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Frankfurt Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Frankfurt Travel & Tourism, Free Frankfurt Travel Guide Online

Frankfurt Travel Guide, Frankfurt Vacation Tourism, Frankfurt Travel Information

Frankfurt Travel Guide: Discount & Cheap Frankfurt Travel & Tourism, Free Frankfurt Travel Guide Online

Throughout its history, Frankfurt am Main (pronounced Mine) has been linked to international trade, commerce and transportation. Today, the city is playing a leading role in the European monetary union as the home of the European Central Bank and the German Stock Exchange.

It is also a major transportation hub, the site of both Europe's second-largest airport and one of its busiest train stations.

Only a small section of the original town center survived the bombings of World War II, and much of the city was rebuilt in the 1950s. Today, Frankfurt's optimistic outlook reflects its rebirth.

Every day, the population of 650,000 grows by almost one-half, as 300,000 commuters arrive to work in the gleaming financial district or to attend one of its world-famous trade fairs. Additionally, tourists come to visit and to enjoy Frankfurt's fine opera, ballet, and world-class museums. Visitors are often amazed by Frankfurt's multicultural variety and by the beauty of its suburbs and surrounding countryside.

The historic center of the city is Romerberg, a square just two blocks north of the Main. The old town's walls were torn down and the moats filled in, but a green belt of parks loops around the old city in their place. Several guardhouses still stand as landmarks. Northeast of Romerberg is the Konstablerwache, which has U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations. Northwest of Romerberg is the Hauptwache, now the site of a cafe and also an important transportation hub. To the east of the Hauptwache is the Zeil, Frankfurt's busiest shopping street, and to the west is Grosse Bockenheimer Strasse, known locally as the Fressgasse (or "chow-down alley") for its food markets and eating establishments. To the south of the Romerberg is an old iron footbridge, the Eiserner Steg, which crosses the Main into Sachsenhausen. In Sachsenhausen, you'll find interesting pubs and traditional taverns, as well as the Museumsufer (museums along the southern embankment).

On the northern side of the river�west of Romerberg�is the Hauptbahnhof (main train station). Just a few blocks northwest of the station is the Festhalle, the main gateway to the giant fairground known as Messe Frankfurt.

Frankfurt's skyline is one of a kind in Germany, and from it the city gets the nickname "Mainhattan." The need to rebuild after World War II led to the present-day mix of 18th-century buildings, modern and postmodern skyscrapers, functional office blocks and museums.

Being such a commerce-minded city, and a major transportation hub, has made Frankfurt the trade show and convention epicenter of Europe since the 13th century. Trade fairs continue to be big business for the city, and if you visit in spring or fall you may be fortunate enough to join the throngs of visitors on hand for the event.

Many of the main sightseeing attractions are located within easy walking distance of one another. In fact, the city center can be crossed on foot in less than 30 minutes. The best place to start is north of the Main River at Romerberg, the main square and historical center of the city. There you will find beautiful half-timbered houses and the Romer (City Hall), with its impressive banquet hall. Not far from the square is the Kaiserdom, the towering cathedral where ten German emperors and kings were crowned, and Paulskirche, where the first National Assembly of Germany met in 1848.

Nearly 40 museums make up Frankfurt's cultural landscape. Most of these museums are located near Romerberg or are lined up along the southern embankment, called Museumsufer. The city has invested more than 200 million euros in this museum landscape since the 1980s, and the result is striking! Paintings by Old Masters and more recent European artists can be seen at the Stadel Institute. Modern and contemporary art is shown in the Museum fur Moderne Kunst and the Schirn Kunsthalle. For a look at Frankfurt's history, visit the Historisches Museum, Goethehaus or the Judisches Museum. If you're interested in tropical and subtropical plants, the Palmengarten is unforgettable.

Another pleasant way to see Frankfurt is to take a cruise along the Main River (a tributary of the Rhine). Day cruises to nearby riverside towns are also a traditional way to explore the surrounding areas.

Two venues are at the heart of Frankfurt's performing-arts scene. The Alte Oper, the city's beautiful concert hall, hosts world-class symphonies and companies on tour. Stadtische Buhnen is the showcase for local companies, including the city's opera, ballet and theater troupes.

Not to be missed is the Tigerpalast, a variety show with acrobats, magicians and sometimes tigers. Most theaters, including those hosting ballet and opera, are closed in July and August.

You won't have to go far to find traditional German cuisine in Frankfurt. The city is known for such regional specialties as grune sosse (green sauce: a rich cream or mayonnaise base with herbs, including cress, chives, sorrel and parsley) and rippchen mit kraut (pork chop and sauerkraut). Another local dish to try ishandkas mit musik, a form of curd cheese served with raw onions, oil and vinegar and almost always eaten with bread and butter (it's too strong for some tastes). The classic Frankfurt drink is apfelwein (known in the local dialect as ebbelwoi), an apple wine served in a decorative clay pitcher, called a bembel.

The

Zeil pedestrian zone, which stretches east from the Hauptwache to the Konstablerwache is teh premier shopping zone. East of the Konstablerwache, the shopping becomes more economical, with many low-price, no-frills stores. For upscale stores, check the side streets and alleys leading away from the Zeil, as well as around the Hauptwache and near Fressgasse.

Goethestrasse is the place for designer clothes and internationally recognizable shops. Interesting jewelry shops are lined up along Rossmarkt, south of the Hauptwache. There is a Saturday flea market along the Main River.

More than just a hub for transport and commerce, Frankfurt is also known as the "City of Festivals." Notable among these are the Book Fair, Christmas markets and the spring and fall Dippemess. Concerts, both classical and pop, take place regularly at the Alte Oper Frankfurt. Pop stars often perform at the Festhalle.

Frankfurt Attractions: Frankfurt Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Frankfurt Travel & Tourism, Free Frankfurt Travel Guide Online

Goethehaus

Grosser Hirschgraben 23-25, Frankfurt.

069-138-800.
Monday-Friday 9 am-4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-4 pm
The house where Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany's leading literary and intellectual figure, was born in 1749 and grew up has been faithfully reproduced and is open for touring. The museum next door has paintings that depict Goethe's life after Frankfurt (in Weimar and Italy) and works by his contemporaries.

Kaiserdom

Domstrasse (just east of Romerberg), Frankfurt.

069-297-0320.

Monday-Saturday 9 am-noon and 2:30-6 pm (closed Friday morning), Sunday 9 am-noon.
The Church of St. Bartholomew is where ten German emperors and kings were crowned. Its red sandstone facade and Gothic styling make it one of Frankfurt's most identifiable buildings. It was largely rebuilt after World War II and houses a number of its original Gothic carvings.

Main Tower

Junghofstrasse 18-26 (near the Fressgasse), Frankfurt.

069-3650-4771.
Summer 10 am-9 pm, winter 10 am-7 pm.

Though not the tallest building in Frankfurt, the Main Tower is the only skyscraper open to the public. The top floor houses an observation platform and an upscale restaurant with superb 180-degree views of the city.

Paulskirche

Paulsplatz, north of Romerberg, Frankfurt.

069-281-098.

Monday-Sunday 10 am-4 pm.

This distinctive round church was where the first National Assembly of Germany was held in 1848. Following near destruction in World War II, the church was rebuilt with a modern interior and has been the traditional site for addresses by visiting heads of state. The church is used more as a museum these days, with a rotation of different exhibits.

Deutsches Architektur-Museum

Schaumainkai 43, Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt.

069-2123-8844.
Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm

The German Architecture Museum is famous for its "house in a house" concept. Upon walking into the 19th-century estate that holds the museum, you'll come across another house inside. You'll also find drawings, models, photos, journals and special exhibits that track the history of architecture.

Deutsches Filmmuseum

Schaumainkai 41, Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt.

069-2123-8830.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday 10-5 , Wednesday 10 -8; Saturday 2-8

The public is encouraged to play with tools of the filmmaker's trade at the German Film Museum. See yourself flying on a magic carpet over Frankfurt using blue-screen technology or experiment with some of the earliest film technology. The museum also hosts frequent movie screenings.

Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg

Senckenbergeranlage 25, Frankfurt.

069-75-420.
Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm), Saturday and Sunday 9 am-6 pm.

This natural-history museum boasts more than 400,000 exhibits dealing with the development of Earth and its lifeforms. Highlights include dinosaur fossils and the famous Grube Messel, plus an eye-catching crystal and stone collection

Fotographie Forum International

Weckmarkkt 17, Frankfurt.

069-291-726.

Tuesday-Friday 11 am-6 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm), Saturday and Sunday 11 am-5 pm.
Since it was established in 1984, this museum has specialized in internationally renowned historic and contemporary photography. Journalistic snapshots and works of art, as well as scientific photography and advertising shots, are on display.

Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank

Wilhelm-Epstein-Strasse 14, Frankfurt.

069-9566-3073.

Open daily 10 am-5 pm (Wednesday 1-9 pm). Free.
This money museum is quite appropriate, given Frankfurt's role as the center of European banking. Particularly fun is the exhibition of forged money. You can buy a "brick" of 100,000 DM worth of shredded banknotes for a few euros.

Historisches Museum

Saalgasse 19 (south of Romerberg), Frankfurt.

069-2123-5599.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm).

The Historical Museum displays 3-D architectural models of Frankfurt before and after World War II, as well as exhibits about life in the city and a cafe that doubles as an apfelwein (apple wine) museum. There is also a Children's Museum.

Judisches Museum

Untermainkai 14-15, Frankfurt.

069-2123-5000.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm

free on Saturday.
The Jewish Museum is housed in the Rothschild Palais, the famous family's first mansion after leaving the Frankfurt Jewish ghetto. It tells the story of Frankfurt's Jews, the second-largest Jewish community in Germany before the Holocaust.

Museum der Weltkulturen

Schaumainkai 29-37, Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt.

069-212-35391.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (Wednesday till 8 pm

The Museum of World Cultures' main building has ethnological exhibitions with an interesting approach to nature and culture. Galerie 37 showcases artworks by modern and contemporary Native American, African, Oceanian and Indonesian artists.

Museum fur Angewandte Kunst

Schaumainkai 17, Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt.

069-2123-4037.
Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-8 pm.

The Museum of Applied Arts has a rich collection of European and Asian decorative arts, including furniture, ceramics and glass. The museum building (designed by Richard Meier) itself is stunning�it's in the form of three interlinked white cubes situated in a park on the south bank of the Main River.

Museum fur Kommunikation

Schaumainkai 53, Frankfurt.

069-606-0666.

Tuesday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am-7 pm. Free.
This museum is especially child-friendly. Visitors are encouraged to play with all forms of communication devices in existence, from one of the very first telephones to an in-house satellite phone. These multimedia exhibits depict communication history in Germany and abroad.

Museum fur Moderne Kunst

Domstrasse 10, Frankfurt.

069-2123-0447.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm).
This wedge-shaped museum, known locally as the "piece of cake", displays modern art from the 1960s through the present, in continually rotating exhibits. The building's striking modern interior can sometimes steal the show from the art it is presenting.

Museum Judengasse

Kurt Schumacher Strasse 10, Frankfurt.

069-297-7419.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm).

This branch of the Judisches Museum displays the archaeological remains of Frankfurt's Jewish Ghetto, as well as offering an exemplary exhibition showing Jewish life in Germany from the 12th century to the present day.

Schirn Kunsthalle

Am Romerberg 6-A, Frankfurt. 069-2998-8211.

Tuesday and Sunday 11 am-7 pm, Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm.

The Schirn is the city's main art gallery for temporary international exhibitions. The exhibits cover a broad range of styles and subjects, but most of them deal with less traditional art. The museum is also notable for its architecturally stunning cafe, complete with a viewing platform overlooking some Roman ruins.

Stadelsches Kunstinstitut und Stadtische Galerie

Schaumainkai 63, Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt.

069-605-0980.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm).
For true art-lovers, this is the Louvre of Frankfurt. This art institute and its municipal gallery showcase a fine collection of paintings from the 14th-20th centuries, with masterpieces from each period. It also has an extensive collection of impressionist paintings.

Palmengarten

Siesmayerstrasse 63, Frankfurt.

069-2123-3939.
Monday-Sunday 9 am-6 pm (closes at 4 pm in winter).

Admission charged.

This unforgettable botanical garden, with more than 300 different kinds of palms, specializes in tropical and subtropical plants, including seasonal exhibitions of flowering plants and shrubs. The scenery can occasionally be enjoyed to the sound of live jazz and classical music, and the park around the gardens has a playground for children, boats for rent and a wading pool.

Stadtwald
This city-owned forest (more than 10,000 acres) attracts local people for weekend strolling, but on weekdays the place tends to be deserted. Louisa Park, which is part of the Stadtwald, has three small lakes, walking paths and nice playgrounds for children. Also found in the area is the Goetheturm, Germany's tallest wooden observation tower (141 feet high). A trip to the top provides superb views north across Frankfurt to the foothills of Taunus. (To get to the Stadtwald, take Bus 36�marked Sachsenhausen Hainer Weg�to the last stop or take Tram 14 to the Louisa stop. You can also take the S3 or S4 S-Bahn to the Louisa station.)

Frankfurt Zoo

Alfred Brehm Platz 16, Frankfurt.

069-2123-3731.

Daily 9 am-7 pm.
This zoo. one of the most visited in Europ, houses more than 5,000 birds, mammals, reptiles and insects representing almost 600 species. Among the highlights are the Grzimek House, where nocturnal animals think it's nighttime during the day, and the Exotarium, which is filled with interesting fish, reptiles and insects.

Tuesday Night Skating

The meeting point is Deutschherrenufer in Sachsenhausen.

069-4305-9962 for information..
Every Tuesday evening, Frankfurt opens 18 miles of streets and avenues to in-line skaters. The route is always different, covering everything from the financial district to the suburbs. Tuesday Night Skating has achieved cult status: Enjoy this unique event as a spectator or as a participant.

Frankfurt Events: Frankfurt Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Frankfurt Travel & Tourism, Free Frankfurt Travel Guide Online

Events

January

Throughout January: Performance. Renowned artists, ensemble groups and other traveling acts perform regularly at the Alte Oper Frankfurt, Opernplatz 8. For information and tickets, call 134-0400. Continues through mid June

Throughout January: Dance. When the company is not traveling, Ballett Frankfurt performs at Opernhaus, Stadtische Buhnen, on Willy Brandt Platz, and Bockenheimer Depot. For tickets, call 134-0400. Continues through late April

Throughout January: Opera. Oper Frankfurt performs regularly at the Opernhaus, Stadtische Buhnen, on Willy Brandt Platz. For schedule information and tickets, call 134-0400. Continues through late June

March

Early-Late March: Soccer. FSV Frankfurt plays home games at Bornheimer Hang Stadion. For information and tickets, call 420-8980. Season continues through mid June

April

Early April: Mainfest. Beer drinking and frivolity reign in this traditional folk fair along Romerberg, Fahrtor and the Main Quay. For information, call 2123-8990 or 2123-8800.

July

Mid July: Germany Triathlon. More than 300,000 spectators watch approximately 1,700 athletes from around the world participate in this test of endurance, featuring a 2.5-mile swim, 112-mile bike races and 26-mile footraces. For information, call 6181-42254. Various venues throughout the Frankfurt area.

Early July

: Mainfest. Beer drinking and frivolity reign in this traditional folk fair along Romerberg, Fahrtor and the Main Quay. For information, call 2123-8990 or 2123-8800.

Late July

: Museum Summer Festival. Cultural and arts festival held along both sides of the Main River. International artists and arts-and-crafts vendors add excitement to this impressive collection of museums. For information, call 2123-8990 or 2123-8800.

September

Mid- September: Fall Dippemess. Traditional fair with carnival rides and a handicrafts market. Festplatz, Ratsweg Fairgrounds. For more information, call 2123-8990 or 2123-8800.

October

Early October: Frankfurt Book Fair. More than 6,500 writers, agents, publishers and illustrators gather at the world's largest and oldest book fair. The fair exhibits more than 300,000 titles, among them new, innovative works. It also features more than 2,000 cultural and special events, including readings by authors. Messe Frankfurt, Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1. 21020.

End of October: Frankfurt Marathon. This race is open to both runners and in-line skaters. The flat course for runners begins in downtown Frankfurt, crosses into the residential suburb of Sachsenhausen, goes through Hochst and returns along Mainzer Landstrasse to the finish line at the downtown Trade Fair Tower. For information, call 3700-4680.

November

Late November: Weihnachtsmarkt. The annual Christmas fair takes place at Romerberg, Paulsplatz, Fahrtor, Neeve, Kramer and Mainkai. Features food, drink and handicrafts. The opening ceremony is highlighted by traditional holiday music performed by choral groups and a carillon and appearances by Santa Claus. For more information, call 2123-8990 or 2123-8800. Continues through 22 Dec

Late November: Weihnachtsmarkt. The annual Christmas fair takes place at Romerberg, Paulsplatz, Fahrtor, Neeve, Kramer and Mainkai. Features food, drink and handicrafts. The opening ceremony is highlighted by traditional holiday music performed by choral groups and a carillon and appearances by Santa Claus. For more information, call 2123-8990 or 2123-8800. Continues through late December
134-0400. Continues through mid June.

December

Early December: Soccer. FSV Frankfurt plays home games at Bornheimer Hang Stadion. For information and tickets, call 420-8980. Season concludes early December

1-22 December: Weihnachtsmarkt. The annual Christmas fair takes place at Romerberg, Paulsplatz, Fahrtor, Neeve, Kramer and Mainkai. Features food, drink and handicrafts. The opening ceremony is highlighted by traditional holiday music performed by choral groups and a carillon and appearances by Santa Claus. For more information, call 2123-8990 or 2123-8800. Concludes 22 Dec

6 December: St. Nicholas' Day. Children busily clean their shoes in the hope that Santa Claus will fill them with sweets and presents.

Throughout December: Weihnachtsmarkt. The annual Christmas fair takes place at Romerberg, Paulsplatz, Fahrtor, Neeve, Kramer and Mainkai. Features food, drink and handicrafts. The opening ceremony is highlighted by traditional holiday music performed by choral groups and a carillon and appearances by Santa Claus. For more information, call 2123-8990 or 2123-8800. Concludes late December.

31 December:

New Year's Eve. Called Silvester in German. Most businesses close around 1 pm, and in the evening, fireworks erupt throughout the city.

Arts and Entertainment

Dance

Ballett Frankfurt
This world-renowned company features the contemporary choreography of William Forsythe. Most performances are at Stadtische Buhnen and the Bockenheimer Depot. The season is September-June, but the company also tours frequently during that time. You can purchase tickets at the box office at Untermainanlage 11, Frankfurt. 069-2123-7319.

Music

Frankfurter Museumsorchester
Conducted by Paolo Carignani, the Frankfurt Museum Orchestra holds concerts in the Alte Oper every month September-June. Am Opernplatz, Frankfurt. 069-134-0400 for the box office.

Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt
The symphony performs September-June at the Alte Oper. Principal conductor is Hugh Wolff. Am Opernplatz, Frankfurt. 069-155-2071. For tickets, call the box office at 134-0400.

Opera

Oper Frankfurt
Performances are September-June at Stadtische Buhnen. The box office at the theater opens one hour before performances. Willy Brandt Platz, Frankfurt. 069-134-0400 to reserve tickets.

Theatre

Internationales Theater Frankfurt
Artists from five countries perform in five different languages and different mediums�theater, dance and music. Five stages showcase South American, French, German, English and Russian performances. There are also guest performances from other parts of the world. Hanauer Landstrasse 5-7, Frankfurt. 069-499-0980.

Sports

Football

Frankfurt Galaxy
This team is part of NFL Europe. Home games draw a great number of fans in the Frankfurter Waldstadion during the April-June season. The stadium is in the Stadtwald, south of the city (S-Bahn Sportfeld). Tickets can be purchased at any ticket agency or via the hotline (check for the latest phone number published inJournal Frankfurt or on posters).

Horse Racing

Rennbahn Niederrad
During the March-December season, there are 18 race days with 200 races. Tickets are readily available at the track. Schwarzwaldstrasse 125, Frankfurt. 069-678-0900.

Soccer

Eintracht Frankfurt
The city's top soccer club plays August-June, with a winter break squeezed in. Games are at the Waldstadion in the Stadtwald, south of the city (S-Bahn Sportfeld). Tickets are easily purchased at the stadium. 01805-743-1889 for information.

Frankfurt Facts: Frankfurt Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Frankfurt Travel & Tourism, Free Frankfurt Travel Guide Online

Population

: 643,726.

Languages

: German. English is usually spoken at most tourist locations, hotels and restaurants.

Time Zone:

West Europe Standard Time. When it is 12:00 noon in New York City (Eastern Standard Time), it is 6:00 PM in Frankfurt.

This is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.

Average Temperatures:

Month

High

Low

January

38F

12F

February

43F

17F

March

51F

24F

April

60F

30F

May

69F

36F

June

80F

43F

July

83F

51F

August

82F

49F

September

75F

42F

October

64F

32F

November

53F

23F

December

39F

13F

Summer days are warm and nights are cool. The average high in July is 77 F. Spring and fall are usually crisp and cool. Winters are moderate and often drizzly, with rarely any snow. The average low in January is 29 F.

What to Wear

Always be prepared for rain, especially in fall, winter and spring. Occasional summer cool spells may call for a sweater or windbreaker, even in August. Frankfurt's businessmen wear suits and ties, but they don't confine themselves to traditional dark colors and pinstripes. Ties tend to be colorful, as are women's business fashions.

Holidays

1 January: New Year's Day. Public holiday.

March/April (varies): Good Friday. Public holiday.
March/April (varies): Easter Monday. Public holiday.

1 May: Labor Day. Public holiday.
May: Ascension Monday. Public holiday.

May: Monday closest to the 15^th: Whitmonday. Public holiday.

Mid-Late June: Corpus Christi. Public holiday.
3 October: German Unity Day. Public holiday

24 December: Christmas Eve. Shops close at about 1 pm, and few restaurants remain open.
25, 26 December: Christmas Holidays. Public holidays.
31 December: New Year's Eve. Called Silvester in German. Most businesses close around 1 pm.

Money

Currency Exchange

Changing money shouldn't be a problem. ATMs (called Geldautomaten) are abundant, in the foyers of or just outside banks and post offices. They dispense euros at the going rate of exchange. ATMs clearly indicate the cards that can be used, and many offer an English-language display. Their location is usually marked with a red-and-blue "EC" sign for Eurocard, a European credit-card company with an agreement with MasterCard: MasterCard is accepted wherever Eurocard is.

Banks throughout the city charge a reasonable commission, usually 1% to exchange dollars for euros and vice versa. Both the airport and the Hauptbahnhof have banks and exchange desks.

Taxes

Germany has a value-added tax on all goods and services that's included in the sticker price of everything you buy. This tax is 7% on food and books and 16% on most other purchases.

Visitors who reside in countries that are not part of the European Union may apply for tax reimbursement on all goods purchased at stores affiliated with Europe Tax-Free Shopping.

Tipping

In Germany, there are no fixed rules or expectations about tipping. Although service charges are included in your restaurant bill, you may round up the bill to the nearest euro (on bills less than 5 euros) or tip as much as 10% (on larger bills). The tip should be given directly to the waiter/waitress when paying. Don't leave any money on the table. In hotels, you should tip about 1 euro per bag to bellhops. In smaller guesthouses or boutique hotels, you should leave a couple of euros per night for the cleaning staff. In a taxi, there's no need to tip beyond rounding up to the nearest euro unless extraordinary service is provided.

Voltage Requirements:

220 volts, 50 cycles. Adapter plugs and converters should be purchased prior to arrival.

Communication

Telephone Codes:

49, country code; 69, city code.

Telephone

To make a local call, just dial the local number without the city code. (Some local phone numbers may have more digits than others.) To call another city within Germany, preface the number with 0 and the city code. To make a direct international call, dial 00 plus the country code (e.g., 001 for the U.S. and Canada), followed by the area code or city code and the local number. Public pay phones often require a phone card, which can be purchased at post offices or newspaper kiosks.

Internet Access

Sachsenhausen has the most Internet cafes within easy reach of each other, but in general, Internet cafes can be found all over Frankfurt. Many normal cafes also provide free Internet access at stand-up terminals.

Transportation

Frankfurt is a major transportation hub for Germany and Europe. Its airport is the second-largest in Europe, and its main train station is one of the largest and busiest on the Continent.

Driving in and around Frankfurt is fairly easy, but if you're going to stay exclusively in Frankfurt, public transportation will be more than adequate.

Air

Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), 6 miles south of the city, is made up of two terminals connected by a Sky Line monorail. There's a wide range of services in both terminals.

Connecting Transportation

Unless you have a lot of luggage, the S-Bahn can transport you from the airport to the city center. The station is directly below Terminal 1, and the ride to the Hauptbahnhof takes about 11 minutes.

Taxis and rental cars are available at both terminals. Large hotels near the airport and others on the outskirts of Frankfurt offer courtesy shuttles to and from the airport. Downtown hotels do not have courtesy vans. Rental car companies have offices at both terminals.

Bus

Most major European cities are linked to Frankfurt by bus. The station is on the south side of the Hauptbahnhof. Deutsche Touring GmbH operates long-haul bus routes under the names Eurolines and Europabus. Its sales office is also on the south side of the Hauptbahnhof, at Mannheimer Strasse 4. 069-230-735.

Car

Frankfurt sits at the intersection of several major autobahns. Excellent signage makes access into and out of the city fairly simple. To get into downtown Frankfurt, follow signs to Frankfurt-Stadtmitte. (If you follow signs to the Messe from the Frankfurt-West Autobahn intersection, you'll be led to a giant parking lot served by free shuttle buses during major fairs.) Parking downtown is usually expensive and difficult, so it's best to use the public transit system. Driving in town can also be complicated by the predominance of one-way streets. The speed limit in the city is 50 kph (about 30 mph). On unmarked highways it's 100 kph (just over 60 mph), and on the autobahn there is no limit unless otherwise indicated. Keep in mind that using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is efficient and generally safe, and it's the best way to get around. The network extends to most points in the city and suburbs and to several outlying areas, including Wiesbaden, Mainz, Darmstadt, Hanau, Friedberg and the Taunus Mountains.

Tickets and Validation

�You have to purchase tickets and validate them before boarding all forms of transportation. Single, one-way tickets are available, with free transfers between buses and trains. However, we recommend purchasing a special network pass: either the tageskarte, which is valid the entire day of purchase or the Frankfurt Card, which is good for one day or two days with a 50% discount at several museums and attractions. The city's Verkehrs Insel (transportation island), located at the Hauptwache across from Kaufhof department store, offers exhaustive information about public transportation in the area.

U-Bahn and S-Bahn

�Large blue U signs mark the U-Bahn (subway) stations, while large green S signs mark S-Bahn (commuter rail) stations. Trains and tracks are labeled with the final destination of the train and sometimes with major transfer stations. Hours of service vary from route to route�trains stop running at about midnight or 1 am and resume around 4 am.

Buses and Streetcars

�Yellow and green signs with the letter H mark bus and streetcar stops. Buses and streetcars run frequently in downtown locations, and schedules are posted at every stop. In some popular late-night districts, special bus routes run until the wee hours. These routes are noted with a dark sign with moon and stars. You can buy your ticket from the driver or from a machine at certain stops.

Taxi

Two phone lines are staffed 24 hours a day for taxi pickups: 250-001 and 230-001. There are also taxi stands scattered around town.

Train

The Hauptbahnhof has frequent connections to nearly every major German city and many European cities. Trains are run by Deutsche Bahn (phone 01805-996-633). Note that both the train station at the airport, called Frankfurt (Flughafen), and the Hauptbahnhof in the city, called Frankfurt (Main), connect to the national and international rail network.

Local Tours

Ebbelwei Express

Kurt Schumacher Strasse 10, Frankfurt.

069-19-449

Departures on Saturday and Sunday are every 40 minutes, 1:54-5:54 pm
This streetcar runs past many sights and fare includes a small bottle of apple wine and a pretzel. The first stop is at the Bornheim Mitte U-Bahn station, although you can start at any point on the route, including the Romer/Paulskirche streetcar stop.

Historische Eisenbahnen Frankfurt

Passengers board at the Eiserner Steg bridge near the Romer. 2-5 pm.

069-436-093
This historic steam train runs along the bank of the Main River. It operates every first Sunday of the month (except December, when it runs four times over the first two weekends).

Main River Cruises
Primus Linie offers trips on the Main and Rhine Rivers. In spring and summer, its ships depart from the north side of the Main for longer day trips to such Rhine River destinations as the wine village of Rudesheim and the legendary Lorelei cliff. Another stop is Worms, with its great Romanesque cathedral and the Jewish synagogue and cemetery that date back to the 11th century. Information and tickets at Mainkai 35. 069-285-728.

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Frankfurt Zoo

Alfred Brehm Platz 16, Frankfurt.

069-2123-3731.

Museum fur Kommunikation

Schaumainkai 53, Frankfurt.

069-606-0666.

Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank

Wilhelm-Epstein-Strasse 14, Frankfurt.

069-9566-3073.

Historisches Museum

Saalgasse 19 (south of Romerberg), Frankfurt.

069-2123-5599.

Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg

Senckenbergeranlage 25, Frankfurt.

069-75-420.
Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm), Saturday and Sunday 9 am-6 pm.

Deutsches Architektur-Museum

Schaumainkai 43, Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt.

069-2123-8844.
Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm

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