Tips · Germany
Frankfurt in Spring: What to Prepare for March to May
The Palmengarten opens until 7 p.m. March-October. Frankfurt's March-May normals, what to wear, spring hours, transport, budget and a checklist.
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The short answer
March to October, when the Palmengarten stays open until 7 p.m., is good for riverside walks and outdoor plans in Frankfurt. March is still cool, with average highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C; average highs reach 17°C in April and 20°C in May.
One or two nights is enough. In the old town, the Römerberg, the cathedral and the Goethe House are within walking distance, and across the Main, Sachsenhausen has the Museum Embankment and apple-wine culture.
March-May weather at a glance
The figures below are rounded 1991–2020 normals from Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Frankfurt/Main (airport) station. Each line shows average high / average low / monthly precipitation.
From March to May, average highs climb from 11°C to 17°C to 20°C and average lows from 2°C to 5°C to 9°C. Monthly precipitation is 39 mm in March, 37 mm in April and 60 mm in May.
- March: 11°C / 2°C / 39 mm
- April: 17°C / 5°C / 37 mm
- May: 20°C / 9°C / 60 mm
What to wear
March means highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C, so bring a warm coat and a scarf. April runs from 5°C in the morning to 17°C at midday, so a light jacket and layers work best. In May, with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C, one light outer layer is enough.
May brings 60 mm of precipitation, so pack a folding umbrella. The old town and the Museum Embankment are walkable and the cathedral's west tower is climbed via 328 steps, so wear shoes you can walk in all day.
Bags larger than A4, backpacks and umbrellas are not allowed in the Goethe House exhibition rooms. Bring EUR 1 or 2 coins for the lockers, and headphones for the free smartphone media guide, which is also available in Korean.
Good to know in spring: hours, sights and events
The Palmengarten is the place whose hours change in spring. Officially it opens daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. November-February and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. March-October. This 20-hectare botanical garden is centred on the 18-metre Palm House, opened in 1869; adults EUR 9, free up to age 17. Get off at U4, U6 or U7 Bockenheimer Warte.
For other sights, check the weekday first. Officially, the Goethe House opens Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun and public holidays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., with tickets sold only at the on-site box office. The Städel Museum is closed on Mondays, and the Kleinmarkthalle opens Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat 8 a.m.-4 p.m., closed on Sundays and public holidays. Check the Kaiserdom's opening hours and tower access in the official information before you go.
Check spring event and festival dates with the Frankfurt tourist board or other official sources before you go. Check official info around Easter, and remember that the Römer's Kaisersaal can be visited free when not in use but may close at short notice for events.
Planning a spring itinerary
Frankfurt suits 1 to 2 nights. The day-by-day route is in the Frankfurt travel guide's itinerary and the layover post, so this section only covers what to keep in mind when fitting it into a spring trip.
- Old town on day one: walk the Römerberg and the Römer (Kaisersaal), the New Old Town, the cathedral tower and St Paul's Church, then cross the Eiserner Steg in the evening for apple wine in Sachsenhausen.
- Match the weekdays: avoid Sundays for the Kleinmarkthalle and Mondays for the Städel Museum. The tourist board recommends a Saturday lunch at the Kleinmarkthalle.
- Palmengarten: as in the guide's itinerary, take the U-Bahn to Bockenheimer Warte after the Städel Museum on day two for a walk. It stays open until 7 p.m. March-October.
- Seeing several museums: the MuseumsuferTicket covers 39 museums for two days for EUR 21 (bought on site), and municipal museums are free for under-18s. The Städel Museum costs EUR 10 on Tuesdays from 3 p.m.
Airport, city transport and budget
According to the airport, the Regional Train Station for S-Bahn S8 and S9 is below Terminal 1 (Level 0). The airport is RMV fare zone 5090, so a city-only (zone 5000) ticket is not valid; use a city-airport single (EUR 6.90) or day ticket (EUR 13.50), or the Frankfurt Card. Bus 61 (towards Frankfurt Südbahnhof) also stops in front of Terminals 1 and 3 on the arrivals level, and taxis are available around the clock, taking about 20-30 min from the city depending on traffic.
A city single ticket costs EUR 3.80, a short-trip ticket EUR 2.35 and a city day ticket EUR 7.75 (valid until 5 a.m. the next day). Buy tickets at station machines, in the official RMV app or from the bus driver; single tickets are for immediate travel only and cannot be bought in advance. The Frankfurt Card, including the airport, costs EUR 13 for 1 day and EUR 21 for 2 days (group cards for up to 5 people: EUR 26 for 1 day, EUR 39 for 2 days) and cannot be refunded or changed. The Deutschlandticket costs EUR 66.80 a month from 2027 and does not include long-distance trains such as ICE, IC and EC.
To keep costs down, use the city day ticket at EUR 7.75 and walk the old town and the Museum Embankment. On a mid-range budget, add the Frankfurt Card (EUR 13 for 1 day, EUR 21 for 2 days) and admissions such as Städel EUR 19, Goethe House EUR 12 and Palmengarten EUR 9. Accommodation is most of the budget, and hotel and food costs vary a lot by date, so compare prices for your dates on booking sites.
Pre-departure checklist
Go through these points one by one before you leave.
- Entry requirements: check official information for visas, ETIAS and so on before travel
- Clothes: a warm coat for March, layers for April, a light outer layer and a folding umbrella for May
- Goethe House: EUR 1 or 2 coins for the lockers and headphones for the media guide
- Transport tickets: a city-airport ticket or the Frankfurt Card for airport trips
- Weekdays: avoid Sundays and public holidays for the Kleinmarkthalle and Mondays for the Städel Museum
- Events and Easter: check dates and opening with the Frankfurt tourist board or other official sources
- Safety: check your government's current travel advice for Germany
Plan your Frankfurt trip
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FAQ
When in spring is best for Frankfurt?
March to October, when the Palmengarten stays open until 7 p.m., is good for riverside walks and outdoor plans. March still has average highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C, so bring a warm coat.
What is the weather like in Frankfurt from March to May?
In normals of average high / average low / monthly precipitation: March 11°C / 2°C / 39 mm, April 17°C / 5°C / 37 mm, May 20°C / 9°C / 60 mm.
How late is the Palmengarten open in spring?
Officially it opens daily, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. March-October (9 a.m.-4 p.m. November-February). Adults EUR 9, free up to age 17; get off at U4, U6 or U7 Bockenheimer Warte.
Where can I check spring festival and Easter dates?
Check the Frankfurt tourist board or other official sources before you go. Check official info around Easter too, and remember that the Kleinmarkthalle is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Römerberg and the Römer (City Hall) · Gerd Eichmann / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Koko-en Garden · Drivephotographer / CC0