Flight from Berlin to Frankfurt?

This past summer I fly from Munich to Berlin via Air Berlin. I had pruchased my ticket months in advance and only paid $60 one-way.

When you are looking at travel to Frankfurt, don't overlook the train. There are more trains from Berlin to Frankfurt than there are planes, and they go from downtown to downtown. The trains take 4-5 hours. When you figure in time to the airport, checking in, security, waiting to board, waiting after boarding, flight time, deplaning, and finding ground transportation and the time from the airport, you can easily spend 5 hours. I just found an ICE with a €29 Sparpreis fare from Berlin to Frankfurt for mid-December. So, if you find you are looking too late to get the best air fares, check the Bahn. But, realistically, whether you fly or train it, for a day trip, you'll probably spend more time in transit than you will spend in Frankfurt.

Sarah, I definitely agree with Lee. Train would be a better option on that route as air travel would undoubtedly take longer (and would absolutely be more of a hassle!). How many days are you planning to spend visiting your friend in Frankfurt? Were you planning to travel there just on a day trip. Cheers!

That 6:08 train is an ICE-Sprinter, the fastest of the trains between Berlin and Frankfurt. The fare will be higher due to a mandatory reservation, €11,50 each way in 2nd class. There is another ICE-Sprinter returning to Berlin at 18:13, so you could have a little over 8 hours in Frankfurt. There are also slower, less expensive trains leaving a little later but getting into Berlin after 11 PM.

Check your map. Frankfurt is not a day trip from Berlin.

Sarah, If you plan on a Berlin-Frankfurt-Berlin day trip, I suggest also the train. It can be done as a day trip but will take some timing, such as traveling before 0800. If I were to do this, I would take the 0608 departure from Berlin Hbf, arriving at 0942, which gives you several hours before returning to Berlin. Both legs are direct connections. Normally, I don't do day trips if the total train riding time exceeds seven hours, but it depends on the circumstances or the site.

Can you arrange to meet him half-way someplace - like Leipzig maybe? Or make him come to you in Berlin, why should you have all the hassle and expense....I'm with Lee and the others, take the train if you go.

Train? I really don't want to spend 4-5 hours on a train because I only have one day to visit. Flights are only an hour...

He actually recommended flying just because it's not as long. But on the other hand, I don't want to spend all my time traveling instead of seeing things.

Sarah, While the actual flight time may only be an hour, you also have to factor-in the time travelling to and from the airports, waiting times, security, check-in, etc. In my experience, the entire trip often takes 4-5 hours (or more). Has your friend travelled that route by air? IMHO, the time is going to be about the same regardless of whether you travel by air or rail, about 4 hours each way. Spending 8 hours in travel for a visit of a few hours is not something I'd ever recommend. Is there any possibility you could stay for at least one night in Frankfurt? Good luck!

Sarah, Check out skyscanner.com to see flight options for that route. It's going to be a long day no matter how you slice it. The ICE-Sprinter train which leaves at 6:08 am and departs Frankfurt at 6:13 pm takes 3.5 hours each way and may be competitive with a flight, depending on where exactly in those cities you're traveling from. Folks on this board are well used to doing day trips by train but not at all by flying. If you're a business executive or something you may be well accustomed to flying in and out same-day. Diff'rent strokes.

True, Sarah...flying from Frankfurt aM takes one hour to Berlin Tegel. That was the flying time during the Cold War days, ie., pre-1989, since flying from Frankfurt was one of the air corridors to reach West Berlin. I didn't do this route but flew from Hannover instead. You may want to check with Air Berlin, as suggested above, or German Wings for the best flight price, Berlin-Frankfurt-Berlin.

I don't know if he has flown between each city before. Since it's most likely going to take the same amount of time I think I might take an early morning train. At least I could sleep for a little bit. I'm not really worried about how long it will take to get back, just how long it will take to get there. I'll look into the ICE Sprinter. Thanks :)

I realised I put December, I meant November. I might ask if we could meet up somewhere. I've checked flights and trains and nothing really good has shown up. I don't want to spend all day on a plane or train or something.

"I'll look into the ICE Sprinter." The ICE Sprinter is just a fast ICE that goes from Berlin Hbf to Frankfurt(M) Hbf with only one stop, at Berlin Spandau. You can see it on the schedule of the German Rail website leaving Berlin at 6:08. The grey 'R' symbol means reservations are mandatory. You can get full fare tickets at the counter in any Bahnhof or online, or discounted, advance purchase Sparpreis tickets online from the Bahn, at least three days in advance. Sparpreis tickets start at €29, but with the mandatory reservation, Sparpreis Sprinter tickets start at €40,50, one way. The train only runs M-F, not on weekends. It's a pretty popular train with businessmen who want to go to Frankfurt for the day, so the Sparpreis tickets at the lowest prices sell out quickly.