Frankfurt
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Frankfurt is a polarizing destination, frequently described as a functional transit hub rather than a top-tier tourist city. Opinions are mixed: while many travelers find the area around the main train station (Bahnhofsviertel) unpleasant and recommend skipping the city entirely, others highlight a charming old town, a scenic riverfront, and a unique skyscraper skyline. It is generally regarded as a solid choice for a one-day layover but is often unfavorably compared to other German cities for longer stays.
Pros
- Pleasant riverfront (Main) and Alt Sachsenhausen district
- Historic Römer/Old Town area and beautiful opera house
- Highly international atmosphere with diverse dining and grocery options
- Affordable hotel options, especially in the Gateway Gardens area near the airport
- Unique skyline featuring skyscrapers, distinct from most European cities
Cons
- The area immediately surrounding the main train station is widely cited as drug-infested and unpleasant
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is frequently described as difficult to navigate with poor signage and confusing layouts
- Tight flight connections (under 2 hours) are risky due to terminal transfers and frequent bus boarding
- Perceived as 'second rate' for tourism compared to cities like Munich, Mainz, or Salzburg
Caveats
- Do not judge the entire city based on the six blocks surrounding the central station
- Transferring between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at FRA often requires significant time for customs and transit
- A 1 hour 40 minute layover is considered very optimistic by frequent travelers
Best for
- Short layovers (1 day) to catch a breath between flights
- Business travelers needing a central European hub
- Fans of international cuisine and urban skylines
Avoid if
- You have a very tight flight connection with a terminal change
- You are looking for a primary, multi-day tourist destination in Germany
- You want to avoid urban areas with visible drug use and homelessness
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 18-month half-life. The evidence is based on 25 mentions from r/travel with a median age of 193 days, reflecting perspectives from early to mid-2026.
Sentiment
10 positive (40%) · 4 mixed (16%) · 11 negative (44%)
Trust + time weighted score: -1% · raw score -4%
What redditors said (10 of 25)
That said, coming from the EU and flying out to non-EU countries will mean a change of terminals in FRA (Terminal 1 to Terminal 2), so yes, I would say that those 1:40 h at FRA are very optimistic.
If all you want to do is catch a breath before you travel onwards, Frankfurt is a nice enough place to stay. Just pick a hotel somewhere central, but NOT in the main station area. The city itself is pleasant and has a few sights, but it’s not worth spending more than a day as a tourist, if you don’t have a car and do not intend to go out to the Rhein Valley or something like that.
Frankfurt is fantastic. Everyone goes to the central station and runs crying instead of walking by the river, or crossing to the historical Alt Sachsenhausen district, or doing a thousand other things...
People tend to overlook Frankfurt because many reduce the city to the six drug infested blocks by the train station (not seeing that even there you have a ton of fantastic stuff like genuinely beautiful houses, international grocery stores from all over the place and some of the best dining in the city). But Frankfurt has a ton of history and it’s incredibly liveable. It’s also super international. I enjoy living here a lot.
1hr 40 is possible, it just means you may not have a lot of time if you want to get food, bathroom break, etc especially if anything goes wrong. There is a seperate, small customs line that is up a set of stairs (or an elevator) that I discovered that is smaller and less known and might save you a few minutes.
With an infant I think it’s better to spend a low-paced day or two in Frankfurt
My main problem is why FRA when your main interest is Salzburg. MUC is the must obvious choice, Innsbruck or possibly Vienna could be smarter, one way or both.
That said, skip it.
I think I’ve been arrested once, apprehended once and head butted once by LH staff in Frankfurt all due to the complete shit show that is the airport lay out, random bottlenecks and incomprehensible signage.
Neither FRA or IST are amazing airports for transfers. They're both massive and moderately complex.
Compare
Frankfurt vs GreenwichFrankfurt vs LauterbrunnenFrankfurt vs Belfast