Car Rental Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport

When renting a car at Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport, you can head straight into the city. The airport is just 10 miles west of Frankfurt, via the B43.

Frankfurt is a modern city which is easy to navigate by car, with immediate access to the autobahn network – the German freeway.

The majority of German autobahns are toll-free, allowing you to travel the country with ease. Famously, some stretches of the autobahn have no maximum speed limit, however there are sections which do impose a maximum limit of 130km/h (80mph), and this is the recommended maximum regardless. Inside cities, towns and built-up areas, speed limits are clearly signposted, and are typically 50km/h (31mph).

From the airport, you can head north on the A5 and A7 as far as Hamburg and Hannover - two bustling German cities. Then there's the historic city of Cologne with its incredible Gothic cathedral - follow the A3 westbound and experience all this friendly destination has to offer.

Owing to its central location, Frankfurt Airport is an excellent base for exploring the wild and natural beauty of Germany’s rural lands. Plan your route, and you can drive to the Black Forest Nature Reserve in under four hours.

The city itself sits on the river Main and there are numerous bridges connecting the northern and southern parts of Frankfurt. The heart of the old town is on a rough grid system, but there are highways threading through the city, making it accessible to all. As in most of mainland Europe, you’ll be driving on the same side of the road as at home. 

Be aware that Frankfurt operates a Low Emission Zone, or 'Umweltzone', in the center, encircled by the A5 and A3 freeways, and drivers need a special green sticker displayed to enter. If you need to park your rental car, you can do so in one of the many convenient parking lots. 

During World War II, Frankfurt was almost totally destroyed by bombs and explosions. Since then, it has completely reinvented itself - and now it’s a thriving, cosmopolitan destination with a whole range of attractions including art galleries, leafy parks and upmarket shopping areas.

Many of the city’s lost buildings have also been painstakingly and sensitively rebuilt, replacing destruction with a daring approach to the past.

Galleries and Goethe

Frankfurt is home to over 40 museums, which are dotted along the meandering Main river. Perhaps one of the most famous, the 200-year-old Städel museum, has a beautiful array of art to its name. You’ll see timeless pieces by Rubens, Rembrant, van Eyck, Monet, Picasso and more.

On the other side of the river, the Museum of Natural History boasts Europe's only complete Diplodocus skeleton - plus an abundance of plants, animals and family-friendly dioramas.

Famously, Frankfurt is the birthplace of Germany's most esteemed writer - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. His home was destroyed during the war, but has since been restored so you can gain an insight into his family life and see where he composed his masterpieces.

A triumph of restoration

Severe wartime damage means that much of the old town is actually rather new. Despite only being refurbished in the 1980s it still has an old-world charm. On your travels, you’ll see traditional half-timbered houses and the Rathaus city hall building, which dates back to 1405.

The Römerberg square - translated as ‘Roman Mountain’ - is the historic heart of old town Frankfurt, proudly retaining its 18th century appearance and hosting part of the Frankfurt Christmas Market every year.

The Black Forest and Baden-Baden

Frankfurt Airport is also an excellent base for exploring Germany. The pine-clad Taunus mountains provide incredible views of the nearby city, while the spa town of Wiesbaden offers a rare glimpse into the past, having retained most of its pre-war beauty.

The city of Hanau is just 20 miles east of the airport, offering an easy and enjoyable day trip. The not-so-new New Town Hall - built in 1733 - stands proudly in the old Marktplatz and a colorful calendar of fairytale festivals celebrate the city as the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm.

If you’re looking to relax in style, drive south along the Rhine river for an hour and a half to the spa town of Baden-Baden – a destination popular with spa-goers since Roman times. This historic town is the gateway to the Black Forest, a densely wooded area famous for its wolves, bears and idyllic, isolated villages.

Car rental at Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport opens the door to an enchanting world of dark woods, snow-capped mountains and picture-book German towns. Whether you’re spending time in Frankfurt or exploring the nearby sights, getting behind the wheel is the most convenient way to explore this remarkable part of Europe.