My daughter will be leaving our trip in Croatia, headed back to Seattle. She has a 21 hour layover in Frankfurt (thanks to our attempt to use miles through Alaska Airlnes). Any recommendations for a hotel that would be convenient to the airport and possibly offer a glimpse into the town or something else interesting? Also, any thoughts on how cumbersome customs/security is at the Frankfurt airport?
Thank you!
There’s a Hilton that’s about a 10 minute walk from the terminals. There were 1 or 2 other hotels in the same vicinity.
The airport has good train connection into Frankfurt. I recall the ride into the main train station to be about 20 minutes or so. There are probably many hotel options around there. I did find walking through the old town section to be nice and had a nice dinner nearby.
At the airport itself are the Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and the Sheraton/Marriott.
The train takes between 13-17 min. depending on where you get off. Get a 9€ ticket as long as it is still summer time. They are good for a month.
Customs is a non-issue unless you have something to declare like wads of money.
There are all kinds of things to see and do in Frankfurt, depending on her interests. Message me if you like.
Thank you, Rocket and Ms. Jo! Your comments are very helpful. Sounds like she'll be fine getting a room near the airport and then exploring by train into the city. :)
It is so easy to get into Frankfurt from the airport, she could probably have a room in Frankfurt for less than at the airport, and she might enjoy a walk around Frankfurt led by "Frankfurt on Foot". https://www.frankfurtonfoot.com/
I've stayed at the Ibis Cetrum, less than 10 minutes walk from the train station. Their website says they have an airport shuttle. It's right across the street from the river. Walk or take the tram into the historic center. Plenty to see and do from morning till night.
I don't see any way for her to avoid airline requirements to check in (at a massive airport with some famously long walking distances) three hours before departure time. I suggest she look online a few times now, for some common departure gates used by her future flight home.
As others have mentioned in unrelated discussions here, you have to have a fallback plan in case of transportation difficulties. We were staying at the end of the Kronberg (Frankfurt) S-Bahn line, with non-changeable train tickets to Berlin, in a peak travel month. Our planned S-Bahn train had a passed-out drunk on the floor, and even half-an-hour after the police arrived, there was no sign of the train departing. We called a taxi to the HBF, so as not to miss the train.
I've probably been to Frankfurt three times, for various reasons. It has some excellent attractions, but I would comment that it lends itself less to random walking around than do some "older" European cities. I would suggest that she make a plan for her limited time, in order to make the most of it.
If you google your flight number, for example LH465, it will tell you the gate you are landing or departing from. It will also give you a history of that flight. Is it often on time or late, which gate does it usually use.
Any train can be late because of people on the track, or having heart attacks, train break downs or suicide. Happens all over Germany.
Frankfurt has tons of historic sites to see. Just because they aren't in Ricks book doesn't mean they aren't there. He has his own vision of what Frankfurt is, and he just wants to stick with it. I find it sad.
I just flew through FRA yesterday on my way home to Seattle. Is she by chance on Condor? That’s what I was on and I had gate B45. The person next to me said it took her over 3.5 hours to get to the gate area from start to finish. I connected there so did not have the same experience, but please encourage your daughter to give herself plenty of time. Good luck!
Thanks, everyone, for this great information! Lots to think about. I appreciate the point about getting to the airport early, which I know she will want to do to avoid any problems
Meg - yes, she will be on Condor. That's very helpful to have the gate info and recommendations about time spent to get to the gate. We haven't used Condor before - did you find them to be fairly on-time (and without cancellations/changes)?
