DeborahAnn

For our first trip to Germany in May 2012 my plan includes one night in Frankfurt before we return to the US on a midday flight.. What location would you recommend if we want convenience to the airport as well as for our arrival to the city by train from Munich.

We'd like to spend our short time in Frankfurt near the attractions in the city rather than stay close to the airport. Thanks, Deborah

Russ

If it's just an evening, Mainz is nearly as close to FRA as Frankfurt is - just 22 min. by train. It's more compact and has a really nice little old town section with pedestrians-only zones, cafes, wine bars, a handsome Romanesque cathedral, and a grand Marktplatz.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...rschgarten.jpg

http://www.mainzer-marktplatz.de/ima...tplatz-500.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...zer_Dom_nw.jpg

This shot of the train station closest to FRA and the old town - the Mainz Römisches Theater station - shows the Roman theater being excavated there:

http://www.theatrum.de/uploads/pics/...ftbild_800.jpg

The Ibis is one block from the station and convenient to the old town:

http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-10...nz/index.shtml

adrienne

I stay near the train station at either the Excelsior or the National. It's 10 minutes to the airport and the trains run 4 times per hour. Very easy to get to the airport in the morning for your flight home.

The main square (Romer) is a short walk (15 to 20 minutes) or a shorter tram ride from the station so you're convenient to restaurants/cafes.

The tram system is great and you can access any of the sights you want to see.

Although Mainz has the church with the fabulous Chagall windows. You could spend the afternoon looking at the windows and never be bored.

Mainhattengirl

If you tell us what date in May, I can let you know what festivals will be taking place. There are always lots of them in the Spring and Summer. Also, if you let us know what your interests are, we can make some suggestions. Some of the museums are open later on certain days.

What kind of budget do you have for a hotel and what kind of amenities. There are some beautiful boutique hotels near the city center, as well as some in the residential neighborhoods, like Westend, Bornheim, or Sachsenhausen. The public transportation is easy to use, but if you are staying near the train station, you can pretty much walk anywhere in downtown Frankfurt in about 20 min.

DeborahAnn

Thanks for the replies. We will be staying one night, Wed, May 30th. I believe the History Museum is open late that evening as well as the Schirn Arts Center.

A double bed ensuite toilet and shower for less than 120 euros would be preferred. Hotel amenities that include free wifi would be helpful to confirm our plane reservations. We would be comfortable in 2* or 3* accommodations within walking distance to either of the attractions I mentioned as well as to the station for the train to the airport.

Thanks for any suggestions, Deborah

Mainhattengirl

The History Museum has been torn down, and though part of it is to re-open in Feb. the rest of it will have to wait for a couple of years. Not sure of their hours yet.

Any other museums? Applied Arts, Staedel, Archeology, Judengasse or Jewish Museum, Modern Art, Film, Architecture, Communication, Bible, Icon, or the Liebieg Haus sculpture museums are your other choices.

Ibis on the Friedensbruche has a nice view and is close to the train station. Hotel Nizza, Holiday Inn Express, Adina Hotel, Victoria Hotel, Intercontinental, Spener Haus, Hotel Mirimar, Excelsior, Hotel Monopol, are just a few. Check on www.hrs.com to find out rates and availability.

DeborahAnn

Thanks Mainhattengirl--hopefully further research would have told me the History Museum was closed Deborah

dfourh

Agree with Russ: Mainz is a nice experience.

I've stayed there a few times in similar situations, and would stay there again at the drop of a hat. You can have a look at hotels with great rates close to the train station (designated by distance in tenths of kilometers from the train icon) and traveler reviews here: www.hotels.de

easytraveler

The area around the main train station in Frankfurt isn't that great an area.

Have you tried bedandbreakfast.de? Or tripadvisor?

bedandbreakfast.de has an English language version. You can find an apartment for less than $100 situated in the Innerstadt. If you click on a listing, it will give you more information on the property.

Hope you find something you like!

DeborahAnn

Thanks for the comments and recommendations. Adrienne's hotel recommendations have good reviews on tripadvisor. I'll check on the Ibis, we've used that chain in France. I didn't think to check bedandbreakfast so will look into that.

We'll save a stay in Mainz for our 2nd trip to Germany!! thanks again, Deborah