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What to do on a layover in Frankfurt, Germany

If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, Frankfurt is a wonderful city to have a layover. The Frankfurt Airport is only a 15 minutes train ride from the city center making it a wonderful place to stop in if you have a shorter than ideal layover. A city of culture, cuisine and a beautiful blend of the old and the new, Frankfurt am Main has something for everyone. 

What to do in the Frankfurt Airport

If you don’t plan to leave the airport but want to relax, consider getting a Priority Pass for lounge access. The lounge has plenty of amenities such as showers, refreshments, Wifi, and business tools such as conference rooms and fax/communication centers. So many of the things you may need to ensure a smooth and relaxing layover can be found it the Priority Pass lounges

If you don’t get a lounge pass you can still freshen up. One of the nice things about Frankfurt airport are the wash facilities. There are five showering locations available for a small fee in Terminals 1 and 2. They offer towels, soaps and shampoos and hair dryers for only €6. This is a great way to relax and freshen up before the next leg of your journey. 

If you’d like a little more pampering, Be Relax Spa has three locations in the airport where you can get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure and enjoy treating yourself before the next leg of your journey. 

Looking for a little fun? Frankfurt airport has a pay to use flight simulator that allows users to “pilot” a plane, taking off and landing at simulated airports around the world. It’s a bit pricey at €79 per session, but a wonderful way to see what it’s like flying through the skies.

If the flight simulator is not up your alley, the airport also offers behind the scenes tours starting at €8. 

Where to eat in Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport has a number of dining options that are sure to cater to the tastes of a range of travelers.

Bagutta is a great Italian restaurant where travelers can order a delicious plate of pasta or freshly made margherita pizza. If you’d craving baked goods, try Wiener Feinbäckerei Heberer. You can get a quick taste of delicious German baked goods and breads- a little taste of Frankfurt even while staying in the airport. Käfer’s is a great cafe where you can choose from a tidy little menu of German foods. 

Visiting the City of Frankfurt on a Layover

If you have a layover that is longer than 5 hours, you have enough time to leave the airport and visit Frankfurt. Trains are generally the most efficient ways to reach the city centre when using public transit.

Head to Frankfurt Airport Railway Station and purchase a round-trip train ticket to the city center. Another option are buses that depart from the front of Terminal 1. If you’d prefer an even more efficient and perhaps easier trip downtown consider a taxi. That being said, the train trip from the airport to the city center only costs 4.65€ and takes 15 minutes so you may want to save your money and stick with the train. 

There are ICE trains that depart from Frankfurt airport. For a long layover consider a visit to Mainz, about a 30 minute trip on the ICE high speed train with several express options daily.

Once you arrive at the city center of Frankfurt, the Alstadt is the most famous area to visit. It is the oldest part of this beautiful city of Frankfurt.  Many of the sites here were reconstructed after World War II. Römer, the main square, is where travelers can enjoy iconic medieval German architecture.

Close to Römer is the gothic Saint Bartholomew,  Cathedral. Completed in the 1500s, the cathedral is the former coronation church for the Holy Roman Empire and thereby an excellent place for history buffs as well as architecture afficianados to visit.

Frankfurt has a surprisingly hip culinary scene. Kleinmarkthalle is an amazing destination for fresh, local produce and food. Along Grosse Bockenheimer Strasse (known locally as Fressgass), you’ll find a pedestrian street packed with street food from all over the globe as well as a variety of shops to peruse. Strolling along the Main River is a lovely and peaceful way to enjoy a delicious find from the market and affords and pleasant view of the melange of architectural beauty in Frankfurt.

Another great way to see the city is taking a short river cruise- it could be a relaxing way to get off your feet after a long day of traveling while still taking in the sights. 

Städel Museum is home to an impressive array of art from Picasso to Monet and is an excellent way to enjoy a world-class museum on a layover while in a stunning building no less. Naturmuseum Senckenberg is the largest natural history museum in Germany and a great place to visit, especially if you are traveling with children.

If you’re hoping to learn specifically about the history of Germany and Frankfurt, Historisches Museum Frankfurt displays cultural and historical artifacts that highlight Frankfurt and German culture. 

Where to Spend the Night – Frankfurt Airport Hotels

If you need to spend the night during your layover in Frankfurt on your way to Morocco, there are plenty of quality hotels close to or in the airport.

My Cloud Transit Hotel is a great option as it’s in the airport- this is quite convenient especially if you have an early flight.

Hilton Garden Inn, NH Frankfurt Airport hotel and Mercure Hotel Frankfurt Airport are all very close to the airport as well.

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