Frankfurt Airport by Train: Two Different Stations, Three Terminals, and the Fare Zone Trap
Frankfurt Airport actually has two separate train stations sitting right next to each other under Terminal 1: the Regionalbahnhof, serving S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 plus regional trains (RB58, RE59, RE2, RE3), and the Fernbahnhof, serving long-distance ICE, IC, and EC trains. If you're commuting into the city, the Regionalbahnhof is what you want, S8 and S9 reach Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof in roughly 10 to 15 minutes, running as often as every 10 minutes from the Hauptbahnhof's underground platform 103. Since April 23, 2026, the airport has a third terminal too: Terminal 3, with new gates G, H, and J, connected to Terminal 1 by a free, automated SkyLine train extended specifically for the new terminal, an 8 to 10 minute ride running from 4am to 11pm. Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 is a separate, shorter SkyLine hop or a free shuttle bus. On tickets: the airport sits in its own separate RMV fare zone (5090), not included in Frankfurt's standard city zone (5000), so a plain city single ticket technically doesn't cover the trip, though this stops mattering entirely if you hold a Deutschlandticket, which covers the S-Bahn connection nationwide with no supplement needed. The Deutschlandticket does not cover Fernbahnhof's long-distance ICE, IC, or EC trains.
The Official Rule
Frankfurt Airport has two separate train stations, both tucked beneath Terminal 1, and mixing them up is the single easiest way to miss a connection. The Regionalbahnhof, on tracks 1-3, is where S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 depart, along with regional trains RB58, RE59, RE2, and RE3, reaching not just central Frankfurt but Offenbach, Hanau, Aschaffenburg, Rüsselsheim, Mainz, and Wiesbaden directly. The Fernbahnhof, on tracks 4-7, is a different building entirely, serving long-distance ICE, IC, and EC trains headed further afield in Germany or across borders.
For a routine trip into the city, the Regionalbahnhof is what you want. RMV’s own station page puts S8 and S9 at roughly 10 to 15 minutes to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, departing as often as every 10 minutes from the Hauptbahnhof’s underground platform 103 heading the other direction. Between 0:30 and 4:30am, when the Regionalbahnhof closes overnight, long-distance trains temporarily use its tracks instead.
| You need | Station | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| S-Bahn or regional train to Frankfurt/Rhein-Main | Regionalbahnhof (tracks 1-3) | Terminal 1 |
| ICE, IC, or EC long-distance train | Fernbahnhof (tracks 4-7) | Terminal 1 |
| Flight departing from new gates G, H, J | N/A | Terminal 3 (opened April 23, 2026) |
Since April 23, 2026, the airport also has a third terminal, adding gates G, H, and J and roughly 19 million passengers of added annual capacity. Getting there is handled by an extension of the airport’s own free, automated SkyLine train, specifically built out to reach the new terminal, a ride of about 8 to 10 minutes from Terminal 1, running from 4am to 11pm at 2 to 3 minute intervals. Terminal 3 has its own new parking structure too, P10, with 8,500 spaces. Moving between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is a separate, shorter hop, either the SkyLine (2-minute intervals) or a free shuttle bus from stop 15 (10-minute intervals), both free of charge.
Both the Regionalbahnhof and Fernbahnhof sit beneath Terminal 1. Follow signage toward "Bahnhöfe S T" and then "Regionalbahnhof S" for S-Bahn and regional trains.
Photo by Martijn Stoof on Pexels
The Fare Zone Detail Most Guides Skip
Here’s the part that trips up newcomers who’ve already gotten comfortable with Frankfurt’s transit fares: the airport sits in its own separate RMV fare zone (5090), not part of Frankfurt’s standard city zone (5000). A plain city-only single ticket, even one covering the whole rest of central Frankfurt, technically doesn’t extend out to the airport without an add-on or a ticket priced for both zones. This is genuinely easy to get wrong if you’re used to Frankfurt’s subsidized flat single-ticket price for in-city trips.
The simplest way around the whole question: if you already hold a Deutschlandticket, none of this zone math applies to you. It covers the S8/S9 regional connection to the airport with no supplement, valid the same way it’s valid on any other local or regional service nationwide. What it will not do is get you onto an ICE, IC, or EC train at the Fernbahnhof, those long-distance services are priced and ticketed entirely separately no matter what pass you’re carrying.
What You’ll Need
- A valid RMV ticket covering both your starting zone and zone 5090 (the airport), or a Deutschlandticket, which sidesteps this entirely for the S-Bahn/regional connection.
- Extra time budgeted beyond the train ride itself, especially for Terminal 3, walking to the SkyLine platform and back through security can add 20 to 30 minutes on top of the ride.
- A separate long-distance ticket if you’re connecting onward by ICE, IC, or EC, the Deutschlandticket doesn’t cover this leg.
- If you need mobility assistance: contact Deutsche Bahn’s service center at least one business day ahead.
Step by Step
- Confirm which station you need: Regionalbahnhof for S-Bahn/regional trains, Fernbahnhof for ICE/IC/EC, both under Terminal 1.
- Check your ticket covers zone 5090 if you're buying a single ticket, or confirm your Deutschlandticket is active, which needs no add-on.
- Follow signage to "Bahnhöfe S T" then "Regionalbahnhof S" for S8/S9 and regional trains, or "Fernbahnhof" for long-distance services.
- If flying from Terminal 3, budget extra time for the free SkyLine extension (8-10 minutes) plus walking and any additional security screening.
- Moving between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2: take the free SkyLine (2-minute intervals) or the free shuttle bus from stop 15 (10-minute intervals).
- If you need mobility assistance, contact Deutsche Bahn's service center in advance rather than arranging it on the day.
Compliance Note
This page explains the general framework for reaching Frankfurt Airport by train. It is not travel or legal advice. Schedules, fares, and terminal assignments can change, especially with Terminal 3 still newly opened; confirm your specific journey directly with RMV, Deutsche Bahn, or frankfurt-airport.com before relying on any figure here.
FAQ & Common Pitfalls
Which station do I actually want, Regionalbahnhof or Fernbahnhof?
For a normal trip into central Frankfurt, you want the Regionalbahnhof, where S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 depart on tracks 1-3. The Fernbahnhof, tracks 4-7, is for long-distance ICE, IC, and EC trains heading elsewhere in Germany or internationally, and it's also where the Lufthansa AiRail Terminal lets some passengers check bags directly onto a train instead of a plane. Both stations sit close together under Terminal 1, and signage toward "Bahnhöfe S T" and then "Regionalbahnhof S" gets you to the right one if you're unsure.
How do I actually get to Terminal 3?
Since Terminal 3 opened on April 23, 2026, the free, automated SkyLine train was extended specifically to reach it from Terminal 1, a ride of roughly 8 to 10 minutes running from 4am to 11pm. Terminal 3 also has its own new parking structure, P10, with 8,500 spaces, if you're driving instead. Budget extra time beyond just the ride itself, walking to the SkyLine platform and back through security at the other end easily adds up to 20 to 30 minutes total.
Do I need a special ticket just because the airport is a different fare zone?
Only if you're buying single tickets. Frankfurt's standard city fare zone (5000) technically doesn't include the airport, which sits in its own zone (5090), so a plain city-only single ticket doesn't cover a trip out to Flughafen without an add-on. The simplest fix for most newcomers: if you already hold a Deutschlandticket, none of this zone logic matters, it covers the S8/S9 regional connection to the airport with no supplement, anywhere in Germany.
Does the Deutschlandticket get me on the ICE from the airport?
No. The Deutschlandticket covers local and regional transport nationwide, including the S-Bahn and regional trains (RB, RE) serving the Regionalbahnhof, but it does not cover long-distance trains at the Fernbahnhof, ICE, IC, and EC tickets are bought and priced separately regardless of what other pass you're carrying.
What's Rail&Fly, and is it useful for a newcomer?
Rail&Fly is a combined flight-plus-train product bookable through travel agencies, airlines, or directly via Deutsche Bahn, mainly useful if you're already booking a specific flight and want the train portion of your journey bundled into that same purchase. It's not something most newcomers need for a routine local trip to or from the airport, it's aimed at connecting from elsewhere in Germany to a flight, or the reverse.
I need mobility assistance at the station or airport. Who do I contact?
Deutsche Bahn's mobility service center handles station-side accessibility support, reachable at +49 30 65212888 or by email at msz@deutschebahn.com, and registering at least one business day in advance is recommended so staff can meet you at the right platform. This is separate from airport-side assistance for the terminals themselves, which is arranged directly with Fraport or your airline when booking.