Frankfurt as a trade fair city — practical travel guide

Frankfurt is one of Europe's most active trade fair cities. Messe Frankfurt hosts Automechanika, IFFA, Light + Building, Frankfurter Buchmesse and many more — and the city is well organised for visiting professionals.

Getting there

Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe's largest hubs with multiple daily direct flights from Oslo. The airport's long-distance train station (Fernbahnhof) connects directly to most German cities, so Frankfurt also works as a hub for a multi-city trip.

The Messe venue

Messe Frankfurt sits in the heart of the city, connected by S-Bahn and tram. The dedicated Festhalle/Messe S-Bahn station is about 10 minutes from the Hauptbahnhof. The venue covers 11 halls plus extensive outdoor space.

Where to stay

For shorter trips, Westend and the area around the Hauptbahnhof give you the fastest commute to the Messe. Frankfurt's hotel prices rise sharply during major trade fairs — book at least 8 weeks ahead, ideally more.

Practical tips

• RMV day tickets cover all city public transport including the airport — most cost-effective option for trade fair visitors.
• Restaurants near the Messe are heavily booked at lunch; consider eating at off-peak hours or pre-booking.
• Frankfurt is compact — most things are within walking distance of the centre.

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