Prague to Frankfurt by train, bus or flight: the honest comparison

Frankfurt has a reputation as the city you pass through. It is where Germany's airlines hand people to its railways, where bankers meet bankers and where the skyline is glass instead of gables. Prague travellers tend to meet it as a connection, which is a shame, because it is also a fair place to spend a day.

Whether you want Frankfurt itself or a hub to somewhere else, the question is the same.

By plane

The flight is quickest in the air. Airlines and times on Prague to Frankfurt change with the season, so check a flight search. Frankfurt is a major hub, so the route is mostly useful for people connecting to long-haul flights, and a bag can often be checked through to the final destination.

If Frankfurt is the destination, count the whole journey: getting to Prague airport (see our airport terminals guide), arriving early, flying, then taking the train from Frankfurt Airport into town. That last part is easy, but it is still a transfer.

By train

Nothing runs through on every day, so you generally change. The common plan is Prague to Nuremberg (our Nuremberg guide says what to see if you break the trip there), then a fast German train to Frankfurt. You can also go via Dresden and Leipzig. Plan on roughly six to eight hours or more, and check cd.cz and bahn.de for your date.

The train arrives at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, close to the centre and the river, so you reach your hotel faster than from the airport. For many travellers that evens out the flight's advantage.

Buy a through ticket if you can, because it usually protects your connection if the first train runs late. With separate tickets a missed connection is your problem. Cheaper fares often tie you to specific trains, so read the conditions.

By coach

Long-distance coaches link Prague with Frankfurt, taking around the same time as the train or longer depending on traffic and stops. It can be the cheapest option and suits some late departures. Check the address of the arrival stop on your ticket, since it may not be at the main railway station. For another coach route from Prague, see Prague to Berlin by bus and Prague to Munich by bus.

Two airport stations

A quirk worth knowing. Frankfurt Airport has two railway stations. The long-distance station (Fernbahnhof) serves fast intercity trains, so you can step off a plane and onto a train towards other German cities without entering Frankfurt. The regional station (Regionalbahnhof) serves local trains and the S-Bahn into the centre. They are close but not the same, so check the board and your ticket. That is exactly the sort of detail that costs people ten minutes at 6 a.m.

Why stop

Frankfurt is more compact than it looks. The Römerberg, the old square, was rebuilt after the Second World War, and the Main has a string of museums along its banks known as the Museumsufer. The high-rise skyline, rare in Germany, is best seen from the river bridges. The main sights fit in a day. With two, add Heidelberg or Würzburg by train.

Weighing it against other German cities? See Berlin, Munich and Dresden. Frankfurt is the least postcard-pretty of the four and the best connected.

Timing and luggage

An early train from Prague puts you in Frankfurt in the afternoon, enough for a walk along the river and dinner. A morning flight gets you there for lunch if the airport side goes smoothly. With a large bag the train and coach are kinder, because there is no weigh-in and no fee. With hand luggage only, the plane regains its edge.

Think about the return. A late train from Germany can reach Prague when the metro has stopped for the night, so check how you will get from the station home. Our guide to Prague taxis and ride-hailing covers the options.

Practical notes

Germany uses the euro. Cards are accepted in many places, though some smaller ones prefer cash. Czechia and Germany are in the Schengen Area, so there are normally no routine border checks, but carry a passport or ID card. Most shops close on Sundays. Trade fairs bring crowds and higher hotel prices, so check your dates against the fair calendar.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from Prague to Frankfurt by train?

Roughly six to eight hours or more, usually with a change. Check cd.cz and bahn.de for your date.

Is it faster to fly?

In the air, yes, about an hour. Add the airport time and transfers before you compare.

Where does the train arrive in Frankfurt?

At Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, in the city centre.

Does Frankfurt Airport have a train station?

Yes, two: a long-distance station and a regional station.

If Frankfurt is your destination, take the train. If it is your connection, take the plane.