Train in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the largest financial center in Germany. The city is cut by the Main River. It is also the largest city in the state of Hesse. Frankfurt is sometime called “Mainhatten”, a play on the Main River, the friendly culture of Hesse, and the homonymic nod to Manhattan, because of its being a dynamic city.
Aside from boasting major financial institutions like the European Central Bank, the German Federal Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the city also holds major cultural attractions such as 20 museums and art galleries. Most notable among these museums is The Städel which houses the most important collection in Germany such as works by van Eyck, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Degas and Vermeer. Tourists also flock to Frankfurt to celebrate German festivals, with the same charm as the Oktoberfest in Munich. Notable festivals are the Museumsuferfest (annually, at the end of August when museums along the Main River open until late at night), Festival of the Stoneware, and the Skyscraper Festival. Other tourists spots include the Palmengarten, a 29 hectare botanical garden, the Old Opera House and the Frankfurt Zoo which can easily be reached by public transport. The Frankfurt Airport has inner city train lines so it is easier to go other places directly upon arrival. There is also a separate station for long distances outside the Frankfurt region.
Getting Around Frankfurt
For visitors, the best way to get around the city is to ride a train in Frankfurt. The popular mode of public transportation is riding the Stadbahn, the tramway or light railway, and the Untergrundbahn (U-Bahn), the underground trains. These underground trains in Frankfurt are not only cheap but also convenient in getting from one place to another. The 85 stations are strategically positioned to access major institutions and landmarks. The network of underground trains encompasses 58.4 km.
The underground train in Frankfurt has three main routes. The first route includes lines U1, U2 and U3. This first route runs from the Südbahnhof or the South Railway Station to the north part of Frankfurt. The second route includes the U4 and U5 lines that connect to the Central Station. The last route, with the train lines U6 and U7, connects to the East railway station and to the North East Station. All train lines in Frankfurt come together in a tunnel in Central Frankfurt. Travelling by train in Frankfurt is very easy since each stop is advertised in advance. There are also electronic signs inside the carriage that flash information about the next station. Also, all stations bear electronic signs that tell when the next connecting train is arriving.
It is advisable to buy an All Day Ticket to access all trains, trams and buses. All ticket packages are available at automatic ticket dispensers and available as individual or group tickets. One can also consider buying a Frankfurt Card, which is a package of unlimited access to all public transport systems and discounts in many museums. The Frankfurt Card is very convenient, especially for travelling with a group of people.