How to Use Public Transport in Frankfurt

15 March 2025

How to Use Public Transport in Frankfurt Like a Local

How to Use Public Transport in Frankfurt Like a Local

Frankfurt boasts one of Germany’s most efficient and reliable public transport systems. Whether you're commuting to work or planning weekend trips, knowing how to use the local transport will save you time and stress.

In this blog, we’ll break down how to navigate the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, trams, and more like a true local.

Types of Public Transport in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s public transport is operated by RMV (Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund). You’ll mainly use:

• U-Bahn – Underground metro (short distances)
• S-Bahn – Suburban trains (connect city and outskirts)
• Trams – Street-level rail, great for sightseeing
• Buses – Fill in the gaps across neighborhoods
• Regional Trains – For travel to nearby cities like Mainz, Wiesbaden, or Darmstadt

Buying Tickets

You can purchase tickets:

• From ticket machines at stations (accepts cash & card)
• On the RMV App or DB Navigator App
• Some kiosks or convenience stores

Types of tickets:

• Single Ticket (Einzelfahrkarte)
• Day Pass (Tageskarte)
• Weekly/Monthly Pass (Wochenkarte/Monatskarte)
• Group Ticket (Gruppentageskarte)

Tip: A day pass or weekly ticket is often cheaper if you take more than two trips per day.

How to Validate Tickets

Frankfurt uses a trust-based system (no gates).

• Tickets bought via app are auto-validated
• Paper tickets must be stamped at blue validation machines before boarding

If you travel without a valid ticket and are caught, the fine is 60 EUR .

Best Apps for Navigation

• RMV App – For tickets and route planning
• DB Navigator – Especially for S-Bahn and regional trains
• Citymapper – Great for English-speaking users with real-time updates
• Google Maps – Works well for planning multi-modal routes

Understanding Zones and Routes

Frankfurt’s transport system is divided into zones , and pricing depends on how many zones you travel through.

• Most everyday travel within the city is covered in zone 50
• If you’re traveling from the airport, that includes zone 5090

Apps handle zone calculations automatically when buying tickets.

Etiquette and Tips

• Always let passengers exit before entering
• Quiet zones in trains mean no loud conversations
• Late night service is limited — check schedules in advance
• Keep dogs leashed; larger pets need a ticket
• Bikes are allowed on most S-Bahn and some U-Bahn — check rules

Night Transport

Frankfurt offers night buses and trains on weekends and public holidays:

• Trains run every 30 minutes between 1:30 am – 4:30 am
• Night buses (Nachtbusse) cover popular routes and stop near major stations

Special Tips for Newcomers

• Buy a monthly RMV pass if commuting daily — it’s cheaper in the long run
• Use Google Translate if the machine or app is in German only
• Save your digital ticket screenshots (in case apps crash)

Coming Soon:

Don’t miss our next post: “Top Weekend Getaways from Frankfurt by Train.”

Tags: Frankfurt public transport, how to use U-Bahn Frankfurt, RMV app guide, commuting in Germany, expat travel tips, S-Bahn zones, Frankfurt ticket guide