Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €20–40 | €80–150 |
| Food | €12–22 | €30–50 |
| Transport | €5–10 | €15–30 |
| Activities | €5–15 | €20–40 |
| Drinks | €5–10 | €12–25 |
| Daily Total | €47–97 | €157–295 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Schengen Zone — EU/UK/US/Canadian citizens stay up to 90 days visa-free
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Europe's 4th busiest — S-Bahn S8/S9 to Hauptbahnhof (15 min, €5.35)
- Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof is a major rail hub — ICE trains to all German cities and international connections
Health & Safety
- No special vaccinations required. Tap water is safe and excellent quality throughout Germany
- Frankfurt is generally safe. The Bahnhofsviertel (station area) can feel rough at night — stay aware but it's gentrifying fast
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers EU citizens. Pharmacies (Apotheke) are marked with a green cross
Getting Around
- U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses form an efficient network. Single ticket €2.75, day ticket €5.95 (Frankfurt zone)
- The centre is walkable — Römerberg to Sachsenhausen is a 10-minute walk across the Eiserner Steg bridge
- DB Navigator app for trains, RMV app for local transit. Bolt and Uber available. Bikes via NextBike (€1/30 min)
Connectivity
- Free WiFi in most cafés, hotels, and some public areas. Germany has good 4G/5G but WiFi can be spotty compared to other European capitals
- EU roaming free for EU plans. Non-EU: Aldi Talk or Lebara tourist SIMs from €10 for 3GB at electronics stores
- Download DB Navigator for trains, RMV for local transit, and Lieferando for food delivery
Money
- Germany uses the Euro (€). ATMs are common — Sparkasse and Commerzbank have fair rates. Avoid Euronet
- Germany is more cash-reliant than you expect — many restaurants, smaller shops, and Imbisse are cash-only. Always carry €30–50
- Tipping: round up or leave 5–10% at restaurants. Say "stimmt so" (keep the change) or specify the total
Packing Tips
- An umbrella or rain jacket year-round — Frankfurt gets regular showers even in summer
- Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones in the old town and Sachsenhausen
- Layers in spring/autumn — temperatures can shift 10°C in a day. Summers are warm (25°C+) but evenings cool
Cultural tips
Apfelwein Culture
Apfelwein (Ebbelwoi in dialect) is Frankfurt's signature drink — a dry, slightly sour apple cider served in a Bembel (blue-patterned jug). It's poured into a Geripptes (diamond-patterned glass). Never call it "cider" — that's something else to locals.
Grüne Soße
Frankfurt's green sauce (Grüne Soße) is a cold herb sauce made from exactly seven herbs: borage, chervil, cress, parsley, salad burnet, sorrel, and chives. It's served with boiled eggs and potatoes. Goethe reportedly loved it.
Business Culture
Frankfurt is Germany's financial capital — suits and formality dominate the centre. But the city has a strong counter-cultural streak in areas like Bahnhofsviertel, Bockenheim, and Bornheim. Both versions are authentic.
Language Tips
Learn "danke" (thanks), "bitte" (please/you're welcome), "Prost" (cheers), and "die Rechnung bitte" (the bill please). Frankfurters speak Hessisch dialect — "Ei gude wie?" means "How are you?"
Sunday Closures
Almost everything is closed on Sundays — shops, supermarkets, and many restaurants. Plan ahead and stock up on Saturday. Train stations and airports are exceptions. Parks and museums are usually open.
Pfand System
Germany has a bottle deposit (Pfand) system — return glass and plastic bottles to supermarket machines for €0.08–0.25 back. It's also common to leave your empties near bins for collectors who rely on this income.
