One of the biggest advantages of living in Frankfurt is the city’s inexpensive public transport system. For people working or living in the city, it is virtually unnecessary to own a personal means of transport. With Google Maps in hand, or even a paper map purchased from any tourist kiosk, visitors will find it extremely easy to get around the German city of Frankfurt.
If you are someone who enjoys a nice walk, the city centre offers a nice place to stretch your legs. However, if you are in a race against time, you can always rely on the city’s efficient public transport network. Let us take a closer look at the different modes of transport.
Map of Frankfurt transport
Map of Public transportation in Frankfurt showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the map in PDF format.
S-Bahn and U-Bahn in Frankurt
Frankfurt’s main railway station is the country’s most important transport hub. There are over a thousand services connecting Frankfurt with the rest of Germany and various other destinations in continental Europe. All of Frankfurt’s nine S-Bahn (suburban railway) lines have a stop at Frankfurt Central Station.
The service is largely punctual and you will also have a timetable showing the stops for each train at each station along its route. Frankfurt’s subway system has nine lines and serves the city of Frankfurt as well as the large northern suburbs of Oberursel and Bad Homburg.
Tram service in Frankfurt
Frankfurt has a very efficient tram system. They usually operate at ground level and run down the middle of the streets. The number of stops along the tram route is significantly higher than the number of stops made by the city’s trains. Visitors are likely to be in for a shock as they have to walk to the middle of the road to either board or alight from an approaching tram. Although there is little danger in doing so, make sure that all oncoming traffic has stopped before making your move.
Drivers are required by law to stop behind the line to give tram passengers the right of way. However, beware of the reckless ones who like to take the law into their own hands. The trams stop at any of the designated places, so there is no need to ring the bell to get the driver’s attention when your destination is approaching.
Bus service in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is well served by bus. The names of each stop are announced before the bus arrives at its destination, and the name of the place is also displayed on the screen. The bus network covers a really large area of the city and is a great way to get to some of the more outlying suburbs that are not served by Frankfurt’s otherwise extensive rail network.
Taxi service in Frankfurt
The most common type of taxi in Frankfurt is a beige Mercedes. It is safe to hail one of them on the streets of the city. Drivers usually expect a tip of around 5-10% of the fare for each trip. You can also book a hackney carriage through telephone booking services offered by agencies such as Taxi Frankfurt. Most of them accept major credit cards, so you should have no problems. You will also find the pedal-operated Velotaxis between the Mainufer and Opernsaal, and they are an excellent choice for those who want to get up close and personal with the city.
Frankfurt is one of the few cities that is extremely friendly to cyclists. So if you are a visitor and want to take care of your health as well as enjoying all the tourist attractions in the city, you can hire a bike and cycle around the tourist attractions on the well-maintained cycle paths. There are a number of bike rental services around Frankfurt that you can either call or book via Android apps.