Frankfurt is a city with two faces where
on the one hand it is the financial capital of Germany and on the other it
is a civilized place which invests more per year on the arts than any other
city in Europe. Besides this, Frankfurt is a high spirited and international
city with various things to do, throughout the day.
In fact, Frankfurt is a growing cultural centre for the whole of Hesse,
with a good selection of theatres and galleries, and an even better range of
museums, amongst them some are known for their architecture.
Over half of the city, including almost all of the centre, was devastated
during world war II and the re-builders opted for innovation rather than for
restoration. The result is a skyline that speaks more of Chicago than of
Germany.
It is a charismatic European metropolitan city and a point where many
cultures, languages and lifestyles blend with each other. The city is spread
out on the banks of the Main river, the biggest part of town lies on the
north bank.
Fact File
Country : Germany
Population : 650,486
Languages: German, English
Climate : In Frankfurt, summers are characterized as hot and humid
while spring days are cool and pleasant. However, there is no specific rainy
season in Germany, and one can expect drizzles in the summer and spring
months. The best time to go to Frankfurt is from May to October, when the
weather is more predictable and temperatures range between 10 degrees to 23
degrees Celsius. Those are the tourist months though, and most places are
crowded. Winters are often bitter and cold beginning in November until
February when snow can be expected and temperatures may drop below zero
degree celcius.
Official
Currency : Euro; 1 Euro = 52.443 Indian Rupee = 1.2047 US $ = 0.678141
GBP(subject to change)
Location : The city of Frankfurt is located in the central part of
the country.
Getting There
By Air : ‘Flughafen Frankfurt am Main’ is Europe's biggest
and busiest airport after London Heathrow airport. This international hub
contains two terminals which are connected via rail link called Sky Line.
The Sky Line transports passengers to either terminal in 3 minutes tops. The
quickest and cheapest way to get to the city center is by hopping on a train
- the journey time is cut to 10 minutes. The airport train station is a
short walk from the arrival area in Terminal 1. Hotel shuttles and car
rentals are also available.
By Train :
Finding way to the Regional Railway Station (level 01):
Follow the signs marked "Regionalbahnhof" indicating the correct
route from the departure/arrivals hall in Terminal 1 to platforms 1-3 on
level 01 (underground railway station), via the escalators. Trains to
Frankfurt depart from platform 1. From Terminal 2, take the Sky Line to
departure hall B in Terminal 1 and then follow the route described above,
via the escalators.
Finding way to the International Railway Station (level 3):
Follow the signs "Fernbahnhof" which will lead you from halls A
and B in Terminal 1, via the Frankfurt Airport Center (FAC) to the
International Railway Station (platforms 4-7). Hall C is linked via the
Sheraton Hotel. From Terminal 2, take the shuttle bus service (journey time:
10 minutes) to the bus station at Terminal 1. From there, follow the signs
which take you past the Frankfurt Airport Centre (FAC) to the International
Station. You can also travel on the Sky Line to Terminal 1 and then follow
the above directions.
Getting Around
Public transport within Frankfurt is run by the Verkehrsgesellschaft
Frankfurt-am-Main – VGF, Kundenzentrum, Kurt-Schumacher-Strasse 10. VGF
is run by the larger organisation, the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund –,
which also provides excellent public transport information. VGF consists of
7 underground (U-Bahn), 9 tram (Strassenbahn) and over 40 bus lines. These
are supplemented by an extensive network of city trains (S-Bahn) operated by
Deutsche Bahn.
Besides these taxis, hired cars are also available in the city.
Accommodation
The city of Frankfurt has very good hotels to ensure a comfortable stay for
the tourists. Mentioned below is a list of some of the hotels in the city:
5 star hotels in the city:
Hotel
Paris
Hotel Express by Holiday Inn
4 star hotels in the city:
Hotel Maritim
Hotel Concorde
Hotel Frankfurt Savoy
3 star hotels in the city:
Hotel Ibis Frankfurt
Hotel Friedensbrucke Frankfurt Luxor
Major Tourist attractions
Deutsches Filmmuseum : Presents film art by artists from around the
world. ‘Sachsenhausen’ is the nightlife district located on the
south bank of the river Main. Local food, beer and music are the favoured
fare in this tavern area.
Alte Oper : the old opera house which was destroyed in the war has
since been meticulously reconstructed down to the last detail.
Romerberg : This famous Frankfurt Book Fair used to be held in
Romerberg,the old market square.
Museum Judengasse : the home’ of the financier Rothschild
family’ has been converted into a museum celebrating the holocaust
experience in Frankfurt.
Goethe Haus : Germany’s most acclaimed writer lived in this
house from birth in 1749 until 1775.
