EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/saIgL.png)
A short travel guide for the IEM Global Challenge at gamescom '11 (17th Aug - 21st Aug)
- Official gamescom website
- Official Intel Extreme Masters gamescom website
Where does it take place?
The first Global Challenge is going to take place at gamescom 2011 (17th Aug - 21st Aug) in Hall 9. Gamescom is a trade fair for video games held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/wTgz2.png)
You can get there by bus, tram, city train, subway, taxi...
Opening hours and entrance fee
Aug 17 - not open for public - (SC2 from 9:00 a.m.-19:00 p.m.)
Aug 18 - 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - (SC2 from 10:00 a.m.-20:00 p.m.)
Aug 19 - 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - (SC2 from 11:00 a.m.-15:00 p.m.)
Aug 20 - 09:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - (SC2 from 12:00 a.m.-15:00 p.m.)
Aug 21 - 09:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - (SC2 from 16:30 a.m.-18:00 p.m.)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/RdU3q.png)
Reduced-price day tickets are available for: schoolchildren, students, apprentices, retirees, seniors citizens aged 65 and above, severely disabled people. Please provide valid proof of identity at the trade fair to qualify for reduced prices!
A valid ticket allows you to use the public transport in Cologne (bus, tram, city train and subway) for free!
Accommodation
Gamescom Campsite (you need to bring your own tent)
1 x Overnight stay per person - 29,50 €
2 x Overnight stay per person - 59,00 €
3 x Overnight stay per person - 88,50 €
4 x Overnight stay per person - 105,00 €
Hostels in Cologne (1x Night costs between 18-30 €)
hostel.ag/
hostel-cologne.de/
aohostels.com/en/cologne/
pathpoint-cologne.de/
koeln-hostel.de/
helenenwall.de/en/
eule-am-dom.de/en/
A cheaper option is to contact people who live in Cologne (searching for roommates) and ask them how much they would take for 4-5 nights. A useful website would be http://www.wg-gesucht.de/en/ (Cologne = Köln) - that's what I did, but it's obviously easier if you speak german
Air fares (round trip | Aug 17th - Aug 22th)
London - Cologne: 263,99 €
Paris - Cologne: 251,67 €
Stockholm - Cologne: 233,99 €
Copenhagen - Cologne: 206,90 €
Berlin - Cologne: 139,89 €
Vienna - Cologne: 257,26 €
Oslo - Cologne: 311,67 €
Helsinki - Cologne: 284,00 €
Germanwings seems to be the airline of choice
General Information
If you speak english, you won't have troubles traveling to/in Germany (80-90% of the visitors at gamescom will speak -somewhat- fluent english). Apart from gamescom, Cologne is a great city worth visiting (known for its gigantic cathedral).
