How close is the Frankfurt airport to the city of Frankfurt?

Question

It's possible I will take a flight to krakow and have about a TEN HOUR(!!!) layover at the Frankfurt airport. This would be cool if I could check out Frankfurt, though.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Answer 1

The Frankfurt airport is about a 20 minute train ride to downtown Frankfurt. In Terminal 1(where Halls A, B, and C are located) you go down to the level where the S-Bahns are(signs say 'Local Trains') and take a train going in direction Frankfurt HaupBahnhof(main train station). The S-Bahn train going direction Hanau will take thru the main shopping district of Frankfurt - called the Zeil. Get off at 'Hauptwache' and from there you can walk to the Romer, which is where the Frankfurt city hall is, and the buildings you often see in postcards of Frankfurt. NOTE: The half timbered buildings across from the city hall were destroyed during WWII. What you see now are 'copies' that were built in 1974 - a plaque on the right side will confirm this.

To get back to the Frankfurt Airport return to the underground S-Bahn; There are 3 stops in the Zeil walking plaza area. Take the S-Bahns that are noted with a plane(means the airport) - these trains normally are going in the direction Wiesbaden. Do not stress out as there are lots of people coming and going from the Frankfurt airport that you can ask for directions.

Important: Buy a ticket! The controllers are often not in uniform and if you do not have a valid ticket - you pay a fine! They do not care if you are only there for a day or whatever. Trust me the controllers have heard every excuse. So, spend a few Euros and buy a 'Tages Karte' for Frankfurt city or Haupbahnhof(Hbf).

There are bus connections, but they take longer and do not drop you off directly in the city center. And to be honest the buses can be confusing if you do not know your way around.

The US Military no longer has a base at Rhein Main Frankfurt Airport. While there are still signs saying Rhein Main Airbase all of that has been turned over to the Frankfurt Airport Authority. For example the old American housing area 'Gateway Gardens' has mostly been torn down and a new little city is being built there, hotels, offices, condos, etc.

So, if you have more than 5 hours defintely hop the S-Bahn and head into Frankfurt. Great little city to walk around in. And do not be surprized if you do not hear too much German, because of the Banking and stock market Frankfurt is a very international city.

Answer 2

Buses leave reguarly from outside Terminal 1 and 2.The ride will

take 20 to 30 minutes (to citycenter).If you are "downtown", your

remaining time is easy to blow :).Enjoy the city !

Answer 3

its actually at rhine main airforce base which is about 15 minutes away from downtown frankfurt by subway, to main banhof