Heading to Trier and want to know the best way from Frankfurt? Or need to go from Trier to Frankfurt airport? Whichever way you want to travel, we can help!
While it’s not far from Frankfurt to Trier, this journey can seem complicated – at least until you take it step-by-step. It’s actually quite straightforward with many people taking this trip every day.
Below, I break up exactly how to get to Frankfurt to Trier or Frankfurt airport to Trier so you know exactly what you need to do, when, whether you are looking for a Frankfurt Trier train or a bus Frankfurt Trier. This way, you will be exploring Trier as quickly as possible!
I also describe the reverse journey from Trier to Frankfurt.
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Map: Frankfurt To Trier
This map shows you the distance from Trier to Frankfurt, so that you can know how to get to one destination from the other.
Trier and Frankfurt are 201 kilometers apart from one another with a driving time of about 2.5 hours.
BEST OPTION: How To Get From Frankfurt To Trier Germany
There are many ways that you can travel from Frankfurt to Trier. The cheapest options are to travel by bus or train, although it will take you a bit longer.
If you prefer convenience and timeliness, you should travel by private car. Just keep in mind that it’s going to cost you if you need to hire one.
Option 1: Train From Frankfurt To Trier Germany
Traveling from Frankfurt to Trier by train is one of the easiest options available, although it is also one of the slower options. There are three train stations that leave from Frankfurt, and they head into two locations within Trier.
Your options for leaving from Frankfurt include Frankfurt am Main Flughafen, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, and Frankfurt (Main) Süd. From any of these stations, you can ride into Trier Hbf or Trier Süd.
In either case, the trip will take you about 3.5-4 hours. Trains leave approximately every hour, with some stations staying open later than others.
In most cases, you will be required to change trains once along your journey. Two train changes are also quite common. In some cases, you may be required to change trains up to 3 or 4 times during your journey. In rare cases, your trip may be a straight shot and you won’t have to change trains at all.
Transfers generally occur at Koblenz Hbf, but they may also occur at Limburg Süd, Limburg an der Lahn, ZOB Süd, or Trier Hbf.
I recommend you pick a trip with only one change.
Prices are fair, but vary quite a bit depending on your starting and ending locations, time of day, number of transfers, as well as the class you’re sitting in. You can choose from non-refundable and refundable tickets, as well as first or second class. Tickets tend to vary from 25 euros to 60 euros per person.
Tickets are usually cheaper if you book them ahead of time so book as soon as you know you want to go.
Click here to find all train options and prices.
A train trip from Frankfurt to Trier can take up to 2 hours longer than if you traveled by car. Still, it can be worth it if you don’t want to deal with the traffic since you don’t have to deal with that on a train. Frankfurt to Trier traffic — Frankfurt in particular — can be a bit overwhelming.
Option 2: Train From Frankfurt Airport To Trier
If you’re traveling to Frankfurt by plane, you’re in luck because the airport has its own train station within the airport: the Flughafen Regionalbf. This makes it very easy to travel from Frankfurt airport to Trier by train.
In most cases, taking the train from Frankfurt main airport to Trier will take just as long — if not longer — than traveling through either of the other train stations.
In most cases, it will only take about 4 hours to take the train from Frankfurt main airport to Trier. This journey is accomplished by only making one transfer at the Koblenz Hbf train station.
Prices vary from about 40 euros to about 65 euros depending on which kind of ticket you choose. The cheapest tickets do not include cancellation or city tickets. By upgrading, you can protect your trip with free cancellation, you can reserve a seat, and you can have your selection of trains.
Again, the best prices are generally found by booking ahead.
Click here to find your perfect ticket (and see the latest prices) now.
Option 3: Bus From Frankfurt To Trier
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, consider traveling from Frankfurt to Trier by bus.
One bus company, Flixbus, will pick you up at Frankfurt central station and drop you off at Kurenzer St. You will be required to stop at Kaiserslautern which will last for a little over an hour. Overall, the trip will take about 4.5-5 hours.
Ticket prices vary depending on which day of the week you’re traveling. Tickets for Monday through Thursday are generally about 5-10 euros cheaper than when you’re traveling on the weekend. Regardless of whether you’re traveling during the week or over the weekend, your bus ticket is likely to be about half the price of a train ticket.
The downside to taking Flixbus Frankfurt-Trier is that you’ll need to book your ticket at least one month in advance as they sell out quickly. However, one trip is usually offered every day. Your trip will usually begin in the late morning and end in the early afternoon.
Click here to find the latest times and prices.
Another option is to grab a bus after getting off your plane at the Frankfurt airport. Just as the airport has its own train station, it also has its own bus station. The bus leaves the station about once every 4 hours.
However, you need to be careful scheduling this. The bus from the airport will take you about 50 minutes to Mannheim central bus station. The Mannheim central bus station only makes one trip to Trier once a week, and the trip takes about 3.5 hours.
Option 4: Frankfurt To Trier By Car
Of course, if you don’t want to be bothered with public transportation, you can always travel from Frankfurt to Trier by car.
Traveling by car is by far the fastest option on this list. Although the two cities are about 200 km away, it will only take you about 2.5 hours to drive either way.
It is not difficult driving between the two cities because it is mostly a straight shot. You will spend about 2 hours, or 187 km, on the interstate traveling to Trier. Traffic may be worse during holidays or rush hour, but overall, traffic seems to be okay.
Even if you don’t live near the area, driving a car is still a valuable option. If you feel comfortable, you can carpool with other passengers using BlaBlaCar. This is the cheapest option as you can usually travel from Frankfurt to Trier for under 20 euros.
If you prefer taking a private car, you can always rent one in Frankfurt to take on your trip to Trier. If you’re flying into Frankfurt, you’re in luck as the airport has their own rental car company. They are open every single day with 24-hour returns. This can be the more expensive option. However, you will have more freedom and privacy.
This is how we travel to Trier and were able to stop and explore Cochem and the Rhine Valley on the way.
Click here to find the latest car rental prices.
You could also choose to take a taxi, but that’s going to be expensive as well. It will likely cost you a couple hundred euros to travel from Frankfurt to Trier, but this is preferred to getting a rental car if you don’t need a car your entire trip.
Click here to find taxi prices.
Trier To Frankfurt
When it’s time to travel back to Frankfurt from Trier, you can basically choose either of the options above. The Trier to Frankfurt train leaves from Trier Hbf about once every hour and drops you off at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf. Most of these routes take the same amount of time as it does going the opposite direction: about 3-4 hours. Most trips have one transfer at Koblenz Hbf, but some trips may have up to 4 transfers.
Click here to find latest train timetables and prices.
You also have the option to reach the airport by train. Trier-Frankfurt airport can be reached in just 2.5-4 hours by train. If you’re flying home, this may be a good way to leave Trier. Frankfurt airport has its own train station within the airport to make all your travel simple.
Click here to find latest train timetables and prices.
You also have the option to travel by bus. Trier-Frankfurt are only about 3.5 hours away from each other when traveling by bus. This option is also significantly cheaper than taking the train. You’ll catch a bus at Trier central train station. You will have one stop at the Mannheim central bus station, and then you’ll arrive at the Frankfurt central train station.
Click here to find bus timetables.
Of course, you always have the option to travel by car, whether you use your own car, use a rental, or grab a taxi.
Click here to find the best car rental.
Final Words
Now you know all of the best ways to travel from Trier to Frankfurt and vice versa. There are a number of options to choose from which should make your trip easy and stress free.
If you’re on a budget, your best bet will be to take the bus or catch a ride share service.
The train is another cheap and quick option if you don’t want to take a vehicle.
The easiest and quickest way is to drive yourself.
I hope you found this guide to how to travel from Frankfurt to Trier useful. You can find our complete travel guide to Frankfurt here and Trier here or read more about visiting the western part of Germany here.
