If your flight itinerary says Frankfurt layover, don’t panic — you’ve actually gotten lucky! Instead of being stuck inside one of Europe’s busiest airports, counting down the minutes, you’ll have a great opportunity to squeeze in a mini city adventure.
Here is the secret. Frankfurt isn’t massive or spread out. Most of the main sights are actually clustered close together. With fast public transport and an easy-to-navigate city center, you can see a good chunk of Frankfurt in just 5, 7, or even 12 hours. This is enough to walk historic streets, grab a proper coffee, snap skyline photos, and genuinely feel the city rather than just pass through it.
Can you leave Frankfurt Airport during a layover?
Short answer: Yes, often you can, but only if Germany lets you in. Leaving the airport during a Frankfurt layover means officially entering the Schengen Area. It means the rules are the same as for any normal visit. If you already have a valid Schengen visa, or you’re from a country that doesn’t need a visa for short stays (like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and many others), you’re good to go. Clear border control, hop on the train, and enjoy the city!
If your nationality requires a visa and you don’t have one, unfortunately, you’ll have to stay in the international transit area. This is because a transit visa alone is usually insufficient to leave the airport.
My advice – don’t guess. Quickly check permit entry for your nationality on the German Foreign Office visa website, or ask a border officer when you land. Two minutes of checking beats planning a city stroll you’re not allowed to take.
How to Get from Frankfurt Airport to the City Center
Once you land at Frankfurt Airport, getting into the city is super easy. Just follow the S-Bahn (train) signs inside the terminal (everything is clearly marked), and the station is located directly below the airport. Take S-Bahn S8 or S9 towards Hanau Hauptbahnhof or Offenbach, and get off at Hauptwache. In about 20–25 minutes, you’ll be right in the heart of Frankfurt. Yup, it’s faster than most airport coffee lines.
Where to buy a ticket at the Frankfurt Airport?
You can buy tickets from the machines there, but be prepared for queues (and the occasional machine that decides not to cooperate). If you want to save time and skip the waiting altogether, download the RMVgo app and buy your ticket directly on your phone. A one-way ticket from Frankfurt Airport to Hauptwache costs around €6.90, and a return ticket costs € 13.50. If you’re traveling with a friend (or a small group), get a group day ticket (€22)- you’ll save some coins for a coffee! 😊
5-Hour Layover in Frankfurt – What To Do (Realistically!)
With a five-hour Frankfurt layover, you realistically have around four hours in the city — and that’s okay if you keep things simple. Once you arrive at Hauptwache, you’re standing right in the middle of it all. Skyscrapers peek through, people walk, and the city immediately feels alive. Take a breath, because your adventure begins!
Start at Hauptwache & Walk Zeil
From Hauptwache, walk the Zeil, Frankfurt’s main pedestrian street. It’s busy, there are many shops, but don’t let it distract you for too long. If you’re curious, a quick look inside MyZeil Shopping Mall is fine (the long spiral escalator is fun), but this is more of a pass-through than a destination on a short layover.
Frankfurt Old Town Highlights
Continue to the right, and you’ll see how the city changes. You’ll reach Paulskirche, one of Frankfurt’s most important historic buildings, and shortly after, Römerberg. Now, this is Frankfurt’s postcard moment: half-timbered houses, the Römer, and a square that finally feels old, charming, and human-scaled. Have a look inside the Alte Nikolaikirche, wander, take photos, and enjoy the contrast to the modern city you just walked through.
Continue toward the Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom), an impressive stop that’s calm inside and dramatic outside. You’ll probably have no time to climb to the top (too bad), but you can enjoy the church’s peacefulness from inside. Once you are out, enjoy strolling the New Old Town – there are many cute shops and cool buildings to see.
Finish at the Main River
Finish your 5-Hour Frankfurt layover with a short walk to the Iron Bridge and along the Main River. The view here (river in front, skyline behind) is one of the city’s best, and it requires almost no effort. Get that photo and 10 – 15 minutes, start heading back toward the station.
Nearby, this is the perfect moment for a quick food break. Skip restaurants and go local: Bäckerei Eifler or Wiener Feinbäckerei. Nothing fancy — just cheap, good, and exactly what you need on a short layover. Grab a coffee and a pastry, refuel, and keep moving. You’ll return to the airport relaxed, caffeinated, and slightly surprised by how much Frankfurt fits into a few hours.
7 Hours Frankfurt Layover – What To Do & See
If you have around seven hours for your Frankfurt layover, you can slow things down — just a little. You’ll still follow the same route as the five-hour option, but now you don’t need to keep checking the time.
Choose one of the next 3 places to visit in Frankfurt.
Option 1: Sachsenhausen & Proper Meal
After crossing the Iron Bridge, continue into Sachsenhausen. This historic district is known for its cobblestone streets, traditional taverns, and laid-back atmosphere.
Head to Brückenviertel, one of Frankfurt’s hidden gems, and enjoy a stroll around timbered houses. Most of them are proper restaurants serving typical German food. It’s the perfect place for a proper sit-down meal if you’re hungry and want to experience a more local side of Frankfurt. Even a short wander here feels like a change of pace from the city center.
Option 2: Museumsufer
If food isn’t your priority, head instead toward the Museumsufer. This stretch along the Main River is home to some of Frankfurt’s best museums, and even walking past them is enjoyable. Some museums offer free entry on specific days (check here), so it’s a great low-pressure cultural stop. I’ve listed some free options in my guide to 25 cheap & free things to do in Frankfurt. It can help you to save time and money.
Option 3. Alte Oper & Taunusanlage
Another relaxed alternative is to stay on the city-center side and walk toward the Alte Oper, then through Taunusanlage. This route feels elegant and calm — opera house views, green park paths, amazing sculptures, and skyscrapers rising quietly around you. It’s ideal if you want movement, fresh air, and photos without committing to a full activity. If you’re lucky enough to have half a day in Frankfurt, this is where things really open up.
12 Hours Layover in Frankfurt
If you have around 12 hours of layover in Frankfurt – hurray! You have enough time for a proper city escape, but without hotel check-in. Again, we’ll keep the 5-hour route as our base, but with several “add-ons”.
Main River Promenade
Once you’re already at the Iron Bridge, don’t rush anywhere — just start strolling along the Main River Promenade.
The entire riverbank is designed for walking: wide paths, open views, locals jogging, the skyline quietly reflecting in the water… If you want to “feel” Frankfurt rather than tick boxes, this is where it happens. From there, you can decide on what to see next during your 12-hour Frankfurt Layover.
Explore Bornheim
One lovely and easy option is heading east to Bethmann Park, home to the hidden Chinese Garden Frankfurt. It’s small, beautifully designed, and a complete contrast to the city center. From there, continue to Berger Straße, one of Frankfurt’s most lively local streets. Think cool cafés, small shops, bakeries, and that everyday-city energy you don’t get just chasing only touristy spots.
Traveling with kids? Frankfurt Zoo, located nearby, is a great option for a 12-Hour-long Frankfurt layover. It’s centrally located, well-organized, and surprisingly doable within a few hours. It breaks up the walking and keeps everyone entertained without feeling like “too much”!
See the “Green Frankfurt” – Palmengarten & Botanical Garden
And if your layover happens in spring or summer, don’t miss Palmengarten or the nearby Frankfurt Botanical Garden (it’s also free to enter). This is Frankfurt at its greenest. Imagine flowers in bloom, thousand plants species, palm trees, locals lounging in the sun, kids playing… It’s an atmosphere that feels refreshingly un-businesslike!
Skyline Views
If your feet need a break, swap walking for a boat tour on the Main River. These cruises are relaxed, scenic, and give you skyline views with zero effort — just sit back and let Frankfurt drift by. And if you’re more in the mood for big-city drama, head for the skyline instead. A visit to Main Tower gives you some cool views over the entire city for only 9 EUR. Plus, it’s one of the most impressive ways to end a longer layover.
With twelve hours, you don’t need to do everything — and that’s the beauty of it. Pick one or two experiences, leave time for coffee and wandering, and head back to the airport feeling rested instead of rushed.
What To Do on Frankfurt Layover – Final Thoughts
Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe’s biggest transportation hubs, which means millions of travelers pass through here every year. But what many people don’t realize is that Frankfurt itself is compact, surprisingly easy to navigate, and perfect for a short visit. In other words, this is one of those rare cities where a layover doesn’t have to feel like wasted time.
If your schedule allows for more time, you can easily turn this stopover into a proper city day. I’ve put together a detailed guide on things to do in Frankfurt in one day, which is perfect if you have around 24 hours in Frankfurt.
For a city most people only see through terminal windows, Frankfurt can be a surprisingly great place to linger. And who knows, this quick stop might just convince you to come back and stay a little longer next time.
Frankfurt Layover – FAQs
Is it worth doing a layover in Frankfurt?
Yes! Honestly, Frankfurt is one of the easiest European cities to enjoy on a layover. The airport is close to the city center, public transport is fast and affordable, and the main sights are located near each other. With five or more hours, you can walk historic streets, see the skyline, walk down Main, grab good food, and still make it back to the airport without stress. For a city that many people only see from the terminal, Frankfurt can be a surprisingly good stopover.
What’s the minimum layover time to explore Frankfurt?
Realistically, five hours is the minimum. That gives you enough time to clear passport control, take the train, explore for a few hours, and return to the airport, possibly going through passport control again. Seven or more hours is ideal for a more relaxed experience. You’ll have time to see Frankfurt’s main sights — like Römerberg, the New Old Town, Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom), the Iron Bridge, and views of the skyline, without constantly checking the clock.
Is Frankfurt safe to explore during a layover?
Yes, definitely! Frankfurt is generally safe to explore during a layover, especially if you’re sticking to central areas like the Old Town, Römerberg, or along the Main River. Most travelers coming from the airport don’t even pass through Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Main train station) at all. The S-Bahn takes you straight to places like Hauptwache, so you can completely skip the main station if you want. Just keep an eye on your belongings in crowded spots, use common sense, and you’ll be absolutely fine.
What shall I do with my luggage during the Frankfurt layover?
If you’re traveling with hand luggage only, you’re absolutely fine to take it with you into the city. Frankfurt is easy to walk around, and public transport is luggage-friendly. If you want to be hands-free, Frankfurt Airport offers deposit luggage services, mainly in Terminal 1, which is the most convenient option before heading into the city. Another alternative is to use luggage storage services in the city center, such as Bounce, and walk around without things dragging behind you.
What are the visa requirements for a Frankfurt layover?
Think of a Frankfurt layover the same way you’d think of traveling to Germany, no matter how many hours you have. If you want to leave Frankfurt Airport and explore the city, you must be allowed to enter the Schengen Area. That means either having a valid Schengen visa or a passport that doesn’t require a visa for short stays.
A transit visa alone usually does not allow you to leave the airport (it only lets you stay airside). When in doubt, always check the official German visa website!
