Best German Airports and Train Stations

Frankfurt HBF

The central Frankfurt train station is a pleasure for travelers. Connected to the subway system of Frankfurt, it is possible to move from the airport to the central station to just about anywhere in the country all from this one convenient location. I found the staff members to be especially helpful, printing me out an itinerary when I desired to travel to a small town along the Rhine river. There are also many options for food, in case you’re getting tired of the piles of sandwiches you see at most German train stations.

Berlin HBF

The ultimate German train station has to be the central station of Berlin (Berlin Hauptbahnof). With multiple levels, pharmacies, bars, restaurants, lockers, and connection to the S-bahn and U-bahn (local transportation), you’ll never want to fly into Berlin again. German train efficiency ensures your arrival time, and the good signs will help move you through the massive station if you’ve never been before. Leave yourself a bit more time to find your train than you might in other stations, or you may find yourself running up multiple escalators to get to your train on time.

Frankfurt Airport

The Frankfurt airport is easily accessible thanks to its link with the central Frankfurt train station. I’ve found staff members at this airport to be helpful and efficient without ever seeming rushed. In fact, my entire experience at this airport was a fairly relaxed one. The line at security wasn’t overwhelming, options for food were decent and there was plenty of room to sit and relax before the flight. For traveling on a budget, accessibility is the main attraction to this German airport.

Munich Airport

As the 2nd largest airport in Germany, many travelers use the Munich Airport to explore the Bavarian region of the country or even south into Austria. With a luxury hotel on site, this airport has been praised for its services to travelers. It has even been voted, ‘Best Airport in Europe’ for the last three years running. It serves a variety of destinations and is known for being modern and comfortable. If you are looking for an airport with good services and transportation, than Flughafen Munchen could be a peaceful start to your Germany adventure.

Cologne Airport

The airport in Cologne is ranked #4 according to the amount of air traffic it receives, and has earned a reputation for handling these crowds efficiently. In recent years, Cologne has focused on not only handling inter-European traffic, but from further destinations as well. While it has been designed to be efficient for transportation, I’m not a fan of the train station in Cologne (and its unhelpful staff.) The city of Cologne is beautiful and worth visiting for more than just the Cathedral, just try and avoid the train station if possible.

Hamburg Airport

The airport in Hamburg is a great starting point for exploring Northern Europe. It has options for duty free shopping and is considered comfortable and generally hassle-free. The location of Hamburg and its port city status make it a popular town to travel through. The airport is conveniently located only 8km north of the city, and whether you decide to continue your travel by train or ferry, there are many options. I found Hamburg to be one of the friendliest cities in Germany, as many locals were kind to help with directions and restaurant recommendations. It’s a safe bet to approach people under 30, who most likely will be able to point you in a good direction.