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Frankfurt Airport has rental facilities in both terminals:
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 (Level 0, Hall A, Airport City Mall) | Main car rental center; Houses most major providers; Connected to parking garage P30/P3 for vehicle pickup | |
| Terminal 2 (Arrivals area, Hall D/E) | Counters in arrivals area; Cars in adjacent garage for pickup | Fewer providers than Terminal 1 |
Major providers at FRA include:
On average, car rentals at Frankfurt am Main Airport cost around €52 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €31 per day.
Compare vehicle types and transmissions. Manuals are typically €10-15/day cheaper than automatics, and station wagons often cost less and sip less fuel than SUVs. Book automatics early if you need one.
Time your booking to demand. For FRA’s peak periods like the Frankfurt Book Fair, summer and holidays, book 4-6 weeks ahead. Outside peak times, monitor prices and rebook if they drop.
Avoid after-hours fees by scheduling pickup and return within standard counter hours when possible.
Refuel yourself before return. Use the 24/7 Esso on Unterschweinstiege or the Aral on B43 in Kelsterbach, and keep the receipt to avoid refuelling charges.
Check one-way costs. Within Germany, drop fees are often low or waived, but international one-ways can add €100-300+. Compare round-trip to FRA vs dropping elsewhere.
Skip paid GPS. Many cars include navigation. Otherwise use your phone with offline maps instead of renting a unit.
Rent a car to easily:
Rhine-Main area - A3/A5/A66/A661 network
Rhine Valley - A3 west, A61 south, 75-85 km (47-53 miles), ~1 hr
Heidelberg - A5 south, A656, 90 km (56 miles), ~1 hr
Würzburg (Romantic Road start) - A3 east, 130 km (81 miles), ~1.5 hr
Initial roads: From rental car return, you exit onto B43 which connects to the Autobahn network

What documents do I need to rent at FRA? You'll need a valid driver's license, passport and a credit card in your name. We recommend getting an International Driving Permit if your license isn't in English or German.
How far in advance should I reserve at FRA? To get the best cars and prices, you should book 2-3 weeks in advance. During summer, holidays or major Frankfurt events, try to book 4-6 weeks ahead.
Can I pick up at FRA and return to a different location? Yes, most companies offer one-way rentals. They often won't charge extra fees for drop-offs between major German cities. You will have to pay higher fees for international one-way trips, based on the distance.
Is there a shuttle needed to reach rental cars at FRA? No, you don't need to take a shuttle. You can find all the rental cars in the parking garages, which are connected to the terminals with walkways.
How early should I arrive to return my rental before a flight? You should plan to arrive at least 2 hours before your flight, or 3 hours for a long-haul flight. This gives you 30 minutes to return the car and 1.5 hours to get through check-in and security. During busy times, you should allow an extra 30 minutes.
Can I return outside of counter hours? Yes, you can use the key drop boxes to return your car after hours. Just follow the rental company's instructions and take photos to show the car's condition.