Frankfurt Travel Guide
Frankfurt is a city ripe with culture, restaurants, and history. It’s also the center of banking and business in Europe. While Frankfurt lacks the charm of Munich or Berlin, it’s more than just a stopover destination (Frankfurt’s airport is one of the world’s busiest international airports so a lot of people have short stopovers here).
For more than five centuries, Frankfurt was known as the Free City of Frankfurt, an important city-state in the Roman Empire. Today, the city is incredibly diverse; half of the population has a foreign background, and a quarter of the population are foreign nationals.
While most people who stop here never leave the airport, Frankfurt is actually worth exploring for a few days. Eat dinner at one of the city’s famous cider houses, relax at a beer garden, spend the afternoon at one of the free parks, or soak up the city’s history in a museum.
This travel guide to Frankfurt can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this overlooked gem!
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Top 5 Things to See and Do in Frankfurt
1. See the Dom
Frankfurt’s main attraction, this reddish sandstone cathedral dates back to the 14th century when it was used to crown the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. It boasts a 95-meter-tall (311 feet) Gothic tower, which you can climb via 328 steps. There’s a viewing platform at 66 meters (216 feet) where you can see from the (new) Old Town, Paulskirche, the Museum Embankment on the river, and the city’s iconic skyline. Don’t miss the Mary’s Sleep Altar from the 15th century. Admission is free, but there is a fee for the tower.
2. Visit the Städel-Museum
The Städel Museum has an impressive collection of art, with a heavy focus on German and Renaissance art. There are over 3,000 paintings, 4,000 photographs, 600 sculptures, and 10,000 drawings from the likes of Monet, Picasso, Bacon, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and others. The museum was started by a banker and businessman in 1815. Works in the museum cover 700 years of art, which is still managed by a private foundation.
3. Explore Römerberg
The historical center of Frankfurt is home to colorful half-timbered buildings and several medieval buildings that date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. This area has been a center of life in the city since the 9th century. It’s where tournaments and festivals were held, along with coronations and executions. Most buildings were destroyed during World War II, but many have been restored to reflect what they used to look like. The fountain in the center dates back to the 16th century. It’s a picturesque spot to stroll and take in the local pace of life.
4. Relax in Frankfurt City Forest
The city forest is the largest forest contained within any city limits in Germany. The six playgrounds and nine ponds make the forest a popular place for people looking to relax in nature. There are more than 1,500 benches to sit and watch the world go by and 25 resting huts to shelter from nasty weather. There is also a 450-kilometer-long (279-mile) network of trails for hikers, walkers, cyclists, and runners!
5. Visit Offenbach
Offenbach is a small neighboring city with tons of little shops, a flea market, a farmer’s market, an old baroque castle, and the stunning Neo-baroque Büsing Palace. Offenbach is the perfect place to escape the hectic city for a day and enjoy a slower pace of life. There are fascinating museums like the German Leather Museum and the Klingspor Museum Offenbach of International Book Art, Typography, and Calligraphy Museum. The Offenbach Weather Park offers an interesting look at different types of climate phenomena for something to do outdoors.
Other Things to See and Do in Frankfurt
1. Cross the Eiserner Steg
Otherwise known as the Iron Bridge, this Neo-Gothic pedestrian bridge connects the downtown core to the Sachsenhausen district. Built in 1869, the bridge provides unique views of the city from over the Main River from which the city takes its full name, Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt on the Main). Over 10,000 pedestrians cross the bridge daily!
2. Eat and drink in Sachsenhausen
South of the Main River, Sachsenhausen has many of the best cider taverns and pubs in the city. After visiting some pubs, take a stroll along the Main River and enjoy the view. Sachsenhausen is also known for Museumsufer, a row of 38 museums along the river with themes exploring the arts, architecture, and Jewish history. With the two-day Museumsufer Pass, you can visit all the museums for one price.
3. Spend the day at the Palmengarten
Spanning 54 acres, Frankfurt’s botanical garden is the largest of its kind in Germany. Opened to the public in 1871, the garden was actually visited by the famous cowboy Buffalo Bill in 1890. Don’t miss the Palm Garden and its enormous collection of native, tropical, and subtropical plant life. Moreover, the gardens also offer lots of activities year-round, including concerts and guided tours. There is a fee to visit.
4. Walk around the Bornheim
The Bornheim neighborhood has some wonderful medieval-style houses that survived World War II. Since so much of the city was destroyed in the war, this is your only chance to see what the city looked like before everything was destroyed. The city’s longest street, Berger Strasse, is Bornheim’s commercial hub, and it’s chock full of restaurants, wine bars, boutique shops, and bars.
5. Stroll through the Frankfurt Book Fair
Held in the middle of October for nearly 500 years, this fair is considered the largest event in the publishing industry. Publishers, writers, and creative professionals from all over the world come to hold discussions, network, and celebrate the written word. It’s a week-long affair, but it’s only open to the public during the last two days. You can purchase a pass that gives you access for a full day.
6. Climb the Main Tower
The most rewarding views over Frankfurt are from the top of the 56-story Main Tower, the only high-rise that’s open to the public. Named for the Main River, from here you can take the elevator up to a viewing platform overlooking Frankfurt’s skyline. You must buy tickets to access the observation deck.
7. Visit Goethe House
Born in Frankfurt in 1749, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is considered Germany’s most important writer. Born in 1749, he was a poet, playwright, novelist, and theater director. Destroyed during World War II, the Goethe House was restored with its original furniture, paintings, and books that belonged to the family. You can also see his writing desk, where he wrote his most famous work, The Sorrows of Young Werther in 1774. Admission is 10 EUR and combination tickets that include special exhibitions are 13 EUR.
8. Visit Senckenberg Museum
The Senckenberg Museum is a treasure trove of natural history artifacts, with everything from fossils to Egyptian mummies to dinosaur skeletons. It’s the second-largest natural museum in the country, home to some 17,000 skeletons. One of the most amazing pieces here is a fossil with a bit of preserved scaly skin attached to it. You can get hands on in the Science Lab and have a detailed look at fascinating natural objects.
9. Check out the DialogMuseum
The DialogMuseum is easily one of the most unique museums in Germany. Rather than visiting a museum to view exhibits, this museum invites you to navigate the world as a blind or visually impaired person. On a one-hour tour through four completely pitch-black rooms, visitors experience what it’s like to live without any visual cues, relying on other senses to get them through.
10. Explore the Deutsches Filmmuseum
This is another unique museum in Frankfurt, focused on film in Germany. There are exhibits on the history of film, behind-the-scenes insights into filmmaking, interactive displays, film artifacts like sketches, and more. A combined ticket includes both the permanent and temporary exhibits. You can also see a film at the museum’s theater for an additional fee.
11. Check out the Kleinmarkthalle
If you’re looking for a unique culinary experience, head over to the Kleinmarkthalle for a huge assortment of high-quality fresh produce, delicatessen items and wine, handmade German regional products, and also international favorites. There are various small eateries with seafood, Italian specialties, and much more. It’s a great place to wander around, especially on a rainy day.
12. See the surreal entrance to the Bockenheimer Warte Subway Station
For something off-the-beaten path and a mix of fun and funky, make your way to the Bockenheimer Warte Subway Station entrance. The entrance looks like a tram car crashing through the sidewalk around the station. It was constructed in 1986 by Zbigniew Peter Pininski, who was inspired by the surrealist art of René Magritte.
13. Find the Wishing Wells
There are four “Wishing Wells” across the city, purposefully placed near parks and important monuments. There’s one near the Gutenberg Monument, the Opera Plaza Brunnen, Marshall Brunnen, and Liebfrauenberg Brunnen. The obelisk in the Liebfrauenberg fountain was created in 1769 and has been replicated all over the world. This spot is one of the most popular places in the city for locals to meet up.
How to Stay Safe in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a safe city to visit. Violent crime is rare. However, like all big cities, you should stay alert for pickpocketing and petty theft. Keep your valuables secure and out of reach at all times just to be safe.
At night, it’s best to avoid the areas around the Hauptbahnhof, Konstablerwache, and Hauptwache just to be safe.
Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and follow standard safety precautions like never leaving your drink unattended at the bar, walking in unlit places alone at night, etc. If you want specific information about Germany and Frankfurt, there are some incredible solo female travel blogs that can provide tips that I can’t.
Scams here are rare but you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.
If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.
Always make copies of your important documents too!
And be sure to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.
Where to Stay in Frankfurt
Frankfurt only has a few hostels in the city (and most of them don’t have great reviews). However, there are plenty of affordable hotels. Here are some of my suggested places to stay in Frankfurt:
Frankfurt Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel dorms – 30-100 EUR per night
- Hostel private rooms – 75-225 EUR per night
- Budget hotels – 50-200 EUR per night
- Luxury hotels – 200+ EUR per night
- Airbnb private rooms – 50-100 EUR per night
- Airbnb apartments – 50-200 EUR per night
- Campsite – 10-50 EUR per night
- Camping dorms – 25 EUR per night
Food
- Sausage stands – 5 EUR
- Kebab stands – 7-10 EUR
- Sandwiches – 5-8 EUR
- Takeaway restaurants – 12-15 EUR
- Poke bowl – 13-16 EUR
- Sit-down restaurants – 10-24 EUR per main dish
- Lunch specials – 10-14 EUR
- Beer – 4-6 EUR
- Glass of wine – 5-10 EUR
- Cappuccino/latte/tea – 3-5 EUR
- Bottled water – 2-4 EUR
- Groceries for a week – 95 EUR
Frankfurt Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 95 EUR Per Day
If you’re backpacking Frankfurt, this budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, using public transportation to get around, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, and sticking to mostly free activities like walking tours.
Midrange – 200 EUR Per Day
A midrange budget covers staying in a budget hotel, eating out for most of your meals, renting a bike or taking the occasional taxi, enjoying a few drinks, and doing some paid activities like visiting museums.
Upscale – 400+ EUR Per Day
On this budget, you can stay in a nice hotel, eat out for all your meals, take more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury, though!
Frankfurt Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips
Frankfurt is one of the most expensive cities in Germany. However, you can turn Frankfurt into a more affordable destination with just a few simple tricks. Here is how to save money in Frankfurt:
Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
Eat cheap – Throughout Germany, cheap outdoor sausage vendors offer quick eats for only a few euros. Additionally, some of the best and cheapest food in Germany is Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine. You can get meals for 5-10 EUR that are delicious and filling. It’s what I mainly eat while in Germany whenever I want to eat out.
Get the lunch specials – There are lunchtime specials during the week in Oranienburgerstr. For example, you can get a starter and main course in very nice restaurants for around 10 EUR. It’s a great deal if you want to eat out.
Stay at a hostel that includes breakfast – If you want to cut costs, stay at one of the city’s hostels that includes breakfast. You can expect different kinds of fresh bread, müesli, cheeses, cold cuts (like ham, turkey, and salami), maybe a boiled egg, and fresh fruit and coffee. It’s filling and will save you money.
Drink cheap – In Germany, buying beer and walking around — known as a ‘Weg bier’ — is totally acceptable. Take advantage of good weather by sitting outside in Germany’s lovely plazas and lush parks and buy your own drinks from the Späti shops, street kiosks, and supermarkets to save money. Also, find the student areas by the universities as you’ll find the discounted places.
Purchase a Museumsufer ticket – If you love visiting museums, this two-day pass saves you tons of money. Costing 21 EUR, this card provides access to 34 museums in and around Frankfurt.
Get the Frankfurt Card – An alternative to the Museumsufer Card is the Frankfurt Card, which provides free travel on all public transport (including to the airport) as well as up to 50% discounts on tours, museums, and other attractions. You can get a one-day card for 11.50 EUR, or a two-day card for 17 EUR.
Look out for free museum days – Most museums in Germany offer free admission on certain days or evenings. Check their website or ask the local tourism office to find out about discounts.
Take a free walking tour – Frankfurt Free Tour provides an overview of the historic center and all its highlights. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land on a budget. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!
Spend the day in the park – German cities offer many free parks within city limits. Spend the day walking around or just hanging out; it’s a great way to pass some time, relax, have a picnic, and get to know the city.
Stay with a local – If you want to save money on accommodation while getting some insight from the locals, try Couchsurfing. It’s a great way to meet people in the city and discover some off-the-beaten-path destinations while also getting free accommodation.
Reedeem hotel points – Sign up for hotel credit cards and use the points when you travel. Most cards give you 1-2 nights free just for signing up! This post will help you understand the basics so you can start earning points now and have plenty by the time you leave.
Take advantage of SaTOURday – Many of the main museums in Frankfurt offer free entry on the last Saturday of every month.
Get a transportation day pass – If you don’t want to get the Frankfurt Card (which includes unlimited public transport), you can get a regular transportation day pass. It costs 5.50 EUR, which is much cheaper than paying per ride.
How to Get Around in Frankfurt
Public transportation – Like other German cities, Frankfurt is well connected by its subway (the U-Bahn) and its above-ground rail system (the S-Bahn). A single ticket is 2.70 EUR and is good for up to 60 minutes, or you can get a short-distance ticket (for journeys less than 2 kilometers) for 1.80 EUR. You can purchase tickets at the station or with the RMV-App. Always keep your ticket on you as random checks on the train are very common.
A day ticket with unlimited travel costs 12 EUR. If you’re in a group, take advantage of the all-day group ticket for up to five people for 24 EUR. A weekly pass costs 30.50 EUR, including the airport.
You can use your tickets across the train, tram, and bus network.
Ticket prices for trams are the same for the train and bus system. You can buy them onboard the tram, at kiosks next to specific tram stops, or in the app.
Buses take you anywhere you need to go, especially where the trains and trams don’t go. Ticket prices are the same as the trains and trams and can be used interchangeably. You can buy tickets at kiosks next to the bus stop, from bus drivers, or in the app.
Bicycle – Bicycle rentals are plentiful in Frankfurt, with daily rates starting at about 20-30 EUR per day. Try a company like Call a Bike or Nextbike, which both have docking stations all over the city. Prices are cheaper if you rent the bike for a week versus half or full days.
Taxi – A base fare for a taxi in Frankfurt is 5 EUR, with each additional kilometer costing 2 EUR per kilometer for the first 15 kilometers. After that, it’s 2.50 EUR for every subsequent kilometer. In short, taxis add up fast so skip them if you can.
Ridesharing – Uber is available in Frankfurt, though since the public transportation here is comprehensive you likely won’t need it.
Car rental – Car rentals can be found for as little as 35 EUR per day for a multi-day rental, however, you won’t need one to get around the city. Drivers need to be at least 21 years of age.
For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars. You can get a free quote using this widget:
When to Go to Frankfurt
Summer is the peak tourist season, specifically July and August. The average daily temperatures are in the upper 20s°C (high 70s°F) and days are sunny and bright. You’ll be rubbing shoulders with lots of other tourists, but there are always fun festivals and events happening during this time.
Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) are both shoulder seasons that bring cooler temperatures, sunny days, and fewer crowds. If you want to take advantage of lower room rates and a more laid-back vibe, this is the best time to visit Frankfurt!
Like the rest of Germany, Frankfurt’s winters can be harsh, with temperatures dropping below 1°C (34°F). The city experiences some snowfall, but the Christmas markets throughout November and December are magical. It makes for a good weekend getaway destination in the winter if you plan to hit the holiday markets.
Frankfurt Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
- Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
- The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
- Trainline – When you’re ready to book your train tickets, use this site. It streamlines the process of booking trains around Europe.
- Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
- FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
- Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
- Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
- BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!
GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!
There’s a lot of free information online but do you want to spend days searching for information? Prob not! That’s why guidebooks exist.
While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.
I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go.
Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!
