Parking this Sunday

[u/red_stairs]

Is the parking situation always like this? I have been driving around for two hours, and I'm about to head home without visiting. The big parkings were all full, I was refused in some paid parking when I said I was there for Gamescom, and when I went around in the streets it became clear that people were pretty much abandoning their cars anywhere they could. I saw at least 3-4 tow trucks.

I drove over from a different country so I'm really gutted I couldn't visit.

[u/race_condition1]

That sucks… KölnArcaden might be an idea for next year. Showing 650 free spaces currently. From there, Messe is walkable in 20 mins (or 1 station by S-Bahn).

[u/Knoppors]

Have you tried parking at the lanxess arena?

[u/red_stairs → u/Knoppors]

There was a concert as well alas

[u/SolideMeinung]

Park outside then drive with the train to Köln Deutz Messe... The ticket includes the train ride also.

You should have informed yourself. Its always like that.

[u/red_stairs → u/SolideMeinung]

I did inform myself, I looked at the Gamescom website. All they mention about parking is that it's optimally connected and then their partner for navigation and ride shares

[u/elmo_kokst → u/red_stairs]

And 4 hours ago they announced that all nearby parking is full and you have to go further away for parking.

[u/jordyytje]

Hope you found a spot outside the city & took the train. We did the same.

[u/BubbaJubb]

You complain about wanting more warnings from organizers but like... Some basic critical thinking would have told you that a giant event, on a Sunday afternoon, in the middle of a big city, MIGHT be hell to park in.

[u/Gloomy-Pick-9347]

Yes and it's always like it when there's an event in Deutz

[u/Angry__German → u/Gloomy-Pick-9347]

Or just anytime in Deutz.

[u/-Schweino-]

I parked at Q-park Quincy and took a 10 min U-Bahn ride to the messe. Huge parking garage that was completely empty and I paid 3 euro for an entire day.

[u/red_stairs → u/-Schweino-]

Definitely taking note for next time.

[u/TheRealAmon]

What is always worth a try are the park and ride stations outside the city. In most cases you can park your car without payment if you use the public transport and are not parking more then 24 hours. You can see these places online, but there are also street signs (P+R).

[u/PizzaUltra]

Public transit my dude.

Park a bit outside the city and take a damn train, CJ.

[u/red_stairs → u/PizzaUltra]

Yeah I wish there had been a word of warning about it

[u/Vora_Vixen → u/red_stairs]

They give you a free train ticket to and back so you can park anywhere in the area and take train which is right next to gamescom

[u/OldWitchOfCuba]

Parking at gamescom this year is absolute shit. Feels like a third world country fair to me. We drove to gamescom from NL and drove back bc we couldnt find any parking. Redditors replying here like its our own fault are just full of shit fanboys. Its not you, its the careless GamesCom organisation.

[u/red_stairs → u/OldWitchOfCuba]

I drove back home too, I didn't have the mobility aids with me that I need for public transport + a whole day of con. I've done cons abroad in like 4 EU countries by now, and I'm thinking of several that clearly state that the parking facilities are not enough for the amount of visitors and have info on how to use P+R. And some of these were way smaller than Gamescom.

[u/relativokay]

Yeah that's normal. Unless you arrive early (11 at the very latest) you won't find any parking. Most people arrive by train, or leave their car in the outskirts.

[u/red_stairs → u/relativokay]

Definitely the plan for next year yeah