How Much Does Frankfurt Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Frankfurt serves as Continental Europe’s financial heart, a status that creates a tiered pricing landscape for travelers. While it is generally more affordable than London or Zurich, costs can fluctuate wildly due to its massive trade fair industry, which occasionally triples accommodation rates. A typical daily budget ranges from $61 / €52 for budget-conscious solo travelers to $647 / €550 for those seeking high-end luxury in the financial district. Visitors will find that while fine dining and upscale hotels are pricey, the city’s robust public infrastructure and traditional cider taverns offer excellent value. Navigating the contrast between the gleaming skyscrapers of the Westend and the rustic alleys of Sachsenhausen is key to managing expenses effectively.
Is Frankfurt expensive to visit?
Frankfurt is moderately expensive for a major European hub, with typical daily costs ranging from $61 / €52 to $647 / €550 depending on your travel style and the current trade fair schedule.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Frankfurt
$61
per person /day
$253
per person /day
$647
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $184 | $759 | $1,942 |
| 5-Day Trip | $306 | $1,265 | $3,237 |
| 7-Day Trip | $428 | $1,771 | $4,531 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
Adding a 15% buffer is advisable to cover the city tourism tax and the pervasive 'Pfand' bottle deposits. This also accounts for rounding up restaurant bills by 5–10%, a standard practice for service in Frankfurt.
How Does It Compare?
See how Frankfurt stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Frankfurt
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal Typical for a casual lunch spot or a kebab/pizza shop in the city center. | $20 €17 |
| Schnitzel with Green Sauce (Apfelwein Wagner) A local specialty consisting of breaded veal or pork served with the famous cold herb sauce. | $25 €21 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5L) Slightly cheaper if ordered as a 'Schoppen' of Apfelwein (cider) in Sachsenhausen taverns (~$4.12 / €3.5). | $5.89 €5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| RMV Single Adult Ticket (Zone 50) Valid for immediate travel on U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses within Frankfurt city limits. | $4.47 €3.8 |
| Airport to City Center S-Bahn Ticket Take lines S8 or S9 from Regionalbahnhof (Terminal 1). The journey takes approximately 15 minutes to the main station. | $8.12 €6.9 |
| Frankfurt Card (1-Day City Pass) Includes unlimited travel in the city and airport, plus up to 50% discount at various museums. 2-day pass $25 / €21. | $15 €13 |
| Taxi Start Fare The rate per km is approximately ~$2.82 / €2.4. Expect to pay ~$53 / €45 for a trip from the airport to downtown. | $4.71 €4 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm Bed at Five Elements Hostel Centrally located in the Bahnhofsviertel, close to the main station. Prices can rise to ~$29 / €25 during trade fairs. | $12 €10 |
| Mid-range Hotel Room (NH Collection Frankfurt City) Standard double room for one night. Includes high-speed Wi-Fi and access to fitness facilities. | $181 €154 |
| Luxury Hotel Room (Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof) Historic luxury hotel in the heart of the financial district. Breakfast typically adds ~$47 / €40 per person. | $371 €315 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Main Tower Observation Deck Admission The highest public viewpoint in the city. Reduced tickets for students/seniors are ~$7.06 / €6. | $11 €9 |
| Städel Museum Adult Entry Standard timed ticket Tue–Sun. Special exhibitions may be priced higher. Under 12s enter free. | $19 €16 |
| Goethe-Haus & Romantic Museum Admission Covers both the birth house of Goethe and the adjacent German Romantic Museum. | $14 €12 |
| Frankfurt Cathedral Tower Climb A 328-step climb to a panoramic platform. The cathedral interior itself is free to visit. | $3.53 €3 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Holafly eSIM (1 Day Unlimited) Digital eSIM with unlimited data for Germany. Longer plans (e.g. 7 days ~$29 / €25) available on the Holafly app. | $3.9 €3.31 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Frankfurt ranges from affordable street food to high-end business lunches, with an inexpensive restaurant meal averaging around $20 / €17. Local tradition shines in Sachsenhausen’s cider taverns, where a signature Schnitzel with Green Sauce at Apfelwein Wagner costs $25 / €21 and a glass of local Apfelwein (Schoppen) is a budget-friendly $4.12 / €3.5. For the best value, the Kleinmarkthalle provides gourmet-quality snacks and sausages at fraction of sit-down prices.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Schreiber at Kleinmarkthalle
$6.47–$9.42 / €5.5–€8Altstadt · Street food area
The famous Rindswurst with a bread roll is the quintessential local lunch for ~$7.06 / €6. Be prepared to stand.
Best Worscht in Town
$7.06–$12 / €6–€10Multiple locations · Local chain
Choose your heat level carefully; 'FBI' level is extremely spicy. A combo with bread and drink costs ~$12 / €10.
Aroma
$8.24–$14 / €7–€12Bahnhofsviertel · Local chain
Arguably the best falafel in the city. Expect a queue during lunch hours.
Pizzeria 7 Bello
$9.42–$18 / €8–€15Main Train Station · Local chain
A legendary no-frills spot for large, authentic Italian pizzas at great prices.
Metzgerei Zeiss
$5.3–$11 / €4.5–€9Various · Local chain
Look for the 'Heiße Theke' (hot counter) for cheap warm meat rolls like Leberkäse for ~$5.89 / €5.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The city’s RMV network is highly efficient, with single adult tickets priced at $4.47 / €3.8 for travel across U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and trams. Reaching the city center from the airport via the S8 or S9 lines costs ~$8.12 / €6.9, a significantly cheaper alternative to the ~$53 / €45 taxi fare. The Frankfurt Card at $15 / €13 for one day is the most economical choice for visitors, as it covers all public transit including the airport and provides museum discounts.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging prices are heavily influenced by the 'Messe' (trade fair) calendar; a dorm bed at Five Elements Hostel typically starts at $12 / €10 but can rise to $29 / €25 during major events. Mid-range travelers can expect to pay around $181 / €154 for a room at the NH Collection Frankfurt City, while luxury icons like the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof reach $371 / €315 or more. Staying in the Nordend or Sachsenhausen often offers a more local feel and better value than the immediate vicinity of the main station.
Accommodation Budget in Frankfurt
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a Frankfurt Card for $15 / €13 to get unlimited transit and up to 50% off museums like the Städel.
- 2 Book a timed ticket for the Städel Museum online to skip queues and guarantee entry at $19 / €16.
- 3 Order 'Schoppen' (apple wine) in Sachsenhausen taverns like Apfelwein Wagner for ~$4.12 / €3.5, which is significantly cheaper than a $5.89 / €5 draft beer.
- 4 Eat at the Kleinmarkthalle, specifically the Schreiber stand, for high-quality local sausages and mustard at a low cost.
- 5 Take the S-Bahn (S8/S9) from the airport for ~$8.12 / €6.9 rather than a taxi to save approximately $45 / €38.
- 6 Look for 'Mittagstisch' (lunch menus) in the Innenstadt, where many restaurants offer discounted two-course meals for business workers.
- 7 Drink tap water, which is of excellent quality in Frankfurt, to avoid the high cost of bottled water in restaurants.
- 8 Use the RMV Group Day Ticket if traveling with at least one other person, as it often pays for itself after just two trips.
- 9 Return empty plastic and glass bottles to supermarket 'Pfand' machines to reclaim the deposit paid at purchase.
- 10 Climb the Frankfurt Cathedral Tower for $3.53 / €3 to get panoramic views instead of paying $11 / €9 for the Main Tower elevator.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Mar, Sep, Oct, Dec
+30-60%
Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug
-20-30%
May, Jun
Frankfurt is a major hub for trade fairs (Messe). Hotel prices can triple during massive events like the Book Fair. Summer (July-August) is actually a 'business low' season where luxury hotels often offer deals.
Events to Watch
- ● Frankfurt Book Fair (October): +100% hotels
- ● Light + Building Fair (March): +50% hotels
- ● Christmas Markets (December): +20% hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Visit the Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus) to see the historic coronation site of Holy Roman Emperors for $0.
- 2 Walk across the Eiserner Steg (Iron Bridge) for iconic views of the Frankfurt skyline and the Main River.
- 3 Explore the Römerberg, the city's historic central square featuring reconstructed timber-framed houses.
- 4 Stroll through the Bethmannpark to visit the peaceful, traditional Chinese Garden (Garten des Himmlischen Friedens).
- 5 Tour the IG Farben Building at Goethe University to experience the historic architecture and the unique paternoster elevators.
- 6 Visit the Deutsche Bundesbank Money Museum (Geldmuseum) for an interactive look at currency history with no entry fee.
- 7 Wander through the Höchst Old Town (Höchster Altstadt) to see medieval architecture and the Höchst Castle grounds.
- 8 Relax in the Nizza Gardens, a Mediterranean-style botanical stretch along the northern bank of the Main River.
- 9 Walk the 'Green Belt' (Grüngürtel) hiking paths that circle the entire city through parks and forests.
- 10 See the Euro Monument at Willy-Brandt-Platz, a landmark of Frankfurt's role as the seat of the European Central Bank.
- 11 Visit the Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstraße (ID required for entry) to see one of the oldest Jewish burial grounds in Germany.
- 12 Enjoy the Schwanheimer Düne, one of the few inland sand dune landscapes in Europe, located on the city's outskirts.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Dinner at Main Tower Restaurant
Dining on the 53rd floor offers the best views of the city skyline; admission to the platform is included for diners.
River Excellence Cruise with Dinner
Seeing the 'Mainhattan' skyline illuminated from the river while enjoying a high-quality meal is iconic.
Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Afternoon Tea
A classic luxury experience in a grand 19th-century salon, perfect for a rainy afternoon.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Frankfurt
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Frankfurt and what they cost
Heidelberg
$53 / €45 by train
$11 / €9
$100 / €85
Mainz
$21 / €18 by train (S-Bahn)
$5.89 / €5
$53 / €45
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in shops and hotels, but many small cafes, bakeries, and traditional Apfelwein taverns still require cash or German 'Girocard'.
Round up the bill in casual settings (e.g., pay ~$18 / €15 for a ~$16 / €14 bill). In sit-down restaurants, 5–10% is standard. Say the total amount including tip when handing over money.
Use bank ATMs (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank) for the best rates. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge high fees (~$4.71–$5.89 / €4–€5 per withdrawal).
Connectivity
eSIM: $5.89–$29 for 1GB to unlimited (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12–$18 / €10–€15 for 10GB
WiFi: Excellent in the city center (Free-Hotspot.Frankfurt) and most cafes.
Buy a local SIM from a supermarket (like Lidl or Aldi) for ~$12 / €10 for the best value on long stays.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Frankfurt.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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