Germany - 7hr layover in FRA - no access to city, stuck in Airport

Hello ,

I am travelling on the 9th of March to Detroit and will have a 7hr layover at FRA from 0650 to 1350. I arrive and depart from Terminal 1.

I've searched the forums for similar topics and found a bunch. In a nutshell, it is recommended to go out to the city if there is a long layer over, such as mine. However, I don't have access to the city (as I must have a visa), though I am allowed to transit in FRA as I am a Green Card holder.

I checked other threads to see if anyone can guest me in any of the lounges. There doesn't seem to be anyone transiting same date and time. I heard/read there are one day pass to lounges but I don't know which one would be best. Any recommendations? I also know there is a Sheraton that I can have access to, which would be ideal because I'd want to go to the gym, shower and sleep however it's $250+ / night which isn't ideal for a 7hr stop.

I know there are 2 showers located in Terminal 1. Anyone tried those? What's the average wait line time, and what time would be best to go there given my time frame? Is there a time limit for the shower?

Lastly, is there a gym in the airport?

Any ideas on what else can be done is appreciated.

Hello ,

I am travelling on the 9th of March to Detroit and will have a 7hr layover at FRA from 0650 to 1350. I arrive and depart from Terminal 1.

I've searched the forums for similar topics and found a bunch. In a nutshell, it is recommended to go out to the city if there is a long layer over, such as mine. However, I don't have access to the city (as I must have a visa), though I am allowed to transit in FRA as I am a Green Card holder.

I checked other threads to see if anyone can guest me in any of the lounges. There doesn't seem to be anyone transiting same date and time. I heard/read there are one day pass to lounges but I don't know which one would be best. Any recommendations? I also know there is a Sheraton that I can have access to, which would be ideal because I'd want to go to the gym, shower and sleep however it's $250+ / night which isn't ideal for a 7hr stop.

I know there are 2 showers located in Terminal 1. Anyone tried those? What's the average wait line time, and what time would be best to go there given my time frame? Is there a time limit for the shower?

Lastly, is there a gym in the airport?

Any ideas on what else can be done is appreciated.
Hello again!

Unfortunately both the paid lounge (Admirals Club) and the Sheraton are landside and you will not be able to access them without a Schengen visa (if you need one).

You may want to check Frankfurt Airport's tranfer guide (http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/content/frankfurt_airport/en/checkin_luggage/transfers/faqs_tips.html) though without a visa what you can do may be very limited. :(

Hello again!

Unfortunately both the paid lounge (Admirals Club) and the Sheraton are landside and you will not be able to access them without a Schengen visa (if you need one).

You may want to check Frankfurt Airport's tranfer guide (http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/content/frankfurt_airport/en/checkin_luggage/transfers/faqs_tips.html) though without a visa what you can do may be very limited. :(

Thanks, already did. Not much can be done in the airport in the 7hr. :(

There is a casino airside, but not much else; 90% of the shops are landside, which requires clearing immigration. You mention that you are "allowed access" to the Sheraton, if that is true then you are "allowed access" to immigration (maybe some sort of day visa -- it sounds strange, and you should find out the facts -- being able to go landside makes it much more pleasant in FRA).

There is a casino airside, but not much else; 90% of the shops are landside, which requires clearing immigration. You mention that you are "allowed access" to the Sheraton, if that is true then you are "allowed access" to immigration (maybe some sort of day visa -- it sounds strange, and you should find out the facts -- being able to go landside makes it much more pleasant in FRA).

I thought I was allowed to the Sheraton but as NewbieRunner pointed out, it's landside, therefor I can't go in. A one day visa to Germany would be great, but I tried searching and it doesn't seem to exist. :|

A one day visa to Germany would be great, but I tried searching and it doesn't seem to exist. :|
According to this website (http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/03__FAQ/Visa/__FAQ__Visa.html) you are correct - unfortunately. :(

You need a regular tourist visa even for one day.

According to this website (http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/03__FAQ/Visa/__FAQ__Visa.html) you are correct - unfortunately. :(

You need a regular tourist visa even for one day.

This link says you need a "transit visa" if you are just changing planes in FRA. Is this true? I am somewhat paniced as I am leaving for PHL-FRA-IST and I only have a US passport, if I am only changing flights from US Air too Lufthansa do I need a visa? Thanks

This link says you need a "transit visa" if you are just changing planes in FRA. Is this true? I am somewhat paniced as I am leaving for PHL-FRA-IST and I only have a US passport, if I am only changing flights from US Air too Lufthansa do I need a visa? Thanks

If you hold a US passport, then needing a visa does not apply, therefore, this rule does not apply.

http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Visa.html

US citizens in possession of a valid US passport do not need a visa for airport transit, tourist or business trips (for stays up to 90 days). The passport must not expire before the end of the scheduled trip.

This link says you need a "transit visa" if you are just changing planes in FRA. Is this true? I am somewhat paniced as I am leaving for PHL-FRA-IST and I only have a US passport, if I am only changing flights from US Air too Lufthansa do I need a visa? Thanks
A list of countries/passports which require a transit visa (and exceptions) may be found here (http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Transit__Country__List__Visa.html).

If you are a US passport holder you don't need any visa to transit in or enter Germany.

A list of countries/passports which require a transit visa (and exceptions) may be found here (http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Transit__Country__List__Visa.html).

If you are a US passport holder you don't need any visa to transit in or enter Germany.

Whew! Thanks...