swandav2000

Hi All,

I just searched the forum and found one post saying it takes 2h to 2h30 to get out of FRA. Wondering if that's still the case? Yes, I'm trying to plan my train departure!

Thanks!

s

xyz99

For the first time, we flew through FRA in Sept. And if I can help it, for the last time, too.
That is the most unfriendly airport we’ve been in – from the limited waiting areas between connecting flights to the long, disorganized lines, and rules that make you stay in a line first on a given gate/floor, then in a different line (no announcement, just follow some airport representative) on a different floor, then in a different line somewhere else….never again!

It took us more than 3 hrs to clear it – we were lucky we had over 4hrs connecting time, but we barely had time for lunch. No time for any duty free shopping

Girlspytravel

I've said it on this board at least 4 times, FRA is THE WORST airport to connect through, bar none, particularly if your flight arrives late, and obviously, you have to go from Terminal 1 to 2, or vice versa, which takes you by bus, then you go tearing through the exit stairwells running, running running, for miles, and then you get to passport control-the line is incredibly long, then some officious German agent starts yelling at you to take your hands off the counter where you give over your passport-seriously-that happened to me two years ago-I've not forgotten it.

In the 80's, I practically lived in this airport-I avoid it like the plague now-these people here who complain about CDG all the time really ought to spend some time making connections out of FRA-then they WOULD have something to complain about, CDG has got NOTHING on FRA!

Grcxx3

I agree that the FRA aiport is the pits. But I have never had trouble making connections (even tight ones). I have only experienced unfriendly people a couple of times, and I agree that some of the rules about gate check-ins are really annoying, but for me - it's just that there is NOTHING there!

We fly in and out of FRA each summer when we return to the US, so I have gotten to know the airport much better than I would like. There is nothing to eat (with the exception of McD's or a smoke filled pub), no comfortble places to sit, and lousy Duty Free shops. Fortunately we generally have use of one of the lounges - and I don't know what we would do if we didn't!

I would prefer to go thru Vienna, but the Lufthansa flight times are so much better for us. Oh well...........

To the OP - I would allow yourself 2+ hours just to give yourself plenty of time. No point in being rushed.

martytravels

I've only ever arrived at FRA, never connected thru or departed from it. But listening to the stories, plus my personal experiences with Heathrow and CDG, makes me glad most of my European transit is through Amsterdam Schiphol.

swandav2000

Thanks all, I really appreciate it.

Yes, thank goodness I'm not making an air connection so only have to get my bag & get out to the train station. I usually arrive in ZRH and usually get out in 30-45 minutes. So I was surprised to see it takes two hours at FRA!

Thanks again!

s

Ackislander

Funny, I have connected in Frankfurt twice in the last month (BOS-FRA-LIS, BCN-FRA-BOS) with none of the problems you all report.

I would have to say that signage is not great but we made a BCN-BOS connection in 45 minutes, including passport control, and we found plenty to eat besides McDonalds, plenty of places to sit in waiting areas, and as much shopping as we wanted to do on an earlier four hour layover.

Is it gorgeous like Madrid or Munich? No. Is it serviceable and efficient? In our experience, yes.

olyman

Sorry, but I have to disagree on FRA. We have been through there each summer for the last 3 years with 2 adults and 2 kids. Arriving on Lufthansa (from Portland or Vancouver BC)we went straight through customs, with a wait ranging from 1 person in line in front of us to 4 people - never took more than 5 minutes wait. Baggage was always there and we would go straight to the car rental. Customs agent were never a problem for us and always seemed friendly. On the return there is extra security for those going to the US versus Canada, so there is a little longer wait.

W9London

I'm not even sure if we are all talking about the same airport... Or maybe my expectation has been modified after countless LHR and CDG flights?

I find T1 (where Luftie lands) is quite easy to navigate. I never had a problem with passport control officers--maybe they're not gushing with smiles, but at least they are efficient and courteous. Adequate shopping and restaurants on the airside.

However, you'll get a different story if you're using T2. Facilities are VERY limited, and you need to go use that monorail/people mover thing before getting to the train station.

Though I must confss I usually fly to/from FRA, instead of using it as a connex hub.

LoriS

FWIW, landed last Wed around 7:30am and after gathering luggage and walking to the train station, was easily able to catch 8:30 train. Probably could have caught the 8:00, but that would have been cutting it close.

adeben

I have flown to Frankfurt many times over the past decade, always at the end of a 24 hour flight from Australia. I have been disembarked, through customs and immigration, and at the railway station within the hour on every occasion. I usually fly Singapore, and the flight lands at about 6.30AM which may make exiting easier. I find it a most efficient airport.

Larryincolorado

In the last few years I have flown into FRA four times. The first time was into terminal 2, and I had no idea where things were, so it took a while to get to the Fernbahnhof. The last three times I'm sure I have been at the Fernbahnhof well within an hour of landing.

However, I travel with just a carry-on bag. That makes a real difference in getting out of any airport.

I also changed flights once from one from Munich to one to Denver -concourse A to concourse B. I only had an hour and made the connection with a little time to spare.

However, I would not recommend to anyone to make firm plans for a specific train. Transatlantic flights are often late arriving.

swandav2000

Hi all,

Thank you all for responding.

Yes, it took less than an hour; it was quick & efficient, even with checked luggage. I went in Dec.

Thanks!

s