Quick facts
Daily budget
For a full category-by-category breakdown of accommodation, food, transport, and activity costs in Frankfurt, see the dedicated budget guide.
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, with 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, so 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, and 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, as 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", as 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, so 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, in which "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.
