Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof

Opened in 1888, the original Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof was built of iron and glass, in Renaissance Revival style—by 1924, it already needed expansion. Two neoclassical passenger halls were added on either side, which corresponded with the era’s three railway companies. Today, the station serves over 450,000 daily passengers across both local and regional services—all the way to France and the Netherlands. Here, travelers will find the S-Bahn (rapid transit commuter trains), U-Bahn (metro line), tram services into the city, and a direct link to the Frankfurt Airport.

• If you need a ticket, you can head to the counter in the main hall, or use one of the many self-serve ticket machines throughout the station.

• It takes just a couple of minutes to walk between platforms, regardless of number.

• If you need a bite, there’s a surprising amount of eatery options available (plus shopping).

• You’ll see “hauptbahnhof” shortened to “hbf” throughout Germany.

• The station has free Wi-Fi, luggage lockers, bicycle parking, and car parking onsite.

If you’re coming from Frankfurt International Airport, take the direct S-Bahn S8 or S9 lines, which connect you to Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof in about 15-20 minutes. Otherwise, in the city, walk to your nearest U-Bahn or tram station for a short commute to this bustling transportation hub.

Aim to get to Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof at least 20 minutes before your train departs—no need to run through the station in a tizzy. The same goes for changing trains: Even though it only takes a few minutes to switch platforms, aim to have at least 20 minutes between arrival and departure. (If you do miss your train, you can just hop on the next one.)

The Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof is designed to be easy to navigate—it’s all in the open with no barriers, so switching platforms is a breeze (great news for those with kids or luggage). They’re also numbered from left to right, 1 to 24. Ticket stations abound, and if you get lost or have questions, there’s an information station opposite platforms 12 and 13.

No, Frankfurt am Main is the full name of Frankfurt and is sometimes written as Frankfurt (Main). The central train station in Frankfurt am Main is Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof— shortened to Frankfurt Hbf. These distinctions are because Germany has two Frankfurts, the other being Frankfurt an der Oder or Frankfurt (Oder).

Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof is the biggest train station in Frankfurt and also one of the largest, busiest European train stations with 25 platforms. Other important train stations in Frankfurt include Frankfurt (Main) Südbahnhof, with many intercity trains, and Frankfurt (Main) Ostbahnhof and Frankfurt (Main) West, which serve suburban trains.

Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof is approximately 6.5 miles (11 kilometers) from Frankfurt Airport and approximately 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Frankfurt–Hahn Airport, the city’s second airport. By train, it takes about 20 minutes to travel to Frankfurt Main Hbf from Frankfurt Airport and roughly 2.5 hours from Frankfurt–Hahn Airport.

No, Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof is not worth going out of your way to visit as a tourist attraction. However, it is a very useful transportation hub for getting to and from and around Frankfurt. Should you pass through the station, you may want to spend a moment admiring its facade.

Yes, Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof is generally safe. The surrounding area is typically safe in the day but can be dangerous or unwelcoming at night. This is a common problem in Germany at most big city central stations. The station borders Frankfurt’s red light district, an area prone to drug problems.

Yes, there are restrooms at Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof. The entrance is located by platforms 9 and 10 in the main hall. The restrooms usually cost €1. While the main restrooms are found down a staircase, there is also a separate wheelchair-accessible toilet available across from the top of the staircase.