If you are flying long-haul and connecting in Europe, odds are good that you might be connecting in Frankfurt. This German city is the financial, banking and business hub of Germany. But due to its central location and the fact that Frankfurt was not divided during the cold war years, Frankfurt has also emerged as the international hub on the European mainland. The city’s downtown core is located just 15km away from the airport. Excellent train service between the two makes hopping into the city during a layover a breeze. If you have at least 5 hours between flights, it’s possible to take a quick jaunt into Frankfurt to see what the city has to offer. Here is a Frankfurt Airport layover guide that will tell you how to plan a layover in Frankfurt, Germany.
About Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt Airport (or Flughafen Frankfurt Main, in German) is a major international airport located in Frankfurt, Germany. It’s the main hub for Lufthansa airline from both a passenger and cargo perspective. The airport is the 5th busiest in Europe, and 13th busiest in the world.
Frankfurt Airport features two passenger terminals. Both terminals host domestic and international flights, so unless both of your connecting flights are with Lufthansa or one of its partners (all of whom operate out of Terminal 1), you may need to transit between them. A monorail runs between the terminals.
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Can I leave the Frankfurt Airport during a layover?
The answer to this question is a conditional ‘yes’. There are two major considerations at play.
Visas
Frankfurt Airport in Germany is in the Schengen passport-free zone that covers most European countries. It’s the largest free travel area in the world. All nationals of countries that have not yet reached a visa-liberalization agreement with the Schengen member states, need to obtain a visa before arriving in Europe. Here is a list of countries whose citizens must apply for a Schengen visa before traveling to any member country of the Schengen Area.
If you do not require a visa to visit the Schengen Area then you will be free to leave the Frankfurt Airport during a layover. If you are a citizen who does require a Schengen Area visa then you will only be permitted to leave the airport if you are in possession of that visa. Visa rules are complex and are subject to change. Be sure that you understand your visa requirements before planning your trip.
Time
If you are transiting through Frankfurt then you need to ensure you are back at the airport in time to catch your onward flight. You must make sure that you have time to land and deplane, go through customs, possibly collect your luggage and store it, travel to your destination in Frankfurt… and then do it all again in reverse to get checked back in for your next flight.
This process can be simplified significantly if (a) your luggage is checked through to your final destination and (b) you are already in possession of boarding passes for your next flight (either electronic or printed for you at your point of embarkation). If both of those requirements are satisfied then upon your return to Frankfurt Airport, you may proceed directly to security and your gate. This will save you a significant chunk of time.
Keep in mind that if your flight to Frankfurt is late in arriving, that could thwart your best-laid plans.
How long do I need to leave Frankfurt airport during my layover?
The general consensus is that it’s possible to plan a trip into Frankfurt with a layover of at least 5 hours. A brief breakdown of that time looks like this:
- 1 hour to deplane and go through customs
- 1/2 hour to travel into the city
- 2 hours to explore
- 1/2 hour to travel back to the airport
- 1 hour to proceed through security to your gate
You’ll need more time to deal with luggage, acquire boarding passes, or handle abnormally long customs or security lines during peak travel periods.
What can I do with a 5 hour layover in Frankfurt?
Frankfurt has a downtown skyline full of glittery skyscrapers. But in our opinion – you can see those anywhere. With our short visit to Germany, we wanted to see authentic German architecture, so we headed straight for the Aldstadt or old town. The best spot for this is the Römerberg, Frankfurt’s old town square. It’s full of half-timbered buildings surrounding a lovely fountain. Most of the buildings were reconstructed following WWII, but one building, Haus Wertheym, dates back to the 1400s.
If you are lucky enough to be visiting during the holiday season, the Römerberg plays host to Frankfurt’s annual Christmas market. You can sample hot apple wine and marzipan cookies while listening to carolers underneath a majestic Christmas tree.
In addition to seeing the Römerberg, there are several other buildings with beautiful architecture in the area. Check out the train station (Hauptbahnhof), the Old Opera House, and the Stock Exchange.
You should also make a point of crossing the Eiserner Steg Bridge. It’s a pedestrian bridge crossing the River Main, and it’s adorned with countless locks. It provides nice views of the city skyline and connects the Aldstadt to the area of Sachsenhausen.
One advantage to this itinerary is that you can execute it at any time of day. Our layover in Frankfurt started very early in the morning – before 6 a.m. – and ended with our onward flight at 1 p.m. Much of the time we spent outside of the airport was in the dark.
With only 2 hours to explore, you might not have time for a sit-down meal. However, there are lots of bakeries offering pretzels, sausages, and other portable snacks. Bonus – they open very early in the morning.
What can I do with an 8 hour layover in Frankfurt?
With a few extra hours, you have more options to plan a Frankfurt layover. You might consider visiting a museum. The Städel Museum, for example, contains artwork by Picasso. Experiminta Science Center provides lots of hands-on opportunities for kids (and the young at heart).
You could also visit the Kleinmarkethalle, an indoor food and farmers market that offers samples. Try Frankfurt staples like Fleischwurst, a local sausage.
There is a wide range of walking tour options in Frankfurt. Head out with a guide, or choose a self-guided audio tour. The time commitment ranges from 1-4 hours, depending on the tour you select.
Another option for foodies is to sample Frankfurt’s traditional apple cider, called Apfelwein. There are several cider pubs in the Sachsenhausen area.
Which train will take me into Frankfurt during my layover?
The regional train station or Regionalbahnhof is in Terminal 1, Area B, Level 0. It offers connections to Frankfurt’s Hauptwache metro station on both trains S8 and S9. Make sure you select the train that is headed toward Offenbach or Hanau to head into the city. Public transit maps are available here.
An adult fare costs €5 and a child fare is €2,95. You can also purchase a day pass for a group of up to 5 people for €19,10. Purchase your ticket at one of the automated machines you’ll find in the station on ground level, as well as on the platform. They look like this:
The automated machines take debit and credit cards, as well as cash.
If you purchase the group pass you will need to write the names of everyone in your group on it. The fine for being caught without a properly written ticket is €60, so this can be a costly mistake. Anecdotally, we traveled early on a Saturday morning and did not encounter any metro personnel on our trip.
Trains run every 15 minutes through the day, and the trip is approximately 17 minutes long. Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. trains run less frequently.
Of course, taking an Uber or taxi into Frankfurt is also an option, and will save you a bit of time waiting for the train – IF a taxi or Uber is available. A typical fare is around €30 each way. When our flight landed, however, surge pricing put the cost of an Uber at almost €60, which steered us toward the train.
What if I don’t want to leave Frankfurt airport during my layover?
No problem – you can plan a Frankfurt layover inside the airport, too:
- Frankfurt Airport offers a variety of tours. The ‘Starter’ tour is 45 minutes long (€7 for adults, discounts for children and seniors) and the XXL tour is 120 minutes long (€17 for adults, discounts for children and seniors). You’ll ride a bus around the airport property and will watch aircraft being fueled or loaded, observe takeoffs and landings from up close, and admire colourful aircraft livery from around the world. Tours can be booked here.
- The Fraport Visitor Center offers 1200 square meters of multimedia and interactive exhibits. The center is open mornings and afternoons, closing briefly mid-day. Admission is €12 for adults with discounts available for children and seniors. Admission can also be booked in combination with the Frankfurt Airport Starter Tour for a discount.
- Terminal 1 offers a host of free post-security amenities. There are family-friendly movies, gaming centers, quiet zones, prayer rooms, yoga rooms and airline lounges. For families there are play areas and stroller rental services.
In conclusion…
Planning a trip to Frankfurt makes sense with layovers of 5 hours or more. There’s no sense sitting inside an airport if you have the time and completed the planning to head into the city and get a taste of Germany. Especially for families like ours, who have never been to Germany before and were excited to get a small taste of it, a trip into Frankfurt will whet your appetite for future German exploration.
Over to you – did you plan a layover at the Frankfurt Airport? What did you do with your time? Tell us in the comments below.
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Thank you for this very informative article! We are possibly traveling through Frankfurt with a 3hr layover. Do you think it’s possible to get to Höchster Mainufer Park area (according to Google Maps, a 9min drive) to at least see that area for 30ish min then head back? Kills me to think we’d be there and only see the inside of the airport. Thank you for any advice you might have. This is our first trip to Europe and I’ve never left the airport during a layover, but willing to give it a try.
Oh gosh. I’ve got to say, as much as I’m an advocate for making the most of your time – with 3 hours, I just don’t think it’s enough. It’s a huge airport and the immigration and security queues are long. You might have to go through security again even if you don’t leave the airport, but you will for sure if you do. We’re the type to always be at the airport 3 hours early, though; your risk tolerance may vary!
Do you know if you still have to validate the all day collective ticket Frankfurt card? And, as a family of 6, we would purchase 1 of those then also one all day ticket Frankfurt card…does that need to be validated as well? Thanks, Paige Myrick
I believe this has changed and validation of a day ticket is not required – the date is printed on the ticket and it’s automatically valid for use on that day. Yes, I would buy a group pass plus a single pass, and no validation required for either one.
Hi! I will have a 5 hour and 40 minute layover in Frankfurt (5:40am landing and 11:20am takeoff) with a US passport. Should I go for it? I am worried since I am landing in Germany so early that nothing will be open. I’m also afraid of the security lines for when I return to the airport for my flight. Any input is appreciated thank you
You’re correct that (almost) nothing will be open. There will be a few bakeries and coffee shops, but that’s it. If you want to zip into the city center to see some architecture and grab a snack, I think you’ll have enough time, assuming that you land on time and are able to navigate pretty swiftly. That also assumes you won’t be dealing with luggage. You can always play it by ear and see how quickly you’re off your plane when the time comes. Good luck!
This was so very helpful, thank you! I was researching what we would need to be able to check out the Christmas Market on a 7.5 hour layover this December. Now I feel confident that it’s possible and am well equipped with info!
I’m glad it was helpful, and I’m jealous that you will be there for the Christmas Market – what a perfect time of year to visit!