Frankfurt Airport (Frankfurt International Airport (FRA))

Member Name: mancsoulsister

Product:	Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
Date:	27/07/00 (275 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Central for Germany

Disadvantages: Just too big

Frankfurt airport is Germany's biggest airport, handling a huge number of passenger and freight fights daily. The airport is huge and spread over 2 terminals. It even has it's own railway station, with trains to all over Germany. A mono-rail connects the 2 terminals. Considering this you would assume that the airport would be a very well designed user-friendly airport. You would be wrong. I am an active young woman with no walking disabilities but even I found the trek across the airport pretty heavy going. I landed in Terminal 2 and wanted to get to the train station in Terminal 1. The first hurdle was actually finding out how to get anywhere. There was nobody on the information desk and there were no information leaflets left. So I was left guessing. I eventually discovered the existence of the mono-rail. I hauled my bags about half a mile to the mono-rail and waited for the next train. They were very regular, thankfully. I arrived in Terminal 1 to a lack of information again. I eventually found out where I was going and trekked down to the train station. The whole escapade took about 1 hour and I probably walked over a mile and a half with heavy bags and about another mile before I even got my bags!. I realise that fast growing airports often have precious little room to expand, especially in built up Urban areas, but I think a little more thought to the people using the airports would be appreciated. I plan never to go near Frankfurt airport again if I can at all avoid it!

UPDATE: After another unavoidable transfer at Frankfurt airport last week - I have to report that things have got worse rather than better!! They have now even issued airport staff with bikes to help them get around!!!! Unfortunately passengers do not have this option. The transfer walk is still gruelling - on this trip I was accompanied by an elderly French lady who found the whole thing exhausting. Still rates as THE least user-friendly airport I have ever been to!

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