Getting around using public transport in Frankfurt

How to use the public transport in Frankfurt? From ticket costs to the best ways to get around the city, learn about Frankfurt's public transport.

Bas

4 minute read

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Updated on 4 Nov 2024

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Living

Whether you're planning on moving or are going to be commuting to Frankfurt from another German city, it's good to familiarise yourself with the public transport in Frankfurt. What's the difference between U-Bahn and S-Bahn? Where do you buy tickets from? What are the working hours of the public transport? These are only some of the questions we'll answer with our guide to help you understant the public transport in Frankfurt.

How much is public transportation in Frankfurt?

There are several ways to pay for public transport in Frankfurt. You can buy tickets via the RMV app (available in English), from ticket machines at U-Bahn and tram stops, on board buses, or using a contactless payment method directly at the entrance of the stations or on board.

For single trips, the cost is €2.75, though frequent travelers want to opt for monthly subscriptions to lower their cost of living in Frankfurt. Popular options include:

• Personal annual ticket: costs €85 per month, comes with unlimited journeys and is valid across Frankfurt’s public transport system
• Personal monthly ticket: €106 mothly, is valid across the whole local transit network and gives you unlimited journeys; it's more flexible than the annual ticket as you can cancel it every month
• Deutschlandticket: costs €49 monthly, this pass gives unlimited travel across all RMV networks and on regional trains throughout Germany.

Students enrolled at participating universities in Frankfurt can apply for a SemesterTicket, offering free or reduced public transport for the duration of their studies.

Such a subscription is also available for employees working for businesses with a company subscription for Frankfurt's public transport. Make sure you ask your employer if they offer a JobTicket.

Although owning a car is quite popular in Germany, most larger cities also have a stellar German public transport system. As a thriving business hub with one of the largest European airports, Frankfurt is no different! The 3 pillars of public transport in Frankfurt consist of the suburban train (S-Bahn), the metro (U-Bahn), and the bus system.

The metro (or U-Bahn) is the best means of public transport in Frankfurt. Find one of the almost 90 U-bahn stations, hop on a metro and pop up again, close to your destination! All U-Bahn's lines take you to the center, except the U9 line, so far only servicing the north-side of the city. So, there’s very little risk of actually getting lost as you can always get back to the U-Bahn station that connections to multiple (or even all) lines.

• Works between 4 AM and 2 PM during the week
• The metro lines run every 10 minutes during the week and every 15-30 minutes in the weekend

Some of the metro lines (U2, U5, U7, and U8) run throughout the night on the weekends.

The Frankfurt public transport train system, also known as the S-Bahn Rhein-Main, is one of the major public transportation systems in the city. Frankfurt's S-Bahn has over 111 stations spread across 9 S-lines. And, with the exception of lines S8 and S9, every line of the S-Bahn has a connection to the city center! At the same time, lines 8 and 9 connect Frankfurt to its airport, bringing the millions of tourists, travelers, and expats into the metropolitan on the river Main.

• Works between 6 AM and 8 PM during the week
• The trains on the S-Bahn lines depart every 15-30 minutes and every few minutes during rush hours

The S-bahn also has an excellent night service. During the week you can catch line S8 every 30-60 minutes. Lines S1, S6, and S8 run fully throughout the night on the weekends and public holidays. Whereas, the other S-Bahn lines run only partially.

The tram is the most scenic way to travel around Frankfurt. With 10 tram lines weaving through the city, you can hop on at any of the numerous stops and enjoy a smooth ride through neighborhoods and landmarks. All trams converge at key central areas, making it easy to connect with other lines or switch to buses and U-Bahn services.

• Works between 4:30 AM and 1:30 AM during the week
• The trams run every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 to 20 minutes off-peak hours

On weekends, Frankfurt's tram lines 11, 12, 16, and 18 provide night services.

As most of the city is covered by the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, you won't be using the buses as much. But, if you're living in the northern neighborhoods in Frankfurt, you might find that the buses are more convinient. There are also Express buses which run between the city and the suburbs which you can use instead of the S-Bahn.

• Works between 5 AM and 1 AM during the week
• The frequency of services depends on the line and time of day

Frankfurt offers night bus services, too. These buses typically operate between 1:30 AM and 3:30 AM, departing every 30 minutes from central hubs. You can catch the night bus instead of the metro during the week.

• Google maps is your friend: There is one clever trick that makes finding your way around your new place a lot easier. You can also use this to scout the area when you're exploring homes for rent in Frankfurt by using queries like ‘grocery stores near me’ or ‘schools near me’

• Download the RVM app: To plan your trip from door to door using the public transport system in Frankfurt, you can use the official RVM app or the third-party popular Öffi app. This way, you always know which line, platform, or stop you’re going to need to get to your destination quickly!

• Live close to the S-Bahn line: Whether you want to get to work quickly or make sure you get home safely after a night in the town, the S-Bahn will get you where you need to go. Living close to one of these stations means you could live in a more affordable neighbourhood in Frankfurt area, without compromising your time to commute!

So, now you know what options you have to get around in Frankfurt. Let's summarise:

• For longer trips between towns or districts: The S-bahn train line is your friend!
• For medium - to long trips across Frankfurt itself: The U-bahn metro line or the tram is a great option to move around the metropolitan quickly.
• Bad weather, or need to get close to a specific location? Hop on one of the many buses!

Couple this with a monthly or annual ticket for the lines your travel most and you're all set to get around in Frankfurt. So, now that you know the best way to get around the city it's time to start exploring homes for rent in Frankfurt and planning your move!

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