Mannheim to Frankfurt am Main train

Mannheim is located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Neckar Rivers in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. Some travelers are intimidated by the factories surrounding Mannheim, but don't overlook this unique destination. Mannheim is an excellent place to discover fantastic museums, amazing retail therapy, and scenic parks and squares.

Mannheim differs from most other German cities in its layout. The city is arranged in a grid pattern with individual quadrants. The unusual layout of the city originated in 1606, centering the Friedrichsburg fortress, now the Mannheim Palace, which is one of the largest palaces in Europe. This elaborate palace houses the University of Mannheim and treats students to royal surroundings.

Mannheim is known for its industry and innovation. For example, Mannheim is the city where Karl Drais built the world's first bicycle and where Karl Benz (as in, Mercedes-Benz) constructed the first automobile with an internal combustion engine. The Romanesque Wasserturm, or water tower, is another feat of German engineering, and visitors can walk through the surrounding rose gardens and discover the tower's many sculptures.

Mannheim can be accessed by train, road, or air. Frankfurt International Airport is easily accessible by a high-speed shuttle bus, while Mannheim Hauptbahnhof offers ICE, IC, and regional train access. Sindbad, FlixBus, and many more bus lines serve Mannheim with routes to cities including Munich, Essen, and Frankfurt.

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.