Travel Guide to Frankfurt
This travel guide provides practical information to help you plan your visit to Frankfurt RheinMain in November 2026. It includes some recommendations and useful information on accommodation, travel to and within the region, dining, and other practical arrangements.
We hope this guide will make your trip easier to plan and allow you to focus on the programme and events taking place from 11–14 November 2026.
Index
- Arriving in Frankfurt
- Entering Germany / EU
- Private Transportation
- Public Transportation
- Hotel Recommendations
- Design Policy Days Events & Locations
- Dining Recommendations
- Attractions & Culture
- Emergency Contacts
- Contact
1. Arriving in Frankfurt
Via Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the primary international hub serving the region, located approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) southwest of central Frankfurt.
- Address: Hugo-Eckener-Ring, 60549 Frankfurt am Main
- Airport Code: FRA
- Terminals 1 & 2: Connected directly to the Long-Distance Train Station (Fernbahnhof) and the Regional Train Station (Regionalbahnhof) offering direct S-Bahn lines (S8/S9) to Frankfurt Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) and South Station (Südbahnhof).
- Terminal 3: Terminal 3 is directly accessible from Terminals 1 and 2 via the free automated SkyLine elevated train (running every few minutes) as well as free shuttle buses connecting all terminals at the arrival level.
Via Frankfurt Central Station (Frankfurt HBF)
- Germany’s main rail hub, offering direct ICE/IC high-speed connections across Germany and Europe. For details on public transport, please see point 4.
©Ben Kuhlmann 2. Entering Germany / EU as an International Visitor
- Visa Requirements:
- EU / EEA / Swiss Citizens: No visa required (valid national ID or passport required).
- Visa-Exempt Countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Japan, UK, etc.): Can travel for tourism or business up to 90 days without a visa.
Note: Please check for active ETIAS requirements prior to departure. - Visa-Required Countries: A Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) is required. Please file your application well in advance with the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
- Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area.
3. Private Transportation
- Taxis: Readily available outside all airport terminals, train stations, and designated taxi stands throughout Frankfurt. (Metered fares; a taxi from FRA airport to downtown Frankfurt costs approx. €50).
- Uber, Bolt: Easily arranged via their respective mobile apps in Frankfurt.
4. Public Transportation (RMV)
Frankfurt features an efficient public transit network operated by the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV):
- S-Bahn (Suburban Trains): Connects the city center with surrounding areas and Frankfurt Airport (Lines S8 & S9).
- U-Bahn (Underground / Metro): Rapid transit within the city.
- Trams: Offers convenient coverage across various inner districts.
©Ben Kuhlmann 5. Hotel Recommendations
- Kennedy 89 Hotel
- Address: Stresemannallee 28, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Phone: +49 69 25621234
- Email: info@kennedy-89.com
- Price category: ~250.00€
- LUME Boutique Hotel
- Address: Neckarstraße 7-13, 60329 Frankfurt am Main
- Phone: +49 69 756660
- Email: info@lumeboutiquehotel.com
- Price category: ~230.00€
- Motel One Frankfurt-Römer
- Address: Berliner Str. 55, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
- Phone: +49 69 87004030
- Email: frankfurt-roemer@motel-one.com
- Price category: ~160.00€
6. Design Policy Days Events & Locations
- Wednesday 11 November, 12:00–22:00
Event: Design Policy Days 1, When Public Service Is Designed
Location: Heimathafen
Address: Gerichtsstraße 2, 65185 Wiesbaden - Thursday 12 November, 10:00–20:30
Event: Design Policy Days 2, When Form Becomes Attitude
Location: HfG Offenbach / College of Design oder University of Art and Design Offenbach
Address: Schlossstraße 31, 63065 Offenbach am Main - Friday 13 November, 9:00–21:00
Event: Design Policy Days 3, When Design Gets Political
Location: Goethe University
Address: Nina-Rubinstein-Weg, 60323 Frankfurt am Main - Saturday 14 November, 15:00–20:00
Event: Design Assembly & Convocation Ceremony
Location: Paulskirche / St. Paul's Church
Address: Paulsplatz 11, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
You can register for all Design Policy Days events here:
7. Dining Recommendations
Experience the local culinary scene through the eyes of Frankfurt's creative community. For WDC 2026, design studio HalloBasis curated Where Designers Eat, a dedicated culinary guide and Google Maps list filled with insider tips, favorite spots, and hidden gems recommended by local female designers and creatives across the Frankfurt RheinMain region.
©Ben Kuhlmann 8. Attractions & Culture
Make the most of your stay by visiting key cultural sites.
- New Old Town (Neue Altstadt & Römerberg)
- Address: Römerberg, Frankfurt
- Frankfurt's historical old town center featuring the historic town hall, Römer.
- Museum Angewandte Kunst Frankfurt / Museum of Applied Arts Frankfurt
- Address: Schaumainkai 17, Frankfurt
- Designed by renowned American architect Richard Meier (opened in 1985), this iconic postmodern building is an architectural masterpiece in itself, flooded with light and seamlessly integrated into the surrounding Metzler Park. It showcases changing design exhibitions, fashion, typography, and decorative arts.
- Schirn Kunsthalle:
- Address: Gabriel-Riesser-Weg 3, Frankfurt
- While its historic postmodern home at the Römer undergoes extensive energy renovation, the SCHIRN has temporarily moved into the historic brick building ensemble of the former Dondorf Druckerei in Bockenheim. A compelling site-adaptive urban transformation, this industrial heritage location hosts high-profile contemporary art exhibitions.
For additional city guides, guided tours, and regional travel recommendations, please visit the official Frankfurt Tourist Information Services.
9. Emergency Contacts
- Emergency Services (Police / Fire / Ambulance)
- 110 (Police)
- 112 (Fire / Ambulance)
- Closest Hospital (University Hospital Frankfurt)
- +49 69 6301-0
10. Contact
If you have any questions or require assistance during your stay, please feel free to reach out to us by email at hello@wdc2026.org or give us a call during office hours at +49 69 271 32028.
