Frankfurt am Main International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

In Frankfurt sleeping in the city costs little in terms of time: the S-Bahn reaches the Hauptbahnhof in 12-15 minutes with a train about every 10, and there is no shortage of hotels in the centre. Sleeping at the airport makes sense when the flight leaves early, when you change planes with an overnight stay or when you have an appointment in the area; a covered walkway is all it takes to reach the check-in desks. For those who want to see the city it remains more sensible to stay near the station or in the Altstadt and reach the terminal with a single train.

At the airport and The Squaire

At the airport · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.

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Airport area with shuttle

Airport area · 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.

Pros

Free shuttle always running, even for very early flights
Cheaper than the hotels inside the terminal, at the same distance

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.

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Central station (Hauptbahnhof)

Near the airport link · 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.

Pros

A single fast train from the airport, with no changes
U-Bahn, trams and regional trains all depart from the same station

Cons

The station area is crowded and shabby in the evening
To visit the old town you still need a short walk

Recommended hotels in this area

Motel One Frankfurt-Hauptbahnhof: At Poststraße 8, at the north exit of the central station: U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses depart from there, including the connections to the airport.

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