Check-in, Luggage and Controls

At Frankfurt Airport, you have numerous options to check in for your flight, drop off your luggage and go through security. The Fast Bag Drop allows you to independently check in for your flight and drop off your baggage at check-in kiosks and bag drop machines. This provides several advantages for you:

Online check-in

The easiest way to check in is online. Depending on the airline, you can check in for your flight from home or on your way to the airport, oftentimes many hours before your departure. This saves you time at the airport because you can select your seats and get your boarding passes in advance. Online check-in options and additional information are available with your airline.

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Evening-before check-in

Some airlines offer the option to check in at the airport on the evening before departure and to also drop off your baggage. If you choose to use this option, please remember to bring your identification documents and visa. Once you have checked in, you will receive your boarding pass, and when you arrive for your flight the next day you will be able to head straight to security.  
Some airlines may charge a service fee for checking in the evening before a departure. You can find all the information on evening-before check-in times, fees and other requirements with your airline.

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Check-in kiosk

Many airlines offer passengers the option to use self-service kiosks that allow them to independently check in for their flight, select their seats, print their boarding passes and, in some cases, even print out their baggage tags. Please check here to see whether your airline offers this option. If you choose to use the kiosks, please remember to bring your identification documents and, if necessary, visa. If you would rather not use a kiosk, many airlines also have a check-in desk with service staff available.

For those who have baggage to drop off, there are two options:

1. If you are able to print out your baggage tags yourself at the check-in kiosk, then you can head directly to the bag drop machines or your airline, which allow you to drop off your baggage independently.

2. If you are not able to print your baggage tags yourself, please go to your airline’s check-in desk.  

Contact-free travel with biometrics

Biometric facial recognition is a quick, practically-contact-free way to get through boarding pass checkpoints before security and at the gate. All it takes is a quick look at a screen, no boarding pass or smartphone necessary. All passengers traveling with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and SWISS can register (only available online) via the Star Alliance Biometrics app.

AiRail terminal check-in

Lufthansa Express Rail customers can quickly and easily check in for their flight and drop their baggage in the passage between the airport and the long-distance railway station. Afterwards, you can easily walk to the security control.

All luggage checked to the LH Express Bus (Strasbourg) and LH Express Rail (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Dortmund, etc.) can be collected at luggage station T in the long-distance railway station.

Carry-on luggage

Every airline has its own carry-on luggage policies regarding the exact dimensions. For more information, please enquire directly with your airline.

Liquids in carry-on luggage are limited to 100 ml per container and the containers must be packed in a resealable bag with a maximum volume of 1 liter - this applies for all security checkpoints (including CT scanners), please note the return to the known restrictions everywhere! Liquid baby food, medication and Duty-free shopping at airport may also be carried. Please be sure to observe the legal regulations for dangerous goods on what is allowed in carry-on luggage.

Checked luggage

Regulations on luggage allowances, excess baggage and oversize baggage vary by airline. For more information, please enquire directly with your airline. Please be sure to observe the dangerous goods for information on what is allowed in checked luggage. Before your luggage can be loaded onto a plane, it must be checked to ensure it meets aviation security standards. This is carried out in an automated process after the luggage has been dropped at the check-in area. In specific cases, pieces of baggage may be opened in your absence. Therefore, lock your suitcase as usual. However, we ask you please do not use padlocks. In the event that your baggage is opened, you will find a baggage inspection report inside.

Additional luggage services

At Frankfurt Airport there are many helpful baggage services, such as:

Baggage carts
Baggage wrapping
Baggage storage
Transportation boxes, e.g. for animals and bikes

To luggage services

Fast Bag Drop

At Frankfurt Airport, you have the option to drop off your checked baggage at the Fast Bag Drop independently. You can find out whether your airline offers this option and the respective locations in the airline information.

Please ensure that your luggage does not exceed the maximum dimensions of 85cm x 65cm x 45cm including wheels and handles.

When using the bag drop automats, please follow these steps:

1. Print out baggage tags at a separate check-in kiosk, even if you already have a digital boarding pass.

For the airlines Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Condor, Lufthansa and SWISS, there are machines to print out baggage tags right next to the bag drop automats, so you do not need to use the check-in kiosks.

2. Drop checked baggage independently at a bag drop automat

Once you have printed out the baggage tag, you can then go to a bag drop automat. Please remember to always carry your travel identification documents with you. Travelers with excess and oversize baggage as well as baggage containing VAT refund items are asked to please see a service agent at their airline’s counter.

If you would rather not use the bag drop automats, many airlines also have a check-in desk with service staff available.

New baggage service for Lufthansa passengers

Lufthansa passengers can now travel to the airport more relaxed. The Airportr baggage service picks up your baggage easily and conveniently from your home or another preferred location. It will be delivered safely to the airport, where it will be checked in directly for you. To book, enter your flight details, select your preferred time slot and pick-up location - and everything else will be taken care of for you. Your journey starts in a relaxed and comfortable way.

This offer is currently only available for Lufthansa passengers.

Book baggage service

Lost, Delayed or Damaged Luggage

In the event that your baggage does not appear on the baggage carousel or you discover damage to your bag while at the airport, you can report the bag to your airline as lost or damaged. Many airlines also offer the option to report lost or damaged baggage online. Please note that only the baggage tracing department of your airline is responsible for your checked baggage. The Lost and Found office at Frankfurt Airport cannot help with lost checked luggage.

Report lost luggage online

FRA SmartWay

By using this free service you can quickly and easily book a time slot for the security checkpoint. This booking then gives you exclusive access to the FRA SmartWay lane at the checkpoint, letting you avoid long wait times, which makes your time at the airport more relaxed and easier to plan.

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Security checkpoint

At the aviation security checkpoints, passengers are checked to ensure that they are not bringing items with them past security that do not comply with EU and/or IATA regulations.
Liquids in carry-on baggage are limited to 100 ml per container and the containers must be packed in a resealable bag with a maximum volume of 1 liter - this applies for all security checkpoints, including those equipped with CT technology.

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Security checkpoint for families

For families departing from Departure A

Frankfurt Airport has a special security checkpoint for families in Terminal 1, Departure A that is open all day. Use this checkpoint to ensure that your family vacation gets off to a safe, quick and stress-free start. Follow the signs to the A gates. The family security checkpoint is located 100 meters away from the normal checkpoint, right next to the Jack Wolfskin shop.

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Contact-free travel with biometrics

Biometric facial recognition is a quick, practically-contact-free way to get through boarding pass checkpoints before security and at the gate. All it takes is a quick look at a screen, no boarding pass or smartphone necessary. All passengers traveling with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and SWISS can make use of this service by registering online via the Star Alliance Biometrics app.

Border control

If you are travelling from or to a country that is a Schengen member, you will not need to go through border control. For destinations that are not Schengen member states, your passport will be checked.

The automatic passport control systems EasyPASS and EasyPASS-RTP allow EU citizens and other groups to get through border control quickly and easily.

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Customs regulations

Important notice about customs regulations upon arrival: You are allowed to bring souvenirs into the country duty-free, but only for your personal use or consumption, for your household or as a gift. There are specific amounts and values that cannot be exceeded. There are also additional rules, which even well-seasoned travelers should take note of.

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One last tip

If you do not have any baggage to drop off and you already have your boarding pass, you can proceed directly to the security checkpoint when you arrive at the airport on the day of departure. In order to speed up the process of going through security, you can book a free FRA SmartWay time slot to have access to a faster lane.

Get through security quickly

Limits on liquids in carry-on luggage

Check-in, Luggage and Controls

Online check-in

Evening-before check-in

Check-in kiosk

Contact-free travel with biometrics

AiRail terminal check-in

One last tip