A two-day trip to Frankfurt allows you to see the main sights without an exhausting marathon of sightseeing. It’s best to group the attractions by neighbourhood, leaving time to appreciate the contrast between the historic centre, the museum district and the skyscrapers, as well as for meals, a rest after the coach journey, and the possibility of changing plans due to the weather.
Before you set off
Save your arrival address, an offline map and directions to your accommodation. If the coach arrives early, check whether you can leave your luggage somewhere. Check the official city tourism portal for current opening times and tickets for paid attractions.
Day one: the historic centre
Start with the Remerberg, the New Old Town, the cathedral and the Eiserner Steg footbridge. Don’t try to visit every museum: choose one main paid attraction, and spend the rest of the first day on a walking tour. That way, you’ll see more of the city and won’t be tied to a tight schedule.
The evening of the first day
Set aside some time for a leisurely dinner and a short stroll through the high street. If you’ve been travelling overnight, getting an early night is better than visiting yet another far-flung attraction. Check the last transport connection back to your accommodation before heading out of the city centre.
Day two: a different side to the city
Continue your route from the Museum Embankment, the Palm Garden or the Main Tower viewing platform. Alternate between indoor venues and open-air spaces: this helps to avoid overloading your itinerary and leaves a buffer in case of rain. Booking in advance may be advisable for popular museums or viewing platforms, but always check the current guidelines.
Transport and budget
First, check the distances on a map: it’s often easier to walk around much of the city centre. For outlying areas, check the local fare payment system. A day ticket only makes sense if you’re planning several journeys, so compare it with single-journey fares on the transport operator’s official website.
Preparing for a bus journey
Tips for travelling to Germany and checking your documents are summarised in this RedRay article. It’s handy to check what to pack for a long journey against the hand luggage list, and available journeys can be found on RedRay.
Return journey
On the day of departure, double-check the time, the bus station address and the platform number. Allow plenty of time, especially if you need to change buses or check in luggage. Keep your ticket, passport and mobile phone with you, rather than in a large suitcase.
A quick checklist
- two groups of locations by district;
- one main paid attraction per day;
- an offline map and ticket;
- allowance for the weather and downtime;
- plenty of time before the return bus.