Got a Frankfurt airport layover? This post is for you! Last week my husband and I flew to Frankfurt with Lufthansa on a project. It was a crazy whirlwind of travel and due to events, we were only able to spend one night in Frankfurt before we had to fly back to the United States. While researching things to do on a short layover in Frankfurt, I noticed that a LOT of flights around the world frequently use Frankfurt for layovers.
Despite the popularity of this airport, I couldn’t find a concise list of fun things to do on a 5 or 8-hour layover in Frankfurt and how to optimize time. So, I was inspired to share my own guide of Frankfurt layover things to do (instead of sitting in the airport!)
Read on for transportation tips, must-sees, fantastic eats and recommendations on how to manage your time while having a layover in Frankfurt, Germany! Don’t sit in the airport, go explore with my travel tips! You can leave the airport during a layover and Frankfurt is the perfect city to do this in.
TRANSPORTATION – GETTING INTO FRANKFURT
Can you leave the airport during a layover in Frankfurt? Of course! You just have to be prepared to go through Frankfurt International Airport security again and to lug around any carryon suitcases.
Taxi
The fastest way to get into Frankfurt city center is via taxi. Uber and Lyft don’t operate in Frankfurt, so a traditional taxi is the one to take. Find them outside the airport near the hotel shuttles. It will cost you about 30 Euros to get into the city and will take about 20 minutes.
It’s the more expensive option, but if you are running on a tight schedule, sometimes it’s worth it to pay a little extra to get more time to explore and visit Frankfurt sightseeing.
S-Bahn
If you are on a budget or have a longer layover (say, a 12 hour layover in Frankfurt) the S-Bahn train takes you right into downtown Frankfurt. Follow the signs out of your terminal and to the train station. They run every 15 minutes and tickets prices are €3.80.
THINGS TO DO IN FRANKFURT – THE MUST DO LIST
Of all the Frankfurt attractions, tours and places to visit in Frankfurt, the old town took my heart. I recommend that you Immediately head to Römer, the old historic area of the city. You’ll want to spend the majority of your time here as it’s the most charming, original and European part of the city. Even locals don’t even consider Frankfurt to be the most beautiful city in Europe, and I think that’s true – in many areas, it looks like just any other large city. But, Römerberg is unique and full of beauty.
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55 comments
Hey! I have a 10
Hour layover in Frankfurt and then it’ll take me to Iceland.
When you leave the airport do you need a visa ?
Or can we just leave and come back in like normal?
Hi! I’m American so I didn’t need a visa, this will vary based on where you live. But, if you have a USA passport, not visa is needed for visiting like that!
Hi Nina. No, you are entering the country of Germany. You will have to show your passport. Some passports allow you immediate entrance into Germany. Some passports need a visa, BEFORE you enter the country. GOOGLE WHAT YOUR PASSPORT NEED. I have an Australian Passport. So, I will just get an immediate stamp of stay for 90 days.
Thank you thank you for posting this! my husband and I (US citizens) have a 5 hour layover returning from Italy back the states next month and I am eager to get out and explore. This was just what I needed. I was concerned about getting back into the airport and back through customs and was wondering if it was really worth the hassle.
I think you can make it to Romer and back in time!! 100% worth it!!
Thanks for sharing your experience in Frankfurt very much appreciated…i had 6 hours layovers on my to Tel Aviv, Israel next month
I hope you get a chance to explore!! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Did this work out for you? I’m thinking about that flight as well! Land at noon and depart at 5. Did it work out for you?
Thanks for the article! I appreciate the consise list! We have a 7 hour layover so will do everything on your list!
Let me know how it goes!!!
We don’t get in to Frankfort until 5:00 p.m. That means that by the time we check in our hotel and get out and about for dinner, it will be 7:00 p.m. So we would only have from like 7 to 11 pm to be out and about. What do you think about doing Romer at night then. We would have to leave our hotel like at 5 to get to the airport by 6 for our flight at 8 am.
I think the pubs will still be open! I went in January and while the streets do die down later at night, the restaurants are open and bustling! And it’ll be really pretty then with lights twinkling.
Thanks for posting! I have an 18 hour overnight layover in Frankfurt from Greece back to the States and will be arriving in Germany around 4:30 pm. Do you think it would be safe to explore alone at night?
Hi Amelia!
Yes! We were exploring from the late afternoon to the evening and I felt safe. It’s in the center of town so lots of people around. Of course, always practice safety when traveling alone but I never felt sketched out.
Hope that helps!
Thank you!! Leave this week, so excited!
My lay over is 6 hours, getting to Frankfurt at 7:20 am. What does the restaurants open. I’m excited definitely going to do Romer.
I remember there being some cafes in that area that should be open! I’m sure the Church and the museums will be open around 8am or 9am, so should be good timing for a bite and some sightseeing! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Hi Kara,,, thank you for your blog and it is really helpful.
But one thing, for me… not a really layover. I just need to wait someone to pick me up at the airport. But he will be late more than 4 hours. So would it be possible to drag my luggage when I am going around the city? Appreciate your answer and thank you very much.
Hi! I personally hate dragging my luggage around cities. I think it depends on how much stuff you have. If it’s a small carry-on you can probably manage, though many of the streets are cobblestone and those are hard to take luggage on.
Thanks for this! I have a 5-hour layover from Addis Ababa to Los Angeles in January. I can’t wait to get out of the airport and see a little of the town!
I hope you have fun!! I adore the historic downtown area of Romer!
We have a 13h layover after an overnight flight from Canada en route to Africa. We are travelling 2 moms with our 17 yr old daughters. Is it safe to venture around on our own? We don’t speak German at all. Would we have trouble with language barriers if we only speak English and French? Thanks for this blog…it’s making us consider the option of venturing outside the airport!
Omg of course!!! I can’t speak German to save my life and never had any problems. Pretty much everyone (and I mean everyone, from waiters to taxi drivers) speak English very well. They do such a great job educating languages in Europe! I found Frankfurt to be really safe, we spent some time walking around at night and I didn’t feel unsafe at all.
Hope you get out and explore a bit! 13 hours is a long time to sit in an airport!
Yeah, such good info. Looking at a trip to Dubai in December and coming back to the US, there is a 7.5 hours layover. I’m glad I found this cuz I don’t wanna just sleep and collect steps in the airport. My friend’s family lives in Frankfurt as well, maybe they can meet me at the Iron Bridge.
That sounds like a great idea!! I think a 7 hour layover is more than enough time to go see Romer and have a beer. Have fun!
Kara
We will arrive from the US around 9:00 am and have exactly a 4 hr 15 min layover before flying on to Prague. We both have US passports. Worth it to go check out Romer for an hour or 2? I was thinking the train would be the best option since it seems quick. Just a short stroll and a quick bite to eat would make it worth it for me. I hate waiting in the airport forever! Thanks for the great article
If you can tuck your luggage in the airport so you don’t literally weighted down with that, I think you can totally make it!! I know it’s a very stereotypical thing to say… but Germans are VERY organized and all the trains I’ve taken in Germany are always fast and reliable. Even if you just see it for an hour it’ll be a fun adventure!!
Thank you thank you. My husband & I have an 8 hr layover coming and going on our way to Croatia. I am super excited now. I don’t need to look anywhere else for recommendations.
YAY! Happy you found this helpful!!
Thanks so much for this. No else has bothered to do it, really. But my layover is at night. Still worth the 5 euros to go into the city?
Yes! I’m sure there are bars on the square that will be open for a pint or two!
Is there a storage for luggage in the airport? Also, do you have to get a taxi going back to the airport at the street since no Uber? How you get a taxi from Romer back to airport? Thanks, Nika
I was able to find this on the airport website. https://www.frankfurt-airport.com/en/airport-guide/check-in-and-luggage/luggage-services-.html
Hi Kara
I have an 8 hour layover in Frankfurt to Costa Rica from South Africa. Was wondering if am eligible to just see a bit of Frankfurt for just 4 hours than to be bored inside the airport. As one with a South African passport, am I allowed to do this without a visa though my destination is a non Schengen country? Please advise and thank you in advance.
Hey – you should be able to but I’m not from Germany or South Africa so you should do your own research to check beforehand. Also keep in mind that right now (2020) you may not be allowed to leave depending on Germany’s COVID policies. I’m sure the Frankfurt airport website has all the info you need!
Good luck
Hi Banda. No, your South African passport will prevent you from entering Germany, without a proper SCHENGEN VISA.
Hey, I will only have a two hour layover in Frankfurt, what do you suggest doing during that time?
Not leaving the airport
Hi Kara- Amazing post with great detailed information. It would be equally awesome if some of your viewers who posed questions, would actually come back and share their experiences. This way you are not the only one doing all the work. It can become a great forum for you and everyone else.
Thanks again for all your hard work!
Hey, thank you , this was very very helpful. One point, though the link for “Marienplatz, the main plaza” took me to a main square in Munich. I haven’t seen a Marienplatz in Frankfurt.
It’s a subway station in downtown Frankfurt
Hi Kara ~ after a suggestion from a friend and then reading this Layover article, I’ve decided to extend my 2hr Frankfurt layover (on my way home from Italy to Phoenix AZ) and stay in Frankfurt for two extra nights. I don’t know if I’ll ever have the opportunity to pass through there again, so I’m going to take advantage of it. Any concerns about Covid restrictions nowadays? I’ll be passing through there on 3/17 🍀 any other suggestions for a very quick 48hr visit? You’re an inspiration 🌻Thank you!
Hi what about a 4 hr layover?
Hi Kara. Can one take the EXPRESS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS in Frankfurt City? Is a week day ( 9am till 8pm ) a good time to ride on this bus ?
Hi Curt – I’ve never taken the EXPRESS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS in Frankfurt so I can’t comment on this. Sorry!
Apfelwein*
Thank you for the great article! We have a 6 hour layover in Frankfurt. I would really like to visit Römer but my only question is would we need to walk around with our checked luggage?
Check out the luggage service at the airport; although the question is what happens if you have checked luggage, does that create problems for custom if you exit without it.
Hey, I’m having a 6 hr layover at Frankfurt airport and I’m on a US visa. Would you suggest going out of the airport because I am very exited to visit Romer :). Also, do we require a transit visa for this?
I’ll have a 9 hour layover traveling from the US to Italy next month. Definitely going to head out and explore. Thanks for these tips!
Perfect, We have 24 hrs Thank You!! Your recommendations are helpful.
Hi Kara, My son (19) and I are traveling to Portugal next month from the United States and have a 11h 45m layover in Frankfurt, but it’s from 8:55 pm to 8:40 am. What can you do in the middle of the night? And is it safe? Thanks in advance. Michelle
There may be some German pubs open but most things will be shut down that time of night unless it’s a Friday or Saturday night
It is a Saturday night. Are there any old historic churches what would be open maybe or maybe a place where we could listen to some great music? We’re open to anything other than sitting or sleeping in the airport for 12 hours if we don’t have to. Thanks for your reply, Kara.
I’m booking a trip for 3 adults and 3 children with a 5hr layover in Frankfurt. Am I crazy to think that we might be able to leave the airport and see something or eat before boarding for the next stretch? Will taxi’s be able to transport us together? None of us have been to Europe before and not sure what to expect.