Things to know when driving Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport
If you’ve rented a car at the airport, you’ll find that the exciting global financial center of Frankfurt is just a few minutes away. This appealing mix of ancient and modern architecture stands on the Main River just before it joins the famous Rhine. It’s known throughout Europe as both a thriving commercial area and home to some of western Germany’s most spectacular landscapes.
In fact, Frankfurt is surrounded by half a dozen large protected nature parks, including the forested Taunus Mountains and the rocky scenery of the Odenwald. If you rent a car from Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport, you’ll be within easy reach of all these natural wonders.
The area is blessed with a modern and well-designed road network. Right from the start, you’ll find that the airport access road leads straight to a vital expressway intersection. This means it’s easy to set off quickly in whichever direction you need.
From this junction alongside the airport, both the A3 and A5 expressways have ten lanes. This enormous traffic capacity helps keep you moving swiftly. The A3 will take you west, towards the neighboring Rhine Valley centers of Wiesbaden and Mainz, or east towards popular satellite towns like Offenbach and Aschaffenburg. Meanwhile, the A5 runs north to south, giving fast access to the ‘Science City’ of Darmstadt and into the city of Frankfurt itself.
Once you are on the German road network, you’ll usually find very good signage and well-maintained, modern roads. German traffic moves quickly but generally very safely.
There are few surprises in the German rules of the road. The speed limit for expressways and highways is 80mph, reducing to 62mph on smaller roads and 31mph in built-up areas.
More About Traveling Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport
Frankfurt is renowned as a prosperous center for financiers but there’s a lot more to the city than futuristic office blocks. Germany’s fifth largest city is full of history, culture and nightlife – and it’s surrounded by great natural attractions. If you’ve got a rental car you’ll be able to enjoy the excitement of the city – and the inspiration of the countryside too.
21st century Frankfurt
Much of the city glitters with glass and steel skyscrapers that demonstrate Frankfurt’s financial success. Even if you’re not visiting for business, it’s fun to drive around admiring the glossy modern architecture, including the shiny new headquarters of the European Central Bank and one of the world’s biggest stock exchanges. Among the tallest skyscrapers is the 56-storey Main Tower - take the elevator to the observation deck at the top for stunning views across the city.
Exploring the historic city
The city’s full title is Frankfurt am Main, showing how it grew centuries ago as a settlement astride the Main River. At its heart is a charming medieval Old Town or Aldstadt district, that rewards a relaxed wander.
You’ll find landmarks built of distinctive red stone like the gothic cathedral and the 15th-century Rathaus city hall. Nearby, in the neoclassical St Paul’s church, German’s first-ever Parliament was held. And don’t miss the homely atmosphere of the Old Town’s narrow streets of half-timbered homes, shops and traditional taverns.
Natural wonders of central Germany
Frankfurt will surprise you with its green areas. The 54-acre Palm Garden is Germany’s biggest botanic attraction, with tropical greenhouses, picnic areas and boating lakes to enjoy. Even that’s dwarfed by the enormous Nidda Valley Park on the city outskirts. This vast area of dense woods, relaxing pastures, and peaceful waterways covers 415 acres.
Outside the city there are six large national nature parks, giving you the chance to explore the wonderful protected countryside in every direction. Odenwald Park to the south, for example, is a leafy, hilly area dotted with strange rock formations. It stretches for over 1,350 square miles as far south as Heidelberg.
To the north of the city, there’s Taunus Mountain Park. These low rolling mountains are mostly covered with thick forests sloping dramatically down to the east bank of the Rhine.
Meet the neighbors
In the past, the Rhine-Rhur region was considered a heavily industrialized powerhouse, although recent decades have seen the area become much cleaner and more visitor-friendly. Nowadays, you’ll find plenty of leisure activities to see and do in the cities a short drive from Frankfurt.
Along the tree-lined western bank of the Rhine, Mainz has an enticing old center around the delightful market square. The invention of printing here by Gutenberg almost 600 years ago is celebrated in an acclaimed museum containing some of his earliest books.
Just to the north, and on the far bank of the Rhine, is Wiesbaden, a wealthy and elegant spa city. You’ll find lots of opportunities to take the waters here, from luxury spa resort hotels to memorable spa pools in the hills surrounded by vineyards.
