If you are planning a trip to Frankfurt, arguably Germany’s most international city is ideal for foreign travelers, with its highly developed public transportation system, walkability, and excellent urban planning.
But before you enter Frankfurt’s city limits to engage with its many restaurants and nightlife experiences, there are several things that you should be aware of before you land, and we have taken the time to lay them out for you right here.
Pay Attention to the Calendar
While you are in the planning stages of your visit to Frankfurt, you should make yourself aware of their events because the city has a dynamic exhibition centre called the Messe Frankfurt, which hosts trade shows throughout the year, causing hotels to get booked fast and prices to go up accordingly.
Smiling Isn’t to Be Expected
Smiling is a term of endearment that comforts us from day to day when we are out in public. But in Frankfurt, be advised that this smiley, happy service in restaurants is not the norm in Germany.
Please don’t take it personally if you are not greeted with a grinning face because it isn’t the same behavior that you may be used to.
Restaurant Advice
In terms of common restaurant etiquette in Frankfort, you should expect to seat yourself in most casual restaurants; you can just settle into a table when you arrive, unless there is a sign on it that says that it is reserved, of course.
In Germany, it is a general practice to round up when tipping the servers by a couple of euros and to include it in the bill when you pay. Don’t leave change on the table.
At pubs and cafés, as well as casual restaurants, it is common that waiters will finish their shifts while you’re still eating or drinking.
Therefore, if you are asked to settle up the bill, it is most likely because a new server is about to take over, so relax and don’t get offended by this normal request.
Staying Active in Frankfort
When you are looking to spend the day taking in as many sights as you can cram in, do yourself a huge favor and travel light by using luggage storage in Frankfurt in order to keep your belongings safe and your hands-free.
Grab a MuseumsuferTicket in order to visit multiple museums in Frankfurt, which allows for entry to 38 of Frankfurt’s museums for two days. Family tickets are also available.
Both individuals and groups can purchase a Frankfurt Card, which offers up to 50 percent off entry into too many museums, tours, and attractions, and also includes travel on public transport, along with going to and from the airport.
If you enjoy hunting for bargains at flea markets, Frankfurt has got you covered with ones that take place on alternate Saturday mornings on the riverbank at Sachsenhausen between Eisernem Steg and Holbeinsteg, and at the Osthafen along Lindleystraße.
If you are a collector of records and books, crockery, or paintings, find all of that and more. If checking out the best in second-hand sales is boring your children to the point that they are nagging you to go do something that is more their speed, there are free museums for kids that can become your next stop.
Free admission to many of Frankfurt’s museums for kids under age 18 typically happens on the last Saturday of every month, except for August and December.
These family-friendly free museum opportunities are known as ‘SaTOURday’ and can include guided tours and workshops that are also free.
Traveling in Frankfort
Take a late-night taxi in Frankfurt because public transport doesn’t run all night. You can download a ride-sharing app, spot the beige taxis, phone for one, or flag one over to you.
It is a typical occurrence for there to be no shopping on Sundays in Germany. You may randomly find the odd pre-planned ‘shopping Sunday,’ but you shouldn’t count on coming across that in Frankfurt.
Therefore, don’t wait until Sunday to get started on your souvenir shopping because you will only be setting yourself up for some serious disappointment.
Frankfurt’s Bahnhofsviertel is the area near the main train station that has become gentrified at a high rate over recent years and is continuing to become. The location of many of Frankfurt’s trendiest bars and restaurants.
But what you need to remain aware of is that it is still considered to be Frankfurt’s red-light district, which means you may still come across drug dealing and drug addiction. In order to steer clear of this activity as you possibly can, avoid the grimier areas by sticking to Münchener Straße and Kaiserstraße.
Lastly, it is important that while you are traveling that you keep your eyes aware of street markings to stay out of the way of designated bike lanes that can take up a portion of wider pavements.
If you want to do some bike riding in the city, make use of the bike lanes by contacting the Frankfurt Call A Bike service run by Deutsche Bahn.
