Frankfurt am Main Airport is Germany's main airport and Lufthansa hub, with 61.6 million passengers in 2024, among Europe's busiest, located approximately 12 km south-west of Frankfurt's city center.
It is an important intercontinental hub with direct flights to virtually every continent.
How to get to Frankfurt am Main International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to FRA
Parking near Frankfurt am Main International Airport
A multi-level parking garage is adjacent to the terminal.
They are video-monitored; approximately up to 15 euros for the first hour in short-term parking near the terminal, while a full week starts at about 66 euros (9-10 euros/day); affiliated parking off-site with shuttle service drops to about 5 euros per day.
How to get to Frankfurt from FRA
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
From FRA to the most sought-after destinations
| If you want to... | Choose | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Spend less | S-Bahn S8/S9 to Hauptbahnhof | ~6.90€ |
| Continue to another German city without entering Frankfurt | Direct ICE from the Fernbahnhof, the long-distance station inside the airport | variable price depending on route |
| Reach the fair during a Messe Frankfurt event | Dedicated shuttle (on fair days) or S-Bahn + tram | ~5-7€ |
| Have heavy luggage or a night flight | Taxi at declared fixed rate | ~45-50€ |
Frankfurt Airport → Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof
The S-Bahn takes just 12 minutes from the airport's Regionalbahnhof to the central station, with departures every 10 minutes: it is the hub from which you continue to the rest of Germany or to the city center.
Frankfurt Airport → other German cities without stopping in the center
The airport has its own long-distance train station, the Fernbahnhof, connected to Terminal 1 by a walkway of 5-10 minutes: from here, over 200 trains depart daily, mostly ICE, to cities like Cologne, Mannheim, Stuttgart and Mainz, without needing to pass through the Hauptbahnhof.
Frankfurt Airport → Messe Frankfurt (fair district)
On fair days, a dedicated shuttle connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to the fair complex in about 15 minutes; outside these periods, the urban network, S-Bahn plus tram, remains the most practical route.
Frankfurt Airport → Sachsenhausen
To reach the district of cider houses (Apfelwein) and evening life on the river, the most common combination is the S-Bahn to the Hauptbahnhof followed by a short U-Bahn or tram ride, or a direct taxi of about 25-30 minutes.
Car rental at Frankfurt am Main International Airport
The major international car rental companies have desks in the airport's terminals.
For EU citizens, a national license suffices, along with a passport and credit card.
Hotels near Frankfurt am Main International Airport
At the airport and The Squaire
The Sheraton is joined to Terminal 1 by a covered pedestrian bridge, reached from the departures levels of halls A and C; the Hilton hotels at The Squaire are above the ICE station, less than 10 minutes on foot from the gates.
Best for: Flights before 8 and long layovers, with the terminal reachable on foot and under cover.
- You go to check-in on foot, without depending on trains or shuttles
- The ICE station is beneath the Hilton hotel, for continuing to other German cities
- All around there are only offices, roads and car parks, with no evening life
- For dinner in the centre you need the S-Bahn and almost an hour there and back
Recommended hotels
- Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel and Conference Center Directly linked to Terminal 1 by a covered bridge: from the departures levels of halls A and C an escalator takes you into the hotel. View availability
- Hilton Frankfurt Airport Inside The Squaire, above the airport's ICE station and less than 10 minutes on foot from the departure gates, following the signs for the Fernbahnhof. View availability
Airport area with shuttle
From the Steigenberger the free shuttle every 20 minutes, running 24 hours a day, stops at Terminal 1 between exits B5 and B6; the Moxy Kelsterbach also uses a shuttle service from there.
Best for: Those looking for a lower rate than the terminal hotels who are in no hurry in the morning.
- Free shuttle always running, even for very early flights
- Cheaper than the hotels inside the terminal, at the same distance
- With the shuttle in between you lose minutes on busy days
- The area is made up of roads and offices, with nowhere to go out on foot
Recommended hotels
- Steigenberger Airport Hotel Frankfurt About a kilometre from the terminal, with a free shuttle every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, from Terminal 1 and the stations. View availability
- Moxy Frankfurt Airport Kelsterbach A simpler hotel about 10 minutes from the airport, with a shuttle to T1 and T2 leaving from exit 5 on arrivals level B. View availability
Central station (Hauptbahnhof)
The S-Bahn S8 or S9 takes 12-15 minutes from the airport platform, with trains about every 10 minutes; from the station the hotels are a few minutes on foot.
Best for: Those who land and continue by train, or want an affordable base with all means of transport on the doorstep.
- A single fast train from the airport, with no changes
- U-Bahn, trams and regional trains all depart from the same station
- The station area is crowded and shabby in the evening
- To visit the old town you still need a short walk
Altstadt and Römer
S-Bahn to the Hauptbahnhof in 12-15 minutes, then a short stretch by U-Bahn or tram; by taxi it takes about 25-30 minutes.
Best for: Those spending a weekend in Frankfurt who want the rebuilt centre and the river close by.
- The Römer, the historic square and the Main can be reached on foot
- Restaurants and cider taverns within a few minutes, even in the evening
- The train requires a change after the central station
- The taxi journey can become long at peak hours
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
- lounges
- 18
- with Priority Pass
- 2
- paid entry
- from €39
- earliest opening
- 05:00
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
Two terminals are in operation: Terminal 1, dominated by Lufthansa, and the new Terminal 3, inaugurated on 22 April 2026, which has welcomed most of the other airlines; Terminal 2 has been closed for refurbishment since June 2026. The automated Sky Line people mover links the terminals: always verify which terminal your flight departs from, since moving between terminals can take 10–15 minutes. From check-in to the gate, walking typically takes 15–25 minutes.
During traffic peaks, customs and security can slow things down: for international flights, 3 hours of buffer time are advised.
Map of Frankfurt am Main International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How do you get to central Frankfurt from the airport?
By S-Bahn train, which links the airport directly to the main station in about 12-15 minutes, among the fastest such connections in Europe.
Q. Does Frankfurt airport have more than one terminal?
Yes, Terminal 1 and the new Terminal 3 (opened in April 2026) are currently in operation, linked by the automated Sky Line people mover; Terminal 2 is closed for refurbishment. Always check which terminal your flight uses.
Q. Is Frankfurt Lufthansa's hub?
Yes, it's the airline's main hub and one of the busiest airports in Europe, with connections to virtually every continent.
Q. Does Frankfurt airport have a long-distance train station?
Yes, in addition to the regional S-Bahn station, there is a dedicated station for long-distance ICE trains, handy for those continuing to other German cities without going through the center.
Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?
LuxxLounge (T1) and Priority Lounge (T3).
Q. How much does lounge access cost without a business class ticket?
The lowest entry price is €39, at LuxxLounge (T1).
Q. What time does the first lounge open?
At 05:00: Lufthansa Business Lounge A (A26 / Panorama Lounge) (T1), Lufthansa Business Lounge Z (T1), Lufthansa Senator Lounge A (T1) and Lufthansa Senator Lounge Z (T1).
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
