Tips when renting a car at Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Book in advance, especially if you want an automatic, an SUV, or a specific vehicle category.
- Always bring your driving licence and a credit card in the main driver's name. In Germany, if your licence is not from the EU, you may also need to carry an International Driving Permit or an official translation.
- Rental companies are available in both terminals. In Terminal 1, the Car Rental Centre is in Hall A, in the Airport City Mall area, one level above the regional train station. In Terminal 2, you'll find the rental desks in Hall D, in the arrivals area.
- The airport is very well connected by road, with direct access from the A3, A67, and A5 motorways. For returns, you'll also see clear signs from the A3, A5, and B43.
- In Germany, people drive on the right.
- If you're planning to drive into central Frankfurt, make sure the car has the green environmental sticker. Frankfurt's Umweltzone only allows access to vehicles displaying that sticker.
- A small car is usually enough for getting around Frankfurt and nearby cities. If you're travelling with several people or carrying a lot of luggage, it may be worth upgrading to a larger category.
- Inspect the car carefully and take photos when you pick it up and when you return it.
Why Rent a Car at Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Renting a car at Frankfurt Airport is the best option if you want to use the city as a base and then explore other nearby areas. The airport is extremely well connected, but if you'd like to combine Frankfurt with drives through the Rhine Valley, Mainz, Wiesbaden, Heidelberg, or smaller towns in the region, having a car gives you much more freedom to plan at your own pace. The airport is also directly connected to major motorway routes like the A3 and A5, so getting on the road is straightforward from the start.
At the airport itself, you'll find plenty of rental options, with car rental centres in both terminals: in Terminal 1 they're located in Hall A, in the Airport City Mall area, and in Terminal 2 in Hall D, in arrivals. That means you can collect your car as soon as you land and begin your trip without losing time on extra transfers.
Driving from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) – Getting Started
The airport is about 12 km southwest of Frankfurt city centre, and the drive usually takes between 20 and 25 minutes, although it can be longer during rush hour. From the rental car area, most drivers follow the signs towards the B43 or connect to the A5 or A3, depending on where they're headed. To reach the centre, the usual route is towards Frankfurt Stadtmitte.
Common routes include:
- Mainz and Wiesbaden – around 25-35 minutes via the A3, A66, or A671.
- Heidelberg – about 1 hour south on the A5.
- Cologne – roughly 1 hour 45 minutes via the A3 heading northwest.
It's a very well-connected airport, so driving out is usually quite straightforward, even if it's your first time on the roads around Frankfurt.
Explore Frankfurt from Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
From Frankfurt Airport, a rental car makes it easy to reach the city center and also get around other nearby cities in the region. It's a very practical base if you want to combine a few hours of urban sightseeing with short trips to other places nearby without making things too complicated.
In and around Frankfurt:
- Römerberg and the Neue Altstadt – the most historic and picturesque part of the city, and a great first stop if you want a first impression of Frankfurt.
- Museumufer and the riverside promenade along the Main – one of the most pleasant areas for combining museums, architecture, and skyline views.
- Palmengarten and urban viewpoints such as Main Tower – ideal if you'd like to see a greener and more panoramic side of Frankfurt.
Recommended day trips and scenic routes
- Middle Rhine Valley – one of the best scenic drives you can do from Frankfurt, especially around Rüdesheim, Bingen, and Loreley, with castles, steep vineyard slopes, and viewpoints over the river.
- Heidelberg – highly recommended if you're in the mood for a day of historic streets, a hilltop castle, and views over the Neckar. It has that romantic atmosphere that works perfectly for a road trip from Frankfurt.
- Rheingau – if you enjoy relaxed drives, this area is ideal for exploring wine villages, vineyard roads, and terraces overlooking the Rhine at a relaxed pace. It's a very enjoyable route at any time of year.
- Taunus and Großer Feldberg – a good option if you want nature close to the city, with forests, gentle roads, and towns like Bad Homburg or Königstein, where you'll also find excellent viewpoints over the Rhine-Main plain.
FAQs
Do you need a rental car when arriving at Frankfurt Airport?
Not necessarily. If you're only planning to stay in Frankfurt and maybe make one short trip nearby, you can manage without a car, as the airport has its own regional station and direct connections to Frankfurt and other nearby cities via the S-Bahn and regional trains. But if you plan to combine the city with trips through the Rhine Valley, Mainz, Wiesbaden, Heidelberg, or nearby towns, having a rental car gives you much more freedom and makes the whole trip far easier.
What are the best car rental companies at Frankfurt Airport?
One of the advantages of Frankfurt Airport is that all the major brands are there, with offices in both terminals. Some of the most common and practical options include Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, and Enterprise. The best approach is to compare the conditions carefully, because at such a large airport, the real difference is not always the company itself, but things like opening hours, insurance cover, or how long it takes to collect the car before booking.
Drive on
