Europe > Germany > Frankfurt am Main (FRA)
The Car or no Car advice for Frankfurt am Main can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Frankfurt am Main ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Frankfurt am Main ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Frankfurt am Main?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Frankfurt without a car 🚊
For most visitors, Frankfurt works extremely well without a car. Frankfurt Airport is directly integrated into the long-distance rail network, with both regional and high-speed ICE trains stopping underneath the terminals. From there, you can reach the city centre in around 10–15 minutes by S-Bahn or regional train. In addition, trams and U-Bahn lines cover the city comprehensively, making it easy to move between the Altstadt, Bankenviertel, museums along the Main, and outer districts.
Walking is also underrated here. Although Frankfurt is often seen as a financial city, the centre is compact, and riverside paths along the Main are ideal for relaxed strolls. Cycling is increasingly popular too, with flat terrain and good-quality cycle paths linking parks, suburbs, and commuter routes 🚲.
A rail powerhouse 🚄
Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof is one of Europe’s most important stations. From here, high-speed trains reach Cologne in about an hour, Stuttgart in under 90 minutes, Munich in around three hours, and Berlin in roughly four. International links to Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Basel, and Zurich are equally strong. For city hopping, Frankfurt is almost unbeatable without a car.
Day trips by train are also easy. Heidelberg, Mainz, Wiesbaden, and the Rhine Valley are all accessible without driving, especially if you are happy to combine trains with river boats.
When a rental car makes sense 🚙
That said, there are times when a car becomes useful. If you want to explore smaller wine villages in the Rheingau, head deep into the Taunus hills, or combine Frankfurt with rural parts of Hesse, a car adds flexibility. It can also be helpful if you are arriving late at night or travelling with bulky luggage.
One advantage is choice. Frankfurt Airport has one of the largest car rental fleets in Europe, and competition keeps prices reasonable. However, city-centre driving is slow, parking is expensive, and traffic can be intense during rush hours.
Conclusion – should you rent a car in Frankfurt?
For most city breaks and rail-based trips, the answer is no. Frankfurt’s public transport and rail connections are simply too good to ignore. However, if your plans extend into rural wine regions or less connected countryside, a rental car can still be a valuable addition 🚀
