What is the cheapest way from Frankfurt Airport to the city centre?

The S8 or S9 S-Bahn from the airport's Regionalbahnhof under Terminal 1 to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. A single RMV ticket is €6.90 and the ride takes about 11–15 minutes.

How much is the train from Frankfurt Airport to Hauptbahnhof?

A single RMV ticket is €6.90 for an adult in 2026 (fare zones 5000–5090). Buy it from a turquoise RMV machine or the RMV app, not the red DB long-distance machines.

Where do I catch the S-Bahn at Frankfurt Airport?

At the Regionalbahnhof (regional station) on Level 0 beneath Terminal 1, about a 5-minute walk from arrivals. From Terminal 2, take the free Sky Line or shuttle bus to Terminal 1 first.

Do I need a special airport ticket or long-distance ticket?

No. A normal €6.90 RMV single ticket covers the S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof and your onward tram, bus or U-Bahn. Don't buy a long-distance DB or ICE ticket for this short hop.

How often do the trains run and how late?

The S8 and S9 together leave roughly every 7–8 minutes, from about 04:30 until 01:30, so you rarely wait long.

What is the best way from FRA to downtown Frankfurt?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the S8 or S9 S-Bahn to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, €6.90 for a single RMV ticket and about 11–15 minutes on the train.

How much is a taxi from Frankfurt Airport to the city?

About €35 to central Frankfurt — roughly five times the €6.90 S-Bahn, which does the same trip in about 11–15 minutes.

How do you get from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to downtown Frankfurt — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) into central Frankfurt is the S-Bahn line S8 or S9 from the airport's Regionalbahnhof under Terminal 1 straight to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof: a single RMV ticket is €6.90 and the ride takes about 11–15 minutes (roughly 20 minutes door-to-centre). Buy it from a turquoise RMV machine, not the red DB long-distance machines, and skip the ~€35 taxi or any pricey ICE ticket. Trains run every few minutes from around 04:30 to 01:30.

How to find it

AIRPORTFrankfurt Airport (Frankfurt am Main)
01From arrivals in Terminal 1, follow the green 'S' / 'Regionalbahnhof' signs down to the regional station on Level 0 beneath the terminal (about a 5-minute walk). From Terminal 2, take the free Sky Line shuttle or shuttle bus to Terminal 1 first.
02Buy a €6.90 RMV single ticket from a turquoise RMV machine (not a red DB machine). The same ticket also covers your onward U-Bahn, tram or bus in Frankfurt as long as you keep travelling in one direction.
03Go to the platform signed 'Trains to Frankfurt City' and board the S8 or S9 towards Offenbach / Hanau. Between the two lines one leaves roughly every 7–8 minutes, from about 04:30 to 01:30.
04Ride 3–4 stops (about 11–15 minutes) to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, the main station. Stay on one more stop for Hauptwache or Konstablerwache if you want the pedestrian city centre.
CITY CENTREFrankfurt

Ticket

RMV single ticket to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Einzelfahrkarte, fare zones 5000–5090)

Where to buy: At the turquoise RMV ticket machines at the airport Regionalbahnhof (regional station) under Terminal 1, or in the RMV or DB Navigator app — not the red DB long-distance machines.

How to pay: Machines take cards, coins and small notes and switch to English; the app takes cards. An S-Bahn ticket is valid the moment you buy it — no separate stamp — but riding without one is a €60 fine.

Local's trick: Buy from the turquoise RMV machine, not the red DB long-distance machine — the RMV single ticket is €6.90 and also covers your onward U-Bahn, tram or bus to your final stop on the same trip. For the pedestrian old town, ride one stop past Hauptbahnhof to Hauptwache instead of getting off at the main station.

Trap to avoid: Don't take a taxi — it's about €35 for the same trip — and don't let a DB machine sell you a pricey long-distance or ICE ticket: the €6.90 RMV S-Bahn single is all you need to reach Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Frankfurt Airport to the city centre?: The S8 or S9 S-Bahn from the airport's Regionalbahnhof under Terminal 1 to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. A single RMV ticket is €6.90 and the ride takes about 11–15 minutes.
How much is the train from Frankfurt Airport to Hauptbahnhof?: A single RMV ticket is €6.90 for an adult in 2026 (fare zones 5000–5090). Buy it from a turquoise RMV machine or the RMV app, not the red DB long-distance machines.
Where do I catch the S-Bahn at Frankfurt Airport?: At the Regionalbahnhof (regional station) on Level 0 beneath Terminal 1, about a 5-minute walk from arrivals. From Terminal 2, take the free Sky Line or shuttle bus to Terminal 1 first.
Do I need a special airport ticket or long-distance ticket?: No. A normal €6.90 RMV single ticket covers the S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof and your onward tram, bus or U-Bahn. Don't buy a long-distance DB or ICE ticket for this short hop.
How often do the trains run and how late?: The S8 and S9 together leave roughly every 7–8 minutes, from about 04:30 until 01:30, so you rarely wait long.
What is the best way from FRA to downtown Frankfurt?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the S8 or S9 S-Bahn to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, €6.90 for a single RMV ticket and about 11–15 minutes on the train.
How much is a taxi from Frankfurt Airport to the city?: About €35 to central Frankfurt — roughly five times the €6.90 S-Bahn, which does the same trip in about 11–15 minutes.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.