Update - August 2026: Still One of the Worst Airports I've Experienced…read more
Unfortunately, Frankfurt Airport still ranks as one of the worst major international airports I've traveled through.
We still had to take a bus from the plane to the terminal, followed by a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing. I personally don't mind the walking, but if you're older, have mobility issues, or have a tight connection, this airport can be a real problem.
Passport control continues to be dysfunctional. There were only two or three police officers checking passports, while EU passport holders were given priority. The automated passport kiosks also seem rather pointless when you still have to present your passport to a police officer afterward. To make matters worse, the officers' computer systems appeared painfully slow, making an already inefficient process even slower.
I've always thought of Germany as a country known for efficiency. Frankfurt Airport certainly challenges that perception.
Then came baggage claim. We waited more than an hour for our bags to finally appear--and this was after our flight had already arrived late.
For one of Europe's largest and most important international hubs, the overall passenger experience at Frankfurt Airport remains remarkably inefficient and frustrating. After multiple experiences here, I continue to avoid connecting through Frankfurt whenever I have a reasonable alternative.