Roberta Aguirre
The recommended arrival time for passengers at Frankfurt Airport is two hours for domestic flights and two and a half hours for international flights. However, the time taken to check in at the airport can vary depending on several factors, such as the time of day, season, and whether it is a peak travel period such as weekends or holidays. For morning flights between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., it is advisable to arrive 30 minutes earlier due to higher passenger numbers and potential delays. Passengers with checked baggage should also allow for extra time to avoid long queues at the baggage drop. To save time, Frankfurt Airport offers online check-in and self-service kiosks for a speedier check-in process. Additionally, passengers can bypass the check-in counters and proceed directly to security if they have already checked in online and are travelling with only hand luggage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Check-in options | Online check-in, self-service kiosks, Fast Bag Drop, the evening before departure |
| Checked baggage rules | Maximum dimensions of 85cm x 65cm x 45cm, including wheels and handles |
| Carry-on luggage rules | Liquids limited to 100ml per container and a maximum volume of 1 litre, rechargeable batteries, power banks, and e-cigarettes not allowed |
| Recommended arrival time for domestic flights | 2 hours before departure |
| Recommended arrival time for international flights | 2.5 hours before departure |
| Peak hours | 6:00 AM-9:00 AM, holidays, and weekends |
| Parking options | Short-term, long-term, off-site |
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What You'll Learn
Online check-in
By checking in online, you can bypass the check-in counters at the airport and head straight to security. This is especially useful for morning flights, which tend to see the highest number of passengers and longer lines at check-in and security. If your flight is during peak hours, consider arriving 30 minutes earlier to allow extra time for potential delays.
If you are travelling with luggage, it is recommended to arrive earlier to avoid long queues at the baggage drop. Frankfurt Airport offers self-service kiosks and a Fast Bag Drop service to speed up the check-in process, but even these may have lines during busy periods.
To further streamline your airport experience, you can take advantage of Frankfurt Airport's free service, FRA SmartWay, which allows you to book a time slot for the security checkpoint. This gives you exclusive access to the FRA SmartWay lane, helping you avoid long wait times. Additionally, biometric facial recognition technology is available for passengers travelling with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS. By registering online via the Star Alliance Biometrics app, you can quickly get through boarding pass checkpoints before security and at the gate without needing your boarding pass or smartphone.
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Checked baggage drop-off
At Frankfurt Airport, there are several options for checking in and dropping off your checked baggage. The earliest you can check in and drop off your bags is 23 hours before departure, although this may only be for select airlines. It is recommended that you arrive at the airport 2 hours before domestic flights and 2.5 hours before international flights. However, if you need to check bags, you should arrive earlier to avoid long queues at the baggage drop. Morning flights, particularly those between 6:00 and 9:00 am, tend to be the busiest, so consider arriving 30 minutes earlier if your flight is during this time.
Frankfurt Airport offers self-service kiosks that allow you to check in, select your seats, print your boarding pass, and print baggage tags independently. You can then proceed to the bag drop machines or your airline's counter to drop off your baggage. If you are unable to print your baggage tags, you can go directly to your airline's check-in desk.
Some airlines also offer the option to check in and drop off your baggage at the airport the evening before your departure. This may be a convenient option if you want to save time on the day of your flight. However, remember to bring your identification documents and visa, if required.
Additionally, Lufthansa Group passengers can use the automated bag drop function at Concourses A and B of Terminal 1, allowing them to deposit their baggage outside regular check-in hours. This option provides a convenient and efficient travel experience for passengers.
It is always a good idea to check your airline's website or the Frankfurt Airport website for the most up-to-date information regarding check-in and baggage drop-off procedures, as well as to monitor wait times at security checkpoints and parking availability.
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Peak times
For international flights, it is generally advised to arrive at Frankfurt Airport at least 3 hours before departure. This allows sufficient time for check-in, baggage drop-off, and security checks, which can be lengthier during peak hours. Some sources suggest arriving even earlier, up to 3.5 hours in advance, for international long-haul flights to ensure a smooth experience.
To streamline the check-in process, Frankfurt Airport offers online check-in and self-service kiosks. Online check-in can be done from the comfort of your home or en route to the airport, saving valuable time. Additionally, the self-service kiosks enable passengers to independently print baggage tags and drop off their checked baggage at the "Fast Bag Drop" locations. However, even these kiosks may encounter queues during peak travel times.
To further expedite the process, passengers can take advantage of the "FRA SmartWay" service, which allows them to book a time slot for the security checkpoint in advance. This helps distribute passenger flow more evenly and reduce waiting times, especially during peak periods.
It is worth noting that some airlines may only open their check-in counters 2 hours before the scheduled flight time. Therefore, it is always advisable to check with your airline regarding their specific check-in counter opening times and recommendations.
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Security checks
Frankfurt Airport recommends arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before departure for domestic flights and 2.5 hours for international flights. However, some sources suggest that 3 hours before departure is a "pretty safe bet" and that it is still ok for US-bound flights. For EU flights, 2 hours is considered more appropriate. Morning flights, especially those departing between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM, tend to see the highest number of passengers, resulting in longer lines at security.
Passengers can save time by checking in online and heading directly to the security checkpoint if they are travelling with only hand luggage. Frankfurt Airport offers self-service kiosks for checking in and dropping off baggage, but even these may have lines during busy periods. To bypass potential queues at the regular security checkpoint, passengers can book a time slot for selected security checkpoints using the FRA SmartWay service. This service is free and can be booked up to 72 hours before departure. It grants exclusive access to the FRA SmartWay lane, helping passengers avoid long wait times. However, there are a limited number of slots, so early booking is recommended.
At the security checkpoint, passengers and their belongings are screened to ensure compliance with EU and IATA regulations. Liquids in carry-on luggage are restricted to containers of 100 ml or less, which must be placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre. Baby food and liquid medication are exempt from this restriction, and duty-free items purchased at the airport or on a commercial flight are also exempt but must be sealed and accompanied by a readable document indicating the place and date of purchase. Dangerous objects are prohibited in carry-on luggage, and electronic devices such as laptops and tablets must be removed from hand luggage and placed separately in a tray for screening. Passengers with medical conditions, such as a pacemaker or pregnancy, should inform security staff before passing through the metal detector.
To facilitate a smooth security check process, passengers are advised to familiarise themselves with the regulations regarding liquids, electronics, and prohibited items. They can also use real-time tracking tools to monitor wait times at security checkpoints before leaving for the airport. Additionally, passengers can take advantage of the Fast Track option at Frankfurt Airport, which allows for quicker passage through security during peak travel times.
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International flights
Frankfurt Airport is one of the busiest hubs in Europe, so it's important to allow plenty of time to check in for your international flight. The general recommendation is to arrive at the airport two and a half hours before your departure time. This gives you ample time to check in, pass through security, and get to your gate. However, it's worth noting that some sources suggest that three hours is a safer bet, especially if you are checking in bags and travelling during peak times.
If you are travelling during peak hours, between 6:00 and 9:00 am, consider arriving half an hour earlier to account for potential delays. You can also save time by checking in online and using the bag drop-off points. If you are travelling business or first class, you can use priority lanes for security and bag checks.
Frankfurt Airport offers a variety of options to speed up the check-in process. Many airlines provide self-service kiosks where you can check in, select your seat, print your boarding pass, and even print baggage tags. Some airlines also offer the option to check in at the airport the evening before your departure and drop off your baggage. If you choose this option, remember to bring your identification documents and visa, if required.
To avoid long security queues, Frankfurt Airport offers a Fast Track option and a new free service called FRA SmartWay, which allows you to book a time slot for the security checkpoint in advance. Additionally, the automated border control "EasyPass" enables travellers to scan their passports, be identified via facial recognition, and pass through the control in a few seconds. EasyPass is available to EU citizens and several other selected countries.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that passengers arrive at the terminal two and a half hours before departure for international flights.
It is recommended that passengers arrive at the terminal two hours before departure for domestic flights.
Some airlines offer the option to check in at the airport the evening before departure.
Checking in online before arriving at the airport can save time. Passengers with hand luggage only can also save time by heading directly to the security checkpoint.
The baggage policy varies by airline. However, the maximum dimensions for checked baggage are 85cm x 65cm x 45cm, including wheels and handles.
