Cheap flights to Frankfurt from RON89*

Known for its skyscrapers, finance and trade fairs, Frankfurt is indeed impressive as one of Europe’s bustling business hubs. Nevertheless, it’s got the requisite medieval Altstadt, or old town, with half-timbered houses, brewpubs and hearty traditional restaurants, marvellous museums that rival Berlin, plus parks and gardens, for a city break that has it all.

 

Medieval and modern surprises

Frankfurt is stone-spired churches and glass-covered towers, half-timbered houses and riverside walks. Much more than high finance, the city has high culture and history – think Rembrandt and opera, Goethe’s home and the Rothschild palace – as well as hearty meals and apple wine that bring Frankfurt down to earth.

 

Old and new

Frankfurt’s Old Town is centred on the Kaiserdom, a red sandstone cathedral with a Gothic tower to climb, and the Römerberg, the old central square lined with gabled half-timbered buildings including the 15th-century old town hall. On one side is the Alte Nikolaikirche, a Protestant church also of red sandstone, and one of the few structures in the neighbourhood that miraculously survived WWII nearly intact. In the centre is the Justice Fountain (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen), a bronze fountain featuring the goddess Justitia holding up scales and a sword. From late November, the famous Frankfurt Christmas Market sets up some 200 stalls on and around this iconic square, filling the air with the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Museums include the Städel Museum, showcasing works by Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir, Picasso and Cézanne, the Museum für Moderne Kunst of modern European and American art, and the Schirn Kunsthalle with exhibitions that have included works by Kandinsky, Chagall and Giacometti. Goethe’s birthplace is also a museum, as is the medieval Jewish ghetto at Museum Judengasse, covering Jewish history from the 15th to 18th centuries, and then the Jüdisches Museum brings you to the present, in the unparalleled setting of the Rothschild family residence, the Rothschildpalais. The Main Tower, of course pronounced “mine” after the river that runs through the city, is a high-rise that defines Frankfurt’s skyline, and the view from the observation platform is certainly worth the 45-second lift ride. Other monuments of business include the Neoclassical Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and the European Central Bank Headquarters, in its new 180-metre-high home. Book ahead to visit either. Done with buildings and museums old and new? Relax in the PalmenGarten among tropical plants and a rose garden, or walk, run or bike on either side of the Main on the long promenade.

 

Apple wine and schnitzel

Explore German delicacies such as smoked Frankfurt sausages and pretzels, cheeses and breads at the Kleinmarkthalle, where you can have a wurst or beer at a stand, or head to nearby Fisch Franke for fish dishes from near and far in an airy atmosphere. The Main Tower has a spiffy restaurant on the 53rd floor, or stay down to earth, literally and price-wise, on the ground floor or cellar space at Zu den 12 Aposteln, which offers traditional German fare, including roast pork knuckle or käsespätzle (tiny egg dumplings with cheese and onions). Apfelwein Solzer in the Bornheim district serves up large portions of favourites such as schnitzel, with the local apple wine. Cheese fans should head to Käsestube Gutes aus Milch, stocking 150 cheeses from regional makers, for tasting (with wines, of course) on the terrace or for purchase.

 

Fashion and handicrafts

Frankfurt’s shopping hub is the sycamore-lined Zeil, offering all the shops you’re used to. You’ll find smaller independent boutiques on Bergerstrasse, the upper part flanked by cafés and restaurants, and on Brückstrasse, which is peppered with wares from local designers of all genres. For local designer goods all in one place, Kleidoskop is a good choice. Hunting for souvenirs? Look out for handmade nutcracker figurines, music boxes and the like in the Altstadt at Handwerkskunst am Römer, or pick up a classic blue-painted grey jug (meant for apple wine) at Töpferei Maurer. For apple wine to fill your jug, Frankfurter Fass is the place, stocking vinegars, oils, mustard and other goodies. Find delightful wooden toys at Wohnen und Spielen. As evening falls, you can try some apple wine in the authentic wood-panelled Fichtekränzi, which has been serving it since 1849. Rot & Vogel is a cosy place for cocktails, while Bull & Bear is (clearly) a club for the finance crowd. Try the Gatsby Bar just off the Zeil for great atmosphere and shisha. If you fancy something heavier, head down to the Cave for alternative rock and metal.

 

Heidelberg’s charms, biking and wine

Heidelberg, just an hour from Frankfurt, is one of Europe’s gems. Tucked into a forest overlooking the Neckar river are the ruins of the vast Heidelberg Castle, and at the riverside, a stunning Baroque Old Town, 18th-century bridges across the Neckar, and a university founded in 1386. For fairy-tale castle ruins on a hilltop, visit Eltz Castle. On the way, stop in Koblenz, which straddles the Rhine where it meets the Moselle. Speaking of rivers, cruises on the Main from Frankfurt are a great way to appreciate the city’s beauty, or choose a route along the Rhine from Mainz to see the countryside and gorgeous towns, of which Mainz is one, famous for its massive cathedral. Follow the German Wine Route through the warmest part of the country, 85 kilometres of rolling vine-covered hills, quaint villages and wine estates from the Deutsches Weintor in Schweigen-Rechtenbach, past the world’s largest barrel in Bad Dürkheim, and ending at the House of the German Wine Route in Bockenheim an der Weinstrasse. Not only can you taste the crisp whites of the region such as Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, the warm climate means the route is also lined with almond trees, which bloom in March. There are bike paths throughout.

 

Frankfurt airports

Lufthansa Express Rail and urban train lines run to and from Frankfurt Airport, as do local and long-distance bus lines and Lufthansa Express Bus services. Rental cars are also available in both terminals. As one of Europe’s busiest airports, Frankfurt has all the shops you’d imagine, from high-fashion brands to newspaper kiosks, duty-free to pharmacy, shoes, bags, jewellery, electronics, books and souvenirs. The same goes for dining options – have German classics such as wurst and pretzels, or go for Italian, sushi, noodles, deli sandwiches or quality coffee. If you fly into Frankfurt -Hahn Airport, the closest towns are the charming Kirchberg (10km), Simmern (20 km) and Traben-Trarbach (20km), on the Moselle River. From here, you can also easily take a bus or rental car into Frankfurt (120km) as well as Luxembourg, about the same distance. The closest major cities are Koblenz, Mainz and Heidelberg, with bus services to all. Frankfurt-Hahn has a duty-free shop and a travel convenience shop with deli food items.

 

Frankfurt weather

Frankfurt is pleasantly warm in summer and cold but usually not freezing in winter. In May through September, it’s the warmest of Germany’s big cities. Daily average temperatures range from 2°C in January to 20°C in July, when it can get up toward 30°C. Spring and autumn averages are around 15°C.

FAQs for booking flights to Frankfurt

How to get cheap flights to to Frankfurt?

Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Frankfurt flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.

When is the best time to visit Frankfurt?

The best times to visit Frankfurt is late spring and early autumn (March to May and September to November) when the weather is mild, and the city is filled with beautiful natural scenery. Cultural events abound, including concerts and exhibitions in the theatre, and the famous Palmengarten displays picturesque scenes.

Summer, from June to August, offers warm weather and long daylight hours. Winter, from December to February, is chilly but festive, with the renowned Frankfurt Christmas Market providing warmness with traditional crafts and Glühwein (mulled wine).

How to get from Frankfurt Airport to Cologne? 

The best way from Frankfurt Airport to Cologne is by direct train, which takes approximately 51 minutes. The bus is the cheaper alternative and will take about 2 hours and 18 minutes. Other options include the night train that will take about 2 hours and 26 minutes. Car travel will take approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. Alternatively, you can fly up to Düsseldorf and then make the balance journey to Cologne by train: this trip takes 1 hour 53 minutes. However, this is the most expensive option.

How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Frankfurt flight?

As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Frankfurt flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.