago and don't remember the details, but it wasn't hard to figure out.  

Be sure to visit Cologne Cathedral when you are there.

Answer 2

Since last year there runs a train directly from the airport to cologne central station. it takes 15 minutes and it is not very expensive

for timetables have a look at www.bahn.de (an english version is available - 'intern. guests')

At the airport follow the signs with DB...