How to Book Train Travel From Berlin to Frankfurt

Frankfurt, or Frankfurt-am-Main as it is known in Germany, is a city where the old and the new blend. You will find the largest traffic hub in Germany, some of the tallest buildings in the country, all alongside some its most well-preserved architecture. Train travel to this well-connected city can be arranged easily from Berlin or any other city in Germany.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Book Train Travel From Berlin to Frankfurt

1. Review Die Bahn's timetable for travel between Berlin and Frankfurt (see Resources). You can choose from nearly 35 daily departures, as well as additional trains scheduled throughout the week and on weekends.

2. Expect to spend as much as 9 hours on the train when you book travel on one of the routes which transfer in the northernmost stations of Germany.

3. Notice that there are several trains which connect with Berlin's Spandau station. These are typically slower regional trains and take about 30 minutes longer to arrive in Frankfurt than the ICE trains from Berlin's central station.

4. Budget at least 100 euros when you book a second class ticket on one of Deutsche Bahn's trains between Berlin and Frankfurt. There may also be additional fees for reserving a seat or sleeping accommodations on these trains.

5. Pick up your tickets at the station counter or at one of the automated ticket machines in Berlin if you book your travel online. You may also purchase tickets at the station or on the train.

Navigate Frankfurt's Train Stations

1. Realize that Frankfurt has 3 train stations. Each is located in a different part of town and most provide consistent service throughout the country.

2. Arrive at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, the city's central station, when you take most departure trains from Berlin. Visitors may find this station large and overwhelming, but assistance is readily available from station attendants and friendly locals.

3. Find the Flughafen Fernbahnhof station at the airport. Trains departing from Berlin do not terminate here but may stop to let off passengers.

Tips & Warnings

• Find Frankfurt in central Germany. Its reputation as an economic and cultural center owes much to its placement within the heart of the country.

• Visit Frankfurt in the late spring or early fall. The summers here tend to be hot and the winters cold, though with little snow.

• Book train travel from Berlin to Frankfurt through Rail Europe by visiting the Web site (see Resources) or by calling a North American agent at (888) 382-RAIL.

• Travel to the city's southern station Südbahnhof may be limited on religious or national holidays. These exceptions will be noted on the schedule available at Deutsche Bahn's Web site (see Resources).