Frankfurt
 

On our return flight to SFO, we have a 5.5 hour layover in Frankfurt. It would be nice to see Frankfurt even for just a little bit. Would this be possible? If it is, where should we go? What's faster train or taxi? We arrive around noon and leave close to 6pm. Any advise would be much appreciated. I would hate to sit around and read a book in the airport...if I could spend even just an hour or so downtown.

The train connection between the airport and Frankfurt city is fast, convenient and inexpensive (faster and more reliable than a taxi).

The train station is virtually within the airport. You buy a ticket at one of the vending machines and board the next incoming train. No reservation needed. The ride takes 18 min and the trains depart every 5 min or so (take S-Bahn or RE for lower fare, ICE trains are not faster but require more expensive tickets).

Within the city, you can see the historical center (Römer), museums (some are outstanding), restaurants, shopping etc.

See

www.frankfurt.de

Thank you traveller1959. Good to know it doesn't take an hour to get to the city center from the airport. By the way, what do you know about Mainz. Some say its better than Frankfurt?..If it were you, would you go Frankfurt or Mainz?Thanks again.

Mainz = a small quaint old city with a cathedral featuring chagall windows.
Frankfurt: a large metropolitan with a small reconstructed oldtown (Roemer) and a huge shopping and food restaurant areas. Staedel museum for good art. It's also known as the Mainhattan along the Main river.

Actually Mainz has a Romanesque cathedral plus a different church (St. Stephan's) with Chagall stained glass windows. It also has the Gutenberg museum and a pleasant Altstadt. I would pick Mainz for the layover unless you are really interested in one of the museums in Frankfurt (as noted there are several good ones)

Thanks for clearing that up Vttraveler, I should really paid more attention to the churches in Mainz.

Another choice is Wiesbaden which is an affluent & well preserved thermal spa city just across the river from Mainz.