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In line with traditional German efficiency, the public transport system runs smoothly and on time.
The Frankfurt public transportation system (RMV; Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund, www.rmv.de, tel. 0180-57 68 46 36) includes regional trains (RB), regional express trains (RE), S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and buses. The system allows you to travel with all methods of transportation on one ticket.
The U-Bahn (metro) comprises seven lines serving the centre of the city. These tiddly trains are not much more than underground trams, proved by the fact that some lines surface immediately after leaving the core of the city and trundle along on the street. You're never very far from a U-Bahn station. The stations are all well lit and decorated in a slightly dodgy 1980s colour scheme. Destinations are displayed prominently; keep the final station or the colour of the line in mind to navigate the more complicated stations. The S-Bahn complements the U-Bahn as a far more extensive surburban rail network, also serving the airport and surrounding towns. Usually rolling on ground level, they duck underground in the city centre and pretend to be an U-Bahn to confuse the tourists. Night buses take over after 01:30, departing in all directions from Konstablerwache every half hour on the half hour. Very nicely, the driver will even stop between stops to ensure you get home safely.
Tickets (Fahrkarten) can be purchased from the depressingly confusing RMV machines at tram and bus stops, as well as at U and S-Bahn stations. The machines accept coins and banknotes, and only issue tickets for immediate use as Frankfurt has no validating machines. Instructions are in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish and Turkish. There is a variety of tickets, and prices depend how far you are travelling and the time of the day. Reduced fares are available Mon to Fri 18:30 - 06:00 & 09:00 - 16:00, throughout the day at weekends and all public holidays (excluding the airport). During these times, you will automatically be given the ermäßigt (reduced) version. Single tickets are just that - no return journeys or stops. The most used tickets have special buttons.
Press Einzelfahrt Frankfurt for a single ticket, which costs ?2.10/1.90 (ermäßigt). If you?re travelling less than 2km (usually three stops) buy the Kurzstrecke ticket (short journey; ?1.35, at ermäßigt hours ?1.00). So, if you?re going to use some form of public transport more than three times a day, get the Tageskarte (day ticket, ?4.90). If you?re travelling to or from the airport, get the Einzelfahrt Frankfurt Airport (single ticket, ?3.35), or the Tageskarte Frankfurt Airport dayticket (?7.40). Certain hotels sell the ?7 HotelGastTicket which is valid for two days in central Frankfurt plus the airport, and is cheaper than two day tickets. Group tickets are available for, well, groups and families. A five person card (adults and children) Tageskarte is ?8.00 and ?13.00 to include the airport. Finally, another money saving deal is the Hessenticket, valid for five people and allowing any number of 2nd Class (not for ICE and IC trains) trips in the federal state of Hesse, which includes Frankfurt, for ?25. For more information, visit the traffiQ office at Hauptwache.
Ruthless ticket controllers patrol the system frequently and will not hesitate to slap you with a ?40 fine for ?riding black? (Schwarzfahren) - no excuses accepted.
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