What to do with 8hr layover in Frankfurt

Ok, I'll start this off by saying "Get with the program and hit the ground running!" You're not in the USA anymore and learning the marvels of the European transit is your first lesson. Its easy! Your checked bags should transfer automatically to your connecting flight to Florence. Store any other big carry ons in a luggage locker, get some Euros from the ATM, and head into Frankfurt, it's only minutes away on the frequent and fast trains. Don't worry about your lack of German, as Frankfurt is a major International Airport and business center. Almost anyone you are likely to have contact with is likely to know some English. Just follow the RS mantra and start out every transaction with "Sprechen Sie English?" Even if they don't, they will likely find someone who does. You should get through immigation in no time. You should be in Frankfurt city center one hour after you touch down. That gives you 4 hours to explore, soak up the culture, see the sights (get a guide book). So just because your a newbie, and might get on the wrong train, I suggest to think about heading back to the airport around 5 pm. You'll be at your gate by 6 wondering why your there so early. Going through the security gauntlet is the longest part. You don't need to go through immigration again because you're already in Europe. This is going to be a blast. I'll shut up now and let others critique my sage advice.

The only thing you can walk to from the airport are parking garages and the Sherton hotel. There are some restaurants and shops in the airport, but why limit yourself to that? As the other poster noted, you're going to use trains all the time in Europe, so why shy away from them now? Downtown Frankfurt could not be easier to reach. Just follow the signs to the airport trainstation, and buy a ticket from one of the machines. I'll let Jo from Frankuft chime in on things to do in the city. Or if Frankfurt doesn't interest you, nearby Wiesbaden, Mainz and Darmstadt are just as easy to visit.

Nothing to critique, Sam's advice is excellent! Train travel and language issues in Germany, particularly in FRANKFURT is going to be a lot easier than what you'll encounter in Italy. I don't know if there's a more English-friendly city in Germany than Frankfurt.

Once you land, you should emerge into the airport in about 45 min. Your estimates of 4-5 hours, is way over the top. There is no customs in Frankfurt, just passport control. The train into the city takes 11 min. or 3 stops. Store your carry-on at either the luggage storage facility in the airport, which costs 7.50 per bag, or store it in a locker at the main train station. The Regional train station is by Arrivals B-1, on the lowest level of the terminal. The ticket machines switch to English, so buy yourself an all day ticket for 8 euro. Use a 10 euro bill for this, no credit cards or bigger bills. Go to track 1 and get on any train that stops there. They all go to the city. When you get off, walk out the main doors of the station, and walk down that street. This is the Kaiser Str. After about a 15 min. walk, you will be at the Hauptwache and center of the city. There is a wine fest going on at the Fressgasse until the 7th, if you want a bite to eat and a glass of Riesling from the Rhine vineyards. About 3 blocks from here is the Roemer and the river Main. Go up on the Eisener Steg Bridge for the best views of the dozen museums that line the river banks as well as the lovely skyline. Visit the Kaiserdom, the Alte Nikolai, the Klein Markt Halle, the Jewish Holocaust Memorial Wall that surrounds the medieval Jewish cemetery that dates back to 1272, Next to the Stock Market, which is about 2 min. from the Hauptwache, they have a very large Farmers Market on Friday. At the end of the market is the Eschenheimer Turm, a beautiful guard tower built in 1425. If it is a clear day, walk to the top of the Kaiserdom steeple, or if you would rather not walk, go to the top of the Main Tower. You can take an S-bahn back to the airport from the Hauptwache. This is the S-8 or S-9 and they run every 15 min. and will take you about 14 min. to get to the airport. If your flight is at 21:00, you should be at the airport by 19:30 at the latest.

I understand one of the leaders of that tour speaks real good English.

http://frankfurt-on-foot-cityguide.blogspot.com/ You bet. They have a really comprehensive knowledge of not only central Frankfurt but also towns and cities for some distance away. I had a really good walk with them around Buedingen - a wonderful small walled town like an unspoiled Rothenburg - that I'd never heard of. Absolutely recommend them...

Thank you all for the wonderful ideas, hopefully I can make my layover much more fun.