Hello all,
Is there a preferred search destination for DB Bahn trains from Heidelberg to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) leaving FRA to Houston, Texas USA?
I'll be coming in from Heidelberg Hbf, and flying home from FRA.
Which of these two provides easier access to UNITED and International terminal?
Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbf
or
Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbf
As always thanks for all the great advice!
-Jon
The Frankfurt Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe with multiple runaways and terminals.
The Frankfurt Airport (Flughafen) station is the largest airport train station in Germany and currently has multiple terminals connected by corridors including the "Fernbahnhof" which hosts long distancetrains,and the "Regional Bahnhof" for regional travel.
I think your best journey is via a change at Mannheim to a direct ICE service.
To evaluate your options...
Use Frankfurt(Main)Flugh to get to the airport without designating a specific station, whether you plan to use the long-distance trains (IC, ICE, EC, etc.) OR the regional trains.
If you do a standard search, you will find itineraries that include high-speed trains. Those will typically arrive at the Fernbahnhof - the specific end station WILL be indicated in the itinerary.
If you want to use the regional trains only (for savings, use with day passes) then under "means of transport" be sure to click on "only local transport." That will yield regional trains only and you'll typically end up at the Regionalbahnhof - and this station too WILL be indicated in the itinerary.
That option looks like it comes into
Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf
I see United is in terminal 1.
It appears there are good schedules to either. Is Fernbf closer to terminal 1 than RegionalBf
-Jon
Thanks Russ.
I don't have a preference on regional versus ICE, but should I?
I'm just coming in from Heidelberg, and going straight to the airport.
-Jon
The two train stations (regional and long-distance) are right next to each other, one below the other. No advantage.
I think you can go to the FRA website and see it on a map of the terminals.
The two train stations (regional and long-distance) are right next to
each other, one below the other. No advantage.
Not true, the Regionalbhf is under the building right across the access road from Terminal 1. When you leave the Regionalbhf you come up stairs or escalators into the hall of Terminal 1.
The Fernbahnhof is farther out, on the other side of the Autobahn from the Regionalbhf, although you don't realize it because you are going through an enclosed walkway.
It's a little faster to checkin coming in to the Regionalbhf, but what really matters is what kind of train you want to come to the airport on. The Fernbahnhof is the Bahnhof for the long distance trains (ICEs and ICs). The Regionalbhf is for local trains (REs, RBs, and the S-Bahn).
I would think that coming in from Heidelberg, you would want to come in on an ICE to the Fernbahnhof.
I don't have a preference on regional versus ICE, but should I?
I suggest you try what I explained above - do a normal search without specifying "only local transport", then do a second search where you check the box to specify local transport. You will get different prices, different routings, and different trip durations when you search in these two different modes. Then you can choose what appeals to you. Most people like to pay less as long as the trip isn't too long or too difficult.
"Saver fares" that use one or more long-distance, high-speed trains can be very good but are refundable only against a heavy fee and you must use the specific trains you choose at the time of booking. Prices rise as tickets sell so buy soon.
Regional trains only: There's no need to pre-purchase any of these as you can get the same prices at the station in Heidelberg.
If you want to run by us the choices you find, feel free to do so.
Thanks, everyone. You made that very easy.
We ended up getting a Flexipass fare from Heidelberg at 10:10
(to Mannheim 9 minute transfer to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf)
Via RE 12056 and ICE 612
I wanted the flexibility in fares in case something went wrong. It gets us to airport train station 2.75 hours before flight
We paid for reserved seats, just since it was our last trip together. I assume I didn't really need to do that.
I am amazed at how good transportation is. I started this journey with the idea of renting a car for 18 days, and am down to no car except for 3 days in Tuscany earlier in the trip.
-Jon
