score:5
You are correct, the station at Frankfurt airport is called Frankfurt(M)Flughafen. It is divided into two parts called Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf (for intercity trains) and Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Regionalbf (for regional trains). The DB website will recommend whatever option is best for you when you enter Frankfurt(M)Flughafen (most likely the Fernbf).
You can buy a ticket directly at the station for the Standard fare shown online. It is at the moment 76€ or 81€ depending on whether you want to be able to take an ICE train or not. The ticket is valid for any train for the day booked and the following day.
If you book an online ticket you don't need to do anything with it at the station, you can just board your train. It is advisable to have a printout of the ticket, but not mandatory.
When using an online ticket you need to have an identification card which you need to enter while booking and show the conductor when traveling. This can be any of the following:
An identification card (BahnCard, bahn.bonus Card, credit cards*, ec-card/Maestro or ID card**) for booking via Internet and as identification during fare controls on the train.
[...]
* American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, Visa or JCB
** The ID cards of the following countries can be used as identification on the train: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy and the Czech Republic.
Please note:
- Passports are not accepted as identification documents.
- For identification with ec-cards/Maestro, your bank must have its registered office in Germany.
Upvote:4
You are right, Frankfurt (M) Flughafen is the Airport railway station. It is very easy to get there, from Terminal 1, just 10 min walking, just follow the signs.
Normally, if you buy your tickets online at bahn.de 2-3 weeks before your trip, you can get a 29€ ticket.
The prices are depending on the train type:
ICE: (InterCityExpress) very fast train, less stops, train restaurant -> pricy
IC: (InterCity) Regional Train, more stops, train bistro
RE: (Regional Express) very slow train, many stops in small cities -> less pricy
If you book online you can pay with a Credit Card. You have to personalize your ticket (name, age, telephone number etc). You have to verify your identity with a creditcard or ID.
You have to print your online ticket. The printed ticket is as valid as the "official" ticket from the counter/ticket machine. You have to bring the ticket and the document you decided to identify with (Creditcards, Maestro, ID, etc). They often are accepting online tickets on smartphones, iPad, etc.
If you buy your ticket at the station, it will be 3 times pricier.
If you don't want to plan for 2 weeks, there is a last-minute option: ltur.de On this site you can find 27€ tickets from 1 day to 1 week before your trip. If the tickets are gone, they are gone. This website is using the same interface as bahn.de