Car Rental at Frankfurt Airport: Providers & Pickup

You land at Frankfurt Airport and want to head straight off by rental car — to a trade fair, a business meeting or a trip into the Rheingau or Taunus? At FRA that’s generally straightforward, because all the big rental firms are represented right at the airport. There are, however, a few points that have changed recently and that you really should know before you’re standing at the rental desk. Here’s the concise overview.

Where to pick up the car: the Car Rental Centers

At FRA the rental companies are bundled into so-called Car Rental Centers. The important thing is to go to the right one — and something has changed here (as of 2026):

• Terminal 1: The car rental centre is in Hall A, in the Airport City Mall area — one level above the regional station. If you arrive at Terminal 1, follow the “Car Rental / Mietwagen” signs towards Hall A.
• Terminal 2: Note that the car rental centre in Terminal 2 is closed. So if you land at Terminal 2, plan to head to Terminal 1 (or Terminal 3) first to collect your car.
• Terminal 3: The new terminal has its own Car Rental Center in Hall J.

This is the most common stumbling block. Anyone who assumes out of habit that they’ll get a car in Terminal 2 will find the doors locked. So check in advance which terminal you’re arriving at, and if necessary factor in the way to Terminal 1 — by Sky Line train or shuttle bus it only takes a few minutes, but it costs time if you haven’t planned for it.

Which providers are there?

All the major car rental firms are represented at FRA. So you’ll find, among others:

• Sixt
• Hertz
• Avis
• Europcar
• Enterprise

The desks sit right next to one another in each Car Rental Center. That has a practical advantage: if you turn up without a booking, you can compare the desks directly. My clear advice, though: book online in advance. In my experience the walk-up prices on site are considerably higher than with an early reservation, and at peak times the popular categories can run short.

Pickup: how it works

After landing and leaving the arrivals area, follow the car rental signs to the centre. At your provider’s desk you present the following:

• your driving licence (for licences from countries outside the EU, check in advance whether an international driving permit is required),
• the main driver’s credit card (usually mandatory for the deposit; a debit card is often not accepted),
• and — if you have one — your booking confirmation.

You then collect the vehicle from the associated car park. My tip from experience: photograph the car all around before you set off, including any existing scratches and the fuel level. That saves you every argument at return. Also check the fuel policy in the contract — “full to full” (pick up full, return full) is usually the cheapest option.

Return: where to hand the car back

At FRA, returns are possible at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 (as of 2026). As you drive back to the airport, follow the “Car Rental Return / Mietwagenrückgabe” signs early. They lead you to the right car park.

Allow plenty of buffer for the return. You have to park the car, get the contract closed and only then head into the terminal with your luggage to check in. Before a flight in particular, I’d advise allowing at least an extra half hour for this — and remember to refuel beforehand if your contract requires it. Petrol stations right at the airport are usually pricier than those on the approach roads.

Is a rental car at FRA even worth it?

Here’s an honest assessment as a local: if you’re staying in central Frankfurt, you don’t need a car. The city centre is traffic-calmed, car parks are expensive (often €3 to €4 per hour), and the S-Bahn (S8/S9) brings you from the airport into the centre in around 15 minutes for under €6. A rental car would be more of an expensive burden here.

A rental car makes sense, on the other hand, when you want to explore the region: trips into the Rheingau, along the Rhine, into the Taunus hills or on to Heidelberg or Würzburg are far more flexible by car. Anyone travelling with a lot of luggage or in a group and covering several stops is often more comfortable in their own vehicle too. For simply getting into the city, however, I’d clearly recommend the train.

Practical tips at a glance

• Check the terminal: the car rental centre in Terminal 2 is closed — pick up at Terminal 1 (Hall A) or Terminal 3 (Hall J).
• Book ahead: reserving online is almost always cheaper than at the desk. Book early, especially in holiday and trade-fair periods.
• Bring a credit card: usually indispensable for the deposit, in the main driver’s name.
• Document the car: take photos of the paintwork and fuel level before setting off.
• Return buffer: allow at least 30 minutes extra, and refuel beforehand.
• In the city, take the train: for stays only in Frankfurt, a car usually isn’t worth it.

Conclusion

Getting a rental car at Frankfurt Airport is easy — as long as you know where. The most important change: don’t rely on Terminal 2 any more, the centre there is closed. Stick to Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, book online in advance and allow enough time at return. If you want to explore the region around Frankfurt, a rental car is a great choice. If you only want to get into the city, save yourself the money and the hassle and take the S-Bahn.