Flights and travel guide to Frankfurt

Visitors to Germany do not find much to make them linger in the sprawling city of Frankfurt on the River Main, unless their purpose is business rather than pleasure. For most visitors to the country, however, Frankfurt’s huge showpiece airport is the point of arrival and departure. The city is a major transport hub and an industrial and financial metropolis that ensures it is the economic powerhouse not only of Germany, but central Europe. Frankfurt is home to Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank and Europe’s most important stock exchange, which has been trading since 1585.

For tourists Frankfurt does offer some sights, some intriguing restaurants in the Nordend, a variety of artistic and cultural events, and excellent shopping opportunities. Sightseeing opportunities are mostly confined to the historical core of the city, known as the Romerberg, where Charlemagne erected his fort in medieval times. Most of the original buildings were destroyed during World War II, but some have been reconstructed, including the home of Goethe, Frankfurt’s famous son who became Germany’s greatest writer. For shopping it is hard to beat the Zeil, Germany’s equivalent to New York’s Fifth Avenue.

With its excellent rail connections and Autobahn system, Frankfurt is the natural hub for travellers wishing to explore the surrounding towns and countryside. It is also the venue for numerous trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses, drawing about 12-million visitors a year to these events. The largest and best known is the annual International Book Fair, which is attended by thousands of publishers.

Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Location: The airport is situated eight miles (13km) south west of the centre of Frankfurt.

Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).

Contacts: Tel: +49 (0)69 6900.

Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are connected by the Sky Line people mover.

Transfer to the city: Buses leave regularly for Frankfurt and other destinations from outside Terminals 1 and 2, tickets can be bought from the bus driver. Many hotels provide a free shuttle service to and from the airport. Rail connections are excellent; the airport has a station beneath Terminal 1, from which trains depart regularly to central Frankfurt, 24 hours a day. There is also a long-distance train station open between 5am and midnight, accessible from Terminal 1, from which Intercity and Eurocity trains depart. Taxis are available outside both terminals, the journey to central Frankfurt takes 20-30 minutes.

Car rental: Car hire companies represented in both terminals at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.

Taxis: From Franfurt Airport taxies can be found at either terminal and will take 20-30 minutes for the eight miles (13km) drive to the city centre. Taxies are metered and prices are around US$31. Be careful of taxi drivers taking longer routes to increase the fare.

Facilities: Frankfurt Airport is one of the best-equipped airports in the world; it even offers a casino. There are numerous restaurants, shops, bars and cafes in both terminals, and banks, bureaux de change and ATMs are in both Arrivals and Departures. A business centre offers Internet, fax and secretarial facilities. Other facilities include a hairdresser, chapel and children’s play areas. Disabled facilities are good; travellers with special needs should ideally contact their airline in advance.

Departure tax: None.

Website: www.frankfurt-airport.com

• Flights to Frankfurt from Aberdeen
• Flights to Frankfurt from Belfast Intl
• Flights to Frankfurt from Birmingham
• Flights to Frankfurt from Bristol
• Flights to Frankfurt from Cardiff
• Flights to Frankfurt from Edinburgh
• Flights to Frankfurt from Glasgow
• Flights to Frankfurt from London City
• Flights to Frankfurt from London Gatwick
• Flights to Frankfurt from London Heathrow
• Flights to Frankfurt from Manchester
• Flights to Frankfurt from Newcastle