Travel tips · Frankfurt · Germany
Frankfurt travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dr. Thomas Liptak, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Frankfurt has been a trading and banking city since the Middle Ages, hosting fairs since the 12th century and imperial elections and coronations for centuries. Today it is one of the most international cities in Germany, with a large share of residents born abroad, yet the local Hessian dialect and tavern culture remain strong.
Key facts
- Language
- German
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 112 (fire and ambulance), 110 police
Things to know
- Greet staff with 'Guten Tag' or 'Hallo' and say 'Tschüss' or 'Auf Wiedersehen' when leaving.
- Respect cycle lanes, which often run on the pavement and are marked in red.
- Wait for the green pedestrian light; jaywalking draws disapproving looks.
- Return deposit bottles to supermarkets for the Pfand refund.
- Keep noise down after 10pm and on Sundays in residential areas.
- Check the Messe Frankfurt calendar before booking; avoiding a big trade fair can halve hotel prices.
Tipping
Round up or add about 5–10% for table service, telling the server the total when you pay; leaving coins on the table is less common.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guten Tag | Hello / good day |
| Danke schön | Thank you very much |
| Die Rechnung, bitte | The bill, please |
| Ein Schoppen, bitte | A glass of apple wine, please |
| Ist hier noch frei? | Is this seat free? |
What to wear
Business attire dominates the banking district on weekdays, but casual, neat clothes are fine everywhere else, including taverns.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 112 (fire and ambulance), 110 police
- Phone and internet
- EU roaming applies to European SIMs; free Wi-Fi is available at the airport, the Hauptbahnhof and many cafés.
- Time zone
- Europe/Berlin
Frankfurt is generally safe for visitors, but pickpockets operate at the Hauptbahnhof, on the Zeil and on crowded trains. The Bahnhofsviertel has a visible drug scene around Taunusstraße and Niddastraße; it is busy rather than dangerous, but stay aware, especially at night.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Germany's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Frankfurt?
Round up or add about 5–10% for table service, telling the server the total when you pay; leaving coins on the table is less common.
+Can you drink the tap water in Frankfurt?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Frankfurt?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Frankfurt?
German.