Accessible travel from Frankfurt Airport: assistance, long distances & parking
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Frankfurt is a large airport with long distances, three terminals and many connecting flights. For people who use a wheelchair, cannot walk far, have a visual or hearing impairment or need support for other reasons, this can be a challenge. The good news: there is a free assistance service that accompanies you from the airport all the way to the aircraft – including when changing flights. In this guide you will learn what rights you have, how to request help, what happens to your wheelchair and mobility aids, and how to park so that the way to the terminal stays short.
Key facts at a glance
- Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 assistance is free of charge – on departure, when changing flights and on arrival.
- Notify your airline, travel agency or tour operator of your needs at least 48 hours before departure.
- Because of the long distances and three terminals in Frankfurt, assistance is worthwhile even for travellers who can walk short distances.
- With valet parking near the terminal and your terminal stated when booking, the way stays short.
Your rights
EU Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 sets out the rights of air passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility. It applies to flights departing from EU airports and to flights into the EU with EU airlines. Key points:
- No refusal because of a disability, except for safety reasons or if carriage is physically impossible.
- Free help at the airport on departure, when changing flights and on arrival.
- Free carriage of up to two mobility aids.
- Request as early as possible, at least 48 hours before departure.
Why assistance is particularly helpful in Frankfurt
Even if you manage well in everyday life, you may reach your limits at Frankfurt Airport. There can be long walks between check-in and the gate in Terminal 1. Changing to Terminal 3 means a ride on the Sky Line or a bus. When changing flights, passport control and possibly another security check are added. Assistance staff know the routes, use vehicles and shortcuts and make sure you are at the gate on time.
How to request help
- State it when booking: most airlines ask about special support needs.
- At least 48 hours in advance: if you did not state it when booking, contact the airline, travel agency or tour operator.
- State your entire journey: for connections, list all flights so help is ready at every airport.
- Describe your needs precisely: stairs? Short distances? Help to your seat?
- Register mobility aids: wheelchair type, weight, dimensions, and battery details for electric wheelchairs.
- Take the confirmation with you.
On the day of travel
At Frankfurt Airport there are designated points where you report for assistance. The airport publishes which ones these are and where they are located on frankfurt-airport.com. From there, assistance staff accompany you to check-in, through security, to passport control and to the gate. You usually board first. If the aircraft is parked on the apron, there are special vehicles with lifting platforms.
Changing flights in Frankfurt
If you change flights in Frankfurt, assistance staff collect you at the arriving aircraft and take you to your connecting flight – even if a change of terminal is required. Still, plan sufficient connection times and state your entire journey when requesting assistance. More about the layout of the airport in the guide Terminals at Frankfurt Airport.
Wheelchairs and mobility aids
- Secure removable parts such as cushions and footrests or take them in your hand luggage
- Name tag on the wheelchair
- Short folding instructions for the ground staff
- For electric wheelchairs: report battery data in advance, bring the manual
- Report damage immediately at the baggage service desk – more in the guide Lost or damaged luggage
Medicines and medical devices
Medicines belong in your hand luggage, in sufficient quantity plus a reserve – especially important for long-haul flights from Frankfurt. Liquid medicines are usually allowed above 100 ml for the duration of the journey; bring a doctor’s certificate in English. Special airline rules apply to devices such as oxygen concentrators or CPAP machines, which you must clarify in advance.
Security
If you cannot pass through the scanner or detector, you will be checked in another way. Tell staff if you have implants or a pacemaker. More in the guide Security check at Frankfurt Airport.
Assistance dogs
Recognised assistance dogs travel free of charge in the cabin with many airlines. Conditions and required documents vary; for long-haul trips, entry requirements for animals also apply. Clarify everything with the airline early on.
Arriving and parking with minimal barriers
- Valet parking: handover near the terminal, a short way, no change to a shuttle. State your terminal when booking and discuss special needs with the provider in advance – such as an adapted vehicle. More on valet parking at Frankfurt Airport.
- Shuttle parking: ask before booking whether the shuttle is wheelchair-accessible.
- Terminal car parks: the airport provides disabled parking spaces; details on frankfurt-airport.com.
At Friend-Park you can see the facilities and final price including service fee for each provider: Find parking at Frankfurt Airport. Information on the handover is in the FAQ on vehicle handover.
By train
If you are travelling by train, you can book mobility assistance with Deutsche Bahn. The stations are at Terminal 1; the Sky Line takes you to Terminals 2 and 3. Coordinate the handover between rail assistance and airport assistance carefully. More in the guide By train to Frankfurt Airport.
Planning your time
With assistance you should plan generously: the way from the car park, the reporting time at the meeting point and long walks in the terminal. More in the guide When should I be at Frankfurt Airport?
Arrival
On your return, assistance staff collect you at the aircraft and accompany you through passport control and baggage reclaim to the exit. Let your parking provider know if it takes longer, and tell them your terminal. More in the guide Returning: collecting your car at Frankfurt Airport.
If something goes wrong
If assistance does not turn up or you were refused help, contact the staff on site and note down the time and circumstances. Send complaints to the airline or the airport; in Germany the enforcement body is the Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt).
Checklist
- Assistance requested for the entire journey at least 48 hours in advance
- Mobility aids registered with dimensions and battery details
- Medicines plus reserve and certificate in your hand luggage
- Terminal checked, parking with a short way booked
- Generous buffer planned
Travelling with oxygen, dialysis or a chronic illness
If you depend on medical devices or treatments, plan your trip particularly early. For portable oxygen concentrators, many airlines require advance notice and a medical form. For long-haul trips from Frankfurt, battery life must also be sufficient for the entire flight including waiting times. Dialysis patients usually arrange treatment at their destination weeks in advance. Also clarify whether medicines need to be refrigerated and how you will ensure this on the way. Airport assistance helps you get through the terminal, but does not replace medical accompaniment.
Visual and hearing impairments
Travellers with visual or hearing impairments can also use assistance. For blind and partially sighted people, being accompanied through the large terminals is particularly helpful, because routes and gates in Frankfurt are difficult to keep track of. Travellers with hearing impairments should tell the airline that they cannot hear announcements – then, for example, they will be informed personally at boarding. The airline app with push notifications for gate changes is also helpful.
Invisible disabilities
Not every disability is visible. People with autism, dementia, anxiety disorders or chronic fatigue can quickly become overwhelmed at a large, noisy airport. Many airports offer identifying signs for this, such as a lanyard or badge that signals to staff that more time and patience are needed. You can find out from the airport whether and how this is offered in Frankfurt. You can also request assistance for such conditions.
Companions and people picking you up
Anyone dropping you off or picking you up should know at which terminal and at which point the handover to assistance takes place. With Terminal 3 having its own access road, this is particularly important. Tips for people dropping off and picking up are in the guide Dropping off and picking up at Frankfurt Airport.
Conclusion: long distances, good support
Frankfurt Airport is extensive, but with the free assistance service it is easy to manage – provided you request it in good time. With valet parking near the terminal, your trip starts without long walks. All parking options are on the page Parking at Frankfurt Airport.
