Experience Windsor with us

The shoulder seasons of April/May and August/September represent the best times to visit Frankfurt.  The surroundings seem greener, the sun is shining but not overbearing, and the crush of tourists can be avoided.  But, keep in mind that the trade fairs really start rolling in September and October, taking up all available accommodations and thereby inflating the prices.  Summer brings the tourist hordes, whether they are actually exploring Frankfurt or just passing through.  You’ll want to bring warm clothes should you find yourself in Frankfurt during the winter.  The temperature often dips below freezing.  Then again, the city sees minimal tourism during this time, which means you could save a healthy sum on your hotel room.

Frankfurt plays host to a wide range of clean, highly efficient mass transit options.  Here are just a few:

• Frankfurt’s U-Bahn, or underground metro, represents the most popular method for getting around the city.  A handful of lines run until 2:00 a.m. and reopen at 4:00 a.m.  If Frankfurt offered a 24-hour metro, it would be perfect.
• The busses actually do run for 24 hours, although you’ll soon discover that only a few lines provide service between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Still, it’s good to know you can still get home after a night out.  And, during the day, the 40+ lines will take you anywhere.
• If you plan on heavily using the city’s mass transit in a single day of Frankfurt sightseeing, then a single day pass might be just the ticket.  For under $10, you can use the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, busses, and trams as much as you like!

As one of the largest cities in Germany, Frankfurt suffers from many of the same societal ills common to most metropolises.  So, here are some tips to stay safe:

• Crowded shopping and tourist areas become a hunting ground for petty thieves and unwelcome scam artists.Pay close attention to your bags and pockets if you find yourself pushing through crowds at a festival or flea market.
• If you believe you’re being marked for a theft or scam, quickly step inside the nearest shop and ask the clerk for help.Shops also present a safer place to stop, turn around, and look your would-be perpetrator in the eye, which will usually make them find another target.
• Should you find yourself walking alone at night, make sure you are alert, appear confident, and are not looking at your phone or listening to music with headphones.