Is Frankfurt Safe in January 2026?

Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof is one of Germany's busiest train stations and a known pickpocketing hotspot, with organized groups working the escalators, S-Bahn platforms, and the crowded waiting hall. Thieves typically work in pairs — one distracts while the other removes items from bags or jacket pockets. The station's Bahnhofsviertel exits face a neighborhood with a visible drug scene that increases the overall risk environment.

How to avoid: Use a money belt or inside jacket pocket for valuables. Keep bags in front of your body on platforms. Be wary of deliberate bumps or spills near escalators.

At Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1 and 2, unlicensed drivers approach arriving passengers in the baggage claim area and arrivals hall before they reach the official taxi rank outside. These drivers charge flat rates of €80-150 for a journey to the city center that official taxis complete for €25-35 on the meter.

How to avoid: Exit the terminal fully and use the marked taxi rank on the ground level. All official Frankfurt taxis are cream/beige colored. Alternatively, take the S8 or S9 train directly from the airport to Hauptbahnhof in 11 minutes for €5.

The Bahnhofsviertel neighborhood immediately west of Hauptbahnhof has a concentration of adult entertainment venues and drug activity. Tourists who enter the area are occasionally targeted by individuals who create a distraction — spilling a drink, asking for a light — while an accomplice removes wallet or phone.

How to avoid: Stay aware of your surroundings in the Bahnhofsviertel, particularly on Kaiserstrasse and Taunusstrasse after dark. Keep phones in inside pockets rather than back pockets or on restaurant tables.

Near the S-Bahn and U-Bahn ticket machines at Hauptbahnhof and Konstablerwache, individuals offer unsolicited help purchasing tickets, then demand payment for the "service." Some use the distraction to overcharge or select a lower ticket value while pocketing the difference in cash.

How to avoid: Use ticket machines independently. The interface is available in English. If you need help, seek a uniformed RMV or Deutsche Bahn staff member inside the station.

During Frankfurt's major trade fairs (Frankfurter Buchmesse, Automechanika, IAA), fraudulent hotel booking sites collect advance payments for rooms that either do not exist or have already been sold. The demand spike means hotels legitimately sell out months in advance, making the scam plausible.

How to avoid: Book accommodation only through the hotel's official website or established platforms. Verify the hotel's address and phone number independently before paying any deposit.