Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Frankfurt Airport at a Glance

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Germany’s largest and busiest airport and one of Europe’s most important aviation hubs. It lies about 12 km / 7.5 miles southwest of Frankfurt city centre, within the Frankfurt City Forest at the Frankfurter Kreuz junction of the A3 and A5 motorways, and is easy to reach by road, rail and air.

Operated by Fraport AG, FRA is the primary global hub for Lufthansa, alongside Condor and Discover Airlines. With four runways it ranks among Europe’s top three or four airports, handling roughly 63.2 million passengers in 2025, and it is one of the world’s busiest cargo hubs.

Its official name is Frankfurt Airport (German: Flughafen Frankfurt am Main), and it is widely known simply by its IATA code, FRA.

Airport Information

• Airport Name: Frankfurt Airport (Flughafen Frankfurt am Main)
• IATA Code: FRA
• ICAO Code: EDDF
• Location: Frankfurt, Germany
• Time Zone: Central European Time (UTC+1), CEST in summer
• Operator: Fraport AG

Frankfurt Airport History

Frankfurt Airport opened on 8 July 1936 as the Rhein-Main Airport and Airship Station (Flug- und Luftschiffhafen Rhein-Main). It was designed for both fixed-wing aircraft and Zeppelin airships, briefly serving as a base for transatlantic Zeppelin flights before the airship era ended.

The site was heavily damaged in the Second World War and rebuilt after 1945 by United States forces, who used it as a major air base and a hub for the Berlin Airlift of 1948–49. Civil aviation then grew steadily, the airport became the worldwide hub of Lufthansa, and the current Terminal 1 opened in 1972.

Terminal 2 was inaugurated on 24 October 1994 to add capacity. The most significant recent development is Terminal 3, a roughly €4 billion project south of the runways that opened in April 2026, adding capacity for around 19 million passengers a year.

Airport Layout

Frankfurt Airport is organised around three terminal buildings. For a full breakdown, see our terminals guide.

• Terminal 1: concourses A, B, C and Z — home of Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners, built above the railway stations and linked to the car parks, hotels and The Squaire complex.
• Terminal 2: former concourses D and E — closed to passengers in June 2026 for a multi-year refurbishment, with its airlines moved to Terminal 3.
• Terminal 3: concourses (piers) G, H and J, opened in April 2026 south of the runways, for most other international, leisure and low-cost airlines.

The free automated Sky Line elevated train links Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 in about eight minutes, and free shuttle buses also run. Always allow extra time when changing terminals.

Flights to and from Frankfurt Airport

As Lufthansa’s largest hub and a Star Alliance stronghold, FRA offers frequent long-haul departures alongside dense short-haul connections, plus leisure flights with Condor and Discover Airlines to destinations on every inhabited continent.

• Frankfurt Airport Arrivals
• Frankfurt Airport Departures
• Flights to Frankfurt Airport
• Airlines at Frankfurt Airport

Connecting Passengers

Germany is part of the Schengen Area, so many European connections require no passport control, and passengers with an onward boarding pass can usually proceed directly to their departure gate. If you travel between Schengen and non-Schengen zones you will pass through passport control, so allow time.

Non-EU/EEA arrivals should also budget extra time for the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which records a photo and fingerprints and is being rolled out from 2025.

Required Travel Documents

• Boarding pass
• Valid passport or national ID (where accepted)
• Visa, if required for your nationality
• Any health or entry documents for your destination

Luggage Rules

Checked and carry-on baggage allowances depend on your airline and fare type, and standard security limits apply to liquids in hand luggage, so always confirm the rules with your carrier before travelling. Left-luggage and baggage services are available at the airport.

Services and Amenities

• Baggage storage, left luggage and lost & found offices
• Medical centre and pharmacies
• ATMs, banks and currency exchange
• Prayer rooms and quiet areas
• Showers, day rooms and a wide choice of airport lounges
• Extensive shopping, duty-free and dining
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals
• Information desks and visitor terraces

Family Services

Frankfurt Airport is well equipped for families, with nursing and baby-care rooms, family restrooms, strollers and children’s play areas spread across the terminals.

Accessibility

The airport is fully accessible for passengers with reduced mobility. Assistance is provided free of charge, and accessible restrooms, lifts, ramps and reserved parking are available throughout; it is best to request assistance through your airline in advance.

Pet Services

Pets are welcome at Frankfurt Airport when they have the correct documentation and microchipping for entry into Germany and the EU. Dogs must be kept on a leash, and airline-specific rules on carriers and crates may apply, so check with your airline before you fly.

Transit Options

Frankfurt Airport is exceptionally well connected to the city and the rest of Germany. For a full comparison of routes, times and fares, see our guide to transportation to the city centre. Popular options include:

• Trains — S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof in about 11–15 minutes, plus ICE and IC high-speed services across Germany and Europe
• Airport taxis from the ranks outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 arrivals
• Pre-booked private airport transfers
• Car rental from desks at both terminals
• Long-distance coaches such as FlixBus from the coach station on the Terminal 1 side of the airport

Parking Facilities

Fraport operates a large network of car parks at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, from short-term garages close to the terminals to economy and long-stay lots served by shuttle buses, plus valet and premium options. Booking online in advance usually secures the lowest rates — see our parking guide for details.

Official Contact Information

• Address: 60547 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
• Website: https://www.frankfurt-airport.com

The City of Frankfurt

Frankfurt am Main is Germany’s financial capital and the seat of the European Central Bank, famous for a skyline nicknamed “Mainhattan” above the River Main. Beyond the banking towers, visitors find the reconstructed Römerberg old town, the Museumsufer museum embankment, the Palmengarten botanical gardens and the apple-wine taverns of Sachsenhausen.