Train to Frankfurt - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Destination station: Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, Mainzer Landstraße 2, 60311 Frankfurt

• Documents: Germany is in the Schengen area – a valid identity card is sufficient for entry, a passport is not required

• Currency: Euro (EUR); payment cards are widely accepted, cash is also accepted

• Local transport: underground (U-Bahn), trams and suburban trains (S-Bahn) operate throughout the city

• Best time to go: May–June and September

• How long to go for: a weekend (Friday evening – Sunday) is enough for Römerberg, Museumsufer and Sachsenhausen; 3 days allows you to add Palmengarten and Bornheim

• Practical tip: buy your tickets in advance – the earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats

It is best to choose May, June or September, when the daytime temperature is usually 21–24°C and it is easier to sightsee without the heat.

Spring (March–May)

• In May it is 21°C, the Palmengarten is in bloom and a walk along the Main is pleasant throughout the day.

• In May there are musical and outdoor events in public spaces.

• April marks the start of the tourist season, so museums on the Museumsufer are less crowded than in summer.

Summer (June–August)

• The Museum Festival takes place in August, and many museums are open in the evenings with additional exhibitions and concerts.

• July and August are the peak season: it is 26°C during the day, accommodation prices are higher and the Römerberg can be crowded.

• June is a good compromise: it is 24°C during the day, the days are long and accommodation prices are sometimes lower than in July.

Autumn (September–October)

• September sees the ApfelweinFestival and the International Book Fair, and the daytime temperature is around 21°C.

• In October the crowds are smaller and golden leaves can be seen in the parks; the daytime temperature is around 15°C and it rains more often.

• September is one of the best months for a city break, combining pleasant weather with major events.

Winter (November–February)

• Christmas markets open on the Römerberg in December, and in the evening the city looks particularly striking.

• January and February are the low season: accommodation prices are lower and the museums are quieter, but you are more likely to encounter overcast weather.

• In November it rains more often and fog appears, so it is better to choose a different month if walks and outdoor events are important to you.

You will travel to Frankfurt with one change, usually in Dresden. You alight at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof station, close to the city centre.

From Wrocław

• From Wrocław Główny station to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof you travel about 6–7 hours with a change in Dresden.

• You can leave in the morning and arrive in the afternoon.

• A seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg.

From Katowice

• From Katowice Główny station to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof you travel approximately 7–8 hours with one change.

• From Upper Silesia there are several connections per day.

• A seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg.

From Kraków

• From Kraków Główny station to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof you travel approximately 8–9 hours with a change in Wrocław or Dresden.

• You can also choose a night connection and arrive in the morning.

• A seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg.

From Warsaw

• From Warsaw Central station to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof you travel approximately 9–10 hours with one change, usually in Dresden.

• You can choose the night connection and arrive in the morning.

• With the daytime option you leave in the morning and arrive in the evening.

• A seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg.

From Poznań Główny station to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof you will travel in approximately 7–8 hours with one change.

You buy your ticket on Europodróże without creating an account – you enter your email and phone number and the ticket is sent to your email and by SMS. 30 minutes before departure you receive an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket, so you don't have to search for it in your inbox. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats, especially for night and weekend connections. PKP Intercity allows you to return your ticket up to 20 minutes before departure and exchange it up to 30 minutes before departure. See the refund and exchange policy for detailed rules.

From Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof you can walk to the Römerberg in about ten minutes via Kaiserstraße. You can also take the metro or tram. Frankfurt has an extensive public transport network – the metro (U-Bahn), trams and suburban trains (S-Bahn) all operate under the RMV system. You buy tickets from vending machines at stops or via a local ticketing app. Taxis and ride-hailing apps also operate at the station.

You get around the centre on foot. The Römerberg, Museumsufer, Eiserner Steg Bridge and St Paul's Church are all close together. Sachsenhausen is located on the other side of the Main. You can get there via the Eiserner Steg Bridge in about ten minutes from the Römerberg.

Where to stay:

• Altstadt (Old Town) - next to the main attractions, best for a short stay

• Sachsenhausen - quieter atmosphere, traditional Apfelwein pubs, about ten minutes' walk from the Römerberg

• Bornheim - a local neighbourhood with the atmospheric Berger Straße, a few minutes by metro to the centre

Römerberg

Historic square with reconstructed 16th–17th century townhouses and the Römer Town Hall. A tour of the square takes about 1.5 hours. It is worth coming early in the morning when the crowds are smaller, or in December during the Christmas markets. On the square stands the Fountain of Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen), a distinctive 16th-century monument. Admission is free.

St Paul's Church (Paulskirche)

This is the site where the first German parliament convened in 1848. Admission is free. Inside there is a permanent exhibition on the history of democracy in Germany. The visit takes about an hour.

St Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche)

A Gothic church from the 14th century on the Römerberg. Admission is free. It is worth going inside to see the interior with its original features. The visit takes 45–60 minutes.

Museumsufer

A promenade along the Main with 13 museums covering everything from contemporary art to architecture and film. Entry to each museum is paid. Plan 2–3 hours per museum. In August the Museum Festival takes place here, with evening programmes, concerts and special exhibitions.

Eiserner Steg Bridge and walk along the Main

A pedestrian bridge connecting the Altstadt with Sachsenhausen. Entry is free. It is best to come here at sunset – Frankfurt's skyline with the skyscrapers of the financial district is one of the city's most iconic views.

Palmengarten

A botanical garden dating from 1869 with tropical plants in glass houses. Entry is paid. The visit takes about 2–2.5 hours. The best time to go is in spring, when the rhododendron and rose collections are in bloom.

One-day plan

Start the morning at the Römerberg – walk around the square and look inside St Paul's Church and St Nicholas Church. For lunch, have frankfurters at one of the stalls near the square. In the afternoon, cross the Eiserner Steg Bridge to Sachsenhausen and visit one museum on the Museumsufer. In the evening, stay in Sachsenhausen for dinner at a traditional Apfelwein pub.

Weekend plan

Friday evening: Arrive in Frankfurt. Dinner in Sachsenhausen – a traditional pub with Apfelwein and Handkäse mit Musik for a great start.

Saturday: Morning at the Römerberg with the churches and the Fountain of Justice. Two museums on the Museumsufer – plan 2–3 hours for each. In the afternoon, walk along the Main and across the Eiserner Steg Bridge. In the evening, dinner in the Altstadt.

Sunday: Palmengarten – the visit takes about 2–2.5 hours – or a walk through the Bornheim district with coffee on Berger Straße. For shopping, head to Zeil street with its large shopping centres. Return by train in the afternoon.

What to eat

Frankfurters (Würstchen) - small sausages in rye bread with mustard. Buy them at street stalls at the Römerberg and around the train station. They make a quick meal while sightseeing.

Apfelwein - a traditional apple cider with around 5–6% alcohol, tart and served with cold water or lemonade. It is a speciality of Sachsenhausen, where many bars have their own recipe. The drink arrives at the table in distinctive jugs with a blue pattern.

Grüne Sauce - a sauce made from seven herbs: chives, lovage, parsley, thyme, tarragon, dill and lemon balm. It is served with hard-boiled eggs, potatoes and meat. It is a regional speciality found in most traditional restaurants.

Handkäse mit Musik - marinated white cheese with vinegar and onions. This is a classic dish in Sachsenhausen pubs, usually served as a starter with Apfelwein. The name 'mit Musik' is a humorous reference to its digestive effects.

Rippchen - pork ribs with sauerkraut. This is a popular dish in traditional Gasthäuser and the portions are generous.

Where to eat:

• Sachsenhausen - traditional Apfelwein pubs, lower prices than in the centre and a local atmosphere

• Altstadt - restaurants with views of the Römerberg, higher prices and a convenient location for sightseeing

• Bornheim (Berger Straße) - local cafés and restaurants, fewer tourists, good coffee and breakfasts

Shopping and souvenirs

Bottles of Apfelwein and blue ceramics – the traditional cider jugs – are among the most popular souvenirs from Frankfurt. Miniatures of the financial district skyline can be found in shops along the Römerberg. The main shopping street is Zeil with its large shopping centres. Antiques and local souvenirs can be bought in the small shops of the Altstadt.

The budget option is based on free attractions such as the Römerberg, walks along the Main and churches, and food from street stalls and Sachsenhausen pubs. The mid-range option involves 2–3 museums on the Museumsufer and mid-range restaurants. The comfort option includes a three- or four-star hotel, good restaurants and taxis instead of public transport.

Restaurants overlooking the Römerberg are noticeably more expensive than establishments in Sachsenhausen – you may pay up to twice as much for a similar meal. Payment cards are widely accepted, but cash also comes in handy. You will find ATMs at the train station and in the city centre.