Wait time at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) varies between 10 and 25 minutes on average, but may extend up to 30-45 minutes in peak hours. Most crowded times include 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, whereas 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM are relatively quick. Arrive 2 hours before Schengen/domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the most busy airport in Germany and one of the biggest in Europe, accommodating millions of people every year. With such number of people, there is always a chance to face security lines. This guide provides information on the current wait time situation, differences in terms of terminals, and tips to pass security quickly.
Current Security Wait Times at FRA
During an average day, security checks at the Frankfurt Airport usually last between 10 and 25 minutes. During low volume times, people can be processed in less than 10 minutes. During peak volume times (early morning weekdays, afternoons on Fridays, or evenings on Sundays), wait times can easily exceed 30 minutes; during summer months, the Christmas period, or Frankfurt Messe (trade fair) times going even higher, up to 45 minutes.
The reason is that Frankfurt Airport is not only serving Schengen area traffic but also the rest of the world; thus, security waiting times also depend on the specific gate/terminal being used.
Wait Times by Terminal
Frankfurt Airport consists of two main terminals, each having its own gates and typical wait times.
- Terminal 1 is the bigger of the two and is used as the main hub for Lufthansa and Star Alliance partners in Concourses A, B, C, and Z. Given that this terminal is very busy, security checkpoint queues in Terminal 1, especially in Concourse B, can be very long and unpredictable, particularly during the morning departure bank of Lufthansa flights.
- Terminal 2 is used by Oneworld, SkyTeam, and other international airlines in Concourses D and E. In comparison to Terminal 1, Terminal 2 has a relatively simple layout and shorter queue lines, although things might change fast around big international departure banks.
There is an automated train system called SkyLine connecting both terminals; it operates once every 2–5 minutes, and the travel time is 4 minutes, something you might want to remember if you are going to connect between terminals.
Best And Worst Time To Go Through Security Check-in
If time is not a concern for you and your schedule permits it, arriving at the airport at certain times may help decrease your wait period.
Best times to fly through security:
- 5:00 – 6:00 AM
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays, when there is the least amount of travelers
Least favorable times:
- 6:00 – 9:00 AM (peak hour for business travelers and flights going overseas)
- 4:00 – 7:00 PM (afternoon departure peak hour)
- Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings
- Summer vacation period, Christmas & New Year holiday period, and days of trade fairs
When to Get to FRA Airport?
The recommended times of arrival at FRA airport differ depending on the type of flight you have:
- Domestic and Schengen flights: 2 hours before the flight
- International (non-Schengen) flights: 3 hours before the flight
- During peak seasons or holidays: Add 30 minutes to any of the above estimates
Besides the extra time necessary due to security screening, this will ensure that you have enough time to check in, drop your luggage, and, for international non-Schengen travelers, go through immigration and customs clearance procedures.
Tips to Make Your Security Checkpoint Experience Easier
Some simple actions may speed up your passage through security control checkpoints:
- Check in for your flight online and use your mobile boarding pass: This way you can get to the security checkpoint directly without going through the check-in counter first.
- Use Fast Track lane when available: There are priority or fast-track security lanes at some of the FRA airport checkpoints.
- Consider equivalent TSA PreCheck and accelerated screening programs. Registered travelers and those who have Priority Pass access to faster lanes are likely to see significant reductions in their queue times.
- Prepare efficiently. Place all liquids, electronics, and metallic materials in an easy-to-access place, remembering that some of the latest checkpoints at FRA feature walk-through machines where passengers may wear coats and carry smaller metallic objects without problems. The availability of this facility depends on the lane, so you should look at the information provided at the particular checkpoint.
- Try to avoid obvious peaks. Should there be a possibility, try booking your flight for midday instead of the early morning or late night hours.
- Consult real-time queue time estimators before heading to the airport. There are several websites and mobile apps that provide up-to-date information on security line wait times for each terminal and checkpoint.
Conclusion
A security check at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) takes 10-25 minutes usually, but may require 30-45 minutes on peak times from 6 to 9 AM, 4 to 7 PM, Fridays in the afternoon, Sundays in the evening, as well as in summer season and during holidays/trade fairs. Tuesday, Wednesday, and the time period of 11 AM – 2 PM will be the most convenient. Terminal 2 (Oneworld/SkyTeam) has shorter queues in comparison with Terminal 1 (Lufthansa/Star Alliance). Passengers need to come to FRA 2 hours earlier for domestic/Schengen flights and 3 hours for international flights, taking into account extra 30 minutes on peak times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under normal circumstances, the wait time at FRA security checkpoint falls in the range of 10 to 25 minutes. In the busiest times (from 6:00 to 9:00 AM and from 4:00 to 7:00 PM) or during peak holiday travel periods, the security wait time may increase to 30-45 minutes or even exceed that. To get the most up-to-date information on your travel day, use a live airport wait-time tracker.
Terminal 2 (D/E Concourses) has shorter and more reliable security lines than Terminal 1 (A/B/C/Z Concourses), mainly due to the lower number of passengers there than in Terminal 1, who are primarily traveling with Lufthansa and Star Alliance. However, keep in mind that security lines in both terminals can become extremely crowded due to departure banks.
Get to the airport at least 2 hours before your domestic or Schengen flight and 3 hours before your international flight. During summer and the Christmas/New Year period or when there is a Frankfurt trade fair going on, get to the airport an additional 30 minutes earlier to account for the long queues at security and immigration.
Yes. Frankfurt International Airport has priority and fast-track security lanes available at certain security checkpoints at both terminals. In addition to that, some expedited screenings depend on your flight class, frequent flyer program membership, or lounge access.
The busy security periods consist of morning time on weekdays, which starts at 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and evening time between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. In addition, the busiest times include Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. The slowest periods for security are Tuesday and Wednesday, and the midday period from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.