Frankfurt, worth it?
 

Hi,

I have a 5 hour layover in Frankfurt and wanted to know if its worth leaving the airport for a quick tour of the city.

I enjoy architecture, music, history, beer ;), fine arts, food, etc. If you get the jist, I enjoy many things in life, so I am sure Frankfurt has something for me.

Is 5 hours too short (mind u let's calculate 3 Hours to be in the safe zone) to hit up the main area in Frankfurt? I understand that the airport is reltively close to downtown, but is this where most of the attractions are?

I will be arriving at 10:00 and departing at 15:00, throw some suggestions my way.

Thank you.

You really don't have time. The main train station is only 10 minutes from the airport and the main square a few minutes more on the train or a 20 minute walk.

When you add all the additional time - deplaning, passport control, buying your ticket, waiting for the train into town (every 15 minutes), 10 minute ride into town plus changing trains to get to the main square. Then reversing the process and being at the airport a good 1.5 hours ahead to go through security and get to your gate.

You might have an hour or an hour and a half. At most you could go to Romer and have some lunch. The Dom is right there so you could look into the church.

I would be stressed doing this.

I am very open to taking a taxi and would actually prefer it over the train. Would this option give me more time?

It depends on where you're going in Frankfurt. I've never taken a taxi from the Frankfurt airport as the train is so easy.

If you think you can make it back to the airport on time why not? I would just hang around Romerberg Sq. for a couple of hours. Better than sitting around the airport.

This is what I would most likely do: go to Mainz instead of Frankfurt. It is just as easy and has a lovely city center. Walk around, have lunch.

I have gone into Frankfurt and might do it again - if the first flight arrives on time. I would take the train, then a tram or quick walk to the Rommer Platz. I think it is worth it. Get a bite to eat. Sit outside. Walk down to the river.

Whichever you do:
Is your luggage checked through to your next stop? If you have it with you, you would have to check it at left luggage, wouldn't want to lug it around with you, and it will take time to check it and pick it up again.

Make sure you know exactly where you will be boarding for your next flight, and where to go through security, etc. Allow plenty of time to catch the train back and to check back in.

Mainz is further away from the airport and with only 5 hours total, why spend even more of this short time on a train or on extra taxi costs? Mainz is a great city to visit but not one to recommend with a 5 hour layover.

Once your flight arrives, it will take you about 30-45 min. to get out to the taxi stand. If your next flight is inter-Europe, you should be back at the airport going through security about 1.5 hours before departure. If you are flying to the US, 2 hours.

There are luggage storage facilities where you can store your carry-ons for 7 euro per bag.

A taxi into Frankfurt depending on the day of the week will cost about 35 euro to get to the Römer. An all day ticket for the train will cost 8.50. Trains run every 15 min. and take 11 min. to the main station, or 15 min. to the Hauptwache, which is the station you want if you would like to go to the Römer area.

What are the dates? There may be a fest in town.

Visit the Kaiserdom, Alte Nikolai, the Karmeliter Cloister, the Jewish Holocaust Memorial Wall, the Römerberg, & the Klein Markt Halle. For a great view, go up on the Eisener Steg bridge. These sites are all near each other, with the Memorial Wall being the only one that is a bit farther away, but only a 5 min. walk.

What a spectacular site, thanks for all the comments thus far.

I am unsure of my baggage situation as this will probably be something I find out during my arrival in Frankfurt but as mentioned previously, I will most likely check it in at the storage facility if in fact it is given back to me.

As for the taxi fare, that is quite expensive consider it will have to be a round trip, I may have to resort to the train and will look into that being my primary method of transportation.

I foresee myself just making a trip to romer and relaxing in a coffee shop/bar. I want to stay away from trying to see it all without seeing much in the end...less is more they say.