Cheap flights from London Gatwick to Frankfurt

Flying from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) into Frankfurt, Germany, usually means landing at Frankfurt am Main International Airport (FRA) or at the Frankfurt Hahn Airport (HHN). With so many flights and routing choices to consider, using the Skyscanner search tool can really help you find the best flight times and rates. Add a hotel and possibly a car and your vacation is booked and ready to go.

Best Time to Book a Flight to Frankfurt

Tuesday and Wednesday are the two cheapest days. Airlines only sell so many seats at their bargain rates, then that same seat will cost you more, so book early. Skyscanner's Whole Month Search feature lets you compare available fare rates for an entire month. If you're flexible with your travel dates, you can also save money. Don't forget that Oktoberfest is a big deal in Germany and Frankfurt has its own celebration. If you plan to celebrate with the locals, book your tickets ASAP.

Airlines That Fly to Frankfurt

Most flights, and certainly those with the best routings and rates, fly from London Gatwick into Frankfurt am Main (FRA). Several airlines fly the route, including Iberia, EasyJet, Air Europa, British Airways and Aer Lingus. Non-stop flights aren't available, but you have plenty of one-stop options to choose from. Flights that stopover in Dublin, Ireland tend to have the shortest flying time, so take note of the connecting city on the Skyscanner flight display. Code sharing, when you book a flight on one airline but fly at least one segment on an airline partner, is common practice. The airline partners are also noted in the display. Departures from London Gatwick could be from the North or South Terminals, depending on the carrier.

What to Expect When Arriving at the Airport

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is 12 kilometres from downtown Frankfurt. A taxi ride into town averages $65.00 CAD, while the S-Bahn subway, which has a station in Terminal 1, costs about $6.00 CAD for the same trip. The subway is usually faster, especially during peak traffic times. Your flight could arrive in either Terminal 1 or 2 but the courtesy Sky Line shuttle connects both with the transportation centres, which are outside of baggage claim.

Airport Facilities

Frankfurt Airport has a number of shops and eateries throughout the terminals, many of them featuring German foods and goods. ATMs and currency exchange services are available, as are VAT refund centres. VAT, or Value Added Tax, is added on to purchased goods at the time of sale. Visitors are exempt from these taxes and may get their money back by showing VAT receipts at the airport. Free Wi-Fi is available, courtesy of some 300 well-placed access points throughout the airport.

What to See and Do in Frankfurt

In addition to Oktoberfest, which typically starts the end of September and runs through much of October, Frankfurt has plenty of sights and sounds to keep you entertained. Dinosaur buffs, head for the Naturemuseum Senckenberg and come face to face with T-Rex, stegosaurus and other fossil displays. Stroll the Hauptwache Plaza and stop for a meal at the circa 1730 guard-house that once served as a prison and now features a sidewalk café. St Catherine's Church dominates the upper plaza level, while below you'll find shops and a public transit station. Or, take a relaxing half-day or day cruise along the Rhine River and sail past historic mountaintop castles. Some cruises make stops at medieval-era towns along the way.