Frankfurt Airport to City Center on the S-Bahn or Regional Train
Compare S-Bahn S8/S9 (11 min / €6.30), Regionalbahnhof vs Fernbahnhof, and Frankfurt taxi fares for traveling between FRA Airport and Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.
- ✓S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 depart every 10–15 minutes from Terminal 1 Regionalbahnhof (Platforms 1–3), reaching Frankfurt Central Station in just 11–12 minutes.
- ✓A single RMV ticket costs €6.30, while a Day Ticket (€12.30) or Group Day Ticket (€22.90 for up to 5 passengers) offers significant savings for multiple trips.
- ✓Regionalbahnhof in Basement Level 0 of Terminal 1 serves local S-Bahn trains, while Fernbahnhof in The Squaire serves long-distance ICE bullet trains.
- ✓Do not board an ICE train for downtown Frankfurt: it costs three times more, runs less frequently, and requires a 15-minute extra walk across the highway.
- ✓The nationwide Deutschlandticket (€58/month) is fully valid on S8, S9, and regional RE trains into central Frankfurt with no extra surcharge.
Arriving at Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA - Flughafen Frankfurt), Germany’s busiest aviation hub and the premier international gateway to Continental Europe?
Located just 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southwest of Frankfurt’s banking skyline, Römerberg old town square, and Museum Embankment (Museumsufer), transferring from the airport terminal into the city center is one of the fastest and smoothest transit connections in all of Europe.
Frankfurt Airport operates two distinct railway stations situated in completely different buildings: the underground Regionalbahnhof (for commuter S-Bahn and regional trains) and the elevated Fernbahnhof (for nationwide high-speed ICE trains). Knowing which station serves downtown Frankfurt prevents costly delays.
Frankfurt Airport Transit Overview
| Transport Option | Boarding Station | Travel Time to Hbf | Fare (2026 EUR / USD) | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-Bahn S8 & S9 | Regionalbahnhof (T1, Level 0, Plat. 1) | 11–12 mins | €6.30 (~$6.80 USD) | Every 10–15 mins | Top Choice: Fastest, cheapest, and most frequent direct connection |
| Regional Express (RE2 / RE59) | Regionalbahnhof (T1, Level 0, Plat. 2/3) | 11–13 mins | €6.30 (~$6.80 USD) | Every 30–60 mins | Alternative fast rail if departing sooner than next S-Bahn |
| ICE High-Speed Train | Fernbahnhof (The Squaire, Plat. 4–7) | 11–14 mins | €15.00 – €28.00+ | Variable (Every 30–60 mins) | Only if connecting to other German cities without staying in Frankfurt |
| Official Taxi / Uber / FreeNow | Terminal 1 & 2 Curbside Ranks | 20–30 mins | €45.00 – €55.00 (~$49–$60 USD) | 24/7 on demand | Late-night arrivals with heavy luggage directly to hotel door |
Regionalbahnhof vs Fernbahnhof: Navigating the Two Stations
Frankfurt Airport features two separate train stations with different physical locations, platform numbering, and train classes:
- For downtown Frankfurt (Hauptbahnhof, Taunusanlage, Hauptwache), proceed to Regionalbahnhof on Terminal 1 Basement Level 0 (Platforms 1 to 3). S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 depart Platform 1 every 10 to 15 minutes, reaching Frankfurt Hbf in 11 minutes for €6.30.
- For intercity travel to Cologne, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Munich, or Amsterdam, head across the covered bridge to Fernbahnhof on Level 3 of The Squaire (Platforms 4 to 7) for long-distance ICE bullet trains.
- Do not hike 15 minutes across the bridge to Fernbahnhof to take an ICE train to central Frankfurt; tickets cost €15 to €28 and save zero time compared to the cheaper local S-Bahn.
S-Bahn Lines S8 and S9: Fast Direct Service to Central Station
The S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 (operated by RMV / Deutsche Bahn) are the undisputed best transit choice from FRA into the city.
From Regionalbahnhof Platform 1, both lines travel eastward along the exact same central corridor:
- Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbahnhof departure
- Frankfurt am Main Stadion (5 mins)
- Frankfurt-Niederrad (8 mins)
- Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof (11 mins, main central station)
- Taunusanlage (14 mins, banking district)
- Hauptwache (16 mins, Zeil shopping street and Römerberg old town)
- Konstablerwache (18 mins, eastern central hub)
[!TIP] If your hotel is located near the Zeil pedestrian street or Römerberg, stay on the S-Bahn past Frankfurt Hbf. The line continues underground directly to Hauptwache in 16 minutes, avoiding the need to transfer trains at the busy central station.
RMV Fare Structure and Group Passes
- Single journey tickets (Einzelfahrkarte) cost €6.30 for adults within RMV Tariff Zone 5090.
- Day tickets (Tageskarte) cost €12.30, paying for itself if you take even one additional tram or subway trip.
- Group day tickets (Gruppentageskarte) cost €22.90 and cover up to 5 adults for unlimited citywide transit all day, dropping transit costs below €4.60 per person.
- The Deutschlandticket subscription (€58/month) covers all S8, S9, and RE train travel from Frankfurt Airport with zero add-on charges.
Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 Free Transit Options
If your flight arrives at Terminal 2, you must transfer to Terminal 1 to access the train stations. Both transfer options operate 24 hours a day free of charge:
- The elevated SkyLine monorail departs every 2 to 3 minutes from Level 4 of Terminal 2, reaching Terminal 1 in 2 minutes.
- Free yellow shuttle buses depart every 10 minutes from curbside outside Terminal 2 Level 1, reaching Terminal 1 in 7 to 10 minutes.
- From Terminal 1, follow the green circular S-Bahn signs down the escalators into Basement Level 0.
Regional Express Trains RE2 and RE59
In addition to the S-Bahn, Regional-Express lines RE2, RE3, and RE59 stop at Regionalbahnhof Platforms 2 and 3. Travel time is 11 to 13 minutes to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, utilizing the identical €6.30 RMV fare or Deutschlandticket. If an RE train is boarding sooner than the next S-Bahn, taking it provides a convenient express alternative.
Official Taxis and Rideshare Alternatives
Curbside taxi ranks wait outside Terminal 1 (Arrivals A, B, C) and Terminal 2 (Arrivals D, E). Regulated metered trips to central Frankfurt cost approximately €45.00 to €55.00 and take 20 to 30 minutes, though peak morning and evening highway traffic can lengthen the trip. Drivers accept major credit cards, and rideshare apps like Uber and FreeNow pick up from designated short-stay parking zones.
Step-by-Step Navigation: Terminal 1 to Frankfurt Hbf
S-Bahn S8/S9: FRA Terminal 1 to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof
Follow Signs to Regionalbahnhof (Terminal 1, Level 0)
Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1After exiting baggage claim in Concourse A or B, follow the green 'S' (S-Bahn) and regional train pictograms down to Basement Level 0. If arriving at Terminal 2, ride the free SkyLine monorail to Terminal 1 first.
Board S-Bahn S8 or S9 from Platform 1
RMV / DB S-Bahn Rhein-MainPurchase an RMV single ticket (€6.30, Zone 5090) or Day Pass (€12.30) at the turquoise RMV touch-screen machines. Board any departing S8 (direction Hanau/Offenbach) or S9 train on Platform 1.
Arrive at Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof Tief
Frankfurt Central Station UndergroundDisembark at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf underground platforms (Tracks 101/102). Take the escalators directly up into the main grand concourse for Deutsche Bahn mainline connections, or walk into the city center.
Recommended Hotels Near Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof
Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof & IntercityHotel Frankfurt Hbf
📍 Steps from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof & historic bank district
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Selecting the Best Route for Your Frankfurt Arrival
- Take S-Bahn Lines S8 / S9 (€6.30 / 11 mins) IF: You are heading to Frankfurt Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), Taunusanlage, or Hauptwache.
- Take the Group Day Ticket (€22.90) IF: You are 2 to 5 travelers, delivering unlimited transit across Frankfurt for under €5 per person all day.
- Take an ICE High-Speed Train from Fernbahnhof IF: You are connecting directly to Cologne, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, or southern Germany without staying in Frankfurt.
- Take an Official Taxi or Uber (€45–€55) IF: You have excessive luggage, small children, or arrive past midnight when S-Bahn frequency drops.
Traveling further across Central Europe? Compare connections in our guides for Berlin Brandenburg Airport to City Center and Zurich Airport to City Center.