Airport Guide to Frankfurt International (FRA)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Frankfurt International (FRA) is one of the busiest airports in Europe, a continental hub for many major airlines. More than 50 million passengers arrive on flights to Frankfurt Airport each year. The stylish terminals have plenty to keep travellers occupied on long stopovers – restaurants, shops, slots or video games, sightseeing tours and a Visitors’ Terrace with views of the runways.

In 2009, the beautiful Shopping Plaza was added to Terminal 2, and construction is underway on a third terminal and fourth runway.

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Terminal Transfer

If you need to get from one terminal to the other you can take the free Sky Line shuttle, which takes about two minutes. There are also free shuttles that go from Level 1 in Terminal 1 to Level 2 in Terminal 2.

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Getting into Town

Train: There are two railway stations you can access from the airport. For local journeys into Frankfurt, the S-Bahn station is located on Level 1 in Terminal 1; information and tickets are available at the RMV Mobility Centre on Level 0 of Terminal 1. Tickets to central Frankfurt (lines S8 and S9) are €4.50. For long-distance trips you’ll go to the Deutsche Bahn station at the AIRail Terminal. Regional trains leave from Level 0 while long-distance trains depart from Level 3. Fares start at €29 within Germany and €39 to other countries. You can get to either station from Terminal 2 on either the Sky Line or a bus.

Bus: There are several bus lines that stop at Frankfurt Airport. Bus 61 goes to Frankfurt-Südbahnhof, bus 73 goes to Kelsterbach, Bus 900 goes to Obertshausen-Bahnhof and there is an Airliner to Darmstadt. You can buy tickets from the driver when you get on the bus at the bay in front of the Terminal 1 arrivals hall.

Taxi: There are metered taxis available outside of both terminals. It takes about 20-30 minutes to get to downtown Frankfurt, depending on traffic, and the average fare is about €25. Be careful of drivers taking the “scenic” route to increase the fare.

Shuttle: Many hotels in Frankfurt, including Holiday Inn, Ramada and the Hotel Mercure, have regular shuttles to and from the airport.

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Car Parking

Each terminal has its own 24-hour parking facility, and the signs from the motorway are clearly marked for Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

General parking rates are easy to follow: if you stay 30 minutes or less it costs €2.50, beyond that it’s €4 per hour. Long-term parking rates get expensive quickly at €25 per day, and €115 for the first seven days. The Holiday Parking area has better rates for long-term parking – €23.50 per day and €64 for a week (€49 between November and March). This car park is further from the terminals and you need to take the airport shuttle. There are good discounts for “Early Bird” parking if booked via the airport’s website.

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Information Desks

There are information desks on each level of Terminal 1 and on Level 2 of Terminal 2. The staff are friendly and efficient, and the desks are manned 24 hours per day.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: ATMs, banks, currency exchange and a post office with an Internet lounge.

Luggage: There are 24-hour left luggage facilities available in both terminals, and a lost property office on Level 1 of Terminal 1. There is also an escort and porter service.

Conference and business: The Airport Conference Centre has facilities for up to 200 people with audiovisual equipment, office supplies, Internet access, interpreters, secretarial staff and caterers. Most of the major airlines offer business facilities in their executive lounges as well as the Europe City Club Lounge, and the Sheraton Frankfurt Hotel has facilities for larger gatherings.

Other facilities: There are many convenient amenities for busy and tired travellers, including a salon, 24-hour medical clinic, pharmacies, family play areas, baby-changing facilities, dry-cleaning, dog hotel, chapel, shower facilities, and a casino and gaming area. You can also take one of several guided tours of the airport.

Wi-Fi: There is Wi-Fi available through T-Mobile or T-Com. If you don’t have an account with those companies you can buy browsing time with a credit card.

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