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How to get to Frankfurt am Main by train
| Routes | 303 |
| Trips per day | 5,578 |
| train lines | 10 |
| Stations | 34 |
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About Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt is Germany's financial hub, home to the European Central Bank. This riverside city offers a variety of cultural and historical attractions scattered between its financial institutions and shops.
Your first stop should be Old Town, along the river Main. Once the center of the city, the Old Town district is now the site of the Römer, or city hall, along a row of picturesque timber houses. Stop in Kleinmarkthalle, a bustling indoor market, to grab a sausage for a snack before wandering through some of Old Town's museums: Saalgasse, Dommuseum, and Museum für Moderne Kunst (Museum MMK) will get you started. Two of Frankfurt's most prominent churches, St. Bartholomew Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church, are also in the area.
Food is always delightful in Frankfurt. Several Michelin-star restaurants will entice you, including Restaurant Lafleur, Restaurant Gustav, Restaurant Villa Merton, and Carmelo Greco. If you prefer more affordable dining and lively nightlife, head to the Bahnhofsviertel neighborhood near the city's train station.
The train station in Bahnhofsviertel serves national and international rail lines for Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, FlixTrain, vlexx, and Railjet. You can also reach Frankfurt easily on bus carriers like FlixBus and Sindbad. Plus, flying in and out of Frankfurt is a breeze, as the airport is one of the largest in Germany and the main hub for the Lufthansa airline.
What train companies travel to Frankfurt am Main, Germany?
Located in Germany, Frankfurt am Main is accessible by train from 303 other cities. You can choose from 5578 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to Frankfurt am Main on Wanderu. Deutsche Bahn usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Bus tickets to Frankfurt am Main are also available..
Train companies serving Frankfurt am Main
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bahn | 620 | 4h 29m | €68.14 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 515 | 5h 39m | €74.36 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 199 | 3h 21m | €64.53 |
| DB Intercity | 121 | 4h 28m | €43.57 |
| FlixTrain | 39 | 5h 6m | €24.94 |
| Non-federally owned railway company | 29 | 4h 0m | €64.76 |
| DB Eurocity | 22 | 5h 5m | €77.71 |
| vlexx | 15 | 2h 59m | €40.98 |
| Railjet | 7 | 1h 27m | €23.11 |
| National Express | 1 | 3h 37m | €63.87 |
The most popular Deutsche Bahn ICE routes travel to Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich. Seating is spacious with a good amount of legroom, and onboard amenities include complimentary WiFi, restrooms, and a restaurant car selling beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and hot meals. Unlike the rest of the Deutsche Bahn network, ticket prices on Deutsche Bahn ICE services are not based on a per-kilometer rate but on specific station-to-station links.
Deutsche Bahn IC is the German railway's long-distance train service provider with service across Germany and neighboring countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland. Onboard amenities include restrooms, power outlets, and a restaurant car where passengers can purchase drinks, snacks, and meals.
Part of the FlixBus family, FlixTrain launched in 2018 to offer affordable and sustainable train travel in Germany. Its trains provide Wi-Fi, power outlets, air conditioning, onboard restrooms, and access to an entertainment portal full of movies, games, and music. In addition, each passenger gets a guaranteed seat, so you don't have to worry about standing in any aisles.
Vlexx is a German train company based in the city of Mainz that runs regular passenger services across western Germany in Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Hesse, plus branching out to Wissembourg in France. Vlexx trains have large picture windows to enjoy the landscapes, plus plenty of legroom for each seat, step-free access, and specific areas for storing bicycles.
Railjet is a high-speed intercity train company with trains capable of reaching speeds of 230 kilometers per hour. While these speedy trains will make any trip quick, passengers can still enjoy extra legroom on seats to air conditioning, complimentary WiFi, power outlets, restrooms, and a cafe with snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
€2.98 is the cheapest price for a train ticket to Frankfurt am Main, according to recent searches on Wanderu. You can use our search to check if this price is currently available on buses from your city to Frankfurt am Main. In the last month, trains from Darmstadt to Frankfurt am Main had the lowest average price at €4.02. In general, these cities tend to have the cheapest trains to Frankfurt am Main:
The busiest train station in Frankfurt am Main is Central Train Station. There are several other active stations in addition to this main station. The most popular train stations in Frankfurt am Main are:
- Central Train Station
- Frankfurt Süd Station
- Frankfurt Main Airport P36
Frankfurt Airport has a long-distance train station (Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbahnhof) in Terminal 1, operated by Deutsche Bahn. If you are heading to Terminal 2 of the airport, you can take the free shuttle bus from the train station, which takes about 30 minutes. Several long-distance routes arrive at the Frankfurt Airport, from Deutsche Bahn, FlixTrain, and Lufthansa Express Rail.
If you want to take a train to the airport from the center of Frankfurt, there are a few public transportation options. Regional trains (S-Bahn) and subways (U-Bahn) serve Frankfurt and the surrounding areas. These services arrive at the Regionalbahnhof Station on the ground level of Terminal 1. Trains depart frequently, and tickets can be bought from machines at the station.
- Search Wanderu to find the best deal.
- Book your train ticket in advance.
- Receive your ticket emailed by the train carrier.
- Board the train and relax during the journey.
- Arrive at the station and start exploring Frankfurt am Main.
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 7h 5m | €77.65 |
| Münster | 4h 29m | €68.76 |
| Przemyśl | 18h 16m | €166.10 |
| Leeuwarden | 8h 50m | €86.59 |
| Utrecht | 6h 43m | €86.22 |
How to Get Around Frankfurt
Once you’ve arrived in Frankfurt, you have a few different options for getting around the city.
Public Transit
Public transportation in Frankfurt is cheap, easy, and convenient. There are buses, city trains, and a subway system to take you throughout the city.
Single ride tickets cost 2.85€ and are valid throughout the city (with the exception of the airport) on all forms of public transportation. You can purchase tickets from machines at S-Bahn (light rail) and U-Bahn (subway) stations. Tickets may seem optional, as there are no turnstiles or places to scan your ticket, but if you get caught by the controllers (usually in plain clothes and notoriously ruthless), you can expect a hefty 60€ fine for riding without a ticket.
The S-Bahn is Frankfurt’s city train line and runs above ground. The nine S-Bahn lines connect the city center to the outlying suburbs, and some trains even run to other cities surrounding Frankfurt. Look for the green and white “S” symbol for the S-Bahn stations around the city.
The U-Bahn is a combination of underground rail and above-ground trams. The U-Bahn runs more frequently than the S-Bahn and mainly services Frankfurt’s city center. Look for the blue and white “U” symbol for the U-Bahn stations around the city. There are nine combined lines for U-Bahn and tram with nearly 100 stops around the city.
For all the places the trams, trains, and metro can’t reach, there is a large fleet of city buses to get you to your destination. Night buses also run between 1:00 am and 4:00 am when other forms of public transportation have stopped or limited service. Look for the circular symbol with a green “H” at hundreds of bus stops throughout Frankfurt.
Rideshare Apps & Taxis
While they are more expensive than the public transportation options, taxis are readily available in Frankfurt. You can hail a cab, find one at one of the city’s taxi stands, or order a ride in advance. Be sure you know the address of where you are headed, especially if it’s not a major attraction.
Rideshare apps are also available in Frankfurt, with Uber and Free Now being the two most popular options.
Rental Cars
Those who prefer to be in the driver's seat can always rent a car in Frankfurt. Keep in mind that some streets in the city are very narrow and parking can be difficult to find, so read (or translate) road signs carefully!
Must-See Places in Frankfurt
Old Town
Although it is often regarded as a modern city thanks to the flashy skyscrapers that line the city center, Frankfurt’s Old Town (or Altstadt) is a must-see while you’re here. Most of the Old Town was completely destroyed during WWII, but the area was restored to its original medieval half-timbered architecture. As you stroll around this beautiful area, be sure to pop into one of the many bars and restaurants that line the streets for an apfelwein and a pretzel!
Main Tower
For some of the best views in the city, head to Main Tower. This 200-meter tall skyscraper is the only one in town with a viewing platform, and from the top, you can see panoramic vistas of the entire city.
Mainkai
The River Main runs through the center of Frankfurt, and its shores are a great place to hang out when the weather cooperates. This idyllic area sits on the outskirts of the city, and the grassy lawns welcome visitors to picnic, drink beer, or simply take in the epic views of the city beyond.
Museum District
Frankfurt is filled with fascinating museums. Whether you’re interested in art, Jewish history, architecture, film, culture, or something else, there’s a gallery for that. Situated along both sides of the Main, the Museum District (Museumsufer) includes 12 different museums on varying subjects - perfect for a rainy day or for learning something new!
Hauptwache
Home to an eclectic mix of buildings both old and new, the Hauptwache area is a great place to experience Frankfurt like a local. In the center of the plaza sits the iconic Hauptwache building, which has been used for everything from a military barracks to a prison. Today it houses a charming cafe, which is the perfect place to camp out and watch the people stroll by on their way to the Keil, the longest pedestrian shopping street in the city.
Germany Travel Tips for International Visitors
There are a few things that international visitors to Germany should keep in mind.
Currency: Euro (€)
Tipping: Accepted, but not required. Tip about 10% for good service
Legal drinking age: 18 years old (or 16 for beer)
Useful German phrases:
“Hallo” = Hello
“Bitte” = Please
“Danke” = Thank you
“Sprechen sie Englisch?” = Do you speak English?
Frankfurt Tips for Travelers
There are a few Frankfurt-specific customs and norms that international visitors may not be familiar with.
Lots of businesses are closed on Sundays. The exceptions are museums, bars, restaurants, and other major tourist attractions.
Frankfurt locals may not be inclined to return a smile or participate in small talk, but don’t take it personally. While locals are indeed quite friendly and approachable, neutral facial expressions and efficient to-the-point conversations are the norm here.
Although Germany has banned smoking in public places, Frankfurt tends to stray from the rules a bit on this. Don’t be surprised to see people lighting up in certain bars, restaurants, and clubs across the city.
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