YAPC::Europe 2012

Frankfurt am Main is relatively close to the center of Germany.

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The ways to reach it are

• By airplane

If you come to YAPC::Europe from somewhat abroad, taking an airplane to Frankfurt Airport (IATA code "FRA") is the recommended way of getting to Frankfurt. It is the central hub of Lufthansa / Star Alliance and serviced by many other airlines as well. The airport is about 30 minutes away from the city center by train. Another airport , somewhat misleadingly named Frankfurt-Hahn Airport is located at almost equal distance from Frankfurt am Main and Luxemburg, but is serviced by airlines that try to avoid the landing fees at Frankfurt Airport. A bus dives from there to Frankfurt Central Station ("Hauptbahnhof") in about two hours.

• By train

Many trains go through Frankfurt am Main. Of the three stations, "Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof" (Central Station) and "Frankfurt (Main) Südbahnhof" (South Station) are in or near the center of the city. The airport railway station "Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen Fernbahnhof" also has some ICE trains passing through and you can reach the city within 20 minutes by switching trains there. Arguably the best site to plan your train journey is [http://bahn.de/] , which even offers itineraries (but not fares) for foreign countries.

• By car

Frankfurt is close to the A5 , A3 and A66 highways. You will likely have little problem getting close to Frankfurt with your car, but make sure that you pick the right Frankfurt in your GPS navigation system. For driving into Frankfurt City you will need to have an "Umweltplakette", a green sticker that tells the cops that your car is "environment friendly". You can buy such stickers at this website. Getting caught in Frankfurt without it will cost you EUR 40, which you as a foreigner likely have to pay on the spot.