You’ve got time to kill while you wait for your connecting flight at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport. You could read that magazine again—for the 3rd time—or you could go behind the scenes and get a glimpse of the airport that most travelers never see.
The Airport Experience Tour, as it is called, can accommodate large groups of 20 or more persons as well as individuals. On weekdays, the tour starts at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. On weekends and holidays it starts at 11 a.m. and 12 noon. The price of the tour is €6.00 for adults, €5.00 for students, children, and the disabled. Reservations are not needed for individuals. Groups of 20 or more should make reservations before traveling. A reservation form can be found on the airport’s website http://www.frankfurt-airport.com. Just search for “Experience Tours.”
The tour meets on the pedestrian bridge between Terminal 1 and the Frankfurt Airport Center. Tours last 45 minutes
In addition to the tour, Frankfurt Airport offers an outdoor visitor’s terrace where you can observe airport operations. From the terrace, visitors can see aircraft loading, unloading, takeoffs and landings. The visitor’s terrace is open every day from 10 am to 5pm. The admission fee for the terrace is €5.00 for adults, €3 for students and disabled, and free for children under 3½ feet.
Navigating Frankfurt Airport is easier when you remember that it has two main terminals which are divided into five concourses, A through E. Concourses A, B, and C are located in Terminal 1 and Concourses D and E are housed in Terminal 2.
There are several dining options throughout both terminals at Frankfurt Airport including fast food, sit-down restaurants, and cafes. Restaurant options include Asian, European, and Mexican cuisines as well as fresh food from “Marche.” Fast food options include U.S. style fast food and bakeries. In addition, the selection of cafes at the airport ranges from American “Starbucks” to Italian coffee shops “illy” and “Mondo”.
Shopping options at Frankfurt Airport range from souvenirs and duty free to designer clothes and accessories. In addition, passengers have access to the “Esanelle” salon, “Metropolitan Pharmacy”, and “Be Relax” mini spa which offers manicures, pedicures, and massages.
The airport has a 24 hour prayer room in both terminals. One is on the second floor on Concourse B in Terminal 1. The other is on the third floor of Concourse D in Terminal 2.
We’ll wrap up our series on European airports with our next blog on Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.