Everything you need to navigate Frankfurt Airport (FRA) after its biggest change in 30 years: the brand-new Terminal 3 is open, Terminal 2 has closed, and arrival routines have changed for millions of travellers. Here is what to expect — and how to get to your destination without stress.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) sits about 12 km southwest of the city centre — a 15–25 minute drive. A pre-booked private transfer is the fastest door-to-door option, with a fixed price and a chauffeur who meets you inside arrivals. The S8/S9 S-Bahn reaches Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof in around 15 minutes for about €6.30, while street taxis run €35–55 on the meter.
Frankfurt Airport opened its long-awaited Terminal 3 on 23 April 2026 — the largest privately financed infrastructure project in Europe. Built in the southern part of the airport, the new terminal adds capacity for around 19 million passengers a year across three piers (G, H and J), 21 latest-generation security lanes with CT scanners, and a fully automated baggage system with up to 15 reclaim carousels.
Between 23 April and 9 June 2026, all 57 airlines that previously used Terminal 2 moved to Terminal 3 in four waves — including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Air France, KLM, Delta and Condor. With the migration complete, Terminal 2 closed on 9 June 2026 for a modernization programme of roughly €1.5 billion and is not expected to reopen before the mid-2030s.
For arriving passengers the practical takeaway is simple: your flight now lands at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 3. The two are linked by the extended SkyLine people mover in about eight minutes, and a new bus station sits directly on Terminal 3's arrivals level. If you booked a private transfer, simply tell your driver the terminal — we cover both pickup points at no difference in price.
Frankfurt Airport now operates two passenger terminals. Knowing which one your airline uses saves time on both arrival and departure.
The historic main terminal and home of Lufthansa and the entire Star Alliance — United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Swiss, Austrian and more. The regional and long-distance railway stations sit directly beneath it.
Open since 23 April 2026 in the south of the airport. Hosts Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Air France, KLM, Delta, Condor and most other non-Star Alliance carriers.
Closed to passengers since 9 June 2026. The building is being completely modernized — fire safety, climate systems, lifts and interiors — and is scheduled to return in the mid-2030s with capacity for over 10 million passengers.
From touchdown to the kerb in six steps. Plan 45–60 minutes from landing to exiting the arrivals hall — a little more at peak times or for non-EU passport queues.
Follow the "Arrival / Exit" signs. In Terminal 3, non-Schengen flights arrive via the dedicated arrivals level on Pier J; in Terminal 1 you walk through concourse A, B or C towards passport control.
EU, EEA, UK, US, Canadian and other eligible passport holders can use the automated e-gates. Everyone else joins the staffed booths — allow 20–45 minutes at peak hours.
Check the display boards for your carousel. Terminal 3 has a brand-new baggage system with up to 15 carousels; average delivery is 20–30 minutes after landing.
Nothing to declare? Use the green channel. Goods above EU allowances go through the red channel. Spot checks are common, so keep receipts for expensive items handy.
Your FrankfurtRide chauffeur waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign — at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 alike. No taxi queue, no app, no guesswork.
From kerbside, Frankfurt city centre is 15–25 minutes away. Your fixed price was confirmed at booking, and flight delays never cost you extra.
The free SkyLine people mover was extended for Terminal 3 and now connects both terminals in around eight minutes, with departures every two to three minutes around the clock. Shuttle buses provide an additional connection at ground level.
Transferring between airlines in different terminals? Allow at least 60–90 minutes, especially if you must clear passport control or re-check baggage. Terminal 3 also has its own motorway access from the A5, its own taxi rank and a dedicated drop-off zone directly at the entrance — so when departing from T3, make sure your driver or navigation aims for the southern terminal, not T1.
Flying onward from another German airport? We also drive airport-to-airport transfers, for example to Munich, Düsseldorf or Stuttgart.
Frankfurt city centre is about 12 km away; many travellers continue further — to Heidelberg, the Rhine Valley or cities across Germany. Here is how the main options compare.
Meet & greet in arrivals, flight tracking, door-to-door, fixed price for up to 8 passengers
Pre-booking required
No booking needed, ranks at both terminals
Metered fare varies with traffic; queues after large arrivals; surcharges for luggage possible
Cheap, frequent, fast to the central station
Regional station is below Terminal 1 only — from Terminal 3 add the SkyLine ride; stairs and crowds with luggage
Cheapest option; Terminal 3 has its own bus station on the arrivals level
Slowest; multiple stops; limited space for suitcases
Popular onward routes from FRA include transfers across Germany, Rhine Valley tours and day trips from Frankfurt. Browse our vehicle fleet for sedans, vans and group options.
The questions travellers ask us most about FRA in 2026. More general booking questions are answered on our FAQ page.
Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners (United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA and others) continue to operate from Terminal 1. Almost every other airline — including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air France, KLM, Delta, Korean Air and Condor — now departs from the new Terminal 3. Terminal 2 closed on 9 June 2026 and no longer handles passenger flights. Always check your booking confirmation, as gate assignments were updated during the 2026 migration.
No. Terminal 2 suspended all passenger operations on 9 June 2026 for a complete modernization programme worth around €1.5 billion. It is expected to reopen in the mid-2030s. All 57 airlines that used Terminal 2 have relocated to the new Terminal 3.
The extended SkyLine people mover links Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 in roughly 8 minutes, with trains departing every two to three minutes. The ride is free and runs around the clock. Shuttle buses also connect the terminals. If you land at one terminal and depart from the other, allow at least 60–90 minutes for the connection.
Your driver waits inside the arrivals hall of your terminal — Terminal 1 (halls A/B/C) or Terminal 3 — holding a sign with your name. We track your flight, so the pickup time adjusts automatically if your arrival is early or delayed. There is no extra charge for waiting time caused by flight delays.
EU, EEA, UK, US, Canadian and several other passport holders can use the automated e-gates, which usually takes 5–15 minutes. Other nationalities should allow 20–45 minutes at peak times. Baggage delivery typically takes 20–30 minutes. As a rule of thumb, plan 45–60 minutes from touchdown to exiting the arrivals hall.
Frankfurt Airport lies about 12 km southwest of the city centre. A private transfer takes 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Regional S-Bahn trains (S8/S9) reach Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof in around 15 minutes from the regional station under Terminal 1.
Terminal 3 opened with 21 latest-generation security lanes equipped with CT scanners. You no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from your hand luggage, and liquids of up to 2 litres are permitted. Screening is noticeably faster than the older lanes in Terminal 1.
A pre-booked private transfer gives you a fixed price confirmed before you fly, a driver who monitors your flight, and a meet-and-greet inside the terminal. Street taxis use a meter, so the fare depends on traffic, and queues at the rank can be long after large arrivals. For groups, families with luggage, or late-night landings, a fixed-price transfer is usually the more relaxed and often cheaper option.
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