How to travel from Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) by train

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Berlin to Frankfurt by train

What won't be obvious when looking up a journey by train from Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) is that the ICE trains between the two cities now take three different routes:

  1. Berlin - Halle - Erfurt - Frankfurt (these are the fastest services, but they are currently non-stop from Berlin to Frankfurt)
  2. Berlin - Halle - Leipzig - Erfurt - Fulda - Frankfurt
  3. Berlin - Braunschweig - Kassel - Fulda - Frankfurt
    Though these trains arrive at Frankfurt (Main) Sud bahnhof and travel on to Frankfurt Flughafen / Airport

However, the departures are not evenly distributed, there can no departures at all in certain hours, while in others there are trains leaving on all three routes, though two trains per hour is most typical.

The cheaper tickets on the faster ICE trains inevitably sell out faster, but other factors worth keeping in mind when planning this journey are:

There also slower, but typically cheaper, non high speed trains from Berlin to Frankfurt which are operated by Flix.
But they arrive at a station named Frankfurt (Main) Sud, which lives up to its name with a location to the south of the city centre.

Also note that Frankfurt (Oder) is a different town, which also has direct trains from Berlin, so make sure that you are looking at trains to Frankfurt (Main) when booking tickets online - And ignore any info you see for Frankfurt (Oder) when you're at the station.

Routes you can take to go from Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) / Francfort sur le Main

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Route Information

Option 1: the fastest ICE services
Travel Time (approx)

3hr 52min - 3hr 54min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

Mon-Thurs = 5 x trains per day
Friday = 6 x trains
Sat/Sun = 4 x trains per day


Is the journey from Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.


Is this journey scenic?
Not particularly, though the high speed line between Hidelsheim and Fulda crosses a hilly landscape and there are many viaducts between the tunnels.

What other tourist locations are along this route from Berlin to Frankfurt (Main)?
These 'Sprinter' services are non-stop from Berlin to Frankfurt (Main)


When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf from Berlin Hbf on this journey option?


How easy is it to travel on from the station in Frankfurt?
There are regular local (S-Bahn) trains which provide the fastest route to the city centre - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.


When is the usual approximate latest departure from Berlin Hbf to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf) Hbf on this journey option
Before 17:45 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable


How easy is it to get to the station in Berlin?
Berlin Hbf is linked to other areas of the city by

  • frequent local (S-Bahn) trains
  • trams
  • the metro line, U5
    See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access guides to how rail tickets are managed in Germany, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.


How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
It can be up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December; and when looking up summer travel in March to May.


What are the child ticket terms for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
Adults (aged 15 and over) purchasing discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets for travel in either First or Second class, can take up to four children (aged 14 and under) at no additional cost.


Does the ticket for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains include assigned seats?
Only when booking the most expensive types of ticket = Flexpreise tickets for travel in 1st class.
So they are not included when booking tickets for travel in 2nd class, or any other type of ticket valid for travel in 1st class
They are available, so they can be added for an additional cost, when booking those types of ticket.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.


Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
No they are available, but are not mandatory
See the rail pass guide for details of the booking options.


Is catering available on the Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains on this journey option?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant car
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.


What else is good to know about German rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Germany

Route Information

Option 2: these slightly slower ICE trains can be cheaper
Travel Time (approx)

4hr 11min - 4hr 17min (approx)

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

7 x trains per day


Is the journey from Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.


Is this journey scenic?
Not particularly

What other tourist locations are along this route from Berlin to Frankfurt (Main)?**
These trains also call in Leipzig and Erfurt


When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf from Berlin Hbf on this journey option?
Before 09:56 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable


How easy is it to travel on from the station in Frankfurt?
There are regular local (S-Bahn) trains which provide the fastest route to the city centre - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.


When is the usual approximate latest departure from Berlin Hbf to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf) Hbf on this journey option
After 19:25 daily - though there is slower service which departs before 21:30 and arrives in Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 02;00am
Source = European Rail Timetable


How easy is it to get to the station in Berlin?
Berlin Hbf is linked to other areas of the city by

  • frequent local (S-Bahn) trains
  • trams
  • the metro line, U5
    See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighbourhood.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access guides to how rail tickets are managed in Germany, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.


How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
It can be up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December; and when looking up summer travel in March to May.


What are the child ticket terms for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
Adults (aged 15 and over) purchasing discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets for travel in either First or Second class, can take up to four children (aged 14 and under) at no additional cost.


Does the ticket for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains include assigned seats?
Only when booking the most expensive types of ticket = Flexpreise tickets for travel in 1st class.
So they are not included when booking tickets for travel in 2nd class, or any other type of ticket valid for travel in 1st class
They are available, so they can be added for an additional cost, when booking those types of ticket.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.


Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains?
No they are available, but are not mandatory
See the rail pass guide for details of the booking options.


Is catering available on the Berlin to Frankfurt (Main) trains on this journey option?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car and a restaurant car
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.


What else is good to know about German rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in Germany

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