Frankfurt am Main is Germany's banking capital, a city of skyscrapers and trade fairs where most visitors arrive on business and most hotel rooms are built for people with an expense account. That shapes both the accommodation and the prices: during major trade fairs, even the cheapest rooms can climb past €300 a night, while on ordinary weekends the same rooms often go for a fraction of that.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple. Frankfurt Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) sits at the western edge of the centre, and the densest cluster of hotels in the city surrounds it. From there, local trains reach Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 1 in about ten minutes, and the S-Bahn connects the city to a ring of neighbouring towns that are all under an hour away. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each is like, and how to match the area to your trip.
Best areas to stay in Frankfurt am Main
1. Around the Hauptbahnhof
This is where many of Frankfurt's hotels are located, which makes it the default choice for a short stay. It is also the red light district, and it is known for the beggars and drug users who hang around the area. The area is well policed and quite safe, but many tourists are left with a somewhat negative impression of Frankfurt after staying here.
It suits travellers who need to depart early or arrive very late, and anyone who wants the easiest possible connection to the airport: it is just a ten-minute ride from Terminal 1 by local train, which makes it a valid alternative to expensive airport hotels. If your priority is a convenient base rather than a pleasant one, this is the area to consider.
2. Nearby cities within the S-Bahn network
When Frankfurt itself is full or priced out of reach, the practical alternative is to base yourself outside the city. Darmstadt, Neu-Isenburg, Bad Homburg, Mainz and Wiesbaden are all under an hour away by S-Bahn, and staying in one of them can be the difference between a workable trip and an unaffordable one during trade fairs.
This suits budget-conscious travellers and anyone visiting during a major fair, when prices at even the cheapest Frankfurt hotels skyrocket. The trade-off is the commute: you trade time on the train for a lower room rate, and you should check the S-Bahn connections before committing.
3. Mannheim (last resort)
If none of the closer options works, Mannheim is about 30 minutes from Frankfurt by ICE high-speed train. It is a genuine last resort rather than a convenient base, because the train ticket is rather expensive unless bought in advance.
Consider it only if you have left your booking late and everything nearer is unavailable. Booking the train in advance is what makes this option viable at all.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: The cheapest hotels in Frankfurt are the ones that spike hardest during trade fairs, so budget stays depend heavily on timing. Outside fair dates, ask about discounts or corporate rates if you are staying for longer periods.
- Mid-range: This is the main battleground between privately owned and run hotels and the major chain hotels. During weekends and at non trade fair dates, substantial discounts are possible; during trade fairs, prices at least triple.
- Splurge: Frankfurt is the banking capital of Germany, so most people staying here are business travellers with an expense account. The upper end of the market is built around that demand, and it is concentrated where business visitors need to be.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself around the Hauptbahnhof. It is where many of the city's hotels are, it puts you ten minutes from the airport by local train, and it works for both early departures and late arrivals. Go in knowing what the area is: it is the red light district, it is well policed and quite safe, but the street scene leaves some visitors with a negative impression of the city.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book to avoid the highest prices?
Plan well ahead and check the trade fair calendar. During major trade fairs, prices at even the cheapest hotels skyrocket, with charges of over €300 a night quite common. On weekends and at non trade fair dates, substantial discounts are possible instead.
Is staying near the Hauptbahnhof safe?
The area is well policed and quite safe, but it is the red light district and is known for beggars and drug users hanging around. Many tourists are left with a somewhat negative impression of Frankfurt after staying there, so choose it for convenience rather than atmosphere.
Where can I stay if Frankfurt is fully booked or too expensive?
Consider nearby cities such as Darmstadt, Neu-Isenburg, Bad Homburg, Mainz or Wiesbaden, all under an hour away by S-Bahn. If none of these works, Mannheim is a last resort at about 30 minutes by ICE, though the train ticket is rather expensive unless bought in advance.
Is it worth staying near the airport instead?
Hotels around the main station are a valid alternative to expensive airport hotels if you need to depart early or arrive very late, since the airport is just a ten-minute ride from Terminal 1 by local train. For accommodation in the vicinity of the airport itself, see the Frankfurt Airport article.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.