Travel: Flights to Frankfurt

Frankfurt's principal airport (IATA: FRA) is among the busiest in Europe -second in passenger traffic after London Heathrow (LHR) and just ahead of Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)- and one of the busiest airports in the world, according to 2005 traffic numbers. Frankfurt is the banking center of Germany and host of a number a international trade fairs. Therefore all major airlines and all airline alliances fly frequently to Frankfurt and connects it to every continent and major city in the world. The German flagcarrier Lufthansa is the main airline in Frankfurt and offer the best connections.

The airport has today two terminals (Terminal 3 is under construction). Terminal 1 is the home of Lufthansa and the Star Alliance airlines. Terminal 1 is separated into Concourses A, B and C. All other airlines depart from Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is a multi-level maze with poor signage that inexplicably sends passengers through numerous security checkpoints. The restrooms near the gates are perhaps the worst-designed facilities in Europe, accommodating only one to three users at a time, so go early or hold it until you're on your plane. However, the departure gates themselves have some of the most innovative seating around, with bench seats facing many directions and cafe-style tables and chairs for those who wish to whip out their laptops (sans coffee, alas). Passengers requiring special assistance should be advised that they might have to descend several flights of stairs to get to a bus that takes them to the plane, rather than disability-friendly ramps, so talk to the gate agent early if stairs are a problem.

The airport is connected to downtown Frankfurt by taxi, bus (Line 61 to Frankfurt Südbahnhof (Frankfurt Southern Station)), and most easily by subway/fast train. To get to the city, take lines S8 or S9 direction Frankfurt or Hanau at the Regionalbahnhof (regional train station) in Terminal 1 (entrances in section A and B). Do not leave at Frankfurt Niederrad unless it is actually your destination. Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, the central station, is in the heart of the city. The ride from the airport to the central station takes 12 minutes. Be sure to purchase a ticket at the vending machines in the train station before boarding the train.

The Frankfurt airport also has connections for inter-city trains. Regional trains to Mainz, Wiesbaden, and Hanau stop at the same place as the subway to Frankfurt. Connections outside the Frankfurt region have a separate train station, the Fernbahnhof ("long-distance train station"). Here, you can board high-speed trains to Cologne, Munich and other destinations.

Frankfurt has just one airport but the smaller airport called Frankfurt/Hahn (IATA: HHN), used by some of the so-called budget airlines, advertise with the proximity to Frankfurt. However, Hahn is far away from Frankfurt and it actually takes about 2 hours to drive from downtown, so allow for that airport more time into your travel plans and budget. Bus from Frankfurt/Hahn to Franfurt main airport costs about 13 euro. http://www.hahn-airport.de/default.aspx?menu=by_bus&cc=en#

• Frankfurt Airport website, including arrival/departure schedules