5 Hour Layover in FRA

[bwhouse]

Hi All,

Looking for some advise from people who have frequented FRA. We are coming back from Europe early October and will have about a 5.5 hour layover in FRA. Flying in from FCO on LH then onwards to BKK on TG.

Wondering if 5 hours is enough to do anything or if we should just relax in the lounge (although the senator lounge doesn't look all that appealing). I am somewhat tempted to do the whole rent a Porsche but at $299euro it seems a little steep as we are not flying LH I don't believe we can get the 99euro deal and not sure if I want to be navigating an unknown country on the wrong side of the road.

I guess the other option is to head in to the city but is 5 hours long enough to head in to the city, I have read the train is only about 15mins so it seems doable or am I just being optimistic?

 

[RooFlyer]

You won't have 5 hours. Arrival formalities in my experience at FRA can be +30 mins, and with boarding about 45 mins prior to departure, adding security, you'd have to be entering the terminal again maybe 1h 15 or 1h 30 mins before departure.

I think you will be stuck in the awkward transit time period. I'd be getting ready for some lounge time. Senator lounge(s) aren't too bad at FRA in my recollection.

If you are really determined to get out of the airport, I'd be getting a taxi to and from the downtown area; a couple of hours might be worth while.

 

[kermatu]

I like Frankfurt but there isn't any 'must do' activity in my opinion - and certainly not enough time in your scenario to enjoy it.

Been a few years since there but the airport had some options to entertain (viewing terrace, mini museum, tours) from memory.

 

[Mattg]

Frankfurt is worth seeing, and in my opinion you do have enough time to see some of it. I would take a train into the city and do some sightseeing for 1-2 hours. The trains are frequent and don't take long to get to the CBD.

It's been a little while since I was in Frankfurt but the Römer is where I would start. From there you could wander down to the river.

If you're after a bite to eat and a local experience, check out the Kleinmarkthalle in the old part of the city.

 

[bwhouse]

Thanks for all the replies. If we can sight see a bit it would be my preference.

I probably should have been clear, i actually have 5h50m. I rounded the layover down to accommodate the boarding time of the outbound flight. Good to know that arrivals can take some time, one thing I wasnt sure of is the arrivals and departure process / usual timings in FRA. Does FRA have an express lane for J & F pax to clear arrivals?