Layover In Frankfurt – The Ultimate Guide 2024

Frankfurt Airport is the busiest in Germany and one of the busiest in Europe. Millions of passengers fly in and out of this facility every year, and often, they end up having to stopover. This massive airport has plenty to keep you occupied, but if you’d rather spend your time on your Frankfurt Airport layover seeing the city, that’s very much an option. Use luggage storage in Frankfurt for your bags, and you’ll be ready to explore.

Train lines S8 and S9 connect to the airport with the center of the city. It takes around 40 minutes to get from the airport to Frankfurt Central Station, so make sure you leave yourself enough time. If you’re in a hurry, a car service takes around 20 minutes to reach the city, but will be much more expensive.

6 hour layover in Frankfurt

A six-hour layover in Frankfurt doesn’t give you a lot of time in the city, but should be enough to do justice to a single attraction. For instance, if you take the train from the airport to Frankfurt Central Station, it’s only a short walk from there to the Maintower. This 200-meter high building is an icon of the city and offers an observation deck where you will get an unparalleled view over Frankfurt. It doesn’t take too long to reach, and there’s only so long you can spend looking at a view, no matter how impressive, so it’s a good quick activity to do on a short Frankfurt layover.

• Take train S8 or S9 to Frankfurt Central to explore the city.
• Ride the elevator to the top of the Maintower for some of the best views in Frankfurt.

8 hour layover in Frankfurt

With a little longer to make your next connection, you can afford to see more of the city. As futuristic as Maintower is, it’s only a short walk from there to Frankfurt’s Old Town, and the famous Romerberg. This picturesque square is surrounded by reconstructed timbered houses that look like something straight out of a fairytale. Now, the houses are home to cafés and restaurants where you can grab something to eat or drink and watch the world go by. You’ll want to take plenty of photos of this charming square, and there’s always something going on in Romerberg, making it the perfect place to spend a couple of hours while you wait for a flight. Drop off your bags at a Frankfurt suitcase storage so you can enjoy your time in the Old Town.

• Head to Frankfurt’s Old Town and see Romerberg.
• Enjoy a meal or drink or simply watch the world go by from one of the many sidewalk tables set up in the charming square.
• Don’t forget to take lots of photos of these iconic buildings.

10 hour layover in Frankfurt

A 10 hour long layover in Frankfurt gives you more time to explore the cultural treasures of this major German city. Also in Old Town close to Romerberg, you’ll find the Goethe House. This ancient building was the former home of Germany’s most famous writer, and now the building contains a museum dedicated to the man and his work. Goethe was a scientist and a statesman as well as a writer, and his long life brought him into contact with many of the most famous personalities of his day. If you’re a Goethe fan, you can’t miss this attraction. And if you’re not yet, you may be once you’ve learned more about him.

• Explore more of Frankfurt’s Old Town by visiting the Goethe House.
• Learn about Germany’s foremost poet and one of history’s great geniuses.
• Discover the cultural background of the writer’s life and work.

12 hour layover in Frankfurt

From the ancient to the cutting-edge. Celebrate more modern art at the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt. This ultramodern building is a work of art all by itself, with its sleek architecture putting it at odds with nearby Old Town. Inside, it’s devoted to the curation and display of modern art from across Germany and around the world. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours, particularly on a rainy Frankfurt day, and you may come away with a new appreciation of contemporary art. Drop off your bags at a Frankfurt luggage locker so that you can explore the galleries more easily.

• Explore modern art at the Schirn Kunsthalle.
• It’s a great rainy day activity and a fascinating way to spend a couple of hours on a layover.

24 hour layover in Frankfurt

An overnight layover means you can expand your horizons as you explore what Frankfurt has to offer. You’ll need to book a hotel, but you’ll also be able to enjoy nighttime activities. For instance, you could try to catch a show at the Alte Oper. This opera house was built in 1880, but destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in classical style in the 1970s. Now, it’s one of the city’s foremost venues for music and the home of the Frankfurt Opera. Enjoy the show the way Goethe might have done in this elegant building that will make you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time.

The next day, before heading to the airport, why not get some tranquility at the Palmengarten? This botanical garden has a huge glass greenhouse of tropical plants where you can wander at will and enjoy something a little more natural. It’s a great way to get some exercise and prepare yourself mentally for the next stage of your journey. And while you may need to take a bus to get there from central Frankfurt, it’s worth the trip if you have the time.

• Visit Frankfurt’s Palmengarten to wander among tropical plants.
• Stretch your legs and enjoy a bit of nature in the city.
• Savor the tranquility before embarking on the next phase of your journey.