I usually travel by air, not train, so I can use some advice from experienced train travellers. I am taking the train from Amsterdam to Frankfurt on a Saturday morning to pick up my flight home, which leaves the next day (the things we do for upgrades!!!). I'd like to have at least half a day, on Saturday, in Frankfurt. I have two train choices: a 6:34am direct train, arriving at 10:41am or an 8:04am with a change at Frankfurt Airport arriving at 12:13. I'd really rather take the 8:04am, but I remember, once, having a really hard time getting my suitcase on and off the train (up and down the steps onto the train) and I'm a little concerned about having to do it twice and rushing to make the connection. I'll be in 1st class. Will there be someone to help with the bags or am I better off, biting the bullet and taking the 6:34am. The next direct train is at 10:34am. Thanks!!!

I wouldn't waste a minute in Frankfurt if it took a half second from Amsterdam.

On trains you carry your own stuff. Search this forum for "pack light" to get ideas. You are spending only 3 days so you certainly don't need any more than a carry-on.

If you do abandon Amsterdam on Saturday morning then take a train to Düsseldorf and enjoy the shopping on Königsallee and the pubs in Altstadt. Catch an early ICE direct to Frankfurt Flughafen for your flight.

I agree with hopscotch, I've done it a few times. Alternatively you can also stop in Cologne to view the famous cathedral. The ICE train ride is just 1 hour long to the FRA airport. It will also cut down your train ride from Amsterdam.

Go ahead and take the 08:04 train to the airport. If you don't want to rush to make the connection to the ICE train, then take the S-Bahn. Trains you could catch in a leisurely fashion depart at 12:17, 12:32, and 12:36, etc.

Thanks Tim!

You're welcome, flyer!

But the S-Bahn station is about 250 yards closer to the terminal. They are not the same station.

And the ICE station isn't that large. Of all the dates I've looked ICE 105 uses Platform Fern 5, while ICE 29 uses Platform Fern 4. They should be adjacent and easy to get from one to the other.

rkkwan: You are right. The platforms are right across from one another. That part is no problem. My only concern was getting my bag on and off the train, twice...

hop the direct train to Frankfurt Airport, stash you bags in left luggage and take an overnight day pack into town so you have no luggage to Schlepp around - or even consider staying at one of many airport periphery hotels.

There is one more thing that I suppose I could do... I could stay at a hotel near the airport (provided there's a really nice one)-- hop off the train at the airport, drop the bags, take the S-Bahn into town for the day, come back in the evening. Next morning, get up, havebreakfast and no rush to the airport. I'm there. Is that a crazy idea?

It's all a matter of choice. I personally never like staying at the Frankfurt airport area, plain boring. I also like to be able to walk out of the hotel into a city street rather than having to be at the airport. Staying at the airport just signifies the end of my trip. Since Frankfurt is only a 15 minute S bahn ride from downtown Frankfurt, I'd rather stay downtown since the airport hotel bus will take just as long.