With children at Frankfurt Airport: relaxed through a big airport

For many families, Frankfurt is the gateway to the wider world: flights leave from here for long-haul destinations in Asia, America and Africa, but also for the classic sunny destinations around the Mediterranean. With children, this big airport is a special challenge: long walks, three terminals, busy security checks and often a long flight. With good preparation, though, the travel day becomes an experience. In this guide you will find practical tips for families – from documents and luggage through the security check to long-haul flights with children and the most convenient way from the car to the terminal.

Before the trip

Documents

Every child needs their own travel document. Many long-haul destinations require a passport, sometimes with minimum validity beyond the end of the trip, and some countries require visas or electronic travel authorisations for children too. Check the requirements with the German Federal Foreign Office or your own country’s foreign ministry. If one parent travels alone with the child, a letter of consent from the other parent is advisable depending on the destination.

Seats and baby cot

Reserve seats next to each other, especially on long-haul flights. For babies, many airlines offer baby cots (bassinets) at certain seats on long-haul flights – availability is limited, so ask early.

Luggage for children

Many airlines carry pushchairs, car seats and travel cots in addition to your normal allowance. The rules differ – check them in advance. For a hire car at your destination, bringing your own child seat is often better than renting one.

Getting there: comfortably to the correct terminal

With children, the journey to the airport is the first stress test. By train it means changes with luggage, a pushchair and possibly the Sky Line to Terminal 2 or 3. With your own car you are more flexible – and with four people often cheaper too. Important in Frankfurt: check in advance which terminal you are flying from. More in the guide Terminals at Frankfurt Airport.

Valet parking for families

With valet parking at Frankfurt Airport you drive to the meeting point near the terminal, unload children and luggage, hand over the key and walk straight to check-in. No reloading into a shuttle bus, no waiting at the stop. State your terminal when you book. When you return, the car is waiting at the meeting point – ideal with tired children after a long-haul flight.

Shuttle parking

Shuttle parking saves money but costs time. State the number of people and child seats so that there is enough room in the shuttle. More in the frequently asked questions about the number of passengers. You can find offers with the final price including the service fee here: Find family parking at Frankfurt Airport.

Allowing enough time

The walks in Frankfurt are long, especially in Terminal 1. With small children, a pushchair and hand luggage you move more slowly. Allow at least 30 minutes on top of the airline’s recommendation. How to calculate it is explained in the guide When do I need to be at Frankfurt Airport?

Security check with children

• Explain to children beforehand that their backpack and cuddly toy will briefly go through a machine
• Fold the pushchair or have it checked separately
• Declare baby food for the journey – generally allowed even above 100 ml
• For older children: empty drinking bottles, fill them after the check
• Divide the tasks: one parent looks after the children, the other handles trays and luggage

More in the guide Security check at Frankfurt Airport.

Waiting at the gate

In Frankfurt the terminals have family and play areas where children can move around before the flight. The large windows overlooking the apron are the highlight for many children: planes of all sizes, fuel trucks, baggage trains. More ideas:

• Exercise before boarding – children who have run around sit more calmly
• Colouring book, small games, favourite book
• Tablet with downloaded films and children’s headphones
• Snacks that don’t make crumbs
• One last trip to the toilet or a nappy change shortly before boarding

Long-haul flights with children

Many family trips from Frankfurt are long-haul flights. To make the flight a success:

1. Plan around sleep: night flights often suit children well. Pyjamas, a cuddly toy and familiar rituals help.
2. Dress in layers: the temperature in the cabin changes.
3. A change of clothes: for children and parents in the hand luggage.
4. Ear pressure: drink, chew or yawn during take-off and landing.
5. Pre-order a children’s meal: many airlines offer this.
6. Exercise: walk up and down the aisle regularly with children on long flights.

Travelling with a baby

Babies under two usually travel on a parent’s lap with an extra belt. A baby carrier is practical at the airport because it keeps your hands free. Plan nappy changes before the security check and shortly before boarding. For long-haul flights, it is worth requesting a baby cot.

When something goes wrong

With children, a delay quickly causes stress. Pack more snacks, nappies and things to do than you need. If you have to wait a long time, the airline has to look after you. More in the guide Flight delayed or cancelled. Take a photo of each child on the day of travel – if one gets lost in the big terminal, you can immediately show the staff what they look like. Give older children a note with your mobile number.

The return

After a long flight children are tired. Contact the parking provider after baggage reclaim and tell them which terminal you arrived at. With valet parking you then get home the fastest. More in the guide Returning: collecting your car at Frankfurt Airport.

Holiday season

Families usually travel during the school holidays – that is when Frankfurt is especially busy. Book your parking space early. Tips in the guide Parking during the holidays at Frankfurt Airport.

Checklist for families

• Travel documents and, if needed, visas for every child
• Seats and baby cot reserved
• Pushchair, car seat and travel cot cleared with the airline
• Terminal checked, valet parking booked with the terminal stated
• Baby food, snacks, things to do, a change of clothes
• At least 30 minutes of extra buffer

Preparing children at home

Children feel safer when they know what to expect. In the days before the trip, tell them how an airport works: dropping off suitcases, going through security, watching planes from the window, boarding the plane. Picture books or short videos about airports help younger children. Older children can pack their own small backpack – with a favourite book, colouring things and a snack. That gives them a task and the feeling of having a say.

Grandparents and blended families

If children travel with grandparents, aunts, uncles or in blended families, a letter of consent from the persons with parental responsibility may be required depending on the destination country. It is best to take a copy with the parents’ contact details. If parent and child have different surnames, a birth certificate can help. The German Federal Foreign Office lists the requirements for each destination country.

Children travelling alone

Many airlines offer an escort service for children who fly without adults. The child is handed over at the airport, looked after during the flight and handed over to a person collecting them at the destination. Each airline sets its own conditions and age limits; the service is often charged and must be booked in advance. For the person dropping the child off in Frankfurt: allow considerably more time for check-in and handover and park close to the correct terminal.

Health on long-haul trips

Vaccinations are recommended or required for many long-haul destinations from Frankfurt. Book an appointment with your paediatrician several weeks before the trip. Pack a small travel first-aid kit with fever medicine, plasters and, if needed, something for travel sickness in your hand luggage.

Conclusion: big airport, good planning

Frankfurt Airport is big, but family-friendly once you know it. With the correct terminal, enough time, well-packed hand luggage and a parking space with short walks, your family holiday starts relaxed. You can find all parking options on the page Parking at Frankfurt Airport.