Cheap city trip Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the skyline city on the Main: medieval half-timbered houses around the Romerberg, the impressive Cathedral, the Stadel Museum with Rembrandt and Monet, and apple wine culture in Sachsenhausen. ICE train from Amsterdam in 3h45 or flight from Schiphol in 1 hour. 3 days from €320 per person.
Quick answer: Frankfurt is reachable by ICE train from Amsterdam in about 3h45 (from €25 return via DB or NS International). Flights from Schiphol cost from €74 return with KLM or Lufthansa, flight time 1 hour. Best months: April to June and September. Budget: 3 days all-in from €320 per person including transport, hostel and entrance fees.
When is the best time to go?
April to June and September to October are the most pleasant: temperatures of 15 to 22 degrees, terraces open along the Main and less crowded than the summer holidays. The Museumsuferfest from 28 to 30 August 2026 is a highlight: over 25 museums open for free and 400 stalls line the banks of the Main. In June there is the Opera Square Festival (17-26 June) and in August the Apple Wine Festival on Rossmarkt (7-16 Aug). The Christmas market from 23 November to 22 December 2026 is one of Germany's most beautiful. Midsummer (July-August) is busy and more expensive.
Best neighbourhoods in Frankfurt
- Romerberg and Altstadt-Nord The historic heart of Frankfurt: the Cathedral, the medieval town hall, the half-timbered houses on the Romerberg and the Museum Ludwig. Busy but essential for a first impression of Frankfurt.
- Sachsenhausen On the south bank of the Main, directly opposite the museum embankment. Narrow streets full of apple wine taverns, top museums along Schaumainkai and Frankfurt's best atmosphere in the evening. Ideal base camp.
- Bornheim The most lively district for locals: independent shops, wine bars and restaurants along Berger Strasse. Popular with students and young Frankfurters, far from the tourist crowds.
- Nordend Colourful facades, artists and a diverse restaurant scene. Quiet atmosphere with local character, good for a dinner without tourist surcharges.
- Westend Elegant banker and expat quarter around Gruneburgpark. Beautiful villas and parks for a relaxing walk; less suitable as a budget destination.
Top 5 things to do in Frankfurt
- Romerberg and Altstadt The medieval square with half-timbered houses, the Romer town hall and St. Bartholomew's Cathedral. Free to explore; inside the Cathedral also free. The beating heart of historic Frankfurt.
- Stadel Museum One of Germany's most important art museums: Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet, Picasso. Permanent collection plus changing exhibitions. Admission €16-18 per adult; last Saturday of the month free. Tuesday 3-6pm only €10.
- Main Tower observation deck The only publicly accessible skyscraper in Frankfurt with a viewing platform at 200 metres height. Impressive panorama over the skyline and Taunus. Admission €9 per adult.
- Goethe House The birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, furnished as in the 18th century. Unique insight into bourgeois life of the Enlightenment. Admission about €10; Frankfurt Card gives 50% discount.
- Palmengarten Historic botanical garden of 22 hectares with tropical greenhouses, rose gardens and bamboo. Ideal for a rest between museums. Admission €9; children and young people up to 17 free.
Getting to Frankfurt from the Netherlands
The ICE train is the best choice for many travellers: from Amsterdam Central directly to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof in about 3h45 (from €25 via NS International or DB, up to 6 direct trains per day). From Eindhoven there is no direct train; the fastest route is via Amsterdam or the flight option. Those flying: KLM and Lufthansa connect Schiphol with Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in 1 hour, from €74 return. From Eindhoven, Transavia or Ryanair sometimes fly directly to FRA. The S-Bahn S8 or S9 takes 11 minutes from the airport to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (€4.80 single for Airport zone plus city). In the city use the RMV: day ticket €7.75. The Frankfurt Card (€12.50 per day or €19.50 for 2 days) combines unlimited public transport with 50% discount on virtually all museums and is the smartest option for tourists.
How much does a city trip to Frankfurt cost?
Train return: from €25 from Amsterdam (booked in advance). Flight return Schiphol: from €74 (KLM/Lufthansa). Hostel: from €25 per night per person. Budget hotel: €66-100 per night. Frankfurt Card: €12.50 per day, including public transport and museum discounts. Stadel Museum €16-18, Main Tower €9, Goethe House €10. Lunch in a restaurant: €10-15. Dinner in Sachsenhausen: €17-25 per person. 3-day all-in budget: €320-420 per person including train, hostel and entrance fees. Updated: 29 July 2026.
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Frequently asked questions about Frankfurt
When is the best time to visit Frankfurt?
April to June and September to October are the most pleasant: 15 to 22 degrees, terraces open and less crowded than summer. The Museumsuferfest at the end of August is Frankfurt's biggest cultural festival with over 25 museums and free entry. The Christmas market from 23 November to 22 December 2026 is atmospheric but busy and expensive.
How do I get from the Netherlands to Frankfurt?
By ICE train from Amsterdam Central in about 3h45 (from €25 via NS International or DB, up to 6 direct trains per day). By plane from Schiphol in 1 hour with KLM or Lufthansa (from €74 return). From Eindhoven, Transavia or Ryanair sometimes fly directly to FRA, otherwise via Schiphol. The S-Bahn S8 or S9 takes 15 minutes from the airport to the city centre for €4.80.
Which neighbourhood is best to stay in Frankfurt?
Sachsenhausen for the museum embankment along the Main and apple wine taverns; Altstadt-Nord for the Cathedral and Romerberg within walking distance; Bornheim or Nordend for a more authentic local atmosphere and lower hotel prices.
How much does a city trip to Frankfurt cost?
Train return from €25 from Amsterdam, hostel from €25 per night, budget hotel €66-100. Frankfurt Card €12.50 per day covers unlimited public transport plus 50% discount on museums. Stadel Museum €16-18, Goethe House €10, Main Tower €9. 3-day all-in budget: €320-420 per person.
What is the insider tip for Frankfurt that travel guides miss?
Visit the Kleinmarkthalle on a weekday morning: a covered market with over 60 stalls of regional cheeses, sausages, olives and apple wine. Thursday mornings have the best atmosphere with hardly any tourists. And the Deutschherrnbrucke in Sachsenhausen offers the most beautiful sunset view over the skyline without the tourist crowds of the Mainkai.
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