Frankfurt Airport is the busiest airport in Germany and one of the principal aviation hubs in Europe. Located 12 kilometers southwest of Frankfurt city center in the state of Hesse, FRA opened in 1936 and has grown into a major international facility handling over 64 million passengers per year. The airport operates two terminals connected by the SkyLine automated people mover. Terminal 1, the larger of the two, houses Lufthansa and Star Alliance partner operations, while Terminal 2 serves additional international carriers. Frankfurt Airport is the primary hub for Lufthansa, Germany's flag carrier, and serves as the central connecting node of the Star Alliance network in Europe. The airport is integrated into Germany's high-speed rail network through Frankfurt Airport Long-Distance Station, where ICE trains provide direct service to cities across Germany and neighboring countries. The S-Bahn commuter rail connects to Frankfurt city center in approximately 15 minutes. FRA operates four runways, including a fourth runway that opened in 2011. The airport is a major cargo hub, ranking first in Europe for freight volume, and hosts significant maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations. Frankfurt's central European location makes it one of the most efficient connecting points for intercontinental travel in the region.

Aviation Terms

Airfield Lighting (AGL) Airport Category Airport Elevation (ELEV) Airport Fire Station (ARFF) Airport Lounge Airport Reference Point (ARP) Apron Automated Passport Control (APC)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from Frankfurt Airport to the city center?

S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 connect Frankfurt Airport regional station to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (central station) in about 12 minutes for EUR 5.35. Trains depart every 15 minutes. The airport also has a long-distance train station (Fernbahnhof) with ICE high-speed services to Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, and other German cities.

How many terminals does Frankfurt Airport have?

Frankfurt Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is the larger and older terminal with halls A, B, C, and Z, serving Lufthansa and Star Alliance partners. Terminal 2 has halls D and E and serves Oneworld, SkyTeam, and other carriers. A free SkyLine people mover connects both terminals in about 7 minutes.

Which airlines have a hub at Frankfurt Airport?

Lufthansa operates its primary hub from Terminal 1, with over 250 destinations worldwide. Frankfurt is one of the largest Star Alliance hubs in the world. Condor, a leisure carrier, also uses FRA as its main base of operations.

Can I connect to high-speed trains at Frankfurt Airport?

Yes, Frankfurt Airport has a dedicated long-distance railway station (Fernbahnhof) with ICE and IC trains to major German cities. You can reach Cologne in 1 hour, Stuttgart in 1 hour 15 minutes, and Munich in about 3 hours. Lufthansa even sells AirRail tickets that combine a flight with a train leg, treating the train as a connecting flight.

Is there free Wi-Fi at Frankfurt Airport?

Yes, Frankfurt Airport offers free Wi-Fi for the first 60 minutes. After the free period, a faster premium tier is available for purchase. The network is named FRA-WiFi and is available throughout both terminals. Telekom hotspot subscribers get unlimited free access.