How to get from Frankfurt Airport to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (hbf)
Frankfurt's Hauptbahnhof station is the main ground transportation hub of the city with daily connections to numerous regions in Germany as well as to most central European countries. Directly traveling from Frankfurt airport to Hauptbahnhof station is only possible via taxi services or the train network. Frankfurt airport taxis normally take around 20 minutes considering moderate traffic levels and fares will range around 25€. On the other hand, any train line from the airport to Hauptbahnhof station needs 14 minutes at most for the trip while one way tickets cost 3.80€. Due to the availability and efficiency of Frankfurt's railway system bus routes to the central district of the city have been terminated.
Comparison of the options
OPTION | PRICE | DURATION | AVAILABILITY | |
---|
Taxi | €25 | 20min | 24/7 | |
Train | €7.60 | 14min | 04:11–23:58 | |
How to get from Frankfurt airport to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (hbf) by taxi
There are numerous taxi options from Frankfurt airport including private operators who normally offer additional services and fixed prices to attract visitors. Regular metered taxis are always cream colored and carry the common black and yellow taxi roof sign contrary to private taxi vehicles which can be found in any color. On average, the trip duration to Hauptbahnhof station takes around 20 minutes, while the common rate is 25€.
Taxi fare from Frankfurt airport to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (hbf)
With regular metered taxis the total price for the trip is heavily affected by traffic levels, while private companies offer slightly higher but fixed rates. Light or no traffic would make metered taxis the cheaper option, though heavy midday traffic would make private taxis more preferred. The common fare regardless of the service provider should be around 25€ under normal circumstances.
Convenience
Although, traveling from Frankfurt airport to (Main) Hauptbahnhof (hbf) station via taxi service is not the cheaper nor the fastest option, it s certainly the most convenient in terms of privacy, comfort and security. Moreover, the cost can always be reduced by hiring a taxi with multiple people.
Editor’s Note
It is generally advised to always prebook your taxi before you arrive at Frankfurt airport to avoid waiting in queue lines. For more information about your destination you can talk with the airport's taxi service desk.
Useful Tips
When pre-booking a taxi always make sure there are no additional hidden fees in the price.
Larger vehicles accommodating a group of 7 or more are normally hired by the airport taxi service staff instead of waiting at the ranks.
All taxi operators are obliged to provide an official receipt upon request. How to get from Frankfurt airport to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (hbf) by train
There are three major train lines heading to the renowned Hauptbahnhof station on a daily basis. The S9, S8 and ICE are capable of transporting travelers in just under 14 minutes between the two stations. The trains depart frequently throughout the whole day including weekends. Lastly, a regular one way ticket from Frankfurt airport to Hauptbahnhof (hbf) station costs 3.80€.
How much is the train from Frankfurt airport to Hauptbahnhof (hbf)?
Regular S line tickets from the airport to Hauptbahnhof station cost 3.80€ for adults and 1.90€ for children up to 14 years of age. On the other hand, the long distance ICE train ticket costs 14€.
Cost
3.80€
Trip Duration
14 Min.
Waiting time for the S8 and S9 lines is around 10 minutes, while for the ICE it ranges from 1 to 3 hours.
Operating hours: S8 - 4:28 AM - 11:58 PM / S9 - 4:11 AM - 11:11 PM. The ICE (long distance train) has variable daily operating hours.
Where do I get it from?
The train station connecting Frankfurt airport to the city is located on level zero of Terminal 1. Clear signs throughout the airport can help travelers locate the train station. The long distance train station is located on level -1 of terminal 1. Tickets can be purchased through the RVM ticket machines at the airport, online as well as from the RVM counters at the station.
Convenience
Although both the S network and the ICE regional train offer transportation to Hauptbahnhof station, there is no real need to use the regional train since the S line is much cheaper and constantly available. Moreover, the S line network offers further connections while traveling to Hauptbahnhof station.
Editor’s Note
It is also possible to get the Frankfurt Card which is a type of a 1-2 day ticket with additional benefits, such as reduced prices for popular events and places of interest.
Useful Tips
You can obtain information at any time on timetables and fares, leisure tips and more information on all aspects of RMV from the staff at the RMV Service Hotline on: 069 - 24 24 80 24.
You can also download the RVM application for extra information about: Route maps - direct access / Traffic reports / Car and bike sharing with the eTicket RheinMain etc.