Frankfurt
Frankfurt is currently one of the largest cities in Germany. As one of the largest cities in the country, Frankfurt is a sprawling metropolis with amenities for business travelers.
Answer the Call Of The Pharaohs
Things to Know Before Arriving in Frankfurt
The primary language spoken in the city is German, but French and English languages are popular as well. Before arriving in the city, it is helpful to learn a few key phrases such as, "how do I get to the . . . ?", "where is the restroom?", and "can you help me?". As Germany is a part of Europe, they are on the Euro system of currency. Travelers can exchange money at the airport, at banks, and at hotels. Traditionally, the exchange rates are better at places with an official capacity including currency exchange centers found at the airport and train stations. A large number of businesses, restaurants, and stores accept Euros only as payment.
All visitors who travel to the city will arrive at the Frankfurt Airport. The Airport has two main terminals, and the two terminals are connected by a train system. This train system is free for airport travelers, and is known as the Sky Line. Traveling to and from the Airport is most often done by taxi, but taxi drivers must have a specific license to transport passengers there. Many English language newspapers can be found at newsstands and in stores, but many choose one of the local newspapers for information. Those newspapers include Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Borsen-Zeitung, and Journal Frankfurt. Frankfurt is one of the largest cities in Germany, with more than 600,000 residents. It has also been called one of the financial capitals of the world.
Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303
The Best Ways to Travel to Frankfurt
As one of the biggest cities in Germany, there are a variety of ways to get to the city from other areas. One of the easiest and best ways to arrive in Frankfurt is through the city airport. The Frankfurt Airport is the second largest airport in Europe, and home to the airline Lufthansa. This airline provides service to areas throughout Europe, and has connecting flights to other parts of the world. The Airport has two terminals that are connected by a train system known as Sky Line. Travelers can use this free system to maneuver through the airport. The Frankfurt Airport also features chairs and electrical outlets for those that need to conduct business while there. Frankfurt/Hahn is a smaller airport located outside the city, but it has bus access to downtown Frankfurt.
Another option for traveling to Frankfurt is by train. There are three train stations located in the city; at the airport, on the south side of the city, and one on the north side of the city. Travelers can purchase tickets for the local commuter train, the S-Bahn, at one of these stations and board the train to reach their destination in the city. Tickets are available inside the stations, as well as from vending machines located outside the stations. Those traveling from nearby cities may also prefer to bring their own car, or to obtain one from a rental car agency.
Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303
The Best Way to Travel Around Frankfurt
Once arriving in Frankfurt, travelers have several ways to move through the city. The first way is to travel by taxi service. Many companies provide service to and from the Frankfurt Airport along with access across the city. Taxis are often the best way to travel around the city, because the street system is often confusing for travelers. Taxi drivers have experience with the layout of the city, as well as knowing shortcuts and alternate routes to save time on travel.
Taking a bus around the city is another option. There are dozens of bus stations located around the city that are easy to find. There is also the S-Bahn, which is a commuter train used by businessmen in the city. Individuals who decide to take a day trip out of the city can easily change to a long distance train at one of the train stations. Travelers must purchase a ticket in advance before boarding one of the trains, and the tickets are available from vending machines in the train station. Other visitors might prefer the intercity trains that run from the airport to other locations in the city.
There are several rental car agencies located in Frankfurt that allow business travelers to rent a vehicle and drive themselves around the city. As the city is known for its high rush hour traffic and lack of parking, many people prefer to take another system. The city subway system, known as U-Bahn, is often the best option for travelers. This system relies on a combination of trams and buses to transport individuals around the city. Tickets for the U-Bahn are available from vending machines located in the stations.
Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303
Things to See and Do in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is known as one of the financial capitals of the world, but it also has a cultural history. The city's museums pay homage to its rich history, as well as focusing on German history. These museums are located near the river in an area known as the Museum District. Each museum is open at different times of the day or week, and usually has reasonably priced admission tickets. The museums in that area include the German Architecture Museum, the German Film Museum, the Museum of Regional Historic Art and Culture, the Jewish Museum, and the Museum of Applied Arts.
Travelers also have the opportunity to see the city by bike. Bicycles are available for rent from several companies in Frankfurt. Travelers can rent a bicycle from one of the many street vendors, which is one of the only places that accept credit cards in the city. The city has numerous bike paths, along with bikes lanes for travelers to use. Other visitors may prefer to take an architectural tour of the city. These tours are done on foot, and can be arranged for individuals or small groups. Many of the walking tours end with a trip to the Main Tower. The entire city can be seen from the top of the skyscraper. Frankfurt also has botanical gardens, a zoo, and an opera.
Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303
Shopping in Frankfurt, Germany
Even the most well prepared business traveler will at some point need to visit a store. They may need to locate an English language newspaper, work supplies, or souvenirs for the family back home. One place to find stores is in the Zeil. The Zeil has a mixture of budget friendly stores and high-end shops. The good variety of prices and retailers makes this a first stop for many items. Visitors can also try Berger Strabe, a street in Frankfurt with multiple shops and retailers. Frankfurt is also home to one of the oldest malls in the country, the Hessencenter, and one of Germany's biggest malls, the Nordwestzentrum.
Business travelers may also find their needs met by stores located inside their hotel, or on the street corner. Newsstands often carry a variety of newspapers, work supplies, and an assortment of snacks. These stands are often situated on busy street corners near the main business districts. Certain hotels in the city also feature newsstands, or similar shops for travelers. Goethe Street in Frankfurt is a frequent choice for travelers on an unlimited budget. The street is populated by an abundance of high-end stores and a few famous designers.
Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303
Restaurants Located in Frankfurt
The restaurants in Frankfurt are a mixture of traditional style eateries featuring German favorites and more popular chain restaurants. The Fressgass is one area to find a good mixture of eateries. Fressgass is a road populated by a high number of restaurants. It includes a mixture of traditional restaurants, low budget eateries, and high-end restaurants. There are also several delis and grocery stores located in the area. Once a year, the area plays host to Fressgass Fest, where local chefs and restaurants set up stalls for people to try their recipes.
There are a number of small pizzerias located in Frankfurt, as well as small diners. These restaurants serve food quickly, and usually for not very much money. Other restaurants focus on creating traditional dishes, and the prices vary from place to place. Some serve high-end classics with a twist, while others believe in creating traditional favorites at reasonable prices. These traditional favorites include kielbasa, sauerkraut, boiled pork, apple cider, and other locally produced sausages. As the city has a high number of tourists every year, there are also restaurants serving cuisines from other countries. Frankfurt has a large number of Italian, French, and Spanish style restaurants, as well as American style sports bars. Many of the restaurants also feature the locally produced beers the country is known for. For more information on restaurants in the city, travelers can purchase a copy of the book Frankfurt Geht Aus from the tourism center at the airport. This guidebook has a detailed listing of every bar and restaurant in the city.
Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303
Lodging Accommodations in Frankfurt
There are a number of events scheduled throughout the year in Frankfurt for businesses and financial companies. To keep up with the demands of the many business travelers, the city has had to focus on creating bigger and better hotels. These hotels feature a number of amenities for the busy traveler to help them with their business needs. Despite the abundance of hotels, many run out of rooms during their busiest times of year, and when the city hosts an international conference.
When booking a hotel in Frankfurt, there are typically a few options. One option is similar to a hostel situation; a traveler will share a room and restroom facilities with other travelers. This type of room is typically cheaper, but there is no privacy. Visitors share everything with the people they are staying with, including a main living room area. During busy times in the city though, some visitors may not have any other choice. The other option is a private room with a private bathroom. These rooms have a high level of privacy, but are double or triple the price of the other rooms.
Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303
Amenities for Business Travelers in Frankfurt
Those traveling to Frankfurt for business will need to stay in contact with the office back home. There are several ways to do this through an Internet connection. Many of the hotels in Frankfurt provide Internet access for those staying in their hotel, but nearly all charge a small daily fee for the service. Internet, or Cyber cafes, are equally popular, but their rates can sometimes be very expensive for a few hours of time. The computers and keyboards used in these cafes are German made, which can be difficult for some to use. The PTT multimedia store in Frankfurt has Internet access for business travelers at very reasonable rates. However, the problem arises again with the German designed computers.
The PTT store also sells phone cards for individuals who need to make long distance phone calls overseas. The prices for these phone cards vary depending on the area. Business travelers can also use a variety of postal services to meet their needs. Many of these post offices are located in easily accessible areas near popular shopping and tourist destinations.
Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303
Events for Business Traveler in Frankfurt
As one of the financial capitals in the world, Frankfurt plays host to a variety of events and trade shows every year. Turntec is an annual event devoted to the turning and milling industries, while Euromold is for those in the tooling and mold-making industries. There are also trade shows and events relating to textiles, Christmas ornaments, and beauty products. One of the biggest events in Frankfurt is Paperworld Frankfurt. This annual event runs for four days, and visitors come from all over the world to see the latest in the paper products industry.
Light + Building is another large event held in Frankfurt. The event is open to anyone in the architecture, planning, and construction fields, and showcases the latest in supplies and tools. There are also events scheduled for the financial, marketing, media, and management industries.
Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303
Travel
Home