Facts about the Common Cold Incubation Period. By Patsy Hamilton | Cold | Rating: The typical common cold incubation period is from two to five days, but symptoms can appear in as little as ten hours after the virus first enters the nose.The range of the common cold incubation period may be explained by the number of different viruses that can cause common cold symptoms.acts about the Common Cold Incubation Period. By Patsy Hamilton | Cold | Rating: The typical common cold incubation period is from two to five days, but symptoms can appear in as little as ten hours after the virus first enters the nose.