Getting to Frankfurt

Reaching and leaving Frankfurt is easy, as it’s the heart of central Germany and the main national transportation hub. It has good connectivity between railways, airlines and highways. The main airport is one of the busiest in the world and all major airlines fly here. It connects to every continent and major city worldwide and is the preferred travel option for many visitors.

Germany also has an extensive rail network and Frankfurt can be reached from most other cities in the country as well as from a number of international destinations. Driving is another viable option, with several autobahns linking the city and various trans-European bus lines providing regular services.

By car

The efficient autobahns provide easy access to Frankfurt. Try not to get lost if you drive on the ‘Frankfurter Kreuz’, Germany's biggest autobahn intersection. Road signs and directions are generally good. The A3 and the A5 autobahns join at Frankfurt. The A3 comes in from the Netherlands, Cologne and Bonn, and continues east and south to Würzburg, Nürnberg and Munich. The A5 comes from the northeast cities of Hannover and Bad Hersfeld, and continues south to Heidelberg, Mannheim and on to Switzerland. From the west, the A60 connects with the A66, which arrives at Frankfurt and the city centre. Try to avoid driving during rush hours, as traffic can be particularly heavy.

By rail

Frankfurt's main rail station, the Hauptbahnhof, is one of the busiest in Europe, with over 350,000 travellers passing through it everyday. A train arrives from most major cities every hour until 20:00. The Southern Station (Südbahnhof) and the Airport Station (Flughafen Fernbahnhof) also receive intercity trains.

Be aware that the stations (other than the one at the airport) are very large and confusing, so extra time should be allowed to locate your train. Fast connections to other cities in Germany include those to Berlin, Munich, Hannover and Cologne. There are also frequent trains to other European cities. A fast train to Amsterdam only takes about 5 hours, for example.

You can travel from London to Frankfurt via Brussels or Paris. The Brussels route is more direct and offers faster daytime journeys; however, the Paris route has both daytime and a cheaper sleeper train service. Advanced booking is advised for all international journeys, but for many domestic journeys, a ticket can be purchased on arrival at the station.

By bus

Frankfurt has long-distance bus service to about 800 German and European cities. For those on a tight budget, this is a good way to travel. The main terminus is by the south side of the Hauptbahnhof, where you will find a Eurolines office.

By ferry

Germany's main ferry ports are at Kiel, Lübeck and Travemünde in Schleswig-Holstein, and Rostock and Sassnitz in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. All ports have services to Scandinavia. Ferries to the UK leave from Cuxhaven in Schleswig-Holstein. There is a car ferry across Lake Constance linking Switzerland and Germany.

By air

Frankfurt International Airport is located seven miles from the city centre, next to the Frankfurter Kreuz autobahn intersection. The airport is the main gateway for the country and serves more than 240 destinations in about 110 countries worldwide. All major German airports can be reached via Frankfurt. The airport train station, beneath Terminal 1, has S-Bahn commuter train services to transport you quickly to the city centre. Buses and taxis are also available.

Frankfurt International Airport

The busy Frankfurt International Airport handles flights to most of the world's top cities as well as all domestic flights. There are currently two terminals, with a third under construction. The terminals are linked by a people-mover system called the Sky Line, which provides quick and efficient transfers. The airport is busy and chaotic, but it offers a range of excellent facilities. There are seven domestic and international banks as well as numerous bureaux de change offices, spread throughout the terminals.

Frankfurt International Airport transportation

The easiest way to reach the city centre is by taking one of the S-Bahn commuter trains from the airport train station, found under terminal 1. The trains depart every 10 minutes and you need to take either line S8 or S9 towards Frankfurt or Hanau. The trip takes approximately 12 minutes to the main train station, Hauptbahnhof. Be sure to purchase a ticket at the vending machines in the train station before boarding the train. The airport train station has connections to other regional cities such as Mainz, Wiesbaden and Hanau.

The bus station can be found in front of Terminal 1. It provides fast and regular services into Frankfurt. Departure times are displayed on information boards throughout the station. Terminal 2 also has a bus area outside the main entrance with services into the city. Taxis are a more expensive option, and you can find pick-up points next to the bus stations, outside both terminals. If you are hiring a car, the A3 and A5 autobahns run past the airport entrance, providing easy connections to Frankfurt and other cities.