Trains from London to Frankfurt (Main)
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Travelling from London to Frankfurt by train in under 6 hours
The fastest journey time by train from London to Frankfurt is around 5 and a half hours. Travel from city centre to city centre, eliminating stressful airport transfers or long security checks.
One of the most common itineraries is to travel from London to Brussels on Eurostar, before changing to a DB train for your journey from Brussels to Frankfurt. That means just one change in Brussels along the way, though there are other options too – check our Journey Planner for the most up-to-date times and prices.
Kick back and relax as a combination of high-speed Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn (DB) ICE trains whisk you in ultimate comfort from London St Pancras station to Frankfurt Main station right in the heart of the city.
Make use of the wide range of facilities on board Eurostar trains, including Eurostar’s generous luggage allowance, the onboard Eurostar Café, and three comfort classes to choose from (on journeys to/from London). There's even a free WiFi connection, so you can brush up on your German on the way!
Forget about airport transfers or waiting for luggage when you arrive in Frankfurt – the train station is located just a 15-minute stroll from Frankfurt's historic old town.
Heard enough? Book your trip now using our Journey Planner at the top of this page, or keep reading for more information on the route from London to Frankfurt, including:
- Today’s train times
- Boarding a train to Brussels at London St Pancras International
- Eurostar luggage allowance
- Going through the Channel Tunnel
- Boarding a train to Frankfurt at Bruxelles-Midi station
- Arriving in Frankfurt
- Using public transport in Frankfurt
- Things to see and do in Frankfurt
- Get around Germany by train
- Explore more of Europe with an Interrail pass
- Getting to the airport from Frankfurt city centre
- See even more of Germany and Europe
London to Frankfurt (Main) by train
It takes an average of 8h 30m to travel from London to Frankfurt (Main) by train, over a distance of around 393 miles (633 km). There are normally 14 trains per day travelling from London to Frankfurt (Main) and tickets for this journey start from £81.77 when you book in advance.
| First train | 06:16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 20:01 | |
| Departure station | London | |
| Arrival station | Frankfurt (Main) | |
| Journey time | From 5h 27m | |
| Distance | 393 miles (633 km) | |
| Frequency | 14 trains per day | |
| Changes | 1 change | |
| Price | From £81.77 | |
| Train and bus operators | BlaBlaCar Bus, Flixbus |
Cheap train tickets from London to Frankfurt (Main)
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from London to Frankfurt (Main) by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Step 1: Board a Eurostar train to Brussels at London St Pancras International
The first train you’ll catch from London to Frankfurt Main will likely be a Eurostar train from London to Brussels. Here’s some information about the station and the boarding process for Eurostar.
How to get to London St Pancras International
How far ahead of time do you need to arrive?
Where are Eurostar check-in gates?
How does Eurostar check-in work?
What’s on offer at London St Pancras International?
Which facilities are in the Eurostar Departure Lounge?
Which facilities are in the Business Premier Lounge?
How many bags are allowed in the different Eurostar classes?
Standard/Standard Premier
- 2 pieces of luggage up to 85cm (33.4 inches) long
- 1 carry-on bag, e.g. handbag, laptop bag or briefcase
Business Premier
- 3 pieces of luggage up to 85cm (33.4 inches) long
- 1 carry-on bag, e.g. handbag, laptop bag or briefcase
Children (for all classes)
- 1 piece of luggage up to 85cm (33.4 inches) long
- 1 carry-on bag, e.g. backpack or laptop bag
Going through the Channel Tunnel
Does the train from London to Brussels go underwater?
Trains from London to Brussels do go underwater. In fact, the Channel Tunnel (or “Chunnel” if you prefer its nickname) is just over 31 miles (50 km) in length and is the longest continuous underwater tunnel in the world. At a maximum speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) in the Chunnel, it takes a Eurostar train around 35 minutes to travel this underwater stretch.
How long is the Chunnel?
In length, the Channel Tunnel is 31.3 miles (50.56 km) and it takes a Eurostar train approximately 35 minutes to travel its full length. In total, the fastest journey time from London to Brussels is 1 hour and 56 minutes.
Step 2: Hop on a train to Frankfurt in Brussels
After you’ve arrived in Brussels, the final step in your journey is to catch a train to Frankfurt.
Your Eurostar train from London will arrive in Brussels at Bruxelles-Midi train station (also known as Brussel-Zuid). As you go through security and passport control in London, you simply have to grab your luggage and get off the train once you’re here.
The final leg of your journey to Frankfurt involves catching a train from Brussels to Frankfurt Main train station. You won’t need to change stations, as trains to Frankfurt also depart from Bruxelles-Midi.
You’ll probably have a bit of time to spare in between your trains. Luckily, Bruxelles-Midi train station has plenty of amenities if you need to grab a quick bite to eat or fancy doing a little shopping.
When you buy your train tickets with Trainline, all the information you need about your journey is saved in our app, so you’ll know exactly how much time you have until your next train. Your ticket will also display the number of the train you’ll be traveling on (such as ‘ICE 15’) – this is what you’ll need to look out for on the departure boards to make sure you’re getting the right train.
Arriving in Frankfurt
Your DB train from Brussels will arrive at Frankfurt Main train station (also known as Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof).
Once you’ve arrived at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, you can get off the train and start exploring straight away! There are no passport or security checks as you will have already been through these to enter the EU at the very beginning of your trip.
Frankfurt Main station has various amenities which may be helpful to you when you arrive in Germany, including:
- Toilets
- A travel lounge
- Left luggage lockers
- Free WiFi
- A pharmacy
- Shops and food outlets including McDonalds, Starbucks and Pret A Manger.
Using public transport in Frankfurt
If you want to see as much of Frankfurt as you can during your trip, we recommend getting around using public transport.
Frankfurt has an extensive public transport system which includes a metro, buses and trams. If you’re looking to start your sightseeing as soon as you leave the train station, here’s a list of the public transport options available.
- U-Bahn: Lines U4 and U5 of the U-Bahn (the city’s underground transport system) stop at Frankfurt Main station.
- S-Bahn: Lines S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8 and S9 of the S-Bahn (the city’s commuter railway) serve Frankfurt’s central train station.
- Buses: Bus routes 33, 37, 64, M46, N11, N12, N16, N4, N5, RE70, S6E, S6X and S7E serve Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.
- Trams: Trams 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 serve the city’s train station.
Things to see and do in Frankfurt
Travelling to Frankfurt for the first time? If you’re not sure where to start your sightseeing, don’t worry – we've got you covered with these recommendations.
- Head to a museum: If you’re looking to get your culture fix while travelling, look no further than Frankfurt! The 39 (yes, you read that right) museums spread across both banks of the River Main are sure to keep you busy – there's something for everyone!
- Visit the Römer: Discover Frankfurt’s beautiful architecture and take a trip to the Römer (City Hall). The City Hall is still used today and has stood the test of time, with the first records of its use dating back to 1405!
- Enjoy a breath of fresh air: Fancy immersing yourself in nature while in Frankfurt? Visit the city’s Palmengarten, which boasts a number of greenhouses which are home to a variety of plants and insects from around the world.
If you’re still looking for travel inspiration, don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide on things to do in Frankfurt.
Get around Germany by train
Sure, Frankfurt was great, but what if you want to see even more of Germany? We’ve got you – check out our recommendations below.
Explore more of Europe with an Interrail Pass
Once you’ve finished exploring Frankfurt, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With an Interrail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass. If you’re an American or Canadian citizen, you can use a Eurail Pass instead.
Getting to the airport from Frankfurt city centre
If you’re flying back home after your trip to Frankfurt, you’ll need to get to the airport first. We’ll show you how to get there – including by train!
Getting to Frankfurt Airport by train
You can travel from Frankfurt city centre to Frankfurt Airport easily by taking the train. Hop on a train at Frankfurt Main station and in 10 – 15 minutes, you’ll be at the airport.
You can look at times and prices, as well as book your tickets to Frankfurt Airport, using our Journey Planner at the top of the page or by starting a search in our app.
Getting to Frankfurt Airport by public transport
If you’d prefer, it’s also easy to travel to Frankfurt Airport on either the bus or the S-Bahn. Depending on where you’re coming from in the city centre, this may be easier than taking the train.
- S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 stop at Frankfurt Airport.
- Buses 58, 61, 62, 67, 72, 73, 82, AIR, ICE, OF-64, X15, X17, X19, X53, X58, X61 and N72 serve Frankfurt Airport.
See even more of Germany and Europe
Sure, you might have had a good time in Frankfurt, but your European adventure doesn’t have to stop there. Why not check out some of these trips?
Head from Frankfurt to Paris
It’s easy to travel from Frankfurt to Paris with Deutsche Bahn. The train leaves from Frankfurt Main station and it can take under 5 hours to get to Paris Gare de l’Est station. What’s more, there’s no waiting around for your luggage once you’ve arrived – you can just grab your bags and go!
Board a train to Berlin
If you’re looking to explore more of Germany by train, why not head from Frankfurt to Berlin? DB and Flixtrain trains run directly from Frankfurt to Berlin in around 4 hours. Plus, there’s no need to wait around at the airport for hours before boarding – simply turn up at Frankfurt Main station and hop on the train!
Speed away to Brussels
Want to visit another of Europe’s bustling capitals? Brussels might be the place for you. Home to beer, waffles, fries and much more, there’s plenty to see and do in the Belgian capital.
The journey from Frankfurt to Brussels can take just over 3 hours on the fastest DB services, which means less time spent waiting around and more time to explore! So, what are you waiting for?
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from London to Frankfurt (Main)? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from London to Frankfurt (Main) take?
The average journey time by train between London and Frankfurt (Main) is 8 hours and 30 minutes, with around 14 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between London and Frankfurt (Main) by train?
The fastest journey time by train from London to Frankfurt (Main) is 5 hours and 27 minutes.
How much does the train from London to Frankfurt (Main) cost?
Train ticket prices from London to Frankfurt (Main) can start from as little as £81.77 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from London to Frankfurt (Main)?
No, there are no direct train services from London to Frankfurt (Main). Travelling from London to Frankfurt (Main) by train will require a minimum of 1 change.
What time does the first train from London to Frankfurt (Main) leave?
The first train from London to Frankfurt (Main) leaves at 06:16. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from London to Frankfurt (Main) leave?
The last train from London to Frankfurt (Main) leaves at 20:01. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between London and Frankfurt (Main) by train?
Trains travelling from London to Frankfurt (Main) cover a distance of around 393 miles (633 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Frankfurt (Main) to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Frankfurt (Main).