Frankfurt Airport: The Hub With Its Own High-Speed Train Station

Getting there, at a glance

Amenities, at a glance

Frankfurt Airport (IATA: FRA) is Germany’s busiest airport and one of Europe’s most important hubs, serving more than 63 million passengers a year. It’s the primary hub for Lufthansa and a major Star Alliance gateway, sitting just 12 km southwest of central Frankfurt.

Overview

FRA operates two terminals connected by the free Skyline shuttle train. One of its most distinctive features is a dedicated long-distance rail station attached directly to Terminal 1, integrating the airport into Germany’s national ICE high-speed rail network — a level of rail integration few other major airports match. Fraport, the airport operator, reported 61.6 million passengers for 2024, up 3.7% on 2023 though still 12.7% below 2019’s pre-pandemic level.

Terminals

• Terminal 1: The larger and older terminal, home to Lufthansa and most Star Alliance carriers, with direct access to both the regional S-Bahn station and the long-distance ICE train station.
• Terminal 2: Handles a range of other international carriers, connected to Terminal 1 by the free Skyline shuttle.

Airlines

Lufthansa dominates FRA as its largest hub and the anchor of the Star Alliance, operating an extensive network across Europe and long-haul routes worldwide. Condor also has a notable presence for leisure routes. FRA’s Star Alliance concentration makes it one of the best-connected airports in Europe.

How to Get There

• S-Bahn Train: €6.90 for a single RMV ticket, direct to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (main station) in about 11–15 minutes — the fastest and most straightforward option into the city center.
• Taxi: Metered, typically €30–€40 to the city center, about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.
• ICE High-Speed Train: Prices vary by destination, but this is a genuinely unique option — board directly from the airport’s own long-distance station and travel to Cologne, Munich, Berlin, and other major German cities without going into Frankfurt at all.

Prices above are indicative and can change — always check current fares with Deutsche Bahn or the RMV regional transport authority.

Getting Through Security and Passport Control

• Schengen flights: Security only, no passport control. Typically 15–25 minutes off-peak, up to 30–40 minutes during morning and early-evening departure waves.
• International (non-Schengen) flights: Security plus passport control. Typically 30–45 minutes off-peak, but can stretch to 60–90 minutes during peak international departure banks — FRA’s scale as one of Europe’s largest hubs means queues can build quickly during Lufthansa’s peak connecting waves.
• Given the volume of connecting passengers, FRA’s security process is generally efficient but high-capacity — expect a well-organized but sometimes long queue rather than chaos.

Parking

Both terminals have adjacent short- and long-stay car parks, plus more affordable off-site lots connected by shuttle. Pre-booking online is cheaper than the walk-up rate.

Wifi

Free wifi is available across the terminals with a time-limited free session; an eSIM with a German or EU data plan is a reliable backup for longer connectivity needs.

Best Times to Arrive

• Schengen flights: 90 minutes before departure is typically enough outside peak hours.
• International flights: Arrive 3 hours ahead, especially for Lufthansa’s long-haul departures during peak connecting banks.
• FRA’s high volume of connecting traffic means security lines can be unpredictable at peak times — err on the earlier side during Lufthansa’s major morning and evening connection waves.

Where to Eat

FRA has a strong selection of German food — pretzels, sausages, and hearty regional dishes — alongside international chains and beer garden-style options, concentrated mainly in Terminal 1. Prices are on the higher side, typical of a major European hub. Inside the Sheraton hotel complex, Taverne serves German specialties in a cozy setting, while Flavors runs an expansive international show kitchen — both open to non-guests, not just hotel residents.

Airport Hotel

The Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel is built directly into Terminal 1, with airside and landside access points. Beyond Taverne and Flavors, it also has The Eatery Kitchen & Bar, positioned between the Sheraton and the adjacent Marriott with direct access to The Squaire and the airport’s ICE train station.

Lounges

• Lufthansa lounges across Terminal 1, including First Class Terminal facilities for top-tier passengers — one of the most extensive lounge networks of any single airline in Europe.
• Several Priority Pass-affiliated lounges are also available across both terminals.

Duty-Free Shopping

FRA’s duty-free areas are known for German specialties — eyewear, kitchen brands, chocolate, and Riesling wine — alongside the usual international fashion, cosmetics, and electronics brands.

Airport Map

This is a simplified layout to help you get oriented — for real-time, gate-by-gate wayfinding, use Frankfurt Airport’s official resources.

Useful Links

• Official airport site (Frankfurt Airport) — terminal info, services, live flight status.
• Deutsche Bahn — ICE and regional train tickets and schedules.
• RMV — regional transport authority — S-Bahn tickets and info.

Long Layover Tips

• With 6+ hours and a Schengen-eligible passport, central Frankfurt is reachable via S-Bahn in about 15 minutes, making a short visit to the Römerberg old town realistic.
• If staying airside, Terminal 1 has by far the best mix of lounges, dining, and shopping for a long wait.
• If your itinerary has flexibility, remember FRA’s direct ICE connections mean a long layover could even be used to visit a different German city entirely, not just Frankfurt.