Private car transfer from Munich to Frankfurt

Quaint villages and bustling cities sit quietly in the distance, allowing you to refuel or explore en route. Lush farmyards and vineyards flow alongside your car window until you approach the country's financial heart. When Frankfurt's chic skyscrapers replace the towering spruce trees lining the roadside, you'll know you've reached the journey's end.

The fascinating cities and unique landmarks hidden from the main road are the highlights of this venture. By selecting a mode of transport that stops at some treasures en route, you'll turn this means of transportation into an unforgettable road trip. We created an in-depth Munich to Frankfurt travel guide below to help you uncover how to make the most of this opportunity!

A document by Charlemagne for the Regensburg monastery first mentioned Frankfurt as a town in February 794. It took almost four centuries, but the Holy Roman Empire declared Frankfurt an imperial city in 1220 with the help of its thriving trade center between western and eastern Europe.

The thirty-year war with Sweden and the occupation of French troops during the Napoleonic Wars marked the beginning of a turbulent period in Frankfurt's history. During World War II, allied forces carried out 75 air raids on the city. Also, experts estimate that Nazi Germany put 12,000 Jews from the city to death in its vast concentration camp network.

Modern Frankfurt

Today, Frankfurt is one of Europe's most unique cities. Its canopy of sleek highrise buildings dominates the cityscape. Unlike most of Europe, which is known for its medieval buildings, Frankfurt has the lion’s share of Germany’s highrises. These towering structures are home to the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, where you'll find row after row of businesspeople wearing crisp suits and holding sophisticated briefcases.

Frankfurt also has a lively food scene. The Frankfurter sausage is the most notable delicacy and a must-try for visitors. Countless street food vendors serve these delicious yet no-frills treats around the city. But there's no better place to sample its flavors and indulge in smoky aromas than its restored old town. The half-timbered buildings, home to some of the city's best bars and restaurants, make you feel like you're visiting two cities simultaneously!

• Language: German
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Climate: temperate oceanic
• Time zone: GMT+1
• Plug types: C and F
• Fun fact: Frankfurt has 20 of Germany's 21 skyscrapers!

Also, Frankfurt is one of the most expensive cities nationwide for hotels, with the average traveler spending $124 on a room. So, by booking tickets and accommodations early, you'll save much of your hard-earned cash.

Visit UNESCO landmarks en route

The drive from Frankfurt to Munich is rather scenic. However, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that sit off the main highway are the showstoppers!

Most locals might know Wurzburg as the capital of Germany's most impressive wine region. But as a keen explorer, you'll be glad to know you can visit the Residential Palace here, a majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to experience life on Earth 47 million years ago, the Messel Pit, another UNESCO Site, has over 40,000 fossils and discoveries to date!

Enjoy a culinary tour

The drive from Frankfurt to Munich is around 4 hours and 10 minutes. So, you'll need to stop and refuel with some delicious European delicacies en route!

Before you leave Munich, you can pick up some local goods at Viktualienmarkt and have a picnic along the way with a view. Or you can stop at Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, and relax in an authentic medieval-like tavern!

Book a ticket online with the German airline Lufthansa to fly to Munich. Once you land at your destination, you can catch the S8 train towards Offenbach and arrive in downtown Frankfurt in around 20 minutes.

• Cheapest flight price: $108 (€99)
• Average flight price: $152 (€140)
• Overall travel duration: 4-5 hours
• Direct flights: 12-14 daily

Buses from Munich to Frankfurt

The bus is the best mode of transport if you're traveling in Europe on a budget. It's the cheapest way to get from Munich to Frankfurt, with budget-friendly bus firm Flixbus running multiple daily services on this route.

Flixbus has five departure points in Munich. But the most convenient way to travel is to book a ticket from Munich Central Station to Frankfurt Central Station. You'll depart and arrive in the downtown areas, so you won't have to worry about catching another bus or train to the city center.

• Cheapest bus ticket price: $20 (€18)
• Average bus ticket price: $30.50 (€28)
• Fastest bus duration: 5 hours and 15 minutes
• Longest bus duration: 7 hours and 45 minutes
• First bus departure: 12:25 AM
• Last bus departure: 11:55 PM

Trains from Munich to Frankfurt

The train is the fastest way to travel from Munich to Frankfurt and is a mix of an affordable and convenient mode of transport. OBB and Deutsche Bahn offer 37 daily direct trains between the cities.

Most trains leave from Munich Central Station and arrive at Frankfurt Central Station. All services are quiet and punctual, with modern conveniences, including wifi, power outlets, and restrooms. But remember to book your tickets online 30 days before departing for a cheap seat!

• Cheapest train ticket price: $20 (€18)
• Average train ticket price: $53 (€49)
• Fastest train duration: 3 hours and 19 minutes
• Average train duration: 4 hours and 5 minutes
• First train departure: 12:01 AM
• Last train departure: 9:51 PM

Daytrip car transfer from Munich to Frankfurt

Daytrip's private door-to-door service is the best mode of transportation if comfort or convenience are your priorities. A professional driver will collect you at the front door of your hotel at whatever time suits your travel plans. After they manage your luggage, you'll travel in a tranquil environment with a front-row seat to rural Bavaria.

But Daytrip is also the most flexible and adventurous option from Munich to Frankfurt. Unlike a flight or public transport that travels directly between the cities, you're free to explore the enchanting towns and alluring attractions on the journey.

Enjoy soaking up the history, scenery, and dark beers at Weltenburg Abbey, the world's oldest monastic brewery. Or you can step back in time to Europe's darkest period and pay respects to the 200,000 innocent lives cut short at Dachau Concentration Camp.

• Seats from: $135 (€125)
• Door-to-door Duration: 4 hours and 10 minutes
• English-speaking driver
• Clean, sanitized, smoke-free vehicle
• Equipped for pets, kids, groups, or those with limited mobility
• 24/7 customer service
• Free cancellation 24 hours before departing

The innovative exhibitions and educational programs cater to art lovers and casual visitors. Its modern architecture and beautiful gardens make it a pleasant place to spend a few hours.

Relax in Palmengarten

Palmengarten is Frankfurt's most beautiful urban green space, spanning almost 55 acres in the Westend-Sud neighborhood. It's also home to the botanical gardens, where you can uncover must-see attractions such as the Tropicarium, Palm House, and Subantarctic House.

The fragrant aromas from colorful flowers and shaded benches hidden under leafy walkways are the ideal places to relax on a hot summer's day. And if you are fortunate enough to visit during the warmer months, you can enjoy an outdoor concert here.

Savor the flavors of Germany in Kleinmarkthalle

If you want to sample traditional cuisine while blending in with locals in Germany, Kleinmarkthalle ticks all the boxes. This historic market hall, with over 60 vendors serving the best local products, has catered to residents since the 1950s.

You can indulge in German sausage specialties before washing it down with local wines and cheeses. Although this is a foodie paradise, the upbeat atmosphere will whet any traveler's appetite for adventure in a new city!

Climb Main Tower

The Main Tower, looming 656 feet over Frankfurt, is the perfect way to start your venture in town. You'll get 360 panoramic views where you can admire as far as the Taunus Mountains and map out your route through the city.

If you're brave enough to climb the 56 stories, breathtaking vistas will reward you. But you also get the opportunity to dine in the stylish restaurant and lounge. The fine dining might be a bit pricey, but the views from its seating are invaluable!

Traveling in autumn is ideal for getting the best value for money. The sun is shining, and the tree-lined lanes transform into the classic October color palette of burnt browns and rich reds. Most notably, hotels and transportation services offer enticing deals before the slow months from November to March.