Terminals at Frankfurt Airport: Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at a glance
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Frankfurt Airport is like a small district of its own: tens of thousands of people work here, hundreds of planes take off and land every day, and since 2026 passenger operations have been spread across three terminals. If you rarely fly from Frankfurt, it is easy to get lost here – or to drive to the wrong building. In this guide you get an overview of Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the new Terminal 3, the areas and piers, the Sky Line, the railway stations and how to get from the car park to the correct terminal.
Key facts at a glance
- Terminal 1 comprises areas A, B, C and Z, Terminal 2 areas D and E.
- Terminal 3 opened in April 2026 and in its first phase comprises piers G, H and J; it is located in the south of the site.
- The driverless Sky Line connects the terminals; the long-distance and regional stations are at Terminal 1.
- Before you travel, check in your booking or airline app which terminal applies to your flight.
Terminal 1: the main terminal
Terminal 1 is the largest and oldest terminal at the airport. It is divided into areas A, B, C and Z. This is Lufthansa’s home, together with many Star Alliance partners. Terminal 1 is also the airport’s transport hub: the long-distance station and the regional station are right here, as are large car parks and numerous shops and restaurants. The walks within Terminal 1 are long – there can be ten minutes’ walk or more between individual piers.
Terminal 2: areas D and E
Terminal 2 lies east of Terminal 1 and comprises areas D and E. It is connected to Terminal 1 by the Sky Line. With the opening of Terminal 3, numerous airlines that were previously handled in Terminal 2 have changed location. The airport shows which airlines depart from where today on frankfurt-airport.com.
Terminal 3: the new terminal in the south
Terminal 3 opened in April 2026. It lies in the south of the airport site, separate from Terminals 1 and 2. In its first phase it comprises piers G, H and J and is designed for up to 19 million passengers a year. Terminal 3 has its own road access and is connected to the stations and the other terminals by a new Sky Line route around 5.6 kilometres long. According to reports, the ride from the stations to Terminal 3 takes around eight minutes.
Important: after its launch, the new Sky Line route had technical problems and at times did not run or ran at reduced speed. During disruptions the airport runs replacement buses. For flights from Terminal 3, allow an extra buffer and check the current information before you travel.
How to find your terminal
- Check your booking and airline app: they usually state the terminal, sometimes the area too.
- The airport website: frankfurt-airport.com has an overview of the airlines and their terminals as well as departure schedules with the terminal.
- Check again the day before: especially after the opening of Terminal 3, there may be changes.
- Codeshare flights: what matters is the operating airline, not the one you booked with.
More in our frequently asked questions about the terminal in Frankfurt.
From the car to the correct terminal
Valet parking
With valet parking at Frankfurt Airport you state your terminal when booking. The provider tells you the meeting point, often in a car park near the terminal. With three terminals in particular, this saves a lot of walking, because you get out right at the correct building.
Shuttle parking
With shuttle parking, the bus takes you from the car park to the terminal. Be sure to state your terminal when booking, so the driver drops you off at the correct building. On your return, the shuttle picks you up at an agreed point.
Terminal car parks
Each terminal has its own car parks. If you park in the Terminal 1 car park but fly from Terminal 3, you first have to take the Sky Line. An overview can be found in the guide Parking at the terminal of Frankfurt Airport.
You can compare all offers with the final price including the service fee here: Find parking at Frankfurt Airport.
From the station to the terminal
The long-distance and regional stations are at Terminal 1. If you fly from Terminal 1, you walk into the terminal. For Terminals 2 and 3, take the Sky Line. Everything about travelling by train is in the guide Taking the train to Frankfurt Airport.
Schengen and non-Schengen
Within the terminals, the areas for Schengen and non-Schengen flights are separate. On flights outside the Schengen area, you go through passport control after the security check. Follow the signs to your pier. Area Z in Terminal 1, for example, is located above area A and is used for non-Schengen flights.
Changing planes in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a major hub. If you change planes, you may have to switch terminals, go through passport control and possibly through security again. The minimum connection times are designed with this in mind, but for separately booked flights you should plan more generously. With the opening of Terminal 3, transfers between terminals can take longer.
Services in the terminals
In all terminals you will find restaurants, shops, quiet zones, family areas and service desks. Beyond security there are waiting areas overlooking the apron. Travellers with children will find play areas and baby changing rooms. Tips in the guide With children at Frankfurt Airport.
What the move to Terminal 3 means for regular travellers
If you have been flying from Frankfurt for years, you have your routines: the usual car park, the familiar way from the station, the café in front of the gate. With the opening of Terminal 3, the departure location has changed for many airlines. This mainly affects travellers who used to depart from Terminal 2. So check again before every trip where your flight leaves from – even if you are using the same airline as always. If you come by car, you reach Terminal 3 via its own access road in the south; your satnav needs the correct destination for this. With valet parking, the meeting point is matched to the terminal if you state it when booking.
Time needed between the terminals
Switching between terminals takes time: the walk to the Sky Line station, waiting time, the ride and the walk in the destination terminal. Between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 you should allow plenty of time, especially if the Sky Line is disrupted and replacement buses are running. If you are at the wrong terminal, you can quickly lose half an hour.
Tips for finding your way
- Follow the signs, not the crowd.
- Use the information desks if you have questions.
- Note the boarding time on your boarding pass – it is well before the departure time.
- Allow for long walks in Terminal 1.
- For flights from Terminal 3, check the status of the Sky Line.
- Charge your phone if your boarding pass is digital.
Arrival: from the gate to the car
After landing, follow the signs to baggage reclaim. On flights from non-Schengen countries, you go through passport control first and through customs afterwards. In the arrivals area, contact your parking provider. Important: tell the provider which terminal you arrived at. More in the guide Returning: collecting your car at Frankfurt Airport.
Accessible routes
All terminals are equipped with lifts and moving walkways. Because of the long walks, it is worth travellers with reduced mobility using the free assistance service, which is booked through the airline. More in the guide Accessible travel from Frankfurt Airport.
Dropping off and picking up
If you are dropping someone off or picking someone up, you also need to know the correct terminal. The forecourts of Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are far apart, and Terminal 3 has its own access road. A look at the arrivals or departures board online clarifies in advance which terminal applies. Tips in the guide Dropping off and picking up at Frankfurt Airport.
Conclusion: first the terminal, then the journey
At Frankfurt Airport, the most important question before you set off is: which terminal am I flying from? With this information you can plan your journey, parking and walking routes. Valet parking takes you right to the correct building. You can find all parking options on the page Parking at Frankfurt Airport.
