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Frankfurt Layover Guide: Getting Through the Airport and Making a Long Transfer Work

Do You Need a Transit Visa at a German Airport

The German Federal Foreign Office states that the vast majority of foreign travellers benefit from the "transit privilege" — if during a stopover at a German airport you do not leave the International Airport Area and if the destination is not in a Schengen country, you do not need a transit visa.

The German Federal Foreign Office also points out that if for some reason you need to enter the Schengen area during your stopover — for example to change terminals or if the destination is in a Schengen country — you may require a visa. You should plan for this and apply for a visa well before you travel.

Only five airports in Germany have an International Transit Area enabling you to transit without formally entering the Schengen area, according to the German Federal Foreign Office:

Nationals of the following countries do not have the transit privilege and therefore require an airport transit visa (category A) for transit at a German airport, per the German Federal Foreign Office: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Turkey. Certain exceptions apply to Jordan and Turkey.

The German Federal Foreign Office lists the following people as exempt from the need for an airport transit visa: holders of valid visas and national residence permits of EU and Schengen states; holders of certain national residence permits of Andorra, Japan, Canada, San Marino, and the United States of America; holders of valid visas from EEA countries (EU states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) as well as visas issued by Japan, Canada, and the United States of America; and family members of EU citizens entitled to freedom of movement (spouses, registered partners, children, grandchildren under the age of 21 years; parents and grandparents, provided they are maintained by the EU citizen).

Moving Through Frankfurt Airport

After arriving in Frankfurt, the monitors at the arrivals gate will show you the gate of your onward flight, according to Frankfurt Airport. Then follow the signs to the relevant gate and use the journey time display. As soon as the gate for a flight has been determined, the journey time to get there is displayed; the display boards with the journey times are located directly behind the security and passport controls.

If you do not yet have a boarding pass for your connecting flight, you can obtain one from your airline's transfer desks, per Frankfurt Airport. If there is no transfer desk on site, you will receive your boarding pass for your onward flight at the information desk at the departure gate and in the public area at your airline's check-in desk.

In most cases your checked baggage will be automatically checked through to your destination airport, Frankfurt Airport notes. If this is not the case, collect your baggage from baggage reclaim and check it in again with your airline; this also applies if you have booked your flight connections individually.

The free SkyLine train provides a direct and convenient connection between the terminals, according to Frankfurt Airport. The free SkyLine provides a quick and convenient connection to Terminal 3 and operates from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with services running every 2 to 3 minutes; outside these hours, a shuttle bus service is available.

If you are travelling between Piers A and B in the Schengen area of Terminal 1, you can use the passenger tunnel, which is located between Gate A15 and Gate B19, per Frankfurt Airport.

You may have to go through a security check again, Frankfurt Airport advises; plan time for this and observe the regulations on carrying liquids, especially duty-free goods.

Short Transfer Lanes are available at most border control and security checkpoints in Terminal 1, Frankfurt Airport states. If you are short on time for your connecting flight and your flight is displayed on the monitor at the checkpoint, you can use the Short Transfer Lanes as a shortcut to your gate.

Overnight and Long Transfer Options

Frankfurt Airport offers numerous free services, such as Gaming World, Movie World, or Leisure Zones, to ensure a relaxed and entertaining stay. Furthermore, you will find numerous lounges, a transit hotel, or the napcabs in the terminals.

FAQ

If my destination is another Schengen country, do I still have the transit privilege? No. The German Federal Foreign Office states that the transit privilege applies only when your destination is not in a Schengen country. If the destination is in a Schengen country, you may require a visa and should apply well before you travel.

I hold a valid US residence permit. Do I need an airport transit visa for Frankfurt? The German Federal Foreign Office exempts holders of certain national residence permits of the United States of America from the need for an airport transit visa. The exemption also covers holders of valid visas issued by the United States of America.

What happens if I arrive at Frankfurt after the SkyLine stops running? Frankfurt Airport states the SkyLine operates from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Outside these hours, a shuttle bus service is available for connections between terminals.

My boarding pass for the connecting flight was not issued at check-in. Where do I get it? Frankfurt Airport says you can obtain it from your airline's transfer desks. If no transfer desk is on site, you receive it at the information desk at the departure gate or, in the public area, at your airline's check-in desk.

Do I always clear security again during a Frankfurt transfer? Not always. Frankfurt Airport advises you may have to go through a security check again, so plan time for it and observe the rules on carrying liquids, especially duty-free goods.

Are there free places to pass time during a long layover? Yes. Frankfurt Airport offers free services such as Gaming World, Movie World, and Leisure Zones, and the terminals also contain numerous lounges, a transit hotel, and napcabs.