Frankfurt Airport – known to travellers simply as FRA – is the largest airport in Germany and one of the most important transfer hubs in the world. In 2025 it handled roughly 63 million passengers, and in 2026 it changed more than in any year of the last two decades: a brand-new Terminal 3 opened in April, and Terminal 2 closed in June for a long modernisation.
That means many older maps, blog posts and even airline emails are out of date. Our chauffeurs drive to the FRA terminals all the time, so we wrote this guide to give you a clear, current picture: how the terminals are laid out, which airline uses which building, how to read the Frankfurt Airport map, how much time to plan, and the easiest way to get to and from the airport without stress.
Key facts at a glance
FRA Germany airport at a glance
Before we go into detail, here are the key facts most travellers search for:
| Topic | Facts |
|---|---|
| Official name | Frankfurt am Main Airport (Flughafen Frankfurt am Main) |
| Airport code | IATA: FRA · ICAO: EDDF |
| Location | About 12 km south-west of Frankfurt city centre, next to the A3 and A5 motorways |
| Passengers | Approx. 63 million in 2025 |
| Passenger terminals in 2026 | Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 (Terminal 2 closed for modernisation since 9 June 2026) |
| Main airline | Lufthansa – FRA is its largest hub |
| Night-flight restriction | No scheduled flights between 23:00 and 05:00 |
| Train stations | Regional station (S-Bahn S8/S9) and long-distance station (ICE) at Terminal 1 |
| Free transfer between terminals | Sky Line people-mover train |
Do not confuse FRA with Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN). Hahn is a separate airport in the Hunsrück region, more than 100 km away. If your ticket says HHN, you need a completely different plan – we offer a dedicated transfer to Frankfurt-Hahn.
Frankfurt Airport map explained
The FRA site is huge, but the Frankfurt Airport terminal map becomes simple once you understand three ideas:
- Terminal 1 is in the north, right next to the motorway and both railway stations. It is the oldest and biggest building.
- Terminal 3 is in the south, on the other side of the runways, with its own motorway access from the A5.
- The Sky Line train connects them. Nobody walks or drives between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 as a passenger.
Inside each terminal, the Frankfurt Airport gate map follows letters. The letter on your boarding pass tells you the concourse (also called hall or pier) and the number tells you the gate. For example, gate B44 is in concourse B of Terminal 1; a gate starting with H or J is in Terminal 3.
| Gate letter | Terminal | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| A | Terminal 1 | Mainly Lufthansa and partner flights within the Schengen area |
| B | Terminal 1 | Schengen and non-Schengen flights (separate levels) |
| C | Terminal 1 | Mainly long-haul and non-Schengen flights |
| Z | Terminal 1 | Upper level of concourse A, used for non-Schengen flights |
| G | Terminal 3 | Point-to-point flights, Schengen and non-Schengen |
| H | Terminal 3 | Schengen flights |
| J | Terminal 3 | Non-Schengen flights (separate arrivals level) |
Frankfurt Airport map Terminal 1 and Terminal 3
If you are looking for a map of Frankfurt International Airport, think of it as two separate buildings. The Terminal 1 map shows the departure halls A, B and C and, behind security, the concourses A, B, C and Z. The Terminal 3 map shows the piers G, H and J. Our image below is a simple map of Frankfurt Airport terminals for quick orientation; for the exact position of all Frankfurt Airport gates, use the official interactive map.
Terminal 1 Frankfurt: halls A, B, C and Z
Terminal 1 Frankfurt is the heart of the airport and home to Lufthansa, its Star Alliance partners and Condor. It is organised in three departure halls on the check-in level:
- Departure Hall A – Lufthansa check-in for most flights, plus self-service bag drop.
- Departure Hall B – Lufthansa partners and Star Alliance airlines, plus several other carriers.
- Departure Hall C – further airlines, including holiday and charter flights.
Below the check-in level is the arrivals level, where you will find baggage reclaim, car-rental desks and the meeting points. This is where our drivers wait for you with a name sign when you book our Meet & Greet pick-up. Under the terminal sits the regional train station, and a covered walkway leads to the long-distance station and The Squaire building.
Terminal 1 is large: walking from the far end of concourse A to concourse C can easily take 15 minutes. Follow the yellow signs and use the moving walkways.
What happened to Frankfurt Airport Terminal 2?
Many people still search for Frankfurt Airport Terminal 2, because for 30 years it was the home of airlines such as British Airways, Air France, KLM, Emirates and Delta. Here is the important update: Terminal 2 closed to passengers on 9 June 2026. Its airlines moved to Terminal 3 in four waves between April and June 2026.
Fraport plans to fully modernise Terminal 2, with a reopening expected in the 2030s. Until then, if an old booking, hotel note or map tells you “Terminal 2”, check your airline’s current information – in almost every case you now need Terminal 3.
Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3: everything new
Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3 opened for passengers on 23 April 2026 after about ten years of construction and an investment of around 4 billion euros. It is designed for about 19 million passengers a year in its first stage.
What makes Terminal 3 different:
- Three piers: G for point-to-point traffic, H for Schengen flights and J for non-Schengen flights.
- Modern security lanes with CT scanners at all checkpoints. Usually you can leave liquids and laptops in your bag. Keep in mind that your return airport may have stricter rules.
- Own road access from the A5 motorway, a drop-off zone directly in front of the building and the large P11 car park.
- No railway station of its own. Train travellers arrive at Terminal 1 and take the Sky Line to Terminal 3.
Which terminal is my airline in?
This is the most common question we hear from customers. The table shows the situation after the 2026 moves. Airlines can change terminals, so always double-check your booking confirmation.
| Airline | Terminal (2026) |
|---|---|
| Lufthansa, Lufthansa City Airlines, Discover | Terminal 1 |
| Star Alliance partners (e.g. United, Swiss, Austrian, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines) | Terminal 1 |
| Condor | Terminal 1 (planned move to Terminal 3 in summer 2027) |
| Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air | Terminal 3 (since 23 April 2026) |
| American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Aer Lingus, JAL, TUI fly | Terminal 3 (since 19 May 2026) |
| Air France, KLM, Iberia, Finnair, easyJet, SAS, Icelandair | Terminal 3 (since 9 June 2026) |
So if you are looking for the Delta, American, Air France or Iberia terminal in Frankfurt, the answer is now Terminal 3. The United terminal in Frankfurt remains Terminal 1, together with Lufthansa.
Moving between terminals: the Sky Line train
The Sky Line is a free, driverless train that links Terminals 1 and 3. Trains run roughly every two minutes, and the ride from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 takes about 8–10 minutes over a 5.6 km track.
If you connect from Lufthansa (Terminal 1) to an airline in Terminal 3, plan generously. Fraport states that connections of about 45 minutes are possible, but walking distances and passport control can add time. When you are on separate tickets and must collect and re-check your bags, allow at least two to three hours.
How early to arrive at Frankfurt Airport
One of the top questions about FRA is how early to arrive at Frankfurt Airport. Our recommendation from daily practice:
| Flight type | Arrive at the terminal |
|---|---|
| Domestic / Schengen, hand luggage only | 90 minutes before departure |
| Schengen with checked bags | 2 hours before departure |
| Non-Schengen (UK, Turkey, Middle East) | 2.5 hours before departure |
| Long-haul (USA, Asia, Africa) | 3 hours before departure |
| Summer holidays, Easter, Christmas | Add another 30–60 minutes |
Frankfurt Airport closing time: FRA has a night-flight restriction, so there are no scheduled take-offs or landings between 23:00 and 05:00. The terminals do not empty completely at night, but most shops and restaurants close in the late evening, and check-in desks open only a few hours before the first flights. For a 6:00 departure, our drivers usually pick customers up at home between 3:00 and 4:00 – depending on distance. Our home-to-airport transfer runs 24/7, also at night.
Wi-Fi, showers, smoking areas and shops
Frankfurt International Airport Wi-Fi
FRA offers free Wi-Fi in all public areas. Connect to the airport network, accept the terms in the browser window, and you are online. For video calls, the quieter areas near the gates usually give a more stable connection than the busy check-in halls.
Showers at Frankfurt Airport
Showers are mainly available in the airline lounges, so check whether your ticket, frequent flyer status or credit card gives you lounge access. Pay-per-use lounges are another option on a long layover. If you only need a short rest, look for the sleeping cabins and quiet zones marked on the airport map.
Smoking area at Frankfurt Airport
Smoking is not allowed in the general terminal areas. After security, you will find designated smoking lounges in several concourses; the airport map lists their exact locations. Before security, smoking is only allowed outside the building in marked areas.
Frankfurt Airport visitors terrace
Plane spotters often ask about the Frankfurt Airport visitors terrace. The classic terrace was located in Terminal 2, which is now closed for modernisation. Check frankfurt-airport.com for the current options before you plan a visit.
Frankfurt International Airport shops
The shopping streets after security offer duty-free, fashion, electronics, books, toys and German specialities such as chocolates and local wines. The landside area of Terminal 1 also has a supermarket and a pharmacy, which are useful if you forgot something at home. Many shops after security close in the late evening, so buy your gifts earlier if your flight leaves late.
Sleeping at or near the airport
An early flight, a late arrival or a long layover? Several hotels are within walking distance or a short ride:
- Directly at Terminal 1: the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel is connected to the terminal, and the Hilton Frankfurt Airport sits in The Squaire above the long-distance station.
- Airside transit hotel: if you are connecting and do not want to pass passport control, a transit hotel inside the non-Schengen area of Terminal 1 can be an option.
- Gateway Gardens: a business district a few minutes from the terminal with several mid-range hotels and its own S-Bahn stop.
- Budget options: hotels in Kelsterbach, Mörfelden-Walldorf or Rüsselsheim are often cheaper and only 10–15 minutes away by car.
Arriving at FRA: what happens after landing
Landing in Frankfurt for the first time can feel overwhelming. This is the usual order of things:
- Walk to passport control – only if you arrive from outside the Schengen area. EU citizens can often use the automatic e-gates; other travellers should keep their passport and, if required, their visa ready.
- Collect your luggage – the screens in the baggage hall show the belt number for your flight. Free trolleys are available.
- Customs – use the green exit if you have nothing to declare, the red one if you carry goods above the duty-free limits.
- Arrivals hall – here you find the exit to taxis, buses, car rental and the meeting points. If you booked a chauffeur, your driver is already waiting for you with a name sign.
Switch your phone on as soon as you land and keep your booking confirmation at hand, so you can reach us immediately if the baggage takes longer than expected. Families with small children can request child seats or booster seats when booking – just add the age of each child, so the right seat is already installed when you get in the car.
Getting to and from FRA: all options compared
FRA has excellent connections. Which option is best depends on where you start, how much luggage you carry, and whether you travel alone or with family.
| Option | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| S-Bahn (S8/S9) | Cheap, approx. 15–20 minutes to Frankfurt city centre | Crowded at rush hour, changes needed with luggage, only to Terminal 1 |
| ICE / long-distance train | Fast to Cologne, Mannheim, Stuttgart and other cities | Strikes and delays possible, extra transfer to Terminal 3 |
| Bus | Direct lines to Terminal 3 (e.g. from Darmstadt and Gateway Gardens) | Limited timetable, long travel time from many towns |
| Own car | Flexible | Parking at FRA is expensive for longer trips |
| Taxi | Available at the rank | Price depends on the meter and traffic |
| Private transfer (Veloria Ride) | Fixed price, door-to-door, Meet & Greet, 60 min free waiting time, child seats on request | Must be booked in advance |
Parking vs. private transfer
Many travellers drive themselves and only find out the parking costs at the exit. For a one- or two-week holiday, parking fees at the terminal car parks can quickly add up to more than a return transfer. Add fuel, the walk with luggage and the search for a space, and a chauffeur often turns out to be the smarter choice. Use our return trip booking to fix both rides at once.
Want to know more about our door-to-door service? Read about our private Frankfurt Airport shuttle at a fixed price.
Popular Veloria Ride routes to Frankfurt Airport
We drive to FRA every day from the entire Rhine-Main region and far beyond, including:
- Frankfurt Airport to Frankfurt city centre
- Frankfurt Airport to Offenbach
- Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg
- Wiesbaden, Mainz, Darmstadt and Mannheim
- Long distance: Stuttgart, Cologne and our other intercity transfers
Travelling for work or to a trade fair? Our business chauffeur service brings you from the gate to your meeting or to Messe Frankfurt. For teams, families with lots of luggage or sports equipment, we offer group transfers in large vehicles.
Looking for a premium ride? Our chauffeur service in Frankfurt covers airport, business and events.
Veloria Ride – your chauffeur service at Frankfurt Airport
Veloria Ride is a premium chauffeur company based in Rüsselsheim am Main, just a few minutes from Frankfurt Airport. When you book a ride with Veloria Ride, you get more than a taxi – you get a personal chauffeur service:
- Airport transfers to and from Frankfurt Airport – Terminal 1 and Terminal 3
- Meet & Greet: your chauffeur welcomes you with a name sign in the arrivals hall and helps with your luggage
- Business chauffeur for meetings, roadshows and trade fairs
- Weddings and events in and around Frankfurt
- Long-distance and intercity rides across Germany
- Group transfers in large vehicles for families and teams
Every Veloria Ride trip comes at a fixed price, in well-kept Mercedes vehicles with experienced chauffeurs. Learn more about our team on the About us page.
Your ride to and from Frankfurt Airport with Veloria Ride – at a fixed price.
Mercedes vehicles · professional chauffeurs · fixed prices · 60 minutes free waiting time · Meet & Greet inside the terminal · available 24/7.
Book your transfer now or read our pickup instructions
Veloria Ride – premium chauffeur service from Rüsselsheim am Main. We drive travellers to and from Frankfurt Airport every day: on time, at a fixed price and with Meet & Greet at the terminal.
FAQ about Frankfurt Airport
How many terminals does Frankfurt Airport have?
In 2026, two terminals are in use for passengers: Terminal 1 and the new Terminal 3. Terminal 2 has been closed for modernisation since 9 June 2026.
Is Frankfurt Airport open 24 hours?
The terminal buildings are not closed like a shop, but there are no scheduled flights between 23:00 and 05:00 because of the night-flight restriction. Most shops, restaurants and check-in counters are closed during this time.
How do I get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3?
Take the free Sky Line train. It runs about every two minutes and needs around 8–10 minutes.
Where is the meeting point for my Veloria Ride driver?
Your chauffeur waits in the arrivals hall of your terminal with a name sign. All details are in your booking confirmation; see also our pickup instructions.
What if my flight is delayed?
Add your flight number when you book, so your pick-up is planned around the actual landing time. 60 minutes of waiting time after landing are included at no extra cost.
Is FRA the same as Frankfurt-Hahn?
No. Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN) is a separate airport about 120 km west of Frankfurt. Check the airport code on your ticket.
Still have questions? Visit our FAQ page or contact us – we are happy to help you plan your journey to FRA.