Visiting Frankfurt on a 3-hour layover
We have a 3 hour layover in Frankfurt, on the way to Rome. My husband wants to leave to get a bite to eat and see a small part of the city. Will we have enough time? Is this a smart idea?
customs-and-immigration layovers frankfurt
edited Dec 5 '18 at 20:50
Neusser
4,91732541
asked Dec 5 '18 at 19:35
NitaNita
8713
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show 4 more comments
We have a 3 hour layover in Frankfurt, on the way to Rome. My husband wants to leave to get a bite to eat and see a small part of the city. Will we have enough time? Is this a smart idea?
customs-and-immigration layovers frankfurt
edited Dec 5 '18 at 20:50
Neusser
4,91732541
asked Dec 5 '18 at 19:35
NitaNita
8713
9
Very unlikely you have time but where are you traveling from and what is your nationality?
– Willeke♦
Dec 5 '18 at 19:40
11
Apart from the fact that it doesn't make sense because of the short time, Frankfurt is not the most pleasing city to look at, in my opinion. So don't be too sad if you cannot leave the airport ;)
– Ian
Dec 6 '18 at 8:58
4
@Ian: I came here just to write that the answer to "Should I visit Frankfurt?" is "no", regardless of the available time. :)
– Eric Duminil
Dec 6 '18 at 16:21
3
3h layover is probably not enough to leave and be back on time for any major international airport.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:10
3
Regarding Frankfurt in particular, I routinely have ~1h layovers there and I barely make them which can give you the idea. But this depends a lot on which exactly flights do you take, whether you arrive in the terminal via a bus or directly via a jet bridge, whether it's both within-EU flights etc.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:13
|
show 4 more comments
We have a 3 hour layover in Frankfurt, on the way to Rome. My husband wants to leave to get a bite to eat and see a small part of the city. Will we have enough time? Is this a smart idea?
customs-and-immigration layovers frankfurt
edited Dec 5 '18 at 20:50
Neusser
4,91732541
asked Dec 5 '18 at 19:35
NitaNita
8713
We have a 3 hour layover in Frankfurt, on the way to Rome. My husband wants to leave to get a bite to eat and see a small part of the city. Will we have enough time? Is this a smart idea?
customs-and-immigration layovers frankfurt
customs-and-immigration layovers frankfurt
edited Dec 5 '18 at 20:50
Neusser
4,91732541
asked Dec 5 '18 at 19:35
NitaNita
8713
edited Dec 5 '18 at 20:50
Neusser
4,91732541
asked Dec 5 '18 at 19:35
NitaNita
8713
edited Dec 5 '18 at 20:50
Neusser
4,91732541
edited Dec 5 '18 at 20:50
Neusser
4,91732541
edited Dec 5 '18 at 20:50
Neusser
4,91732541
4,91732541
asked Dec 5 '18 at 19:35
NitaNita
8713
asked Dec 5 '18 at 19:35
NitaNita
8713
asked Dec 5 '18 at 19:35
NitaNita
8713
8713
9
Very unlikely you have time but where are you traveling from and what is your nationality?
– Willeke♦
Dec 5 '18 at 19:40
11
Apart from the fact that it doesn't make sense because of the short time, Frankfurt is not the most pleasing city to look at, in my opinion. So don't be too sad if you cannot leave the airport ;)
– Ian
Dec 6 '18 at 8:58
4
@Ian: I came here just to write that the answer to "Should I visit Frankfurt?" is "no", regardless of the available time. :)
– Eric Duminil
Dec 6 '18 at 16:21
3
3h layover is probably not enough to leave and be back on time for any major international airport.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:10
3
Regarding Frankfurt in particular, I routinely have ~1h layovers there and I barely make them which can give you the idea. But this depends a lot on which exactly flights do you take, whether you arrive in the terminal via a bus or directly via a jet bridge, whether it's both within-EU flights etc.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:13
|
show 4 more comments
9
Very unlikely you have time but where are you traveling from and what is your nationality?
– Willeke♦
Dec 5 '18 at 19:40
11
Apart from the fact that it doesn't make sense because of the short time, Frankfurt is not the most pleasing city to look at, in my opinion. So don't be too sad if you cannot leave the airport ;)
– Ian
Dec 6 '18 at 8:58
4
@Ian: I came here just to write that the answer to "Should I visit Frankfurt?" is "no", regardless of the available time. :)
– Eric Duminil
Dec 6 '18 at 16:21
3
3h layover is probably not enough to leave and be back on time for any major international airport.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:10
3
Regarding Frankfurt in particular, I routinely have ~1h layovers there and I barely make them which can give you the idea. But this depends a lot on which exactly flights do you take, whether you arrive in the terminal via a bus or directly via a jet bridge, whether it's both within-EU flights etc.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:13
9
9
Very unlikely you have time but where are you traveling from and what is your nationality?
– Willeke♦
Dec 5 '18 at 19:40
Very unlikely you have time but where are you traveling from and what is your nationality?
– Willeke♦
Dec 5 '18 at 19:40
11
11
Apart from the fact that it doesn't make sense because of the short time, Frankfurt is not the most pleasing city to look at, in my opinion. So don't be too sad if you cannot leave the airport ;)
– Ian
Dec 6 '18 at 8:58
Apart from the fact that it doesn't make sense because of the short time, Frankfurt is not the most pleasing city to look at, in my opinion. So don't be too sad if you cannot leave the airport ;)
– Ian
Dec 6 '18 at 8:58
4
4
@Ian: I came here just to write that the answer to "Should I visit Frankfurt?" is "no", regardless of the available time. :)
– Eric Duminil
Dec 6 '18 at 16:21
@Ian: I came here just to write that the answer to "Should I visit Frankfurt?" is "no", regardless of the available time. :)
– Eric Duminil
Dec 6 '18 at 16:21
3
3
3h layover is probably not enough to leave and be back on time for any major international airport.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:10
3h layover is probably not enough to leave and be back on time for any major international airport.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:10
3
3
Regarding Frankfurt in particular, I routinely have ~1h layovers there and I barely make them which can give you the idea. But this depends a lot on which exactly flights do you take, whether you arrive in the terminal via a bus or directly via a jet bridge, whether it's both within-EU flights etc.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:13
Regarding Frankfurt in particular, I routinely have ~1h layovers there and I barely make them which can give you the idea. But this depends a lot on which exactly flights do you take, whether you arrive in the terminal via a bus or directly via a jet bridge, whether it's both within-EU flights etc.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:13
|
show 4 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
No, this isn't feasible. It will probably take you around 30 minutes to get off the plane and through immigration (and probably more if you're not an EU citizen). It's then about a 15-minute train ride into Frankfurt, and 15 minutes back, plus, say, another 10–15 minutes total waiting for the two trains. But you're recommended to be back at the airport two hours before your flight leaves, to make sure you get through security and so on. That leaves you with about minus-10 minutes to spend in Frankfurt.
Even if you decide to push it and not arrive at the airport until an hour before your flight, you still only have 45–50 minutes in Frankfurt, plus the stress of getting back and worrying about missing your flight. It's unlikely to be worth it; just eat something at the airport.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 20:21
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
11.2k74175
3
I think it’s simply not feasible without even adding the caveats.
– Honorary World Citizen
Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
add a comment |
No, this is not a good idea.
To extend on @DavidRicherby's answer. I just did this a couple of months ago, but on a 9 hour layover.
From plane to train took a little over an hour and a half. I arrived at 8:50 in the morning and I know the train I took was right around 10:36.
The lines were long and the place was quite crowded. Not only that but I had to figure out where to go and then figure out the train ticket kiosk and how to buy the ticket (that took 10 minutes after asking for help)
Now, I went to Mainz and not Frankfurt, but the situation is the same.
Getting back took slightly longer because I had just missed the train on the way back. So I had to wait. I'm guessing it was no more than 15 minutes, but it felt longer.
Once I arrived, getting from the train to the plane took slightly over an hour. Again, it was crowded and lines were long.
So, even if you were able to go and grab a snack, you will be running, stressing and it's not worth it.
You have to factor in variables such as traffic, what happens if you miss the train, what if your food comes late (service could be slow), immigration lines could be long.
All in all, I spent about 2.5 hours leaving the airport, and getting to my departure gate (and that was just IN the airport).
Too close risk it on a 3 hour layover.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
TravelLikeBeakerTravelLikeBeaker
1,39711530
add a comment |
Simply put it's a bad idea and you'll probably not be able to do or see much even if you decided to go ahead and manage to pull it off.
You have to consider all the time you'll spend leaving the airport, waiting for the train, travelling on the train, then multiply that by 2, because you want to return and get back on your connecting flight. Even considering an unlikely alignment of events would still make the attempt not worthwhile, other than to get an anxiety rush.
I visited Frankfurt on a 6-hour layover, which is double your layover. It was enough to be relaxed about it, but you still don't get to do or experience much, because you need to be mindful of your return journey.
Given the amount of time and stress you'd spend on this plan, I'd rather enjoy a nice meal in the airport itself.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 22:41
asyncasync
2313
add a comment |
That's not really feasible. A 3-hour layover is much too short, and the airport is FAR from downtown. Public transport is not like hopping in a Zipcar, there's a lot of fooling around and waiting. And, things can go wrong - one mistake or delayed train and you're out an expensive air ticket.
I wouldn't have attempted it before 9/11 on a domestic flight. If all you did was clear immigration, step outside, take a breath, turn right around and queue up for security - you'd have just about enough margin for error.
If you want to do that sort of thing, travel by rail. The depots are usually downtownish. I've had a lovely meal in downtown Denver and explored bookstores, I've walked up from NYC Penn to Times Square, did a nickel tour of one Smithsonian museum or another, and gotten Uno's Pizza in Chicago... All on less than 3 hour layovers. And that's just in the US, which has notoriously awful rail service. Europe is a wonderland by comparison.
Or if you must do it by flight, beg your agent to pad your connections out to about 8 hours.
answered Dec 7 '18 at 4:13
HarperHarper
9,89932049
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
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active
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active
oldest
votes
No, this isn't feasible. It will probably take you around 30 minutes to get off the plane and through immigration (and probably more if you're not an EU citizen). It's then about a 15-minute train ride into Frankfurt, and 15 minutes back, plus, say, another 10–15 minutes total waiting for the two trains. But you're recommended to be back at the airport two hours before your flight leaves, to make sure you get through security and so on. That leaves you with about minus-10 minutes to spend in Frankfurt.
Even if you decide to push it and not arrive at the airport until an hour before your flight, you still only have 45–50 minutes in Frankfurt, plus the stress of getting back and worrying about missing your flight. It's unlikely to be worth it; just eat something at the airport.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 20:21
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
11.2k74175
3
I think it’s simply not feasible without even adding the caveats.
– Honorary World Citizen
Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
add a comment |
No, this isn't feasible. It will probably take you around 30 minutes to get off the plane and through immigration (and probably more if you're not an EU citizen). It's then about a 15-minute train ride into Frankfurt, and 15 minutes back, plus, say, another 10–15 minutes total waiting for the two trains. But you're recommended to be back at the airport two hours before your flight leaves, to make sure you get through security and so on. That leaves you with about minus-10 minutes to spend in Frankfurt.
Even if you decide to push it and not arrive at the airport until an hour before your flight, you still only have 45–50 minutes in Frankfurt, plus the stress of getting back and worrying about missing your flight. It's unlikely to be worth it; just eat something at the airport.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 20:21
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
11.2k74175
3
I think it’s simply not feasible without even adding the caveats.
– Honorary World Citizen
Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
add a comment |
No, this isn't feasible. It will probably take you around 30 minutes to get off the plane and through immigration (and probably more if you're not an EU citizen). It's then about a 15-minute train ride into Frankfurt, and 15 minutes back, plus, say, another 10–15 minutes total waiting for the two trains. But you're recommended to be back at the airport two hours before your flight leaves, to make sure you get through security and so on. That leaves you with about minus-10 minutes to spend in Frankfurt.
Even if you decide to push it and not arrive at the airport until an hour before your flight, you still only have 45–50 minutes in Frankfurt, plus the stress of getting back and worrying about missing your flight. It's unlikely to be worth it; just eat something at the airport.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 20:21
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
11.2k74175
No, this isn't feasible. It will probably take you around 30 minutes to get off the plane and through immigration (and probably more if you're not an EU citizen). It's then about a 15-minute train ride into Frankfurt, and 15 minutes back, plus, say, another 10–15 minutes total waiting for the two trains. But you're recommended to be back at the airport two hours before your flight leaves, to make sure you get through security and so on. That leaves you with about minus-10 minutes to spend in Frankfurt.
Even if you decide to push it and not arrive at the airport until an hour before your flight, you still only have 45–50 minutes in Frankfurt, plus the stress of getting back and worrying about missing your flight. It's unlikely to be worth it; just eat something at the airport.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 20:21
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
11.2k74175
edited Dec 6 '18 at 12:50
answered Dec 5 '18 at 20:21
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
11.2k74175
answered Dec 5 '18 at 20:21
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
11.2k74175
answered Dec 5 '18 at 20:21
David RicherbyDavid Richerby
11.2k74175
11.2k74175
3
I think it’s simply not feasible without even adding the caveats.
– Honorary World Citizen
Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
add a comment |
3
I think it’s simply not feasible without even adding the caveats.
– Honorary World Citizen
Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
3
3
I think it’s simply not feasible without even adding the caveats.
– Honorary World Citizen
Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
I think it’s simply not feasible without even adding the caveats.
– Honorary World Citizen
Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
add a comment |
No, this is not a good idea.
To extend on @DavidRicherby's answer. I just did this a couple of months ago, but on a 9 hour layover.
From plane to train took a little over an hour and a half. I arrived at 8:50 in the morning and I know the train I took was right around 10:36.
The lines were long and the place was quite crowded. Not only that but I had to figure out where to go and then figure out the train ticket kiosk and how to buy the ticket (that took 10 minutes after asking for help)
Now, I went to Mainz and not Frankfurt, but the situation is the same.
Getting back took slightly longer because I had just missed the train on the way back. So I had to wait. I'm guessing it was no more than 15 minutes, but it felt longer.
Once I arrived, getting from the train to the plane took slightly over an hour. Again, it was crowded and lines were long.
So, even if you were able to go and grab a snack, you will be running, stressing and it's not worth it.
You have to factor in variables such as traffic, what happens if you miss the train, what if your food comes late (service could be slow), immigration lines could be long.
All in all, I spent about 2.5 hours leaving the airport, and getting to my departure gate (and that was just IN the airport).
Too close risk it on a 3 hour layover.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
TravelLikeBeakerTravelLikeBeaker
1,39711530
add a comment |
No, this is not a good idea.
To extend on @DavidRicherby's answer. I just did this a couple of months ago, but on a 9 hour layover.
From plane to train took a little over an hour and a half. I arrived at 8:50 in the morning and I know the train I took was right around 10:36.
The lines were long and the place was quite crowded. Not only that but I had to figure out where to go and then figure out the train ticket kiosk and how to buy the ticket (that took 10 minutes after asking for help)
Now, I went to Mainz and not Frankfurt, but the situation is the same.
Getting back took slightly longer because I had just missed the train on the way back. So I had to wait. I'm guessing it was no more than 15 minutes, but it felt longer.
Once I arrived, getting from the train to the plane took slightly over an hour. Again, it was crowded and lines were long.
So, even if you were able to go and grab a snack, you will be running, stressing and it's not worth it.
You have to factor in variables such as traffic, what happens if you miss the train, what if your food comes late (service could be slow), immigration lines could be long.
All in all, I spent about 2.5 hours leaving the airport, and getting to my departure gate (and that was just IN the airport).
Too close risk it on a 3 hour layover.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
TravelLikeBeakerTravelLikeBeaker
1,39711530
add a comment |
No, this is not a good idea.
To extend on @DavidRicherby's answer. I just did this a couple of months ago, but on a 9 hour layover.
From plane to train took a little over an hour and a half. I arrived at 8:50 in the morning and I know the train I took was right around 10:36.
The lines were long and the place was quite crowded. Not only that but I had to figure out where to go and then figure out the train ticket kiosk and how to buy the ticket (that took 10 minutes after asking for help)
Now, I went to Mainz and not Frankfurt, but the situation is the same.
Getting back took slightly longer because I had just missed the train on the way back. So I had to wait. I'm guessing it was no more than 15 minutes, but it felt longer.
Once I arrived, getting from the train to the plane took slightly over an hour. Again, it was crowded and lines were long.
So, even if you were able to go and grab a snack, you will be running, stressing and it's not worth it.
You have to factor in variables such as traffic, what happens if you miss the train, what if your food comes late (service could be slow), immigration lines could be long.
All in all, I spent about 2.5 hours leaving the airport, and getting to my departure gate (and that was just IN the airport).
Too close risk it on a 3 hour layover.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
TravelLikeBeakerTravelLikeBeaker
1,39711530
No, this is not a good idea.
To extend on @DavidRicherby's answer. I just did this a couple of months ago, but on a 9 hour layover.
From plane to train took a little over an hour and a half. I arrived at 8:50 in the morning and I know the train I took was right around 10:36.
The lines were long and the place was quite crowded. Not only that but I had to figure out where to go and then figure out the train ticket kiosk and how to buy the ticket (that took 10 minutes after asking for help)
Now, I went to Mainz and not Frankfurt, but the situation is the same.
Getting back took slightly longer because I had just missed the train on the way back. So I had to wait. I'm guessing it was no more than 15 minutes, but it felt longer.
Once I arrived, getting from the train to the plane took slightly over an hour. Again, it was crowded and lines were long.
So, even if you were able to go and grab a snack, you will be running, stressing and it's not worth it.
You have to factor in variables such as traffic, what happens if you miss the train, what if your food comes late (service could be slow), immigration lines could be long.
All in all, I spent about 2.5 hours leaving the airport, and getting to my departure gate (and that was just IN the airport).
Too close risk it on a 3 hour layover.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
TravelLikeBeakerTravelLikeBeaker
1,39711530
answered Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
TravelLikeBeakerTravelLikeBeaker
1,39711530
answered Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
TravelLikeBeakerTravelLikeBeaker
1,39711530
answered Dec 5 '18 at 21:24
TravelLikeBeakerTravelLikeBeaker
1,39711530
1,39711530
add a comment |
add a comment |
Simply put it's a bad idea and you'll probably not be able to do or see much even if you decided to go ahead and manage to pull it off.
You have to consider all the time you'll spend leaving the airport, waiting for the train, travelling on the train, then multiply that by 2, because you want to return and get back on your connecting flight. Even considering an unlikely alignment of events would still make the attempt not worthwhile, other than to get an anxiety rush.
I visited Frankfurt on a 6-hour layover, which is double your layover. It was enough to be relaxed about it, but you still don't get to do or experience much, because you need to be mindful of your return journey.
Given the amount of time and stress you'd spend on this plan, I'd rather enjoy a nice meal in the airport itself.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 22:41
asyncasync
2313
add a comment |
Simply put it's a bad idea and you'll probably not be able to do or see much even if you decided to go ahead and manage to pull it off.
You have to consider all the time you'll spend leaving the airport, waiting for the train, travelling on the train, then multiply that by 2, because you want to return and get back on your connecting flight. Even considering an unlikely alignment of events would still make the attempt not worthwhile, other than to get an anxiety rush.
I visited Frankfurt on a 6-hour layover, which is double your layover. It was enough to be relaxed about it, but you still don't get to do or experience much, because you need to be mindful of your return journey.
Given the amount of time and stress you'd spend on this plan, I'd rather enjoy a nice meal in the airport itself.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 22:41
asyncasync
2313
add a comment |
Simply put it's a bad idea and you'll probably not be able to do or see much even if you decided to go ahead and manage to pull it off.
You have to consider all the time you'll spend leaving the airport, waiting for the train, travelling on the train, then multiply that by 2, because you want to return and get back on your connecting flight. Even considering an unlikely alignment of events would still make the attempt not worthwhile, other than to get an anxiety rush.
I visited Frankfurt on a 6-hour layover, which is double your layover. It was enough to be relaxed about it, but you still don't get to do or experience much, because you need to be mindful of your return journey.
Given the amount of time and stress you'd spend on this plan, I'd rather enjoy a nice meal in the airport itself.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 22:41
asyncasync
2313
Simply put it's a bad idea and you'll probably not be able to do or see much even if you decided to go ahead and manage to pull it off.
You have to consider all the time you'll spend leaving the airport, waiting for the train, travelling on the train, then multiply that by 2, because you want to return and get back on your connecting flight. Even considering an unlikely alignment of events would still make the attempt not worthwhile, other than to get an anxiety rush.
I visited Frankfurt on a 6-hour layover, which is double your layover. It was enough to be relaxed about it, but you still don't get to do or experience much, because you need to be mindful of your return journey.
Given the amount of time and stress you'd spend on this plan, I'd rather enjoy a nice meal in the airport itself.
answered Dec 5 '18 at 22:41
asyncasync
2313
answered Dec 5 '18 at 22:41
asyncasync
2313
answered Dec 5 '18 at 22:41
asyncasync
2313
answered Dec 5 '18 at 22:41
asyncasync
2313
2313
add a comment |
add a comment |
That's not really feasible. A 3-hour layover is much too short, and the airport is FAR from downtown. Public transport is not like hopping in a Zipcar, there's a lot of fooling around and waiting. And, things can go wrong - one mistake or delayed train and you're out an expensive air ticket.
I wouldn't have attempted it before 9/11 on a domestic flight. If all you did was clear immigration, step outside, take a breath, turn right around and queue up for security - you'd have just about enough margin for error.
If you want to do that sort of thing, travel by rail. The depots are usually downtownish. I've had a lovely meal in downtown Denver and explored bookstores, I've walked up from NYC Penn to Times Square, did a nickel tour of one Smithsonian museum or another, and gotten Uno's Pizza in Chicago... All on less than 3 hour layovers. And that's just in the US, which has notoriously awful rail service. Europe is a wonderland by comparison.
Or if you must do it by flight, beg your agent to pad your connections out to about 8 hours.
answered Dec 7 '18 at 4:13
HarperHarper
9,89932049
add a comment |
That's not really feasible. A 3-hour layover is much too short, and the airport is FAR from downtown. Public transport is not like hopping in a Zipcar, there's a lot of fooling around and waiting. And, things can go wrong - one mistake or delayed train and you're out an expensive air ticket.
I wouldn't have attempted it before 9/11 on a domestic flight. If all you did was clear immigration, step outside, take a breath, turn right around and queue up for security - you'd have just about enough margin for error.
If you want to do that sort of thing, travel by rail. The depots are usually downtownish. I've had a lovely meal in downtown Denver and explored bookstores, I've walked up from NYC Penn to Times Square, did a nickel tour of one Smithsonian museum or another, and gotten Uno's Pizza in Chicago... All on less than 3 hour layovers. And that's just in the US, which has notoriously awful rail service. Europe is a wonderland by comparison.
Or if you must do it by flight, beg your agent to pad your connections out to about 8 hours.
answered Dec 7 '18 at 4:13
HarperHarper
9,89932049
add a comment |
That's not really feasible. A 3-hour layover is much too short, and the airport is FAR from downtown. Public transport is not like hopping in a Zipcar, there's a lot of fooling around and waiting. And, things can go wrong - one mistake or delayed train and you're out an expensive air ticket.
I wouldn't have attempted it before 9/11 on a domestic flight. If all you did was clear immigration, step outside, take a breath, turn right around and queue up for security - you'd have just about enough margin for error.
If you want to do that sort of thing, travel by rail. The depots are usually downtownish. I've had a lovely meal in downtown Denver and explored bookstores, I've walked up from NYC Penn to Times Square, did a nickel tour of one Smithsonian museum or another, and gotten Uno's Pizza in Chicago... All on less than 3 hour layovers. And that's just in the US, which has notoriously awful rail service. Europe is a wonderland by comparison.
Or if you must do it by flight, beg your agent to pad your connections out to about 8 hours.
answered Dec 7 '18 at 4:13
HarperHarper
9,89932049
That's not really feasible. A 3-hour layover is much too short, and the airport is FAR from downtown. Public transport is not like hopping in a Zipcar, there's a lot of fooling around and waiting. And, things can go wrong - one mistake or delayed train and you're out an expensive air ticket.
I wouldn't have attempted it before 9/11 on a domestic flight. If all you did was clear immigration, step outside, take a breath, turn right around and queue up for security - you'd have just about enough margin for error.
If you want to do that sort of thing, travel by rail. The depots are usually downtownish. I've had a lovely meal in downtown Denver and explored bookstores, I've walked up from NYC Penn to Times Square, did a nickel tour of one Smithsonian museum or another, and gotten Uno's Pizza in Chicago... All on less than 3 hour layovers. And that's just in the US, which has notoriously awful rail service. Europe is a wonderland by comparison.
Or if you must do it by flight, beg your agent to pad your connections out to about 8 hours.
answered Dec 7 '18 at 4:13
HarperHarper
9,89932049
edited Dec 7 '18 at 4:21
answered Dec 7 '18 at 4:13
HarperHarper
9,89932049
answered Dec 7 '18 at 4:13
HarperHarper
9,89932049
answered Dec 7 '18 at 4:13
HarperHarper
9,89932049
9,89932049
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add a comment |
protected by JonathanReez♦ Dec 6 '18 at 22:59
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9
Very unlikely you have time but where are you traveling from and what is your nationality?
– Willeke♦
Dec 5 '18 at 19:40
11
Apart from the fact that it doesn't make sense because of the short time, Frankfurt is not the most pleasing city to look at, in my opinion. So don't be too sad if you cannot leave the airport ;)
– Ian
Dec 6 '18 at 8:58
4
@Ian: I came here just to write that the answer to "Should I visit Frankfurt?" is "no", regardless of the available time. :)
– Eric Duminil
Dec 6 '18 at 16:21
3
3h layover is probably not enough to leave and be back on time for any major international airport.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:10
3
Regarding Frankfurt in particular, I routinely have ~1h layovers there and I barely make them which can give you the idea. But this depends a lot on which exactly flights do you take, whether you arrive in the terminal via a bus or directly via a jet bridge, whether it's both within-EU flights etc.
– jakub.g
Dec 6 '18 at 17:13