Maximizing Your Time: How to Spend a Frankfurt Layover

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Have a layover in the Frankfurt airport and want to maximize your time? Check out this post for the best way to spend a Frankfurt layover!

Known as the busiest airport in Germany, many travelers from all over the world fly through Frankfurt International Airport to get to their final destination. This leaves many people with layovers at the airport as they wait for their connecting flight. Sometimes these layovers can be short as you wait for your next flight to another European destination while others are long leaving you with no choice but to stay the night in the city.

So, if you have a Frankfurt layover and want to maximize your time, you’ve come to the right place! This post alone highlights what you can do during your short or long layover at Frankfurt International Airport and how to make the most of it.

Germany Travel Series

P.S. This is a post in my Germany Travel series. Here is the complete series:

Cologne Restaurants: Where To Find the Best Restaurants in Cologne Germany

Prettiest Cities: The Top 8 Prettiest Cities in Germany You Need To Visit

Uber: Is There Uber in Germany?

Beer Festivals: 10 Top German Beer Festivals in Germany Other Than Oktoberfest

Can you leave the Frankfurt Airport during a layover?

Yes, you can leave the Frankfurt Airport during a layover but this all depends on whether or not you need a visa to enter the Schengen Area. For example, you won’t need a visa if you have a U.S. passport but if you’re from a third-world country like Nigeria with a Nigerian passport, then you can’t leave the airport since this would violate airport policy. So, with that being said, it’s best to check the immigration rules for Germany regarding your home country.

Where to store your luggage

Luggage storage can be found in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Frankfurt International Airport. The following image states where exactly you can find it in the terminals as well as their hours of operation:

Short-term storage of 4 hours for 1 piece of regular baggage starts at 7.50 euros and long-term storage for 1 piece of regular baggage starts at 10.50 euros.

Also, if for whatever reason you need to collect your baggage outside of office hours, be sure to contact this number +49 69 690 70786.

Where to stay

If you’re planning on staying the night in Frankfurt because of a long layover, I highly recommend staying at any one of these hotels:

How to Get from Frankfurt Airport to the City Center

There are many ways you can get to the city center from Frankfurt airport:

By Bus

You can take the 61, 77, 72, 58, and 62 buses to the city center as well as the 81 and 7 bus lines (night buses).

By Train

You can take the S8 and S9 to get to the city center from the airport. The Regional Express (RE) is also available for you to take and the trains RE59, RE2, and RE3 go to the city center as well.

By Taxi

You can take Uber to get to the city center from the airport.

By Metro

You can take the U8 and U9 to the city center from the airport.

What to see in the City

Here are some places you can go to in the city for sightseeing on your layover:

Römerberg

Known as the “Roman Mountain” in English, Römerberg is a public space in Frankfurt that’s a site for many markets, fairs, tournaments, and festivals. While there you can visit some historic buildings nearby or take a tour.

Kaiserdom

Known as Frankfurt’s imperial cathedral, the Kaiserdom was a significant building in the Holy Roman Empire. While there, you can climb the Cathedral Tower which is 328 steps, and enjoy an unparalleled view of the Old Town from the top.

Main River

Located in between Frankfurt, the Main River is the longest river tributary of the Rhine River in Germany. While there you can walk along the riverfront for more sightseeing or take a cruise.

Kleinmarkthalle

The Kleinmarkthalle is an indoor market hall in Frankfurt that’s a culinary destination for many tourists. While there you can find regional specialties like Frankfurt’s “Green Sauce” and “Fleischwurst” or stop by a shop to taste wine from a local vineyard.

Hauptwache

Hauptwache is an area in Frankfurt that’s known for its mix of historic buildings and modern structures. It’s a great place to visit if you like people-watching and you can also do some light shopping while you’re there.

Eiserner Steg

Known as the only footbridge across the Main River, the Eiserner Steg links the Old Town and Römerberg Square with the Old Sachsenhausen neighborhood on the other side. While there you can take an Instagram-able photo at the bridge or lock your love away on the side of it.

Sachsenhausen

Known as one of Frankfurt’s most affluent neighborhoods, Sachsenhausen is a great place to visit for Apfelwein taverns, nightlife, and architecture. As a tourist, you can visit the Apfelwein taverns around the Rittergasse pedestrian area, admire the architecture during the day, and go barhopping at night.

How can I spend my short layover at Frankfurt Airport?

There are many ways you can spend your short layover at the Frankfurt International Airport. Here are some following suggestions:

Watch a movie at Movie World

You can watch a blockbuster in the Frankfurt Airport before your next connecting flight at Movie World. This free service offers you a selection of full-length movies to choose from as well as fascinating documentaries and popular series.

You can also find Movie World in these areas of the airport:

Nap at the NapCabs

You can take a nap at the Frankfurt Airport before your connecting flight in a NapCab. NapCabs are soundproof cabins you can sleep in that offer air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, a free charging station, and a work desk. They are all located in Terminal 1 so make sure you book one in advance.

Take a Shower

You can take a shower at the Frankfurt Airport before your connecting flight takes off. There are shower facilities available all over the airport and they’re open from 06:00-23:00 Monday to Sunday.

Here are where they are located:

Terminal 2, Area D, Level 3
Terminal 1, Area B, Level 3
Terminal 1, Area B, Level 2
Terminal 1, Area A, Level 2
Terminal 1, Area Z, Level 3

Shop at the Airport City Mall

You can go on a shopping spree in the Airport City Mall before your connecting flight takes off. Located pre-security in Terminal 1, the Airport City Mall has a lot to offer in terms of its wide range of retail outlets.

In fact, if you’re too lazy to do the shopping yourself, you’re welcome to hire a personal shopper to do it for you!

Enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant

You can enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant before your connecting flight takes off. There is a wide range of food options available all over the airport from German food to other cultural cuisines.

Please check here to see a full list of dining options!

Overall, I hope you enjoyed this post on how to spend a Frankfurt layover! Please let me know in the comments below your experience if you’ve ever had a layover at Frankfurt International Airport. I would love to hear from you! 🙂

Germany Travel Series

P.S. This is a post in my Germany Travel series. Here is the complete series: