IDS - International Dental Show: Hotels & Where to Stay
16 Mar – 20 Mar 2027 Koelnmesse 135,000 attendees
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IDS (International Dental Show) is the world's largest trade fair for the dental industry, held every two years at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany. It brings together dentists, dental technicians, laboratory owners, dealers and manufacturers to see equipment, materials, digital dentistry, laboratory technology and practice supplies. For a hotel-booking traveller, Koelnmesse's location is a major advantage: the exhibition grounds sit just across the Rhine from Cologne's old town and cathedral, with the Köln Messe/Deutz railway station directly beside the halls. That means fast connections from Cologne Bonn Airport, from other German cities by high-speed train, and from the airports at Düsseldorf and Frankfurt. Cologne has a compact, walkable centre and good hotel supply, but IDS is one of the biggest events on the city's calendar, so rooms sell out and rates surge citywide and into neighbouring towns. Booking early is essential to stay near the fair.
Popular areas for attendees: Deutz · Altstadt / City Centre · Belgian Quarter.
- Koelnmesse sits beside the Köln Messe/Deutz station and just across the Rhine from Cologne's old town, so central hotels are minutes from the halls.
- IDS is one of Cologne's largest fairs and rooms sell out across the city and surrounding towns, so early booking is critical.
- IDS tickets include free regional public transport, making a hotel anywhere on the Cologne rail and tram network convenient.
- Staying central lets you walk to the cathedral, old town and riverside dining after fair hours.
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 16 Mar – 20 Mar 2027
- Venue
- Koelnmesse
- City
- Cologne, Germany
- Airport
- CGN
- Attendance
- 135,000
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Pay Weekly available on free cancellation rooms.
Rates shown for the event window, Mon, Mar 15 → Sun, Mar 21 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
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- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
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Where to eat during IDS - International Dental Show
gamescom and Anuga swamp Deutz — Lommerzheim fills within an hour of the halls closing. Reserve the crane-house dinner early and learn the Kölsch coaster rules before you go.
Ox & Klee
Creative tasting menus
Rheinauhafen — 12 min taxi across the Rhine from Koelnmesse
Daniel Gottschlich's two-star flagship inside one of the iconic crane houses on the Rhine — Cologne's top room for impressing key accounts.
Tip: Tasting only, 3+ hours — reserve before gamescom or Anuga sell it out.
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Sahila
Globally inspired fine dining
Altstadt-Süd — 10 min taxi from Koelnmesse
Julia Komp — once Germany's youngest starred chef — runs this one-star culinary world tour. Relaxed and conversation-friendly for client dinners.
Tip: Evenings only; the adjoining mezze bar Yu*lia is a good walk-in plan B.
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Lommerzheim
Kölsch tavern · legendary
Deutz — 15 min walk from the Koelnmesse south entrance
The legendary 'Lommi' — a deliberately unpolished corner pub pouring Päffgen Kölsch with its famous massive pork chop. The closest genuine Cologne institution to the fairgrounds.
Tip: No small-group reservations; closes mid-afternoon — arrive at opening during gamescom. Cash.
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Päffgen Brauhaus
Brauhaus · brewed on site
Friesenviertel — KVB from Bf Deutz
Unfiltered Päffgen Kölsch brewed on site and carried out in wreaths by brusque Köbes waiters — the full Cologne initiation for visiting colleagues.
Tip: Coaster on top of the glass to stop the refills. Cash.
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Bei Oma Kleinmann
Schnitzel house · 70+ years
Kwartier Latäng — tram 9 from Bf Deutz
Plate-sized schnitzels and a lively Kölsch-fueled room serving into the late evening — the unfussy team dinner after tear-down.
Tip: A few tables held for walk-ins — try early or late during fairs.
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Kaffeesapiens
Specialty coffee
Deutz — at Köln Messe/Deutz station, 10 min walk to the halls
Third-wave espresso bar right beside the trade-fair complex — rotating single-origin filters and the best pre-badge-scan coffee upgrade over hall catering.
Tip: Weekdays ~08:00-17:30 — on the way in, not after the reception.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: Cologne
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after IDS - International Dental Show — bookable experiences in Cologne, same account, same checkout.
While you're in Cologne
Cologne pairs its huge Koelnmesse trade-fair calendar with passionate Bundesliga football, one of Europe's busiest arenas and the legendary Carnival.
1. FC Köln (Bundesliga)
Back in the Bundesliga, FC Köln's RheinEnergieStadion delivers one of Germany's most passionate football atmospheres.
Find ticketsCologne Carnival
The 'fifth season' climaxes with the Rose Monday parade, when the whole city becomes one giant street party.
Find ticketsLanxess Arena concerts
One of Europe's highest-attendance arenas, Lanxess Arena hosts major world tours, shows and sport almost every week.
Find ticketsKölner Haie (DEL ice hockey)
The Cologne Sharks regularly draw some of Europe's biggest ice hockey crowds to Lanxess Arena on winter evenings.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
Getting there
From Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)
- Cologne Bonn Airport has its own station; the S13 suburban line or a regional train reaches Köln Messe/Deutz beside the halls in around 12–15 minutes.
- Taxis from the airport to the fair or city centre take roughly 15–20 minutes.
- The airport is the closest gateway, but Düsseldorf and Frankfurt airports also connect by train.
- IDS ticket holders can use regional public transport free, covering the airport train.
By high-speed rail and other airports
- Köln Hauptbahnhof and the adjacent Köln Messe/Deutz station link to the German ICE high-speed network and neighbouring countries.
- Köln Messe/Deutz sits directly next to the exhibition grounds, so long-distance trains drop you at the venue.
- Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is around 40–60 minutes away by train and offers wide international connections.
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) connects to Cologne by ICE in around an hour for intercontinental arrivals.
Getting around during IDS - International Dental Show
Trains, S-Bahn and U-Bahn
- S-Bahn lines from Köln Messe/Deutz reach Cologne main station in a few minutes; U-Bahn lines 1 and 9 stop at Bahnhof Deutz near the south entrance.
- U-Bahn lines 3 and 4 stop at the Koelnmesse station by the east entrance.
- IDS tickets include free travel across the Rhein-Sieg and Rhein-Ruhr transport areas.
- The compact network makes hotels across Cologne and nearby towns easy to reach.
Taxis and on foot
- Taxi ranks serve the fair and stations; taxis are reliable but slower than rail during peak fair traffic.
- From central Cologne and the old town, the fair is walkable across the Hohenzollern or Deutz bridges.
- Ride-hailing is available but public transport is usually faster around the venue.
- Walking between the Deutz district hotels and the halls is often the quickest option.
Visa & entry
Schengen visa-free (short stays)
- Germany is in the Schengen Area; many nationalities including the UK, US, Canada and Australia can enter visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180.
- Visa-exempt non-EU travellers will need an ETIAS authorisation once that system launches; check its status before travel.
- Carry proof of accommodation, onward travel and funds for possible border checks.
Advance Schengen visa
- Nationals of non-visa-exempt countries must obtain a Schengen visa in advance from a German consulate or visa centre.
- Apply early, as demand rises before major Cologne fairs like IDS.
- A fair invitation, hotel and flight bookings support a business visa application.
Entry rules change; confirm current requirements with the Germany embassy or official immigration site before booking travel.
First time at IDS - International Dental Show?
- Keep your IDS ticket handy, as it doubles as a free regional public transport pass.
- IDS runs biennially over several days; confirm the exact dates and plan which halls to prioritise before booking.
- Hotels in the Deutz district put you within walking distance of the halls across the Rhine.
- Consider staying in nearby towns like Bonn or Düsseldorf with fast train links if central Cologne sells out.
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Book accommodation as soon as dates are announced; IDS fills Cologne and spills demand into surrounding cities.
- Use Köln Messe/Deutz station rather than the main Hauptbahnhof to arrive right at the halls.
- Explore the old town and Rhine promenade in the evenings, both a short walk from the Deutz side.
- Reserve dinner tables ahead, as popular Cologne restaurants and brewhouses get busy during the fair.
IDS - International Dental Show travel FAQs
Where should I stay for IDS International Dental Show?
Stay in central Cologne or the Deutz district beside Koelnmesse for a short walk or one-stop train to the halls. Anywhere on the Cologne rail and tram network works well, and nearby Bonn or Düsseldorf are options if the city sells out.
How much do hotels cost during IDS?
Rates surge during IDS. Mid-range Cologne hotels can run from roughly 130 to 300 EUR a night during the fair, with premium properties higher; booking very early gives the best value.
How early should I book hotels for IDS?
Book as far ahead as possible, ideally three or more months out. IDS is one of Cologne's biggest fairs and rooms sell out across the city and beyond.
Which airport do I fly into for IDS?
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is closest, with a 12–15 minute train to Köln Messe/Deutz. Düsseldorf (DUS) and Frankfurt (FRA) are alternatives with wider international connections and direct train links.
How do I get from the airport to Koelnmesse?
From Cologne Bonn Airport, take the S13 or a regional train to Köln Messe/Deutz station directly beside the halls in about 12–15 minutes; your IDS ticket covers the fare.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with IDS - International Dental Show or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.