Your guide to public transport in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s metro system is composed of the S-bahn (nine routes of suburban rail) and the U-bahn (nine routes of combined tram and underground lines). While you can map out your journey on the RMV website or via Google Maps, we recommend downloading the RMV app on your phone. The app comes with a navigation service and connects directly to the credit card of your choice. This is both time-saving–the ticket machines, which only take credit cards with chips, can have lines–and convenient. Tickets can only be purchased in stations or on trams–not on the metro lines. As a bonus for business travelers declaring expenses, the app saves all your receipts in one spot.

Prices depend on how many zones you hit, but generally are 2.75 euros for a journey for one adult in one direction to most city sites; children are eligible for a reduced fare. For a journey of less than two kilometers, select ‘Kurzstrecke’ for a short-trip ticket, priced at 1.85 euros for adults. At 22 euros for 24 hours, the Frankfurt Card–which you can print at home and use to travel from Frankfurt Airport or Frankfurt HBF–is a real bargain for groups of up to five. The card includes discounts on several of the main attractions. Tip: While bikes can be taken on Frankfurt’s metro system free of charge, they are discouraged (and can be refused) during peak hours.

Pickings can be scarce for the S-bahn and U-bahn lines between the hours of 1am-4am, depending on the day of the week. However, buses run 24 hours a day, and cross-town routes are a convenient and inexpensive way to soak in the city. Most bus stops have a roof overhang for protection from the elements and tickets can be purchased on-board. While foldable bikes can be taken on buses, those that don’t collapse are discouraged–though the driver may let one slip by during off-peak hours.

Looking for an escape to a nearby town or a day of swimming at one of Germany’s pristine lakes in summer? Deutsche Bahn carries some 5.5 million travelers every day on its 33,300-kilometer modern rail network, and a wide network of regional trains connect to Frankfurt’s surrounding areas. Tickets, not available for purchase on-board, are available on the Deutsche Bahn website; and the earlier you purchase tickets for long-distance journeys, the cheaper they will be. Regional day tickets, weekend tickets, or day tickets for all of Germany are offered. Check for special offers, including group rates, for Germany or beyond.