Frankfurt Airport Guide
Find your way around Frankfurt Airport (Flughafen Frankfurt am Main)
General Airport Information
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the main aviation gateway to Germany and one of the busiest airports in Europe. Operated by Fraport AG, it lies about 12 km / 7.5 miles southwest of Frankfurt city centre, at the Frankfurter Kreuz junction of the A3 and A5 motorways. Under normal conditions, the S-Bahn reaches the city centre in around 11–15 minutes.
As the largest hub of Lufthansa and a major Star Alliance base, FRA connects Frankfurt with destinations worldwide. In 2024 the airport handled roughly 61.6 million passengers, and it remains one of the world’s leading cargo hubs.
This guide brings together everything you need for a smooth trip through FRA, with links to detailed pages on terminals, parking, transport to the city, hotels and more.
Terminals
Frankfurt Airport operates two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 (concourses A, B, C and Z) is the home of Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners and sits directly above the railway stations. The new Terminal 3 (piers G, H and J), south of the runways, opened in April 2026 and handles most other international carriers. Terminal 2 (former concourses D and E) closed to passengers in June 2026 for a multi-year refurbishment.
The free automated Sky Line train links Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 in about eight minutes, and free shuttle buses also connect them. Always allow extra time for terminal changes and passport control — full details are in our terminals guide.
Getting to and from the Airport
FRA is one of the best-connected airports in Europe. Two railway stations beneath and beside Terminal 1 provide S-Bahn services (lines S8 and S9) to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof and the city centre, as well as ICE and IC high-speed trains across Germany and Europe.
Other options include airport taxis from the ranks outside arrivals, pre-booked private transfers, long-distance coaches, and car rental from desks at both terminals. Compare them all in our transport to the city centre guide.
Hotels
Travellers passing through Frankfurt Airport have plenty of accommodation choices. Several hotels sit right at the airport — including the Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn in The Squaire and the Sheraton, both connected to Terminal 1 — which are ideal for early departures, late arrivals and long layovers.
Frankfurt city centre also offers a wide range of hotels, from luxury properties to budget options, all within a short train ride of the airport. See our overview of hotels near Frankfurt Airport to compare locations.
Parking
Fraport provides a large range of parking facilities 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 gives the best rates — see our parking guide for details.
Lounges
Frankfurt Airport has an exceptional choice of lounges, including numerous Lufthansa Business and Senator lounges and the exclusive Lufthansa First Class Terminal for eligible passengers, as well as independent pay-per-use and Priority Pass lounges. Learn more in our lounges guide.
Layover at the Airport
Layovers at FRA can be comfortable and productive, with extensive dining, shopping, lounges, showers, quiet areas and day rooms available airside. Germany is in the Schengen Area, so watch for passport control when moving between Schengen and non-Schengen zones.
If your layover runs to five or six hours or more, the city centre is just 11–15 minutes away by S-Bahn, making it easy to see the skyline, the Römerberg old town or the museum embankment before your onward flight. For tips, read our layover guide.