Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Germany's busiest airport and one of Europe's major aviation hubs, located approximately 12 km southwest of Frankfurt city center. As Lufthansa's main hub, it serves as a critical connection point for Star Alliance carriers and handles over 60 million passengers annually.

The airport has two terminals with five concourses:

• Terminal 1: The larger terminal with Concourses A, B, C, and Z. Lufthansa and Star Alliance carriers operate primarily from here. Concourse A handles Schengen flights, while Concourse Z serves non-Schengen destinations.
• Terminal 2: Houses Concourses D and E, serving a mix of international carriers including oneworld and SkyTeam airlines.

Terminals are connected by the free SkyLine automated train, which runs between both terminals in about 4 minutes. Terminal 1 is directly connected to both the long-distance train station (Fernbahnhof) for ICE high-speed trains and the regional train station (Regionalbahnhof) for S-Bahn services.

Frankfurt Airport is located 12 km (7.5 miles) southwest of Frankfurt city center. The airport has excellent rail connections, making it one of Europe's most accessible airports.

Travel time overview:

• S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof: 12-15 minutes
• ICE to Cologne: 1 hour
• ICE to Munich: 3 hours
• Taxi to city center: 20-30 minutes (traffic dependent)

The airport has two train stations:

• Regionalbahnhof (Regional station): S-Bahn S8 and S9 to Frankfurt
• Fernbahnhof (Long-distance station): ICE high-speed trains to German cities

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside both terminals. All Frankfurt taxis are cream/white colored with a black and yellow rooftop sign.

Destination	Fare	Time
Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof	€35-45	20-25 min
Frankfurt city center	€35-50	20-30 min
Messe (Trade Fair)	€25-35	15-20 min

Fares are metered with a base price of €4 and €2.40 per kilometer. As of December 2024, fixed fares are also available as an option. No surcharges for luggage, nights, or weekends.

Uber

Uber operates at Frankfurt Airport with pickup at designated areas.

• Pickup location: Short-term parking lot P31 on the departure level at Terminal 1
• Services available: UberX, UberTaxi
• Availability: 24/7, though wait times may be longer during early morning or late night hours
• Advance booking: Reserve up to 90 days ahead to lock in pricing

Note: Uber services in Germany are more limited than in other countries. UberPop and UberBlack are not available due to German regulations.

S-Bahn (Suburban Rail)

The S8 and S9 lines connect Frankfurt Airport to the city center, departing from the Regionalbahnhof (Regional station) under Terminal 1.

To Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Central Station):

1. Follow signs to "Regionalbahnhof" or "S-Bahn" in Terminal 1
2. Take S8 (direction: Offenbach Ost) or S9 (direction: Hanau Hauptbahnhof)
3. Exit at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (4 stops, 12-15 minutes)

To Frankfurt Hauptwache (City Center):

1. Same S8 or S9 train
2. Exit at Hauptwache (6 stops, 18-20 minutes)

Ticket Type	Price	Notes
Single adult	€5.60-6.30	Preisstufe 4
Single child (6-14)	€3.40-3.70	Preisstufe 4
Day ticket (1 person)	€12.30	Unlimited travel
Group day ticket (up to 5)	€20.60	Best value for groups

Frequency: Every 15 minutes Operating hours: S8 runs 24/7; S9 runs approximately 04:30-01:00

Purchase tickets from RMV or DB ticket machines on the platform before boarding. Machines accept coins, notes (euros), cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

ICE High-Speed Trains

The Fernbahnhof (long-distance station) is connected to Terminal 1 via a covered walkway. Around 185 ICE trains stop here daily, connecting to major German and European cities.

Destination	Journey Time	Frequency
Cologne	1 hour	Every 30 min
Munich	3 hours	Hourly
Berlin	4 hours	Hourly
Stuttgart	1.5 hours	Hourly
Amsterdam	4 hours	Several daily
Brussels	3 hours	Several daily

From Terminal 2: Take the SkyLine or shuttle bus to Terminal 1, then follow signs to Fernbahnhof.

Frankfurt Airport offers over 14,000 parking spaces across multiple facilities.

Terminal Parking

Location	Type	Price Range
P1/P4 (Terminal 1)	Business Parking	From €35/day
P2/P3 (Terminal 1)	Terminal Parking	From €29/day
P8/P9 (Terminal 2)	Terminal Parking	From €29/day
Holiday Parking	Long-term	From €9/day

Tips:

• Book online for discounted rates (often 20-30% off)
• Maximum entrance height: 2.10 m
• LPG (autogas) vehicles not permitted in terminal parking garages
• Drop-off zone: Free for up to 10 minutes, twice per day

Off-site alternatives: Several providers offer parking from €3-5/day with shuttle service to terminals.

Frankfurt Airport offers diverse dining options across both terminals.

Terminal 1

Sit-down restaurants:

• Hausmann's (by Tim Mälzer): Celebrity chef restaurant, German cuisine (Area A, Level 2)
• Kuffler & Bucher: Frankfurt classic since 1999, German and European fare
• Asia Street Cooking: Authentic Asian dishes
• AMORE: Italian pasta, pizza, and focaccia
• Ludwigs: German classics like schnitzel and currywurst

Quick bites:

• Best Worscht in Town: Authentic Frankfurt currywurst
• Heberer Traditional Bakery: Fresh pretzels and pastries
• Le Crobag: French-style croissants and baguettes
• McDonald's and Starbucks: Multiple locations

Bars:

• Goethe Bar: German beers and bar food, breakfast options
• MONDO Bar: Coffee, cocktails, and light bites

Terminal 2

• Lucullus: Italian with pizza and sandwiches
• Vito: Italian restaurant in the food court area
• Various quick-service options including chains

Near Terminal 1 (The Squaire)

The Eatery: American street food including burgers, mac & cheese, and BBQ, located between the Sheraton and Marriott hotels with direct terminal access.

Free WiFi is available throughout Frankfurt Airport with no time limit.

Detail	Information
Network name	Airport-Frankfurt-Free-WiFi
Registration	None required
Time limit	Unlimited
Coverage	Over 300 access points

Quality: Speeds vary by location and time. Terminal 2 and remote gate areas may have slower connections. For faster, more reliable WiFi, airline lounges offer premium connectivity.

Security tip: Use a VPN when accessing sensitive information on public WiFi networks.

Prepaid SIM cards are available at Frankfurt Airport, primarily in Terminal 1, Arrival Hall B.

Where to Buy

• Vodafone, Telekom, O2 stores: Arrival Hall B, Terminal 1
• Ortel Mobile: Arrival Hall B
• Tegut supermarket: Ground floor, Terminal 1, Halle C (often cheaper)

Store hours: 06:00-22:00 daily

Prices

Provider	Price	Data
Telekom	From €10	Varies by plan
Vodafone	From €10	5G available on select plans (+€3)
O2	From €10	Budget-friendly options

Important: German law requires SIM card registration with ID. Bring your passport and provide a German address (your hotel address works).

Tip: Airport prices tend to be €5-10 higher than city stores. If you have time, buy at a city center shop or supermarket for better deals.

ATMs are located throughout both terminals in landside and airside areas. Major German banks represented include Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and Sparkasse.

ATM Locations

• Terminal 1: Arrivals hall, departure level, near gates
• Terminal 2: Arrivals and departures areas

Currency Exchange

Currency exchange counters (Travelex, ReiseBank) are available in both terminals. However, exchange rates at airports are typically unfavorable (3-8% worse than market rates).

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw euros from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Use Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates
• Pay directly with credit/debit card (most places accept cards)

Frankfurt Airport offers extensive shopping in both terminals, with Heinemann as the main duty-free operator.

Duty Free (Heinemann)

Location	Hours
Terminal 1A, Level 2	05:30-22:00
Terminal 1Z, Level 3	06:30-21:30
Terminal 1C, Level 2	06:00-22:00
Terminal 2D/E	06:00-21:30

Products: Perfumes, cosmetics, spirits, tobacco, chocolates, German souvenirs, accessories.

Services: Gift wrapping, pre-ordering online (collect at store), Miles & More partner.

Notable Stores

• Porsche Design: German luxury accessories (Terminal 1)
• Montblanc: Writing instruments and leather goods
• Steiff: Famous German teddy bears
• BOSS: German fashion brand
• Swarovski: Crystal jewelry

Tips

• Pre-order online at shop.frankfurt-airport.com up to 12 hours before departure
• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds on purchases over €50

Frankfurt Airport has numerous lounge options, particularly in Terminal 1 where Lufthansa operates multiple lounges.

Lufthansa Lounges (Terminal 1)

Senator Lounges (Star Alliance Gold, Business Class):

• Area A, Level 2: 05:00-22:00
• Area B, Level 3: 06:00-22:00 (non-Schengen)
• Area Z, Level 3: 05:00-22:00 (non-Schengen)

Business Lounges (Star Alliance Silver, Premium Economy):

• Area A, Level 2
• Area B, Level 2
• Area Z, Level 2

Amenities include hot buffet, made-to-order dishes, premium bar, showers, daybeds, and spa services (Senator).

First Class Lounge and First Class Terminal: Invitation-only for Lufthansa First Class passengers and HON Circle members.

Priority Pass Lounges

Terminal 1:

• LuxxLounge: Landside between Concourses B and C, Gallery Level. Hours: 06:30-21:30. Max 3-hour stay. Note: Transit passengers must exit security to access.

Terminal 2:

• Priority Lounge: Airside, Level 3, Concourse E. Hours: 06:15-21:15. Sleep pods available, complimentary golf cart service.
• Primeclass Lounge: Airside, 06:00-22:00, max 3-hour stay.
• Air France Lounge: Level 2, Hall D (Schengen), 05:45-20:00.

Credit Card Access

• Amex Platinum: Access to Lufthansa Senator Lounges (when flying Business Class)
• Priority Pass: LuxxLounge (T1), Priority Lounge, Primeclass Lounge (T2)

Several hotels are connected to Terminal 1 via covered walkways, ideal for early departures or late arrivals.

Connected to Terminal 1

Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel

• Direct pedestrian bridge from Terminal 1, Area A and C
• 4-star, full-service
• From €150/night

Hilton Frankfurt Airport

• Located in The Squaire, 10-minute covered walk from Terminal 1
• Above the ICE train station
• From €140/night

Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport

• Budget-friendly option in The Squaire
• Connected via same walkway as Hilton
• From €100/night

Frankfurt Airport Marriott

• Located in The Squaire near Hilton
• Direct connection to Terminal 1
• From €130/night

Near the Airport

• NH Frankfurt Airport: 5-minute shuttle, from €90/night
• Holiday Inn Frankfurt Airport: Free shuttle, from €80/night
• Mercure Hotel Frankfurt Airport: 10-minute shuttle, from €75/night

Frankfurt is a vibrant financial capital with a mix of modern skyscrapers and medieval old town. For layovers of 5+ hours, it's worth venturing into the city.

Getting to the City Center

• S-Bahn to Hauptwache: 18-20 minutes (€5.60-6.30)
• Taxi to Römerberg: 25-30 minutes (€35-50)

Top Attractions

Attraction	Travel Time from Airport	Highlights
Römerberg (Old Town)	25 min by S-Bahn	Medieval town hall, half-timbered houses, cafes
Kaiserdom (Cathedral)	25 min by S-Bahn	Gothic cathedral, tower views
Kleinmarkthalle	25 min by S-Bahn	Indoor food market, local specialties
Main Tower	20 min by S-Bahn	200m observation deck, city panorama
Museumsufer	30 min by S-Bahn	Museum embankment along River Main
Palmengarten	35 min by S-Bahn	Botanical garden, 13,000 plant species

Layover Recommendations

• 5-hour layover: Visit Römerberg and walk along the Main River
• 7-hour layover: Add Kleinmarkthalle for local food and a museum
• Day trip from airport: Heidelberg (1 hour by ICE), Rhine Valley castles

Frankfurt Specialties

• Apfelwein (apple wine): Traditional Frankfurt drink, try in Sachsenhausen district
• Grüne Sosse: Green herb sauce with eggs, a Frankfurt classic
• Frankfurter Würstchen: The original Frankfurt sausage
• Handkäse mit Musik: Strong cheese with onions (acquired taste)