What to know about Frankfurt
Frankfurt is Germany's fifth-largest city and is most commonly renowned for its vibrant cultural scene. Conveniently, flights don't take all that long and you don’t have to worry about adjusting to time zones either. The time in Frankfurt is just one hour ahead of the UK, making it easy to adjust.
Whether for business or pleasure, there’s plenty for you to see and experience in this bustling city. The metropolis has a distinct cosmopolitan vibe but the streets are adorned with various galleries, museums and architectural beauties. On top of this, there are historical sites like the Senckenberg Natural History Museum and the iconic Goethe House, which was the former home of German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
If you're exploring Frankfurt in the warmer months, you'll see the city's green and open parkland in all its glory. A must-see spot is Palmengarten, which boasts vast botanical gardens and is a great place to unwind.
However, if you're partial to sampling the local cuisine on your holidays abroad, you should head straight for Frankfurt's iconic Kleinmarkthalle. This covered market has been going for decades and now has over 150 independent stalls selling local cheeses and meats. One of the best dishes on offer is Fleischwurst, a tasty sausage in a roll topped with mustard or Frankfurt's renowned 'green sauce', made from sour cream, egg and seven herbs.
For the keen shoppers among you, it's worth noting that Frankfurt is the perfect location to shop 'til you drop. The Zeil is your go-to hub for mainstream retailers, while Bornheim's Berger Strasse is the ideal place if boutiques and indie stores are more in your bag.
Here is a tip for you: booking your flight and hotel at the same time and not separately can make you save up to 40%. Take advantage of a flight + hotel package in Frankfurt to your destination and save time searching for hotels separately. If you have already purchased your flight and you’re only looking for a hotel, you can find it here.
What to do in Frankfurt in 3 days
You might only be in town for a short business trip and if this is the case, you won’t be able to fully discover Frankfurt in 1 day, but you can certainly cram in a lot of must-see attractions. Alternatively, if you’re a Frankfurt first-timer and not sure about how to get the most from your trip in only a few days, you’re in luck. We’ve put together an itinerary for a long weekend break, which covers all the main attractions and experiences in the city. Feel free to take inspiration!
Day 1: Visit the Städel Museum and sample locally brewed cider
- Drop your bags off and head out for some cultural activities, including a visit to the Städel Museum, which celebrates Baroque, Renaissance and early modern artwork, and Goethe House.
- Between April and October, it's possible to visit the Imperial Cathedral and climb all 324 steps to get panoramic cityscape views.
- For your first evening, head to the Sachsenhausen district to sample some of the city's delicious apple wine – the area is home to multiple cider taverns, each serving apple wine and delicious local snacks.
Day 2: Explore Frankfurt’s parks and Old Town before hitting Bornheim’s bars
- Blow away the cobwebs of your night in the Sachsenhausen district by taking an early morning stroll through Palmengarten. This oasis in the heart of urban Frankfurt offers 54 acres of green space, with plenty of picnic spots, a children's playground that's ideal for families, as well as a lake with boat hire available.
- Later, head on over to New Frankfurt Old Town to take in the redevelopment of the city's Old Town, which was almost in ruins after World War II. Römerberg is at the heart of the regeneration, with several historic museums nearby.
- If you're looking to soak up the best nightlife Frankfurt has to offer, check out the suburb of Bornheim. It has a laid-back, bohemian feel, and is welcoming to both locals and tourists alike. In addition, there are various pubs, bars and restaurants to explore.
Day 3: Enjoy a sightseeing cruise down the River Main
- So long as the weather is good, get a unique perspective of Frankfurt from the River Main. Hop aboard for a sightseeing cruise, showcasing the city's skyline, including the home of the European Central Bank.
- The city is also teeming with operators offering bike and e-bike hire to explore Frankfurt on two wheels – ideal for killing some time before your flight home.
- With Frankfurt Airport (FRA) just a short train or bus ride from the city centre, you can still make the most of your last day if you have an evening flight. Alternatively, you may wish to find an airport hotel in Frankfurt to catch an early morning flight on Day 4.
- Be mindful that if you're flying out of Frankfurt-Hahn you'll need to give yourself at least two hours to get there by public transport from the city centre.
In order to discover the beautiful landscapes of the surroundings, you can always rent a car in Frankfurt and travel the open road.
Frequently asked questions about flights to Frankfurt
What's the name of the Frankfurt airport(s)?
There are two primary airports serving Germany's financial capital: Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN). The latter is the most popular route for low-cost carriers but the downside is that it's 75 miles from Frankfurt's city centre. Whereas Frankfurt Airport is just 7.5 miles southwest of Frankfurt city centre.
Which airlines offer direct flights to Frankfurt?
Frankfurt is well-served by airlines in the UK. Ryanair, British Airways and Lufthansa all fly daily from the UK to both Frankfurt am Main and Frankfurt Hahn airports.
How can I request assistance for children travelling alone?
If you're sending a minor to Frankfurt alone, for whatever reason, it's important to make your airline aware of the situation as soon as possible. The majority of airlines – including low-cost operators – will offer travel assistance for children travelling alone, but requests should be made in plenty of time to avoid any issues. The typical minimum age for an unaccompanied minor to fly to Frankfurt alone is five.
How can I travel with the assistance dog?
It's best to contact your airline directly if you need mobility assistance from your departure airport to Frankfurt. There's limited availability for assistance dogs for blind travellers, so it's best to call or email your airline plenty of time before your trip to Frankfurt.
How can I find cheap flights to Frankfurt with flexible change policies at Opodo?
Head back to the top of this page and use our search function to search for flights to Frankfurt from your preferred departure airport. To get the lowest available prices, it's a good idea to become an Opodo Prime member. If you're prepared to pay a little extra, Flex and Super Flex airfares will also give you the flexibility to change your flight time or date of departure for free.
How can I book cheap hotels on Opodo in Frankfurt?
It's easy to arrange a package-deal trip to Frankfurt, including both the flight and accommodation, with Opodo. All you have to do is provide your departure airport and Frankfurt as your destination airport. Set your departure and return dates, as well as the number of passengers you're searching for, and hit the 'Search Flight + Hotel' button. We compare millions of hotels and accommodations daily for our customers, so you can be sure we'll find the best value accommodation for your stay in Frankfurt.
What baggage do I need to check on my flight?
Although it depends from airline to airline, the general rule of thumb is that all passengers can take one small bag into the cabin for flights to Frankfurt. The bag must be small enough to be placed underneath your seat during take-off and landing. Depending on your airfare and the level you choose to pay, it may be possible to take a small suitcase on board, so long as it weighs no more than 10kg. Any larger or heavier luggage must be checked into the plane's hold and reclaimed at Frankfurt Airport.
How can I check in with Opodo?
If you decide to buy flights to Frankfurt with us, the simplest route to checking in online is via your airline. We've also got a handy, comprehensive guide to online check-ins for major airlines serving Frankfurt, including British Airways and Lufthansa.
Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight from my departure city to Frankfurt?
If you've bought flights to Frankfurt with Opodo and you've made an error, it's easy to cancel them without having to pay a penny so long as it's on the day of your booking. You can also choose to include our Cancel for Any Reason Guarantee at the time of booking your flights. This gives you the flexibility to cancel at any time, for any reason, for an excess fee worth only 20% of the original booking. Outside of this, you may have to pay a higher cancellation fee, depending on your airline and ticket conditions.
How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?
If the distance of your flight to Frankfurt is below 932 miles, your flight must be two hours late to receive compensation in the form of food and drink vouchers or accommodation. If your flight is between 933-2174 miles, the window for compensation opens when your flight is three hours late. Flights delayed longer than this will be due further compensation so long as the delay is the fault of the airline. You can typically expect £220 per person at this stage. Five-hour-long delays require your airline to issue a full refund within a week of your date of departure.
Best season to visit Frankfurt
Frankfurt isn't famed for its warm weather. At least not in comparison with other parts of mainland Europe, particularly those in France, Spain and Italy. The winter months are particularly cold and wet in Frankfurt, with average temperatures eventually creeping up to 11 degrees in March.
May boasts average temperatures of 19 degrees, but it has one of the highest average rainfalls of the year at 85mm. June appears to be the perfect balance with average highs of 24 degrees and significantly less rainfall, ideal if you're sightseeing.
July, August and September are also warmer, with average high temperatures of 26, 25 and 21 degrees respectively. Even average highs in October are still 15 degrees, but November and December start to get chillier.
Overall, June through September is arguably the best time of the year to see the sights of Frankfurt, with December one of the coldest and wettest months of the year.
