Frankfurt Airport FRA terminal
Airports

How to Get from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to City Centre

8 Min Read
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

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Quick Answer

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to city centre — fastest to cheapest: 1. S-Bahn S8 or S9: 11 minutes to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, €5.65 single. Trains every 15 min, 4:50am-12:30am. Best value. 2. ICE / IC high-speed train: 12 minutes to Hauptbahnhof, from €15 (often €25-40). Multiple daily — onward to Cologne, Stuttgart, Munich. 3. Taxi: 15-25 min, €25-35. 4. Uber/Bolt: €15-25. 5. Frankfurt Airport Shuttle: 20 min to Hauptbahnhof, €8-13. 6. Pre-booked transfer: €25-50. Distance: 12 km southwest of centre — closest major German airport. Currency: Euro. Tickets: RMV airport-City €5.65 = single + transport for the day. Best option: S-Bahn S8/S9 — best value + fastest combined. ICE worth premium only if onward to another city.

Frankfurt Airport FRA terminal
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

S-Bahn S8 or S9 — best option

  • Duration: 11 minutes to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.
  • Two lines: S8 (via Hochheim) + S9 (via Russelsheim). Both reach Hauptbahnhof.
  • Frequency: every 15 minutes (combined).
  • Hours: 4:50am-12:30am daily.
  • Price: €5.65 single. Day pass €11.30 (covers all RMV system).
  • Children 6-14: €3.40. Under 6 free.
  • Where to board: Frankfurt Airport Regionalbahnhof (Regional station) — short walk from terminals.
  • Stops at Hauptbahnhof: S-Bahn lower level. Connect to U-Bahn + trams + ICE/IC trains.
  • Tickets: RMV machines (English).
  • Frankfurt Card: €11/day, €17/2-day. Includes airport S-Bahn + 50% off attractions.
  • Best for: Frankfurt city visits + onward S-Bahn destinations.

ICE/IC high-speed train

  • Duration: 12 minutes airport to Hauptbahnhof.
  • Operated by: Deutsche Bahn.
  • Price: from €15 advance, typically €25-40 day-of. ICE Sprinter premium.
  • Where to board: Frankfurt Airport Fernbahnhof (long-distance station) — different from Regional station. 5-min walk.
  • Onward connections: Cologne 1h, Stuttgart 1h20, Munich 3h, Berlin 4h, Strasbourg 1h50, Paris (TGV) 4h.
  • Tickets: Deutsche Bahn (DB) app or bahn.de.
  • Pros: seat reservation. Direct to other cities without Hauptbahnhof transfer.
  • Cons: 3x cost of S-Bahn for same Hauptbahnhof journey.
  • Best for: onward to other German cities OR luggage-heavy with seat reservation.

Taxi + Uber/Bolt

  • Duration: 15-25 minutes.
  • Taxi metered: €25-35 to Frankfurt centre. Reasonably priced.
  • Where to board: taxi rank outside Arrivals each terminal.
  • Receipt: always ask. Required for dispute.
  • Surcharges: Frankfurt taxis no airport supplement.
  • Late-night surcharge: +20% 10pm-6am, Sundays + holidays.
  • Uber: €15-25.
  • Bolt: €12-22. Often cheapest.
  • FreeNow: taxi-booking app.
  • Pre-booked transfer (Welcome Pickups, Suntransfers): €25-50 with driver waiting.
  • Family of 4: taxi €25-35 cheaper than 4× S-Bahn (€22.60) — close call. Worth it for luggage-heavy.

Frankfurt airport layout

  • Terminal 1: Lufthansa hub + Star Alliance + most international.
  • Terminal 2: SkyTeam + others. Free Sky Train shuttle to T1 (3 min).
  • Two railway stations: Regional (S-Bahn) + Long-distance (ICE/IC).
  • 5-min walk between stations: well-signed.
  • Free WiFi: 1 hour.
  • Lounges: Lufthansa Senator + Business + multiple Plaza Premium.
  • Hotels: Sheraton Frankfurt Airport (in T1), Hilton Garden Inn, MyCloud.
  • Apple Pay/Google Pay: accepted everywhere including transit machines.

From Frankfurt centre back to FRA

  • Allow extra time: 2 hours airport before EU departure. 3 hours intercontinental.
  • S-Bahn S8/S9 from Hauptbahnhof: 11 min, €5.65.
  • ICE from Hauptbahnhof: 12 min, €15-40.
  • Taxi from centre: 15-25 min, €25-35.
  • Pre-book Uber/Bolt: save €5.
  • Strike days: S-Bahn occasional. ICE typically continues.
  • Frankfurt Card includes: S-Bahn airport + city transport. €11-17.

Tips + scams

  • Wrong station: Regional (S-Bahn) vs Long-distance (ICE) at Frankfurt Airport. Check ticket before walking.
  • RMV airport-City €5.65: covers airport S-Bahn + entire Frankfurt transport for journey time. Validate.
  • Day pass €11.30: better if multiple journeys.
  • Frankfurt Card: €11/day with attraction discounts.
  • Avoid: unmarked taxis inside terminal — illegal.
  • Pickpockets at Hauptbahnhof: Frankfurt has medium pickpocket rate. Watch valuables.
  • Apps: RMV app (transit), DB app (Deutsche Bahn trains), Citymapper.
  • Late-night gaps: S-Bahn closes 12:30am, restarts 4:50am. Only taxi/Uber after.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheapest FRA to Frankfurt?

S-Bahn S8 or S9 — €5.65 single, 11 minutes to Hauptbahnhof. Best value. Or Frankfurt Card €11/day includes airport + city transport + attractions discounts.

How long FRA to Frankfurt?

S-Bahn S8/S9 11 minutes to Hauptbahnhof (fastest local). ICE high-speed 12 min. Taxi 15-25 min (traffic). Uber 15-25 min. FRA closest major airport to centre (12 km).

FRA taxi price?

€25-35 metered to centre. Uber €15-25. Bolt €12-22. No airport surcharge. +20% late-night/Sundays. Use OFFICIAL taxi rank outside Arrivals.

S-Bahn vs ICE Frankfurt?

S-Bahn €5.65 (regional). ICE €15-40 (high-speed). Same destination Hauptbahnhof + same time (~12 min). S-Bahn beat value. ICE only worth premium for onward to other cities.

FRA 24 hours?

Airport open 24h. S-Bahn closes 12:30am, restarts 4:50am. ICE/IC limited overnight. Taxi/Uber 24/7. Late arrivals: taxi €25-35 or Uber €15-25.

FRA T1 vs T2?

T1: Lufthansa hub + Star Alliance + most international. T2: SkyTeam + others. Free Sky Train shuttle (3 min). S-Bahn + ICE stations both serve.

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See also

Last reviewed: April 2026
Author: Kir Rud, Grandgo editorial
Sources consulted: official tourism authorities, government health and law publications, peer-reviewed travel references. This article is for informational purposes; for formal advice, consult the relevant authority.

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