How to Get from Frankfurt Airport to the City Centre
The S8 and S9 trains connect Frankfurt Airport with central Frankfurt. The journey to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, the main railway station, takes around 15 minutes. A taxi or private transfer usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and your destination.
Those times cover the transport journey. You still need to allow for passport control, baggage collection, walking through the airport and reaching your hotel.
Your choice depends on where you are staying, how much luggage you have and how many people are travelling. Start with your hotel’s full address, rather than a general search for “Frankfurt city centre”.
Frankfurt Airport to City Centre Transport Options
| Option | Typical journey time | How the cost works |
| S-Bahn train | Around 15 minutes to Hauptbahnhof | €6.90 for an adult single ticket |
| Airport taxi | Usually 20–30 minutes | Metered fare for the vehicle |
| Pre-booked private transfer | Usually 20–30 minutes | Quote based on the booking |
| Local bus | Depends on the route and any changes | RMV fare for the selected journey |
| Rental car | Allow for vehicle collection and the drive | Rental, fuel and parking costs |
The train fare is per passenger. Taxi and private transfer prices generally cover the vehicle, so compare the total cost for your group. The €6.90 fare is RMV’s published airport-to-Frankfurt adult single fare.
Check Your Arrival Terminal First
Frankfurt Airport’s current map lists Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 is closed, and the airport confirms that its airlines have moved to Terminal 3. Check your flight information before following an older airport guide.
Arriving at Terminal 1
The regional railway station is below Terminal 1 on Level 0. Follow the signs for “Train stations” and the S-Bahn symbol.
Look for Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbahnhof. This is the station for the S8 and S9 trains. The airport also has a separate long-distance station, called Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbahnhof, used by services such as ICE trains.
Arriving at Terminal 3
Take the free SkyLine connection towards Terminal 1 and the railway stations. The airport advises allowing approximately 10 to 15 minutes for the connection between Terminal 3 and the stations.
SkyLine currently operates from 4 am to 11 pm, with trains every two to three minutes. A shuttle bus is available outside those hours. Allow for walking and waiting as well as the connection itself.
Taking the S-Bahn into Frankfurt
The S-Bahn is a straightforward option for passengers staying near a central station.
To travel into the city:
Reach the regional station at Terminal 1.
Buy the correct ticket before boarding.
Look for an S8 or S9 service towards Frankfurt, Offenbach or Hanau.
Check the platform display and the stops shown for that departure.
RMV says city-bound S8 and S9 services usually leave from Platform 1. Follow the live departure information, as platform assignments and services change.
Both lines serve Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, Hauptwache and Konstablerwache on their normal city route. Check the current timetable for your travel date, particularly during engineering work.
Which Frankfurt Station Should You Use?
Hauptbahnhof is useful for hotels around the main railway station. Hauptwache and Konstablerwache bring you further into the central shopping area.
Do not automatically leave the train at Hauptbahnhof. Enter your hotel’s address in the RMV journey planner and compare the complete journey, including the final walk.
For Messe Frankfurt, a hotel in another district or an address away from the S-Bahn, check the onwards connection. The quickest station-to-station journey is not always the quickest journey to your door.
Frankfurt Airport Train Ticket Prices
These are the published ticket prices checked for this guide:
| Ticket | Price | Main use |
| Adult single ticket | €6.90 | One journey between the airport and Frankfurt |
| Child single ticket, ages 6–14 | €4.10 | One journey |
| Adult day ticket including the airport | €13.50 | Several journeys within the covered area |
| Child day ticket including the airport | €8.00 | Several journeys within the covered area |
| Airport-inclusive group day ticket | €22.50 | Up to five people travelling together |
A city-only Frankfurt ticket does not cover the airport. The airport is in fare zone 5090, while Frankfurt city is in zone 5000. Select the airport as your starting point when buying your ticket.
When Is a Day or Group Ticket Worth Considering?
A single ticket suits one journey. A day ticket allows further local travel within its covered area and remains valid until 5 am the following morning. It is useful if you plan to use buses, trams or trains after reaching your hotel.
For groups, compare the total rather than the individual fare.
For example, four adult single tickets cost €27.60. An airport-inclusive group day ticket costs €22.50, saving €5.10 before any further travel.
This comparison uses the published fares above. The group must travel together, and passenger names must be entered as required for the ticket.
What About the Frankfurt Card?
Visitors planning to explore the city should also compare the Frankfurt Card.
The one-day adult card is listed at €13. It includes local public transport within Frankfurt and to the airport, plus discounts at participating attractions. Its calendar-day validity differs from a rolling 24-hour ticket.
Choose the version that includes public transport. The Frankfurt Card basic does not include transport. Check the selected date and conditions before buying.
Buying and Using Your Train Ticket
RMV tickets are available through ticket machines and the RMVgo app. Single tickets are for immediate travel, so buy one when you are ready to start the journey.
The online airport-to-city day ticket is another option. It does not require an RMV account or app, and it starts at the time of purchase. Save it to your supported phone wallet if you want offline access.
You do not tap a bank card at a barrier to pay for this journey. Buy the ticket first and keep it available for inspection.
Airport-to-city tickets cover local transport within their valid area. They do not cover ICE, IC, EC or FlixTrain services. Check the train type before boarding.
Taking a Taxi from Frankfurt Airport
Follow the airport’s taxi signs to the official rank. Taxis operate around the clock, and the drive between the airport and Frankfurt normally takes 20 to 30 minutes. Busy roads and your final address affect the time.
For a metered journey, Frankfurt’s published tariff lists:
A €4 starting charge.
€2.40 per kilometre.
€38 per hour for waiting time, including traffic-related waiting.
For illustration, a 15-kilometre journey works out at €40 before waiting time or applicable supplements:
€4 + (15 × €2.40) = €40
This is a calculation, not a quoted fare for every city-centre address. Larger vehicle supplements and the actual journey affect the total. Advance taxi bookings also permit agreed fixed fares under the city’s tariff rules.
Give the driver your complete destination address. Confirm how the fare will be charged and your payment method before leaving. Request a receipt if you need one for expenses.
How a Pre-Booked Private Transfer Works
A private transfer is arranged before your arrival. The booking sets out the pickup arrangements, destination and vehicle.
Before confirming, check:
The total price for your passengers and luggage.
Where you will meet the driver.
Whether flight monitoring is included.
When any included waiting period starts.
Charges for extra waiting, stops or changes.
Cancellation terms and payment arrangements.
Flight delays and slow baggage collection are different situations. Ask how the operator handles each, rather than assuming both are covered by the same policy.
Give accurate luggage details. A vehicle with enough passenger seats does not necessarily have space for several large suitcases and a pushchair.
Using Uber or Another App-Based Ride
Frankfurt Airport provides designated Uber pickup areas. Its current guidance lists P31 on the departures level at Terminal 1 and P62 at Terminal 3. Follow the location shown in your booking and the airport signs.
Check the displayed price and vehicle size before requesting the ride. If you have several bags, choose according to luggage space as well as passenger capacity.
Allow time to reach the pickup area. Ordering while you are still waiting for baggage creates an uncertain meeting time.
Buses and Hotel Shuttles
Local buses provide another way to leave the airport. Route 61 serves Frankfurt Südbahnhof, which is a different station from Hauptbahnhof. Check your terminal, departure time and onwards connection in RMVgo.
A bus is worth comparing if its stops are convenient for your accommodation. Look at the full journey, including changes and the walk from the final stop.
Some hotels around the airport provide shuttle services. Ask your hotel about the pickup location, timetable, booking requirement and charge. An airport hotel shuttle should not be assumed to serve city-centre hotels.
Is Hiring a Car Necessary?
Car hire adds collection time, paperwork, fuel and parking to your journey.
Before reserving a vehicle, check your hotel’s parking arrangements and the rental company’s return requirements. Include those costs when comparing transport.
For a stay centred on one hotel and central Frankfurt, compare the available public transport and direct transfers first. A rental car is more useful when your plans involve several destinations that are difficult to reach by public transport.
Arriving Late at Night
Public transport does not simply stop when daytime services end. RMV lists an S8 night service through the airport and Frankfurt, generally hourly or half-hourly depending on the section and night.
Check the departure for your actual arrival date. Leave time for baggage collection, reaching the station and the connection from Terminal 3 where needed.
A night journey also needs a plan for the final part of the trip. Check whether your hotel is within a comfortable walk of the station or requires another connection.
Travelling with Luggage, Children or Reduced Mobility
Normal suitcases, backpacks and hand luggage travel on suburban and regional trains without an additional luggage charge. You still need to handle your bags and keep them clear of doors and walkways.
For families, compare the journey in practical terms. Include pushchairs, walking distances, changes and each child’s ticket requirement. If using a car service, request suitable child seats in advance and provide each child’s age.
Passengers who need step-free access should check the complete route, including the destination station. The airport provides lifts for access to the regional platforms, and its map includes accessible directions.
For a road journey, describe your mobility requirements before booking. Confirm whether a wheelchair needs to remain occupied or can be folded and stored.
Returning from Frankfurt City Centre to the Airport
Plan backwards from your airline’s recommended airport arrival time.
Include the journey from your hotel, waiting for transport and any terminal connection. A train arrival at the regional station is not the same as reaching the check-in area at Terminal 3.
S8 and S9 services towards the airport normally continue towards Wiesbaden. Check that Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbahnhof appears in the stopping list before boarding.
Check the terminal again before departure. For a road transfer, provide the flight number, terminal and full pickup address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Deutschland-Ticket Cover Frankfurt Airport?
Yes. A valid Deutschland-Ticket covers the S8 and S9 as local rail services. It does not cover ordinary ICE, IC or EC journeys.
It is a personal monthly subscription. If you do not already hold one, check its purchase and cancellation conditions before choosing it for a short visit.
Do Children Under Six Need a Train Ticket?
Accompanied children under six travel free on RMV public transport. Children aged six to fourteen qualify for child fares. Passengers aged fifteen and above use adult fares.
Is Frankfurt-Hahn the Same Airport?
No. This guide covers Frankfurt Airport, code FRA. Frankfurt-Hahn, code HHN, is a separate airport around 120 kilometres from Frankfurt. Check your flight’s airport code before planning the journey.
Arranging a Direct Transfer
Ghotra Ride provides pre-booked Frankfurt Airport to city centre transfers with standard-car prices from €40. The final quote depends on your destination, vehicle, passengers and luggage.
For a quote, send your flight details, full destination address and any child-seat or larger-luggage requirements. Confirm the pickup instructions and booking terms before travelling.
