In a nutshell
- In Frankfurt, there is only one hop-on/hop-off bus provider: City Sightseeing Gray Line.
- In this article, we’ll tell you honestly whether the Gray Line hop-on/hop-off bus is worth it for you — plus everything else you need to know before you book.
- Short on time? Our verdict: Frankfurt’s hop-on/hop-off bus is especially worthwhile if it’s your first time in the city.
- We recommend the City Tour (Express Ticket). In our opinion, the Skyline Tour isn’t really worth the extra cost.
What You Should Know About the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus in Frankfurt
There is only one provider for hop-on/hop-off buses in Frankfurt: City Sightseeing Gray Line.
The provider has two routes: the City Tour and Skyline Tour. You can book either the City Tour on its own (Express Ticket) or both tours together (Grand Ticket).
The City Tour travels through the old town, Sachsenhausen, along the Main River, and through Westend. Here are the Frankfurt attractions you’ll pass directly from the bus:
- Paulskirche
- Main Riverbank
- Eiserner Steg
- Winx Tower
- Sachsenhausen
- Palmengarten
- Alte Oper
- Main Tower
- Goethe House
Buses on the City Tour run every 20–30 minutes.
The Skyline Tour additionally circles the city center, runs along the other side of the Main riverbank, and passes a few more skyscrapers. On this route you’ll spot two more highlights:
- Börse (Stock Exchange)
- Gutleutviertel
There are no fixed departure times listed for the Skyline Tour. As a general rule, buses depart from across the street from the City Tour starting point, shortly after the City Tour buses arrive there.
For both tours combined, there’s also a family ticket for up to two adults and three children. This ticket is only available on the official website. Individual tickets are also available on GetYourGuide:
Book the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus in Frankfurt online
Is the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus in Frankfurt Worth It?
Honestly, the Frankfurt hop-on/hop-off bus is most worth it if you’re visiting Frankfurt for the first time.
It takes you past most of the major attractions and gives you a quick overview of the city without a lot of effort.
We especially recommend the City Tour, i.e. the Express Ticket. It covers all the key highlights. The Skyline Tour (included in the Grand Ticket) doesn’t add a whole lot in our view — but it’s a cool bonus if you have extra time to spare.
Hop-on/Hop-off Bus in Frankfurt: Overview
To give you a clear picture of the Frankfurt sightseeing bus — routes, prices, and all — here’s a quick table with the most important information.
| Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Frankfurt | |
|---|---|
| Price for 24 hrs. | from 21 € |
| Children free | up to 5 years |
| City pass discount | 20% with the Frankfurt Card |
| Combo option | - |
| Routes | 2 routes |
| Stops | 13 (City Tour) 16 (Skyline Tour) |
| Frequency | every 20–30 minutes |
| Operating hours | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Audio guide | German |
| Link to ticket | Get tickets |
Hop-on/Hop-off with the Frankfurt Card
The Frankfurt Card is the city pass for Frankfurt. With it, you can visit a number of attractions for free and get up to 50% off admission at others. The card also includes a 20% discount on the hop-on/hop-off bus in Frankfurt.
You can book the Frankfurt Card either with public transportation (from €12) or without (from €6). The hop-on/hop-off discount is included in both options.
Whether the card is worth it depends entirely on your plans for the trip. But as soon as you want to use the Frankfurt bus tour with the card and also visit, say, the Städel Museum or the Schirn Kunsthalle, the card more than pays for itself.
Book the Frankfurt Card online
Hop-on/Hop-off Tours in Frankfurt: Our Tips
While you can see a lot from the bus, you’ll still want to hop off at a few stops to reach some of the most important attractions.
Below we’ll tell you which stops are worth getting off at and what you can combine nearby. For more detail on each sight, check out our article about the 22 most beautiful attractions in Frankfurt. And on the provider’s official website, you can view all the stops on a map.
Stop at Paulskirche
The hop-on/hop-off tour in Frankfurt starts at the Paulskirche. From here, you can easily take in a few nearby attractions that the bus doesn’t pass by.
The Kleinmarkthalle is just a few minutes’ walk from the stop. While you’re in the area, you can also swing by the ASTOR Filmlounge if you’re a movie fan, and check out the City Beach.
Stop at the Römer
The bus stops near the Römer, but you can’t actually see it from the bus itself. Get off here and you can walk there in two minutes.
From there, it’s easy to make a short loop and also visit the Museum of Modern Art, the Kaiserdom, and the Schirn Kunsthalle.
Stop at Goethe House
If you’re hopping off at Goethe House to visit the historic home where Goethe was born, it’s super easy to combine with a visit to the Johannes Gutenberg Monument.
The monument is just a three-minute walk away.
Tickets for Goethe House are available on-site.
Our Verdict on the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus in Frankfurt
The hop-on/hop-off bus in Frankfurt is a great way to explore the city if you’re here for the first time. It passes by almost all of the major attractions, and you have plenty of chances to hop off and explore further on your own.
Since there’s only one hop-on/hop-off provider in Frankfurt, the decision is simple. You just need to choose between one route or both.
We’d go with the City Tour without the Skyline Tour. In our view, the Skyline Tour isn’t really worth the extra cost — the City Tour already covers all the key highlights.
Book the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus in Frankfurt online
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus in Frankfurt
Should I buy my hop-on/hop-off ticket in advance?
Yes — you should definitely buy the ticket in advance.
Hop-on/hop-off bus tickets in Frankfurt are cheaper online than on-site. And you don’t need to stress about cancellation — tickets can be canceled up to 24 hours before your tour.
Is the hop-on/hop-off tour in Frankfurt wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Gray Line buses are designed to be wheelchair accessible.
Is the hop-on/hop-off bus in Frankfurt suitable for kids?
Totally! The hop-on/hop-off bus in Frankfurt is a great choice with kids. Little ones love the red double-deckers, and children up to age five even ride for free.
If your kids are a bit older, there’s a family ticket that covers up to two adults and three children.
Just keep in mind there are no special extras for kids on board.
Are there alternatives to the hop-on/hop-off bus in Frankfurt?
Instead of a hop-on/hop-off tour, you could take a boat tour through Frankfurt.
It’s a great alternative — you can’t hop off along the way, but you’ll still pass by many of the city’s top attractions from a completely different perspective.
Are the hop-on/hop-off buses included in the Frankfurt Card?
The Frankfurt Card gives you a 20% discount on both the City and Skyline Tour. On top of that, it also lets you use public transit for free.
