Cheap flights to Frankfurt am Main, Germany from $153

Frankfurt Travel Guide

Frankfurt, Germany has an illustrious past. Long, long, long before airlines offered cheap flights to Frankfurt, the Romans and Charlemagne held court in the city, kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned there, and German democracy was “born” there in 1848. 

Like other major German cities, such as Munich and Berlin for example, Frankfurt was bombed heavily during World War II. Small parts of its original Old Town still stand however and, again, like many other German cities, a methodical restoration program has ensured that Frankfurt’s medieval buildings remain.

Frankfurt’s reputation today is as a banking and business capital. It is Germany’s financial center, with more than 300 banks based there, as well as a stock exchange, German Federal Bank and the European Central Bank. It’s also a major industrial center in Germany, with thousands of factories located in the city.

Frankfurt is also one of Germany’s largest cultural cities, and a huge supporter of the arts. Travelers book airline tickets to Frankfurt for ground-breaking art expositions and international trade fairs. The world-famous International Book Fair attracts writers and authors booking cheap flights to Frankfurt to meet with international publishers for the sale of book rights and translations. In between expos and exhibitions, visitors can admire Europe’s tallest office building, enjoy five-star cuisine and shop retail boutiques. Whether your flight to Frankfurt is for business or pleasure, this city is bound to leave a lasting impression. Here are some tips to help you plan and enjoy the smoothest possible trip.

Getting to and around the city of Frankfurt

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is one of the busiest in Europe, and the busiest in Germany. It’s a continental hub for many major airlines. The airport is located 8 miles southwest of Frankfurt. A second international airport serves Frankfurt as well – Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN). It is small, has few amenities, shops and restaurants and its best-known resident is Ryanair; it is also much further away to the city center than Frankfurt Airport. Here are a few tips for getting to where you need to go from each of these two airports.

Frankfurt-Hahn Airport:

Frankfurt-Hahn Airport is equidistant between Frankfurt and Luxembourg; about 75 miles from both. It’s closer to Koblenz (approximately 43 miles) and Mainz (56 miles). Frankfurt Hahn has adequate public transport, but you’ll need to allow at least two hours to get to Frankfurt. Its remote location makes for cheap flights, however, so it’s popular with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. If you’ve got time and are on a budget, this is a good alternative to the busy Frankfurt International Airport.

Train: There is no train service from Frankfurt Hahn Airport. The nearest rail station is Bullay, 9.3 miles to the northwest, or Idar-Oberstein, 16 miles south.

Bus: There is a bus stop outside Terminal 2, opposite Exit E9. Buses depart to downtown Frankfurt every couple of hours between 5:15 AM and 12:30 AM via Frankfurt International Airport. It takes nearly two hours to get to Frankfurt. There is also a bus service into Mainz, Koblenz, Heidelberg and Luxembourg.

Taxi: There are taxi stands in front of the terminal, including Airport-Taxi, Taxi Bucke GmbH, and Taxi Konrad.

Frankfurt Airport:

Due to its closeness to the city center, trying to find a way into the city center is relatively easy. Below Terminal 1 you can find the S-Bahn railway station, which can take you into the city. You can purchase your ticket from level 0 of Terminal 1, and you’ll be able to find information regarding the train times and the city. If you land in Terminal 2, you’ll find a free shuttle to Terminal 1. Failing that, you can opt for a bus. There are several different lines that go all over Germany, so once your flights to Frankfurt have landed it is worth checking the information to decide which bus you’ll need. Generally, you’ll want to aim for bus number 61 which goes into Frankfurt-Südbahnhof. You can also decide to jump into a taxi. They are more expensive than the other options, but you won’t have to wait around. They’re a lot more direct as they can drop you at the door of your hotel or accommodation. Make sure to agree on the price of the journey before you get in though to avoid being ripped off. Many hotels offer shuttles to and from the airport so be sure to check if yours offers this service. Lastly, renting a car is also an option if you feel comfortable driving on your own.

Once you’ve settled in to your hotel and are ready to explore, you’ll find that Frankfurt has a great public transportation system. The RMV (Rhein-Main Verkehrsverbund) sends efficient, modern subways, trams and buses all over the city. You can get unlimited travel around Frankfurt with a Frankfurt Card. You could rent a car if you’d like as well. You can find reasonably priced parking downtown, but battling traffic, construction and accidents could eat into your sightseeing time.

Tips for your stay in Frankfurt

• Frankfurt is not just a banking city. It is also a trade-fair center, attracting travelers on cheap flights to Frankfurt for events such as the International Music Trade Fair, International Jazz Festival, Wilhelmstrassenfest Theatrium Street Festival, the world’s largest Book Fair, and a month-long Christmas Fair. 
• Lots of museums in Frankfurt are closed Mondays. Wednesdays are a good day for budget-conscious travelers. Many museums have free admission then. 
• Swimming and inline skating are popular pastimes in Frankfurt. The swimming centers offer more than lengths; they often have slides, waterfalls, and other amusements. On Tuesday nights, between March and October, inline skaters take to the road for a free, 27-mile skate. The event starts at the Ignatz Bubis Bridge. 
• You can dance the night away at Frankfurt’s many clubs. The city is also a leading center for jazz. Sound of Frankfurt, a giant, outdoor music festival, is held every July with live bands, DJ’s, techno, house, rock, rap, and Latin American music. 
• Frankfurt’s “Left Bank” district – Sachsenhausen – is where you’ll find Apfelwein (apple wine) taverns. The Apfelwein tradition dates back to the 1790’s. A tavern with a pine wreath over its door makes its own apple wine.
• Bicycling is also a popular activity in Frankfurt. The Stadtwald has paths that are well-tended and flat. There are many bike paths along both sides of the Main River and also the Nidda River (in the Heddernheim, Eschersheim, Hausen, and Rödelheim districts). For something more strenuous, try the paths of the Taunus Hills.

Finding Flights from Frankfurt

Whether you’re traveling within Germany or venturing abroad, you’re sure to find some great deals on flights leaving Frankfurt. Find tickets from major German airlines such as Lufthansa as well as international airlines including Emirates, Star Alliance and United. Visit https://www.cheapflights.co.uk for the top flight deals for routes out of Frankfurt.

Getting to Frankfurt Airport takes around twenty minutes from downtown by car or taxi, but you can also take the S-Bahn commuter railway. Lines S8 and S9 take you directly to Terminal 1. Frankfurt Airport is famously busy, so be sure to give yourself plenty of extra time to check in and get past security. If you are going to Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, you’ll need even more time to get there from the city center.

Once you choose a destination, be sure to check out our Frankfurt airport guides for more detailed travel information and helpful tips.