Track 1 at the Regionalbahnhof often fills with RE3 first
RE3 is a regional express train running from Frankfurt Airport’s Regionalbahnhof under Terminal 1, and it can be the first departure from track 1 to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, beating S8 or S9 by 10–15 minutes on some patterns. It’s part of the same regional pool as RE2 and RE59, aimed at getting you into the regional rail network quickly instead of waiting on a specific S‑Bahn line.
The RE3 boards at the Regionalbahnhof under Terminal 1 (follow signs to “Regionalbahnhof, tracks 1–3”) and usually uses the same island platform as S8/S9; you’re looking for “Gleis 1” and “Frankfurt(Main) Hbf” on the big blue or yellow departure boards. Trains typically run at least once an hour, with extra runs at peak times between 07:00 and 19:00, so your real wait is whatever shows next on the platform screen.
From the airport to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, RE3 takes around 12–15 minutes, only a couple of minutes quicker than S8/S9, but the key difference is that you often leave earlier by just taking the first regional service on track 1. A standard RMV single ticket from “Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Regionalbahnhof” to “Frankfurt(Main) Hbf” costs roughly €5.80 in 2024, and it’s valid on RE, RB, and S‑Bahn alike.
RE3 uses double‑deck or standard regional coaches with 2nd class as the default and occasional 1st‑class sections marked with a large “1” on the carriage doors. Luggage fits in overhead racks and in small spaces by the doors; if you’re rolling a 23 kg checked bag plus a carry‑on, aim for the door areas with flip‑down seats so you’re not blocking the aisle on a busy 08:00 departure.
Step-by-step: using RE3 from FRA to Frankfurt Hbf
- 1. Walk to the Regionalbahnhof under Terminal 1. From arrivals in Terminal 1 or 2, follow the “Regional trains / Regionalbahnhof” icons; from Terminal 2 you’ll first ride the SkyLine or bus over to Terminal 1, which usually takes 10–15 minutes.
- 2. Buy an RMV ticket to Frankfurt(Main) Hbf. Use the RMV or DB ticket machines near the escalators to tracks 1–3; choose “Frankfurt(Main) Hbf” as destination and buy a single ticket in the €5–6 range before heading down.
- 3. Check the big departure board for track 1. On the station board, look for any RE, RB, or S‑Bahn listing “Frankfurt(Main) Hbf” with “Gleis 1”; if RE3 is the next departure, take it instead of waiting for S8 or S9.
- 4. Confirm “Frankfurt(Main) Hbf” on the platform screens. On the platform itself, the smaller screens above the tracks repeat the line number (RE3), final destination, and intermediate stops, with “Frankfurt(Main) Hbf” shown plus departure time down to the minute.
- 5. Board any 2nd‑class coach and park your bags. Step into a carriage marked with “2”, stash larger suitcases near the doors or at the carriage ends, and keep your ticket handy in case of an onboard inspection between the airport and Hbf.
- 6. Ride 12–15 minutes to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. You pass Frankfurt Stadion within about 5 minutes, then roll into Frankfurt(Main) Hbf; from there you can switch to ICE, IC, metro (U‑Bahn), trams, or long‑distance buses in under 10 minutes of walking.
What regulars do and one thing to watch for
Frequent FRA travelers on Germany forums say they simply stand on track 1 and take whichever comes first to Frankfurt(Main) Hbf—RE3, RE2, RE59, S8, or S9—instead of hunting a specific logo, saving 10–15 minutes on many airport runs. Because station signage leans hard on the green S‑Bahn symbol, some visitors miss that RE trains like RE3 go to the same Frankfurt Hbf and accept the same RMV ticket, so double‑check line types on the board, not just the letter “S”.
One practical tip: print or screenshot “Frankfurt(Main) Flughafen Regionalbahnhof” and “Frankfurt(Main) Hbf” with the spellings exactly as used in DB/RMV systems before you land, so at the ticket machine you can type or match them quickly instead of guessing names with jet‑lag at 06:00.