Getting to Frankfurt Airport by car: route, terminal & parking
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Frankfurt Airport is Germany’s largest aviation hub – and easy to reach by car for many travellers from Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. It lies right at the Frankfurter Kreuz, one of the busiest motorway interchanges in Europe. That is exactly what makes the drive both easy and tricky: the distances are short, but traffic jams at the interchange can quickly upset your schedule. In addition, Frankfurt has had three passenger terminals since 2026. In this guide you will learn which routes are best, how to find the right terminal, how much buffer you need and how to park your car at a good price and with predictable planning.
Key facts at a glance
- The airport lies right at the Frankfurter Kreuz (A3 and A5); signs lead to the individual terminals.
- Frankfurt has three passenger terminals – check which terminal your airline uses before setting off.
- Allow at least 45 minutes of traffic buffer around the Frankfurter Kreuz, more during trade fairs and at the start of the holidays.
- Enter the address from your booking confirmation in the sat-nav, not simply “Frankfurt Airport”.
Location: right at the Frankfurter Kreuz
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) lies south-west of Frankfurt city centre, nestled between the city forest and motorways. At the Frankfurter Kreuz, the A3 (towards Cologne and Würzburg) and the A5 (towards Kassel and Basel) meet. The B43 also runs past the airport. Terminals 1 and 2 are in the north of the site, the new Terminal 3 in the south – with its own access road. This matters, because if you drive to the wrong terminal you can easily lose 15 to 20 minutes.
The most important routes
- From the Rhine-Main area and Frankfurt: via the A3, A5 or B43 straight to the airport.
- From Cologne, Bonn and the west: via the A3 to the Frankfurter Kreuz.
- From Würzburg, Nuremberg and the east: via the A3 towards Frankfurt.
- From Kassel, Giessen and the north: via the A5 heading south.
- From Darmstadt, Mannheim, Karlsruhe and the south: via the A5 or A67 heading north.
- From Mainz, Wiesbaden and Rhenish Hesse: via the A60, A66 or A3 towards the Frankfurter Kreuz.
The “Flughafen” (airport) signs start well before the interchange and soon distinguish between the terminals. Look out for your terminal early on. Check the traffic situation on the day of departure, as roadworks and accidents at the interchange are not unusual.
Three terminals: find out the right one beforehand
Frankfurt has three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 is the largest and home to Lufthansa and many Star Alliance partners. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, which opened in April 2026, are used by other airlines; numerous airlines moved when Terminal 3 opened. So don’t rely on previous trips, but check in your booking, the airline app or on frankfurt-airport.com which terminal applies to your flight before you set off. More on finding your way in the guide Terminals at Frankfurt Airport.
When booking parking, it is worth stating the terminal – that way a valet or shuttle provider can drop you at the right place. More in our FAQ on terminals in Frankfurt.
How much time should you allow?
Calculate your schedule backwards from the departure time:
- Airline check-in time: in Frankfurt, with many long-haul and non-Schengen flights, often three hours; for European flights more like two. Your airline’s requirement is what counts.
- Way from the car park to the terminal: valet handover usually near the terminal, shuttle transfer 20 to 30 minutes including waiting.
- Driving time plus buffer: at least 45 minutes of traffic buffer around the Frankfurter Kreuz, more during rush hour and trade fairs.
Example: long-haul flight at 13:30, the airline recommends three hours – 10:30 at the terminal. Valet handover 10 minutes: 10:20 at the meeting point. Driving time 60 minutes plus 45 minutes of buffer: leave at 8:35. Details in the guide When should I be at Frankfurt Airport?
Watch out for trade fairs and major events
Frankfurt is a trade fair city. During major trade fairs, roads, hotels and car parks around the city are very busy. The same applies to major events at the stadium, which is very close to the airport. Check before your trip whether a big event is taking place on your departure day and allow more time accordingly.
What do you enter in the sat-nav?
Always enter the address from your booking confirmation. Shuttle car parks are usually outside the airport grounds, for example in business parks in surrounding towns. With valet parking, the provider names a fixed handover location, often in a multi-storey car park near the terminal. If you simply enter “Frankfurt Airport”, you often end up at the wrong terminal or in a public car park. Many providers also ask you to call about 30 minutes before arrival – information in the FAQ on calling the provider.
Parking options at a glance
Terminal car parks
The airport’s car parks are close to the terminals but are usually the most expensive solution for trips of several days. More in the guide Parking at the terminal of Frankfurt Airport.
Valet parking
With valet parking at Frankfurt Airport you hand over your car to a driver at an agreed location near the terminal. The driver parks it on the provider’s site and brings it back to you on your return. With three terminals this is particularly practical, because you get to the right building without detours.
Shuttle parking
With shuttle parking you leave your car with the provider off-site and take the shuttle to the terminal. This is often cheaper but takes time. A comparison can be found in the guide Shuttle or valet parking at Frankfurt Airport.
You can see all available offers with their final price including service fee here: Compare parking at Frankfurt Airport.
Get a lift or park yourself?
If you get a lift there and back, you save the parking fee – but the driver covers the route four times and often gets stuck in traffic at the interchange when picking you up. With long-haul flights and uncertain arrival times, this is particularly tiresome. More in the guide Dropping off and picking up at Frankfurt Airport.
Long-haul: leaving your car for a long time
Many travellers fly long-haul from Frankfurt and are away for two, three or four weeks. The parking days then add up, and the price difference between parking types becomes large. The guide Long-term parking at Frankfurt Airport gives an overview. How to prepare your car for a long period standing is explained in the guide Preparing your car before your holiday.
Driving an electric car to Frankfurt Airport
For EV drivers: plan your range for the outward and return journey with a reserve. Rapid chargers on the A3 and A5 are often busy at the start of the holidays. You can see before booking whether a parking provider offers charging as an add-on service. More in the guide Parking an electric car at Frankfurt Airport.
With a motorhome, van or trailer
If you are arriving in a larger vehicle, check before booking whether the provider has space and suitable clearance heights. Many car parks have height restrictions. State the vehicle type and dimensions when booking. More in the FAQ on large vehicles.
Checklist for the drive
- Your airline’s terminal checked
- Booking confirmation with address and phone number to hand
- Sat-nav set to the provider’s meeting point
- Traffic situation at the Frankfurter Kreuz checked
- Trade fairs and major events taken into account
- Enough fuel or charge for the drive home
In a traffic jam: stay calm and react early
If you are stuck at the interchange, call your parking provider and let them know you will be late. Check in the airline app whether you can check in online. If it gets very tight, inform the airline. With valet parking you save the shuttle transfer – that can make the crucial difference in the end.
Return: from the terminal to your car
After landing, you go through baggage reclaim and, if applicable, passport control and customs. Then you contact the provider. How the return works is explained in the guide Returning: collecting your car at Frankfurt Airport.
Conclusion: check the terminal, allow a buffer, book parking in advance
Thanks to the A3 and A5, Frankfurt Airport is quick to reach by car – if you know the right terminal and allow enough buffer for the Frankfurter Kreuz. Parking booked in advance makes the journey predictable and usually cheaper than the drive-up rate. All options are on the page Parking at Frankfurt Airport.
