Layover in Frankfurt
 

Hello Fodorites,
We will have a layover of 4.5 hours in Frankfurt at the end of June, before continuing on to Naples. Would we have enough time to leave the airport, take a quick look around the city, and get back in time for our flight? My only thought might be to have a cab drive us around the historic parts, and head back to the airport, but it really doesn't seem doable to me. Others in my group would like to see a bit of Germany before moving on. Thoughts?

Seeing a small portion of Frankfurt is not the same thing as seeing Germany. This is like going into Newark, NJ for an hour and saying you've seen the USA.

You will have a very short time to go into town (I've only gone into town by train, not taxi). Let's say it takes you 30 minutes to get to the train station, buy your ticket then wait for the next train. 10 minutes to the main train station and a 20 minute walk to Romer (or take another train but that will take almost as much time to figure out where to get the train and get to Romer unless you have directions before you go). So an hour. You then need to allow an hour to get back from Romer (including train connections). That's 2 hours.

Once you get to the airport you need to go through security so allow an hour to navigate the airport.

You might have an hour in Frankfurt. I don't know what you'll see from a cab - better off walking around Romer for a bit.

Adrienne,
That was pretty much what I thought, too much time in transit, not enough time to see anything. I know seeing a small portion of Frankfurt is not the same as seeing Germany. Thanks for your quick response.

The airport has a brochure with some ideas what to do at the airport or further away.
http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/con.../transfer.html

Technically, there is no difference if you stay airside the whole time or exit through customs to explore the landside parts of the airport. You will go through security this way or that way.

If your incoming flight arrives on time, it will take you appr. 30 minutes after you cleared passport control and walked out baggage claim - except when your plane arrives so early that you hit the morning rush hour (appr. from 7.30-9.30).

Hi, I don't think the cab thing would work in Frankfurt. The parts really worth seeing are not drive-bys (if that is even a word). (i.e. the Römerberg is a square not open to traffic, the museums need a visit and so on).

With so little time I don't think I'd bother - Frankfurt Airport is actually a pretty good airport and I think you could fill up quite a bit of time. Grab a shower or a long meal and that will eat up most of your time.

Lavandula

Thank you all for your responses. I think we'll entertain ourselves by staying inside the airport.