https://www.frankfurt-airport.com/en.html

In two weeks we'll be at FRA from 10AM to 10PM awaiting our next flight. It's my "fault," I insisted on flying United/Star Alliance to build up more miles. FWIW, this trip is MLI-ORD-FRA-CPT.

For sure we're leaving the secure area, even a nice lounge will get old. We're planning to take a train or bus into the city for chow, an airport tour also looks like fun:

https://www.frankfurt-airport....n_rundfahrtentickets

What sayeth frequent traverlers of SF?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sigmund,

Maybe there is an abbreviation or acronym museum close by or you will be SOL.
Perhaps the Bahnhofsviertel for fun.

Its been about twenty five years but I would take a taxi to the Markt Platz (market place, usually town center). Should be plenty to see. There were a few shady areas then, red light spots and the Turks selling hash

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BigSwede,

You should definitely try to see something outside of the airport.

Downtown Frankfurt is easy to get to. It's a 11 minute ride on the subway from the airport to Frankfurt Main Station (Hauptbahnhof). Subway lines S8 and S9 take you from the airport into the city. I suggest staying on the subway for 2 or 3 stations past Hauptbahnhof, to stations Hauptwache or Konstabler Wache. Puts you closer to the interesting areas.

"Zeil" is a pedestrian zone shopping street. You'll find some street cafes there, always good for people watching. Downtown is also good for a lot of old architecture: "Römer" is the historic City Hall, with plenty of restaurants around it. Paulskirche/St. Paul's Church and Kaiserdom/Frankfurt Cathedral aren't too far away, either. From there, you could easily go south across the Main River, into the Sachsenhausen and Brückenviertel neighborhoods. Plenty of bars and restaurants around there, and great vistas of Frankfurt from the Main River.

As an alternative to Frankfurt, check out the towns of Wiesbaden or Mainz, on the Rhine River, west of the airport. Getting there will take longer, but trains are leaving from the airport train station as well. Mainz has a nice historic Old Town (Altstadt). Other interesting spots: Gutenberg Museum (Museum of Printing), and Mainz Cathedral.

Wiesbaden is the capital of the State of Hesse (not Frankfurt, as many believe). Kurpark for a leisurely stroll, or Nerobergbahn, a funicular railway to take you up Neroberg hill, with great panorama view of the city.

A "tour" of Sachsenhausen can be entertaining and educational. Yes, that's the red light district. I toured it a few times as an observer never a customer.

If it were me I would go to Erzhausen and visit my ex in-laws. I was stationed about 50km south of Frankfurt in a town called Darmstadt. I was there for almost 5 years. I'm jealous.

I thought Mainz sucked. BUT, but, there is a good museum there on Gutenberg and the history of moveable type and the printing press. Laying eyes upon a real Gutenberg Bible is something I'll never forget.

Walking up and down the Main, if the weather is nice, can be fun. There is some good people watching there. I don't think the Altstadt in FRA is anything special, but it's a lot better than 12 hours in the airport.

Don't go to the bars where the girls are free with drink purchase. A shock as a young private

Enjoy a few hours at the Kurpark in Bad Homburg, a 20 minute taxi ride. It's very walkable!

https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bad_Homburg

Thanks for all the speedy replies, especially E26R-40-BSE.

Where are you going to store your luggage?

Hmmmm...........

quote:

Originally posted by mjohn:
Where are you going to store your luggage?

Hmmmm...........

That's easy. Checked bags will await the next flight, we can store carry-ons in terminal 1 or 2. It's on page 7 here:

https://www.frankfurt-airport....EN-2018/6/index.html

quote:

Originally posted by Rotndad:
A "tour" of Sachsenhausen can be entertaining and educational. Yes, that's the red light district. I toured it a few times as an observer never a customer.

If it were me I would go to Erzhausen and visit my ex in-laws. I was stationed about 50km south of Frankfurt in a town called Darmstadt. I was there for almost 5 years. I'm jealous.

Wife and I were also stationed in Darmstadt 94-97 I was Bco 32sig she was A 440th

Just a travel tip for everyone. If you're ever in a spot where you need to drop your luggage, but don't have a place; check out NannyBag and BagBNB. I used BagBNB in London back in October and had no issue. Dropped our bags off and went to the British Museum before our AirBNB were ready. They both have websites and apps.

Unfortunately it looks like neither of them have places in Germany.

There is a string of museums on the shore of the river. Art and Archecture where the two i liked most. If you are into Christian Art there is an ICON museum off the main drag that is a great place for meditating on your faith. I'd also check if there is going to be a fest at that time.

E-26R-40-BSE's advice was spot on. Back on May 21 we landed and easily found the bag check site for our carry ons. Took the subway to the Hauptwache station and found lots of things to do around the Zeil area. Saw a church or two, walked a bridge over the Main River, and ate on the 6th floor of the Galleria. Thanks!

A PSA for transfer passengers, get to your gate (or close to it) first, then grab chow or go shopping. Coming back it took us much longer than I expected. We landed on South African from Johannesburg and transferred to United to Chicago. The original schedule was a 4:45 layover, plenty of time to hang out in the lounge (I have an annual pass). A late departure left us with about three hours, we needed it all as lines were long. Checked bags went all the way, but we had to do a quick customs check followed by another security check, then we had to take a bus to Gate Z-something. There was no time for the lounge, not even time to sit down for a snack but we ate well on the flight.

you're missing the I-74 bridge construction !
and the detours