Parking for business trips at Frankfurt Airport: fast, predictable, billable

Frankfurt is one of Europe’s most important economic centres: banks, the trade fair, corporate headquarters and Germany’s largest aviation hub. Accordingly, many business travellers depart from here – to day meetings in Europe, to trade fairs on other continents or to projects lasting several weeks. What matters most to them is time. Every minute in traffic, waiting for a shuttle or looking for the right terminal is lost. In this guide we show you how to park efficiently at Frankfurt Airport as a business traveller, what you need for your expense claim and how to deal with trade fair periods and changes of plan.

Why business travellers park differently

For holidaymakers, price is often the priority. For business travellers, other factors matter more:

• Time: short distances from the car to the terminal and back.
• Predictability: a fixed procedure without surprises.
• Flexibility: meetings get moved, and so do return flights.
• Billing: a proper invoice for expenses.
• Reliability: even for very early and late flights.

Valet parking: the solution for frequent flyers

With valet parking at Frankfurt Airport you drive to an agreed handover point near the terminal, hand over the key and vehicle and go straight to check-in or security. On your return, your car is waiting at the handover point again. Compared with shuttle parking, this often saves 20 to 30 minutes each way. With three terminals in Frankfurt this is particularly valuable, because you get out right at the correct building. How it works in detail is explained in the guide How does valet parking in Frankfurt work?

Day trips: what is really worth it

For day trips – out in the morning, back in the evening – the calculation is different from a holiday week. The terminal car park can compete on price for very short stays. Valet parking scores with time savings. Shuttle parking is less often worthwhile for day trips, because the transfer eats into your limited time. Compare the final prices for your exact period: Find parking at Frankfurt Airport.

Longer business trips and long-haul

For projects lasting several weeks or long-haul trips, the parking days add up. Price then becomes more important, and shuttle providers with a low daily rate can be interesting – provided the transfer fits your schedule. The guide Long-term parking at Frankfurt Airport gives an overview of costs for long stays.

An invoice for your expense claim

You receive an invoice for every booking. When booking, make sure to enter the company name and billing address correctly if your employer requires it. The invoice shows the total amount; the service fee is included in the final price. More in the FAQ on invoices.

Trade fair periods in Frankfurt

During major trade fairs at the Frankfurt exhibition centre, the city is full: hotels, roads and car parks are busier. Traffic around the Frankfurter Kreuz also increases. If you fly during a trade fair – whether as an exhibitor, visitor or unrelated traveller – you should:

• book your parking early,
• allow more buffer for the drive,
• expect crowded arrivals halls when returning in the evening.

A schedule for business travellers

An example for a European flight at 7:30 with hand luggage only and online check-in:

1. The airline recommends two hours; with experience and hand luggage only, you plan 1.5 hours: 6:00 at the terminal.
2. Valet handover 10 minutes: 5:50 at the handover point.
3. Driving time 35 minutes plus 25 minutes’ buffer early in the morning: leave at 4:50.

Note: the airline’s recommendation is binding, especially for non-Schengen flights. More in the guide When should I be at Frankfurt Airport?

Changes of plan: meetings get moved

Business trips are often less predictable than holidays. At Friend-Park you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start. You cannot change the period and service yourself – cancel in good time and book again, or contact us. You can change your name, vehicle, number plate and flight details yourself until the vehicle handover. More in the FAQ on changing a booking.

Delayed return flight

Give your return flight number when booking. That way many providers spot delays and adjust the return of your car. If your return is postponed to a later day, the daily rate is usually charged for the additional days. What the airline owes you in the event of delays is explained in the guide Flight delayed or cancelled at Frankfurt Airport.

Company cars

If you drive a company or leased car, check your employer’s rules on handing it over to third parties and on billing parking costs. Have the vehicle details ready – you need the number plate and model for the booking. Personal items and company documents don’t belong in the parked car.

Laptop, documents and security

Take laptops and company documents in your hand luggage. Leave nothing valuable in the car – neither visible nor in the boot. At security, a well-organised backpack with a separate laptop compartment helps. Tips in the guide Security check at Frankfurt Airport.

Coins for frequent flyers

If you fly regularly from Frankfurt, a Friend-Park account pays off: you see all your bookings in one place, can book and cancel faster and receive one coin for every full euro of booking value. One coin is worth one cent; you can redeem coins for up to ten percent of the price. More in the FAQ on coins.

Electric company cars

More and more company fleets are going electric. Plan your range for the outward and return journey, switch off power-hungry functions and check whether the provider offers charging as an add-on service. More in the guide Parking an electric car at Frankfurt Airport.

Back in the evening: the quick way home

After a long working day with a flight, you mainly want one thing: to get home. Give your return flight number and planned landing time when booking, and contact the provider straight after landing or baggage reclaim. With valet parking, your car will then be ready at the handover point when you arrive. Briefly check the vehicle’s condition and drive off. For night-time arrivals, check in advance whether the provider operates at that time. More in the guide Returning: collecting your car at Frankfurt Airport.

Hand luggage only: the time advantage

If you travel with hand luggage only and check in online, you skip the counter completely and go straight to security. A well-organised backpack with a separate laptop compartment and a liquids bag within easy reach speeds up the check even more. On your return there is no waiting at the baggage belt – you are often on your way to the car just a few minutes after leaving the aircraft. More on liquids in the guide Liquids in hand luggage at Frankfurt Airport.

Several colleagues, one car

If a team travels together, carpooling to the airport can save costs and stress. One car in one space is cheaper than several. State the number of people when booking so there is enough room on the shuttle, and agree who collects the car on return if the return flights differ.

Checklist for business travellers

• Airline’s terminal checked
• Valet parking or a suitable alternative booked
• Invoice details entered correctly
• Return flight number provided
• Trade fair calendar checked
• Laptop and documents in your hand luggage
• Provider’s phone number saved

Multi-day trade fairs abroad

Many companies from the Rhine-Main area fly to trade fairs in Barcelona, Las Vegas, Dubai or Shanghai. Cars then stand at the airport for a week or longer, often with full company branding and sample cases. Plan parking early, because during major international trade fairs many people from the same industry fly at the same time. Don’t leave samples, laptops and documents in the car; take them with you or store them in the office.

Conclusion: time is the most valuable asset

For business travellers at Frankfurt Airport, a predictable procedure pays off: valet parking near the terminal, a proper invoice and a booking that can be flexibly adapted to changes of plan. All parking options are on the page Parking at Frankfurt Airport.