Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt International Airport
Airport, locally Flughafen Frankfurt (www.frankfurt-airport.com, code FRA). 
Frankfurt’s non-smoking airport, located 15 km southwest of the city center, is the 9th busiest in the world and No. 2 on the continent (behind Paris’ Charles de Gaulle), moving some 53 million passengers per year, or 145,000 passengers per day. To facilitate such a mammoth enterprise some 70,000 people are employed here (more than 35,000 of these work for Lufthansa), registering as the largest single facility of employment in Germany and, needless to say, an economic boon for the federal state of Hessen (in which Frankfurt is located).
Considering its enormity, Frankfurt airport is split between two terminals: No. 1 (halls A, B, C) and No. 2 (halls D, E). By far the biggest terminal is No. 1, where you’ll find rail stations for regional and long-distance destinations, the majority of services and airline counters, as well as the Sheraton Hotel. 
On the upper floor of each terminal is the expedient Skyline, a monorail continuously shuttling persons between both terminals. (Note that the Skyline is not in the secure area, i.e. anyone can ride it.) Since many of you will be transiting through Frankfurt airport, I’ve outlined useful services and suggestions below. And just so you know, Abflug means departure, Ankunft means arrival, and Flughafen means airport. Note that luggage carts are plentiful and free; (look for one at your point of arrival).
Information points are located in both terminals with knowledgeable staff ready to answer any of your questions round-the-clock (note that the info point in departures hall B, terminal 1 is open 24/7).
The post office (Mon-Fri 9:00-19:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-18:00) has recently moved to arrivals hall B, terminal 1. Terminal 2 has stamp machine only.
Avoid the stand-up Internet terminals located throughout the airport; these are maddening and expensive (16€/hr) to operate thus not recommended. Your best bet is either the Zurich (insurance group) HelpPoint (in departures hall B, terminal 1, staffed daily 7:00-19:00) that has a handful of new desktop computers for you to use for free (15-30 min at a time depending on how busy it is) or (unless things have changed since November 2010) laptop-toting persons can pick up free Wi-Fi at McDonald’s in the Food Plaza on the upper floor of terminal 2—note that the Skyline readily shuttles persons between both terminals. Or, for a tolerable fee, head downstairs in terminal 1 (following signs to the train stations) to Player’s Island (open 24/7, desktop 4€/30 min or Wi-Fi 4€/hr, printing 50¢/page). 
Laptop users note that the entire airport is a hotspot, wired by T-Mobile and will cost to use.
Sleeping: Those of you on a belt-tightening budget and looking to spend the night at the airport will find some 20 lounge seats clustered in the central area of departures hall B (pictured). Also, in the corridor connecting departure halls B and C, are a number of seats coupled 3 and 4 together without armrests providing a reasonable crib. Start your seat quest before 23:00, if possible. Those of you who are not on a budget can find the Sheraton Hotel near the Fernbahnhof train station in terminal 1. For all other recommended accommodations, see Good Sleeps.
Luggage storage: Baggage depositories are situated in both terminals, either location 4€/7hr or 5€/24hr, over 30 kg 7€. Terminal 1, arrivals hall B, open 24/7, tel. 069/6907-0786. Terminal 1, departure halls B-C, daily 6:00-22:00, tel. 069/6907-3277. Terminal 2, arrivals hall D, daily 6:00-22:00, tel. 069/6907-2860. Note: Shrinkwrapping service also available. Items not picked up within three months are auctioned.
Note: The updated 2011 guide is no longer available for download (The updated 2012 guide will soon be released in February)
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Taxis from the airport into the city cost roughly 25€ and take 20-30 min. (Initial charge 2.75€, then 1.50€/km plus wait/traffic time.) If it’s rush hour, negotiate a flat rate in advance from the driver. Note that some taxis accept credit cards; confirm with the driver that your card is accepted before getting in.
Rental car; follow signs Mietwagen.
Food: Frankfurt airport accommodates a smorgasbord of cuisine and café options determined to win your approval. Notify staff at an info counter of your gastronomic desire and they’ll point you there. I particularly enjoy browsing the fresh foods and breads at the self-catering Marché market in terminal 1 (arrivals hall B, street level, daily 6:00-22:00). Or, cheapest of all, head over to the "tegut" grocery store that also has a hot-food counter dishing up unsophisticated meals for lunch and dinner (terminal 1, hall C, level 0, daily 6:00-22:00).
ATMs: There are a scattering of ATMs in both terminals. (Ask at info counter to point you to the nearest “bank automat.”)
Pharmacy, (the following two pharmacies are part of the local Metropolitan chain and are open the same hours, daily 7:00-22:00, and accept CCs: VC, MC, AE). Along the shopping “Boulevard” in terminal 1, departures hall B, you’ll find the main Metropolitan pharmacy and the second store one on the middle level of terminal 2 (next to escalator climbing to Skyline shuttle).
Showers available 24/7 (6€/shower, including towel, soap and hair dryer) in terminal 1, departures hall B, (a few doors from the above-listed Metropolitan pharmacy along the shopping “Boulevard”; if lost ask at info counter to point you the way).
Suburban rail, or S-Bahn, into the city takes 15 minutes and costs 3.90€ one way (groups up to 5 people consider the Gruppentageskarte, or group day ticket, for 14.70€, valid till 02:00 on all trains, buses and trams within Frankfurt). Exit airport following signs Bahnhöfe, meaning “train stations,” leading you down the escalator. Purchase ticket at Fahrkarten automat; press button “Einzelfahrt nach Frankfurt” (groups press Gruppentageskarte button with text “Frankfurt inkl.” and airplane symbol). Or, consider buying the Frankfurt Card (see below). Note: Tickets are not sold on the train. The S-Bahn (S8 and S9) runs regularly from the Regionalbahnhof on the lower level. To reach the city’s main station hop on any train from track 1 headed direction Frankfurt Hbf or Hanau Hbf. (Hbf is short for Hauptbahnhof, meaning “main train station.”)
Trains, inter-city, (www.bahn.de). From your plane to the train, exit airport following signs Bahnhöfe, meaning “train stations.” Hop on a train headed to your city/country of destination (or vice versa, arrive directly into Frankfurt airport from anywhere in Europe). Both the regional (Regionalbahnhof) and long-distance (Fernbahnhof) train stations depart from terminal 1. Shuttle buses run regularly between the train stations and airport terminals 1 & 2. By train from Frankfurt airport to—(note that the following train times are for reference only and may have changed)—Vienna 7.5hr trip (5/day, may require one change, last train around 16:00); Amsterdam 4hr trip (5/day, direct, last train around 18:00 except Sun 19:40); Berlin 4.5hr trip (1-2/hr, may require one change, last train around 19:45 except Sun 20:45); Munich 3.5hr trip (hrly, direct, last train 20:50); Cologne 1hr trip (2/hr, direct, last train around 23:25 from Frankfurt airport, less often from Frankfurt main station); Koblenz 1.5hr trip (hrly, direct, last train around 23:30 from Frankfurt airport, direct train every second hour from Frankfurt main station); Boppard 1.25-1.75hr trip (hrly, possible change in Mainz, last train around 23:30); Bacharach 1.5hr trip (hrly, likely change in Mainz, last train around 21:00); Rothenburg ob der Tauber 3hr trip (hrly, change in Würzburg and Steinach, last train around 20:00); Nürnberg 2.5hr trip (hrly, direct, last train around 22:00); Heidelberg 1hr trip (hrly, possible change in Mannheim, last train around midnight); Stuttgart 1.5hr trip (hrly, direct, last train around 23:00 from Frankfurt airport or 21:00-22:00 from Frankfurt main station); Baden-Baden 1.5hr trip (hrly, 1-2 changes, last train about 23:00).
Frankfurt Card (8.90€/1 day, 12.90€/2 days) is worth its price for the active tourist, especially with airport connection. Card is available at Hotels & Tours counter (see next entry). For more details, and the very reasonable small-group price, click here.
Hotels & Tours counter (daily 7:00-22:15) is located in terminal 1—arrivals hall B (just beyond information point No. 14)—where you can buy the Frankfurt Card, arrange a city tour, or have a room booked (res. fee applicable).
Meeting points, (suggested ideas): Terminal 1) Meet at Starbucks (in departures hall B) or next door at Käfer’s café & bistro with view of taxiing aircraft. Terminal 2) Meet at the scenic Food Plaza (McDonald’s, Mexican grill, Fly Away bar & café) on the upper floor; a great place to chill with giant windows opening to the runway and free Wi-Fi for laptop-toting travelers.
Killing time, (suggested ideas): 1) Head to the Food Plaza (McDonald’s, Mexican grill, Fly Away bar & café) on the upper floor of terminal 2 (note that the Skyline readily shuttles persons between both terminals), where you can grab something to eat/drink and observe powerful views of aircraft coming and going (pictured). For a closer look, enthusiasts step onto the outdoor observation deck (enter Besucherterrasse, or Visitors’ Terrace, opposite McDonald’s, daily 10:00-17:00, last entry 16:30, adult 5€, student 3€, with Frankfurt Card 2.50€, admission ticket valid all day, no baggage or food or beverages or smoking allowed on deck). 2) If you have at least two hours to spare, consider a jaunt into the city; (with extra time set off on my do-it-yourself orientation tour of the Old Town). Allow 30 minutes travel time each way by rail between the airport and city.
Tax, Value Added: (VAT) Reclaim your European VAT at your last departure point in Europe. At Frankfurt airport; for goods in your check-in luggage you first need to go to Zoll, or customs, located in either terminal (the main Zoll office is positioned in terminal 1, departures hall B). If you are to carry the goods on board the aircraft (whether on your person or carry-bag) you must check-in with customs in the secure area when heading to your boarding gate (but ask beforehand the best route, you may have to divert through another gate to reach the nearest customs’ location). Either way, have your receipt(s), purchase(s) and passport ready so they can prepare your Global Refund check(s); subsequently you can collect your money at the Cash Refund counter (which in terminal 1 is adjacent to customs). Note: Allow an extra half hour for paperwork as well as for people who may be ahead of you at either customs or the refund counter. (Hours of either counter, daily 7:00-21:00.) While you wait, make sure the following info is clearly written on your receipt(s): description of goods, monetary amount, your address and passport number. You can typically get your cash refund in another currency, like the dollar. U.S. (duty-free) personal exemption is $800. This means the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty (but the next $1,000 is subject to a flat rate of 3%). There are, however, strict limitations on alcohol and tobacco products. For the latest US regulations, go to www.cbp.gov; Canada: www.cbsa.gc.ca; Australia: www.customs.gov.au; UK: www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs. For more info on refund checks and offices, tax-free shopping and participating stores, go to www.globalrefund.com.
History, airport: In the early part of the 20th century the area that is now Frankfurt airport was used as a landing zone for the enormously large hydrogen- and helium-gas dirigibles (or airships), such as the Graf Zeppelin. In 1936 the landing zone became a commercial airport, catering to airplane traffic. By mid-1940 Germany was involved in a world war and the airport was acquired by the Luftwaffe (or air force) for military purposes. After World War II the airfield was appropriated by the U.S. air force and became known as Rhein-Main Air Base, “The Gateway to Europe.” The air base played a principal role in Operation Vittles (June 1948—May ’49) when the Soviets blockaded East Germany from the western Allies, essentially cutting off Berlin. The Allies responded by organizing a massive system of air transport to supply the western sectors of Berlin, which famously became known as the Berlin Airlift. Planes took off every few minutes, delivering nearly 2.5 million tons of relief supplies to the cut-off sectors throughout the 11-month effort. In 1959, the U.S. air force opened half the air base for the German government to once again operate as a commercial airport. After the conclusion of the Cold War, the U.S. began downsizing Rhein-Main Air Base and on December 30, 2005 it was officially closed and handed back to the German government. But while the Americans were packing, the Germans were drawing up grandiose plans of expanding FRA. In place of the U.S. base, Fraport (the company that manages Frankfurt airport) commenced construction in 2009 on a third terminal (Terminal 3), scheduled for completion around 2015. The whopping 5-billion-euro expansion of Frankfurt airport is currently one of Europe’s largest construction projects, which will also include a 3-km long “landing” runway and a jumbo maintenance facility for the new double-deck wide-bodied Airbus A380, the world’s biggest airliner.
Frankfurt-Hahn, (code HHN, www.hahn-airport.de). Don’t get this airfield confused with Frankfurt airport. Frankfurt-Hahn airport—chiefly used as a low-cost-carrier hub for flights within Europe—is actually closer to Trier and the country of Luxembourg than it is to downtown Frankfurt nearly two hours away. Hahn, by the way, means ‘rooster’ in German and is a village of a few hundred residents. Hourly buses leave for Hahn airport from Frankfurt airport (terminal 2, opposite exit E9) as well as the south side of Frankfurt’s main train station (near corner of Stuttgarter Strasse & Mannheimer Strasse) and cost 13€ one-way (pay driver), 1 hr 45 min trip.
Click here for do-it-yourself Frankfurt.
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(This page was last updated June 2011.)
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