Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Frankfurt Hbf) - Complete Station Guide
Frankfurt, Germany
Im Hauptbahnhof, 60329 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open 24 hours daily
Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Frankfurt Hbf) is one of Germany's busiest and most important railway stations, serving as a major crossroads for national and international rail travel across Europe. Located in the heart of Frankfurt am Main, this impressive Neo-Renaissance terminus station dating from 1888 handles over 450,000 passengers daily. Whether you are connecting between high-speed ICE services or arriving from Paris, Amsterdam or Zurich, Frankfurt Hbf places you right in the city center with connections to the entire Rhine-Main region. The station features 25 mainline platforms (numbered 1 through 24 plus platform 1a) on the ground level, all arranged in a row beneath a grand three-arched trainshed. Additional halls were added in 1924 to expand capacity. Below the terminus level, four underground S-Bahn platforms serve the commuter rail network, and a separate U-Bahn station provides metro access. As a terminus station, all mainline tracks end inside the hall, giving the station its distinctive character with open views from the concourse to all platforms. Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof offers comprehensive traveler amenities including staffed luggage storage and lockers, free WiFi via the WIFI@DB network, a DB Lounge for first-class passengers, extensive shopping and dining options, and full barrier-free accessibility with level access from the street to all platforms. The station is also a key gateway to Frankfurt Airport, with S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 providing a direct connection in approximately 12 minutes.
Station Facilities
Free WIFI@DB network available throughout the station.
Staffed left luggage office with lockers in the main hall. Additional lockers at platform 24 and opposite platform 19.
Multiple locker locations: main hall, platform 24 area, and opposite platform 19. Various sizes available.
Wide range of dining options including fast food, bakeries, fish restaurant (Nordsee), Asian noodles, bars and sit-down restaurants.
Supermarkets, bookshops, pharmacies, clothing stores and convenience shops throughout the concourse.
Multiple ATMs located throughout the station concourse.
Paid toilet facilities available. Accessible toilets also available for passengers with disabilities.
DB Information desk opposite platforms 12-13 (main), secondary desk near platform 4.
DB first class lounge. Mon-Fri 06:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 07:00-22:00. Complimentary drinks, sandwiches and soup for first-class Flexpreis ticket holders.
Car rental desks from major providers located near the station exits.
Pharmacy available within the station concourse area.
Getting to the Station
S-Bahn (Commuter Rail)
Underground platforms directly below the terminusAll S-Bahn lines in the Rhine-Main area stop at the underground S-Bahn platforms beneath the station. Lines S1-S6 serve the regional network. S8 and S9 provide a direct connection to Frankfurt Airport in approximately 12 minutes.
S8 and S9 to the airport run every 15 minutes. Buy an RMV ticket covering the airport zone before boarding.
U-Bahn (Metro)
Underground U-Bahn station adjacent to the main terminusU-Bahn lines U4 and U5 serve the Hauptbahnhof station. U4 connects to Bockenheimer Warte and the university area, U5 runs to Konstablerwache via the banking district.
For the Zeil shopping street, take U4 or U5 two stops to Konstablerwache.
Tram
Tram stops at street level outside the stationMultiple tram lines serve stops around the station. Lines 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21 connect to various parts of Frankfurt from the station forecourt and nearby stops.
Tram 16 connects directly to the Romerberg historic center and the Main riverside.
Bus
Bus stops at street level around the stationSeveral city bus lines serve the Hauptbahnhof area. Long-distance FlixBus services depart from the south side of the station.
For airport travel, the S-Bahn is faster and more reliable than any bus connection.
Taxi
Available 24 hours outside the station exitsTaxi ranks are located outside the main (south) exit and the north exit of the station. Frankfurt taxis are metered and accept card payments.
To Frankfurt Airport by taxi takes approximately 15-25 minutes depending on traffic, significantly more expensive than the S-Bahn.
Walking from City Center
15-20 minutes to Zeil, 20-25 minutes to RomerbergThe Zeil shopping street and Konstablerwache are approximately 1.5 km east. The Romerberg historic square is about 1.8 km southeast along the Kaiserstrasse.
Walk east along Kaiserstrasse or Munchener Strasse to reach the city center. The Alte Oper is about 15 minutes northeast.
Accessibility
Contact DB Mobility Service Centre at +49 30 65212888 or msm@deutschebahn.com at least 48 hours before travel.
Free, open and level access between all platforms and the concourse and the street outside. No ticket barriers or gates. Wheelchair users and those with heavy luggage benefit from step-free access throughout.
Train Operators at This Station
Deutsche Bahn (DB)
View detailsโICE (high-speed, domestic and international), IC/EC (intercity/EuroCity), RE/RB (regional)
SNCF
View detailsโICE/TGV cooperation (Frankfurt-Paris direct)
OBB (Austrian Federal Railways)
View detailsโNightjet (overnight services to Vienna, Innsbruck, Zurich)
SBB (Swiss Federal Railways)
View detailsโICE (Frankfurt-Basel-Zurich)
Popular Departures from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof
Tips & Insider Advice
Allow Time for Connections
Frankfurt Hbf has 25 mainline platforms plus underground S-Bahn platforms. Allow at least 25 minutes between connecting trains, especially if switching between mainline and S-Bahn services which require using the underpass stairs at platform midpoints.
S-Bahn to Frankfurt Airport
S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 connect Frankfurt Hbf to Frankfurt Airport in approximately 12 minutes. Trains depart from the underground S-Bahn platforms every 15 minutes. Follow signs to the S-Bahn platforms below the main station level.
Luggage Storage Options
A staffed left luggage office with lockers operates in the main hall. Additional lockers are located on platform 24 and in a locker room opposite platform 19. Prices vary by locker size.
Dining Options Galore
The concourse offers a wide range of dining from fast food (McDonald's, Burger King, Nordsee) to sit-down restaurants and bars. For quick meals, the bakeries and Asian noodle outlets near the main hall are popular with commuters.
Know Your Platform Zones
International trains to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam typically use platforms 17-20. Trains to Munich often depart from platforms 5 or 7, while Swiss services use platforms 2, 4, 6, 8 or 9. Check departure boards to confirm.
DB Lounge Access
The DB first class lounge is open Mon-Fri 06:00-22:00 and Sat-Sun 07:00-22:00. It offers complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks, sandwiches and soup. Access requires a first-class Flexpreis ticket. The information desk opposite platforms 12-13 can direct you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nearby Stations
Information on this page is provided for general guidance only. Public transport connections (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram line numbers and journey times) are approximate and should be verified at rmv.de. Facilities, opening hours and prices may change without notice. Information last verified: 2026-03-18. For the most current details, please check the official Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof website or contact the station directly.