EasyLayover
Layover Guide

Frankfurt Airport
FRA

Europe's busiest hub and one of its most layover-friendly. Whether you have 2 hours or 12, Frankfurt rewards the curious traveller.

2Terminals
14 minCity by S-Bahn
70+Lounges & Bars
24 hCore Services
At a Glance

Frankfurt Airport Overview

FRA is Lufthansa's home hub and a Star Alliance fortress. With two terminals, a direct rail station under Terminal 1, and a world-renowned first-class terminal, it's built for transit.

🌍 Location

12 km southwest of Frankfurt's city centre. Two terminals connected by an elevated SkyLine shuttle (free, 2 min). S-Bahn and ICE trains depart from the airport's own Fernbahnhof.

✈️ Who Flies Here

Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, United, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and dozens more. It's the primary connection point for North America–Europe–Asia routes.

🛂 Transit Rules

Schengen and non-Schengen zones are separated. Most connecting passengers remain airside. Check if your nationality requires an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) before travel.

💤 Layover Sleeps

Lufthansa Welcome Lounges offer day rooms. The Sheraton Frankfurt Airport is connected by walkway to Terminal 1. The Hilton Frankfurt Airport is directly linked to Terminal 2.

Orientation

Terminals & Getting Around

Terminal 1

  • Halls A, B, C, Z
  • Lufthansa mainline
  • Star Alliance partners
  • First Class Terminal (FCT)
  • Fernbahnhof (ICE/S-Bahn)

Terminal 2

  • Hall D & E
  • Non-Star airlines
  • Condor, Emirates, easyJet
  • Hilton hotel access
  • Bus connections

SkyLine Shuttle

  • Free automated rail
  • T1 ↔ T2 in ~2 min
  • Runs every 2–3 min
  • Airside only
  • 24 h operation
🚆

To Frankfurt City Centre: S8/S9 S-Bahn departs every 15 min from the airport's underground station — Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof in ~14 minutes, €5.35 one-way. ICE trains reach Cologne in 1 h.

Premium Rest

Top Lounges at FRA

Frankfurt sets the global standard for airport lounges. From the legendary FCT to accessible Priority Pass spaces, there's a lounge for every ticket class. See also our full guide to lounge access.

👑

Lufthansa First Class Terminal

A standalone building reserved for Lufthansa First Class and HON Circle Members. Butler service, à-la-carte dining, private transit by Porsche to the aircraft. Arguably the world's finest airport lounge experience. Read our full review →

First Class only Terminal 1 24 h (when flights operate)
⭐

Lufthansa Business Lounge (Concourse B/C)

Multiple locations throughout T1. Hot buffet, full bar, shower suites, and workstations. Accessible with Lufthansa Business or Senator/HON Circle status. Consistently excellent food quality.

Business / Status Terminal 1 6 am – last departure
💳

Lufthansa Welcome Lounge

The entry-level Lufthansa lounge, also accessible to Priority Pass holders. Light snacks, hot drinks, showers available. Good option for early-morning connections when little else is open.

Priority Pass Amex Platinum T1 multiple locations
🌐

Aspire Lounge (Terminal 2)

Independent lounge in Terminal 2 accessible via Priority Pass, LoungeBuddy, or pay-per-visit. Hot food, craft beer, showers. Best option if you're flying a non-Star Alliance carrier from T2.

Priority Pass Pay per visit Terminal 2
Beyond the Gates

Frankfurt City Excursions

Frankfurt's Hauptbahnhof is 14 minutes by S-Bahn — making it one of Europe's most accessible city-centre escapes during a layover. Passport stamping varies by citizenship; check requirements first.

30 min walk or tram

Römerberg & Old Town

Frankfurt's medieval square, the Römerberg, survived Allied bombing and was lovingly reconstructed. The half-timbered façades and cathedral make for excellent photos. Start here.

10 min from Römerberg

Museumsufer

Over a dozen museums line the south bank of the Main river. The Städel (art) and the Filmmuseum are highlights. Many offer free entry on Wednesday evenings.

Citywide

Apple Wine Taverns

Sip Ebbelwoi (apple wine) with a Grüne Sosse (green herb sauce) at a Sachsenhausen tavern. Zur Germania and Dauth-Schneider are classic choices — utterly Frankfurt.

Skyline views

Commerzbank Tower Observation

Frankfurt's gleaming financial skyline earns it the nickname "Mainhattan." The Main Tower observation deck gives a sweeping 360° view of the city and Rhine-Main plains.

5 min from HBF

Kleinmarkthalle

A covered market brimming with regional cheeses, meats, spices, and street food. A perfect quick stop for a fresh breakfast or local snacks to take on board.

Full-day from FRA

Day Trips by ICE

Cologne (1 h), Heidelberg (50 min), Koblenz (1 h). The Rhine Valley is one of Germany's most scenic rail journeys. ICE trains depart from the airport's Fernbahnhof directly.

⏱ Layover Rule of Thumb: Budget at least 4 hours of connection time before venturing into the city — ideally 6 h. Allow 30 min back to the airport plus 90 min for security and boarding. See our City Stopover Guides for more inspiration including Singapore and Dubai.
Eat & Shop

Food & Shopping at FRA

🍽 Worth Eating

🥨
Zum Gemalten Haus (T1 C-gates) Regional Hessian food airside — Frankfurter Würstchen, liver dumplings, and Ebbelwoi on tap.
☕
Café Einstein (T1 & T2) Viennese-style coffee house serving proper espresso and cake. A calm retreat before boarding.
🍜
Asia Garden (T1 B) Dim sum, pho, and wok dishes. Open early and late; reliable quality for the price point.
🥗
Marché (multiple locations) Fresh market-style dining. Pick your own salad, pasta, or grill. Good for quick and healthy.

🛍 Shopping Highlights

🇩🇪
Heinemann Duty Free Germany's top duty-free operator. Excellent wine, beer, and spirits selection — particularly German Riesling.
💼
Rimowa Flagship Buy direct from the source. Airport pricing with German VAT refund can be a real saving for non-EU travellers.
📚
Relay & Hudson News German and international press. Stocking up on books and European magazines is a FRA tradition.
🍫
Rausch Chocolaterie Premium German chocolate. Their praline boxes make elegant gifts and pack perfectly in hand luggage.
Need to Know

Practical Information

Wi-Fi Free & Fast Frankfurt Airport Wi-Fi, no time limit. Connect to "FRA Free WiFi".
Currency Euro (€) ATMs in arrivals and landside. Travelex at both terminals — rates vary.
Showers €8–12 Available at Lufthansa lounges (members) and FRAlounge (pay). Fresh towels included.
Sleeping Sheraton / Hilton Sheraton connects to T1 via walkway. Hilton bridges directly to T2. Both have day-rooms.
Luggage Storage Both Terminals Radical Storage desks in arrivals. From €5/day. Open 6 am – 10 pm.
VAT Refund Airside Desks Global Blue and Premier Tax Free kiosks post-security in T1 and T2.
Minimum Layover 45 min (same T) LH recommends 45 min same-terminal, 60 min cross-terminal. Budget more for comfort.
Spa / Wellness Be Relax Airport massage and beauty chain in T1 and T2. Walk-in friendly. Good for long layovers.

Plan Your Next Layover

Whether you're stopping in Doha, Hong Kong, or heading back through Frankfurt, Easy Layover has the guide you need.

Hong Kong (HKG) Guide Doha Hamad (DOH) Guide Packing for Layovers

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Frankfurt Airport to the city centre, and how long does it take?
The S8 and S9 S-Bahn trains depart every 15 minutes from the airport's underground station and reach Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof in approximately 14 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €5.35. ICE trains also depart from the airport's own Fernbahnhof, connecting to cities like Cologne in about one hour.
How are the two terminals connected at Frankfurt Airport?
Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are connected by the SkyLine, a free automated shuttle that runs airside every 2–3 minutes and completes the journey in approximately 2 minutes. The SkyLine operates 24 hours a day, so passengers can move between terminals around the clock.
What hotel options are available for passengers who need to sleep during a layover?
Two hotels are directly connected to Frankfurt Airport. The Sheraton Frankfurt Airport is linked to Terminal 1 by a walkway, while the Hilton Frankfurt Airport bridges directly to Terminal 2. Both properties offer day-rooms for layover travellers. Lufthansa Welcome Lounges also provide day rooms as an alternative option.
Which lounges at Frankfurt Airport can be accessed with a Priority Pass?
Priority Pass holders can access the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge, located at multiple locations in Terminal 1, which offers light snacks, hot drinks, and showers. In Terminal 2, the Aspire Lounge is accessible via Priority Pass and also offers hot food, craft beer, and showers — particularly useful for passengers flying non-Star Alliance carriers.
How much connection time should I allow before leaving the airport to visit Frankfurt city?
The guide recommends budgeting at least 4 hours of connection time before venturing into the city, with 6 hours being the ideal minimum. Travellers should allow 30 minutes to return to the airport plus 90 minutes for security and boarding. Passport requirements vary by citizenship, so checking transit visa rules in advance is also advised.
What is the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, and who can use it?
The Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FCT) is a standalone building at Terminal 1 reserved exclusively for Lufthansa First Class passengers and HON Circle Members. It offers butler service, à-la-carte dining, and private transit to the aircraft by Porsche. The facility operates 24 hours when flights are running.