Please sign in to post.

Berlin to Frankfurt Airport - ICE transfer options

Posted by (Washington) on

Hi all,
I'm looking at train times on the DB site for October. We're traveling on a Friday afternoon from Berlin Hbf to the Frankfurt Airport Hilton at the end of two weeks in Germany.

I see that if I book to the Flughafen Fernbf, there's an option to transfer at Erfurt or at Frankfurt Hbf.

The Erfurt transfer time is longer than the Frankfurt transfer, but other than that difference, is there any advantage or disadvantage to transferring in Erfurt aside from it being a smaller station and you make the transfer earlier in the trip? Anything I'm missing or should know before buying tickets?
Specifically, I'm looking at trains leaving after 13:00:
ICE 1509/ICE 1556 (Erfurt transfer) or ICE 377/ICE 620 or 691/622 (both are Frankfurt transfers)

Thank you! I've been to Germany, but it's been years, and I've only taken the train from Frankfurt never to Frankfurt.

Posted by
8261 posts

The 691/622 with change at Frankfurt Hbf looks easy. You arrive and depart from the same Hbf platform, platform #7. If you miss the connection because the first train is delayed, you will have no trouble finding a later train at the Hbf station to make that last 10-minute travel leg.

Posted by
9846 posts

Change at Frankfurt. There is another train every 15 min. at least, from the Hbf to the airport. The way that there are train delays in Germany all the time, that would be the least stressful.

Posted by
19200 posts

Change at Frankfurt. As Ms. Jo stated, DB trains can be late--I have lots of recent experience--and there will be more options to FRA from Frankfurt HBF than Erfut.

Since you are traveling on a Friday, I suggest buying your tickets in advance and getting seat reservations. The train could be crowded and you don't want to have to stand the entire way.

I've seen people standing even in first class. Mostly because the previous train on that route had been canceled.

Posted by
4050 posts

Note that between Frankfurt Hbg and FRA you can take any train if you have an ICE ticket, not just the ICE services, if you were to arrive there delayed. So just take the next train going to the airport, wether that is a ICE, R, RE or S....

Posted by
19200 posts

One caveat.....there are two train stations at Frankfurt airport. One for the local trains, one for the long distance ones.

The long distance trains' station is basically just below the Hilton. The other one is about a 5-10 minute walk.

So, if an ICE train is available it would mean less walking at FRA. If not, take any local/regional service instead. The walk is completely enclosed.

Posted by
1192 posts

Thanks to all for the great advice. We'll plan to change trains in Frankfurt. Yes, I definitely plan to book seat reservations. I appreciate your thoughts and responses!

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.