Public transport, flying, cycling and driving

The network you will probably make the most use of during your stay here is the RMV, the German acronym for the Rhine-Main Transport Authority. This extensive network comprises streetcars, buses, subways and above-ground LRT. The RMV website (www.rmv.de) has multilingual information and boasts a trip planner, network maps, and articles on special events in the area and how to get to them.

The system is efficient and reliable. Though not exactly cheap, the cost/benefit ratio for the services is great. A ride from downtown (Konstablerwache) to the airport costs less than € 5 and takes under 30 minutes, for example.

The fastest way of traveling within the city of Frankfurt is the subway or U-Bahn. There are nine U-Bahn lines, and they cover most of Frankfurt, from Südbahnhof in the South even out to the foot of the Feldberg in Hohemark in the North. The lines are designated by numbers, as in U1, U2, all the way up to U9.

The S-Bahn network is designed to connect Frankfurt to the cities that orbit it, most notably Darmstadt, Wiesbaden, Friedberg and Hanau. It thus serves most of the suburbs in all cardinal points. In fact, two S-Bahn lines each go all the way to Wiesbaden (one track runs north of the River Main, the other south) and Offenbach, the town that borders Frankfurt to the east, and onwards through to Hanau, while the route to Darmstadt connects the leafy towns of Neu-Isenburg and Langen along the way.

Frankfurt has boasted a streetcar (Straßenbahn) network since 1872, and the system is highly popular to this day. At one time, one streetcar route actually ran down the middle of the Zeil pedestrian area, its bell ringing to keep people off the tracks. It typically connects downtown to districts closer in and not served by the subway. During demonstrations or large festivals in the city, the one or other Straßenbahn line may be temporarily closed. One special streetcar is itself destined for festivities – the party ‘cider streetcar’ known as the Ebbelwoi Express (www.ebbelwei-express.de).

The local bus system also takes you to areas that the rapid transit trains do not. Some of them stop at every street or so, and like streetcars get you very close to your doorstep. Today, Frankfurt boasts a large number of bus lanes which ensure that the morning bus is faster than the commuters who have opted to use their own car in the rush hour.

In the wee hours of the morning, buses are the only form of public transportation available. A number of special night buses ply the streets between midnight and dawn, designated by “N” before their number. These buses do not service regular bus stops. To find out which stops these buses use, look for signs with an “N” surrounded by stars or click www.nachtbus-frankfurt.de. In addition, on weekends and the night preceding public holidays, special night buses leave from Konstablerwache in Frankfurt City every half hour between 1.30 and 3.30 a.m.

Of course, public transport or cyclesare not the only way of getting around. The two leading forms of private transport are taxis and private automobiles. Most newcomers may find taxi fares somewhat pricey compared to fares back home. But remember that for that extra money you get to travel in a comfortable late-model Mercedes. The standard starting charge for a taxi is € 3.50, with an additional charge of € 1.75-2.00 per kilometer. Taxi stands are found outside all major rail stations, as well as at major business points such as Alte Oper (Old Opera House), in front of the Börse (Stock Exchange), at Hauptwache or Konstablerwache, and, of course, at the airport. Taxis aren’t supposed to stop on the street to pick up passengers, though some will. Calling to order a cab is much more effective than trying to hail one. Cabs you order by phone will usually arrive within five or ten minutes. Taxi call numbers for Taxi Frankfurt are 069 23 0001 and 069 23 0033.