Frankfurt connection to Train? How long?

When is the next departure after the 0852? Does anything bad happen if you don't make the 0852, is there a ripple effect on something else?

The next train is 0937. I can obviously do that too, but the fare is a bit better if I can catch the 0852.

I realize the connection may be tight, but since I won't have any checked bags, I didn't know if that might make the 0852 'do-able' if the flight is on time...

There are two train station at FRA. The close-in (under the building across the street from Terminal 1) station is called the "Regionalbahnhof" and services mostly regional trains and S-Bahn headed to/from Frankfurt main station. The farther out station (accessible from the 2nd floor mezzanine in Terminal 1 via sky bridge over the Autobahn) is the Fernbahnhof, which services long distance trains (ICE/IC/EC). According to the Bahn website, there are no train departing either station at 8:52!!

In 8 arrivals by plane in Germany, I have never gone through customs. The last six were Post-Schengen. When I cleared passpost control, I walked down the hall, past the door marked luggage claim (I carry on) and out to the lobby. I guess customs is in the side room with luggage claim, but there were no sign saying I had to go there.

The Skyline might take 5-6 minutes station to station, but there will be more time getting to/from the stations which are on the roof of the building.

"...According to the Bahn website, there are no train departing either station at 8:52!! "

That's strange, I'm on the bahn.de site right now and I see it right there, connecting from the Fernbanhof to Hannover (ICE 672) departing at 0852.

I should clarify, my trip isn't until middle January, so maybe that's why you didn't see it...

Bottom line. I think you have plenty of time to catch an 8:52 train (but we know that is not the correct time).

If you are using the Regionalbahnhof, the entrance is from inside the lobby of Terminal 1. Go down the stair just inside the outside wall. There are ticket machines in the area under the street.

If you are using the Fernbahnhof, it will take a little longer. Look for escalators, on the left near the outside wall in the Terminal 1 lobby, leading to the mezzanine, then go through the sky bridge across the access road and out the long hallway to the upper level of the Fernbahnhof. The ticket counter is to your left and there should be ticket automats scattered around.

Thank you very much for your experience and expertise. I'm not sure how to explain why you don't see the 0852 departure to Hannover; that seems a bit worrisome - I don't want to book and pay for a 'ghost train' :-), but at least I feel better about being able to make the connection if everything is running on time...

Mark: Is there a reason why you have to book it in advance, or can you pay when you get to the station?

There's a special fare, called a "Dauer-Spezial" of $29 Euros if I buy online, in advance. Basically it's just like a cheap fare with limited availability. When they run out, they're gone. There's also a 39E fare at for a later time. But if I miss these specials, then it costs me 108 Euros for the same trip. With the dollar begin so low against the Euro...well you know the rest...

I'm ultimately heading to Berlin.

Well, I WAS using the current posted schedule for FRA because you hadn't given us a date. However, for Wednesday, Jan 16, I do see ICE 672 scheduled to leave at 8:42.

That does tell me what I needed to know, you want to leave from the Fernbahnhof. You should still have plenty of time. When I have flown into FRA, it has been to Terminal 1 (Lufthansa). I think I am sitting on a bench on the lower level waiting for my train within an hour.

Hello Mark. To help prevent you from suffering from tension or anxiety in the Frankfurt airport, I recommend hire an airport porter to push your bag in a cart, and he will quickly lead you to the train station.
I was there. Germany is a GREAT country ! Have fun !!

Thank you to everyone for your helpful responses. I purchased my tickets online yesterday afternoon and I was able to secure the 29 Euro fare to Berlin before they ran out of available seats at that price.

Obviously, the big variable here is that my flight needs to be on time, and in this day and age, who knows what could crop up, especially in the middle of winter.

Regardless, I've done all I can do at this point.

Mark, good luck to you. I have always been reluctant to recommend anyone booking a non-refundable ticket for use right after arriving on a trans-Atlantic flight. It's like playing Russian Roullette.

Looks like you breakeven point for on time arrival is about 79%.