The S-Bahn from Frankfurt Airport: Lines, Prices, Times

If you want to get from Frankfurt Airport into the city, there is hardly a better option than the S-Bahn. It is fast, cheap and runs around the clock. Even so, many travellers slip up over the ticket or the line, and end up paying too much or boarding the wrong train. To spare you that, here is a concise rundown of the lines, prices and journey times.

The lines: S8 and S9

From the regional station beneath Terminal 1, the two S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 run into central Frankfurt. Both serve the central stations, so either one will do nicely for the city:

• The S8 continues via the main station (Hauptbahnhof) through the city centre.
• The S9 takes a slightly different route but also serves the central stations.

For the most important destinations — Hauptbahnhof, Hauptwache, Konstablerwache — you can usually just take whichever train comes next, S8 or S9. Beyond the airport the lines split towards Mainz and Wiesbaden, so if you are heading out of the city, check the destination display. Heading into the city, it is enough to see that the train is bound for Frankfurt.

Besides the S-Bahn, regional trains (such as the RB and RE lines) also stop at the airport, and you can use one if a suitable service happens to be leaving — especially to the main station.

Journey times: it hardly gets faster

The great advantage of the S-Bahn is its speed. From the airport to Frankfurt’s main station the trip takes only about 11 minutes. To the central city (Hauptwache) you are barely any longer. No other connection gets you from the airport into the centre this quickly — and entirely without traffic jams.

Frequency and operating hours

During the day, the S8 and S9 run to and from the airport roughly every 15 minutes. At night the intervals stretch out (around every 30 to 60 minutes), but — and this is the key point — the airport trains run around the clock, including in the middle of the night. So even if you land late or have a very early flight, you can still get into the city or out to the airport.

Prices and tickets (as of 2026)

This is where you save money by buying the right ticket. For the trip into central Frankfurt you need a regular single ticket at the RMV fare (not a short-distance ticket — that is not enough!).

• Single trip into the city: approx. €5.80
• Further afield, e.g. to Hanau: approx. €9.75

You can buy tickets from the machine on the platform (card accepted) or conveniently via the RMV app “RMVgo”. The app saves you hunting for the right machine and the correct fare zone. Important: always buy the ticket before boarding — checks are frequent and strict on Frankfurt’s S-Bahn network, and travelling without a valid ticket gets expensive.

My most important tip: check for engineering works

Frankfurt is one long construction site, and there are regularly works that disrupt S-Bahn service to the airport. Replacement buses are sometimes laid on, and they take considerably longer. My advice: take a quick look at the current situation on the RMV or Deutsche Bahn websites shortly before you travel, especially if you have a flight to catch. That way you avoid nasty surprises and build in enough buffer time.

Practical tips

• The right station: the S-Bahn departs from the regional station beneath Terminal 1 — not from the long-distance station (which is for ICE/IC trains).
• A different terminal: if you arrive at Terminal 3, first take the Sky Line to Terminal 1 and then head down to the regional station.
• Buy the ticket first: at the machine or via the RMVgo app, and avoid the short-distance fare.
• Luggage: during peak times the luggage racks are often full — pick a spot that is not right by the doors.
• At night: the airport trains run through the night too, just less often — check the timetable.

Conclusion

The S-Bahn is the unbeatable link between the airport and central Frankfurt: around 11 minutes to the main station, for under €6, every 15 minutes and around the clock. If you are not weighed down with bulky luggage and you are heading for the centre, the S8 or S9 will get you there faster and cheaper than any other option. Just mind the right ticket, the right station and possible engineering works — and you will be in the middle of the city in no time.