If you are going to USA and its a day or evening flight, you'll need 3+ hours to get through check-in and 2 security check points.

You are correct about FRA as my own experience on 6/26 proved. First flights out need only be there 2 hours in advance if that. BA's check-in was open at 5:30, but UA and Lufthansa took there sweet time opening 4 counter positions at 6:00am even though about 50 people had gathered. Once open, things moved fast.

The most time you'll spend first thing in the morning at FRA is walking, not waiting if my own experience is any guide.

The 2 checks are not both security. One is German passport control and the other is actually security with xray machines, etc. You'll also have to show the idiot airline people your boarding pass and passport one or two more times after they know it's already been checked.

I can believe that a 3pm flight would run into more problems and might need more time, but I sure wish people would refrain from giving one-size-fits-all advice regarding airport checkin times. All Business travellers know Monday mornings and Friday afternoons are bad at every airport, etc. etc. But beyond that your mileage may vary.

Oh yeah, and the best part about FRA is that unlike most airports, once you're through passport control, there are no more restaurants or shops. You're choices will be vending machines or an airline club lounge if you are eligible.

"The 2 checks are not both security."

When traveling to the US at Frankfurt you will have to go through the primary security screening, passport (immigration) control, and also a secondary security screening that can take almost an hour in itself.

"Oh yeah, and the best part about FRA is that unlike most airports, once you're through passport control, there are no more restaurants or shops."

There are certainly shops and restaurants on the airside of the terminal, especially in Terminal 1. However, if you are in Terminal 2 traveling to the US they may be extremely few or none.

My friend just flew from FRA to PDX...he said the 2 hours was plenty. I did the trip in November and need every bit of the 2 hours. It is just like home...sometimes security is so light and other times they are lined up down the entire length of the airport. You were probably one of the first flights out for the day so that is why they were not open yet. I do know that most flights stop after 1 am at FRA.

Marco, I respectfully submit that you are incorrect.

- Passport control is not a security check per se as the Police manning the station only care about your Passport. Maybe it's just me, but security implies more than a passport check.

- Funny that you first state there are certainly shops, but then qualify to state there are few or none???

I can tell you from personally looking and asking numerous FRA airport staff that once you are through the 'checks' and are 'airside' there are no shops. After 30 years flying countless miles I think I am able to locate a shop or restaurant if one exists. And gee, given the lousy advice I received that got me to the airport so early, I had several hours to do so - no luck.

Don't believe me? That's okay, find out for yourself.

"Marco, I respectfully submit that you are incorrect.

- Passport control is not a security check per se as the Police manning the station only care about your Passport. Maybe it's just me, but security implies more than a passport check."

That's correct, I stated that there was immigration (passport control), besides the security checks.

"- Funny that you first state there are certainly shops, but then qualify to state there are few or none???"

I usually use Terminal 1A,B,C. There a lots of shops airside in them on the departures level, and as I don't believe I've ever been in Termonal 2 except to pick up an arriving passenger, I don't really know, but the airport's website indicates that there are some. However, once you pass secondary security control for the US (and possibly also for the UK and Israel as I've never flown from Frankfurt to either) there will be no shops.

"I can tell you from personally looking and asking numerous FRA airport staff that once you are through the 'checks' and are 'airside' there are no shops."

That would be if you have passed the special secondary screening as I just stated above. Otherwise, there are plenty, unless you are in Terminal 2 where security procedures are different, I believe security checks at the departure gates themselves.

"After 30 years flying countless miles I think I am able to locate a shop or restaurant if one exists. And gee, given the lousy advice I received that got me to the airport so early, I had several hours to do so - no luck.

Don't believe me? That's okay, find out for yourself.

"

I've used the Frankfurt Airport several times a year for over 7 years and infrequently before that and have never had problems finding shops or restaurants airside.

The advice given to you to be at the airport 3 hours early was excellent, that is a safe amount of time to check in, and go through the two security checks at busy hours. I don't believe that you ever stated what time your flight was and from which terminal or airline, date, etc., most to the US will probably be between 10AM and 4PM, a time when the airport is certainly busy.

I'm certain if many people posting here would give adequate information that they would receive more informative answers.

Actually FRAPORT are busily rebuilding T2 airside to include a lot more shops. When I was in T2 in mid June there was an awful lot of work in progress, but some of the new shops are already open and there are more to come.

As part of the rebuilding the security scanners are being grouped to cover 3 or 4 gates. I haven't seen enough of the place without the builders hoardings to work out what the pattern is.