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Frankfurt am Main Airport

Frankfurt · Germany · Updated Apr 20, 2026

Code
FRA
Size
Major Hub
Passengers a year
48.9M / year
Terminals
3
To downtown
12 km
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. Getting to and from the airport
  3. Terminals and airlines
  4. Tips for travellers
  5. Good to know
  6. Climate, customs and advisory

Overview

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Germany's busiest international airport by passenger numbers and serves as the main hub for Lufthansa and its subsidiaries. Located in Frankfurt, it features two passenger terminals with a capacity for approximately 65 million passengers per year and is the busiest cargo airport in Europe.

Operated by Fraport, Frankfurt Airport covers 2,300 hectares and handles extensive passenger, cargo, and logistics operations. It serves 330 destinations worldwide, offering the most direct routes globally, and features four runways for high traffic volume. The airport includes Terminals 1 and 2, a First Class Terminal for Lufthansa, and Terminal 3 under construction to boost capacity to 100 million passengers annually. Excellent rail connectivity via long-distance and regional stations supports seamless transfers.

Getting to and from the airport

  • Train (ICE/S-Bahn)

    Long-distance and regional trains from airport stations to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.

    15-20 minutes · EUR 5-20

  • Taxi

    Direct to city center.

    20-30 minutes · EUR 25-40

  • Bus

    Airport shuttles and public buses.

    30-45 minutes · EUR 5-10

Trains are the fastest and most reliable option to downtown Frankfurt; use the long-distance station for ICE services or regional for S-Bahn. Taxis and rideshares are available but prone to traffic on A3/A5; rental cars from multiple providers on-site, but parking is expensive. Public buses connect to regional areas.

Security wait: 20-40 minutes average

Terminals and airlines

  • Terminal 1

    Lufthansa, Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa CityLine, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa Cargo

    Main terminal, hub for Lufthansa group; connected to regional rail station.

  • Terminal 2

    Condor, other international carriers

    Serves Star Alliance partners and others; features Visitors’ Terrace.

  • Terminal 3

    Low-cost carriers (planned)

    Under construction to increase capacity.

Airlines: Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo, Condor, AeroLogic, Lufthansa City Airlines, Lufthansa CityLine, Discover Airlines

Tips for travellers

  • Use the SkyLine train to connect between Terminals 1 and 2 quickly and free of charge.
  • Long-distance ICE trains serve the airport's Fernbahnhof station with 210 daily services for easy city connections.
  • Arrive early for security, especially in Terminal 1, which handles most flights.
  • Lufthansa passengers can access the exclusive First Class Terminal for a premium experience.
  • Regional S-Bahn and Regionalbahn from the Regionalbahnhof provide affordable links to Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main area.
  • Check for Terminal 3 updates if flying low-cost carriers, as it's under construction.

Good to know

  • Frankfurt Airport is the world's airport with the most direct routes, serving 330 destinations across five continents as of 2022.
  • It is Europe's busiest cargo airport, with a freight throughput of over 2 million tonnes annually.
  • The airport spans 2,300 hectares (23 km²) and features four runways, including the 4,000-meter-long Runway 18 West oriented north-south.
  • A dedicated First Class Terminal is exclusively operated by Lufthansa for premium passengers.
  • SkyLine, the airport's automated people mover, handles 10 million journeys yearly among its 60 million passengers and 75,000 employees.
  • It includes a 1,800 m² Visitors’ Terrace at Terminal 2 for aircraft spotting, accessible to passengers and enthusiasts.

Amenities: Lounges, WiFi, Prayer room, Hotel on-site, Visitors’ Terrace, Shopping and dining

Climate, customs and advisory

Frankfurt has a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers (average high 25°C/77°F) and cool winters (average low 0°C/32°F). Precipitation is evenly distributed year-round, with occasional snow in winter. The airport area experiences frequent fog, impacting operations.

Customs: EU citizens use e-gates for faster immigration; non-EU travelers need passports/ETIAS (post-2025). Declare goods over EUR 430; baggage claim before customs in Terminal 1/2.

Sources (10)

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