Frankfurt Book Fair

The Frankfurt Book Fair 2028

The Frankfurter Buchmesse is the leading international book fair, the autumn meeting point for publishers, authors, agents and readers. Every October the exhibition grounds in western Frankfurt become a city of their own, with halls dedicated to fiction, non-fiction, comics, children's books, art and the business of rights and licences.

This page looks ahead to the 2028 edition, which is already confirmed in the event data and has a named guest of honour: Romania.

Dates and the guest of honour

The fair is listed from Wednesday 11 October to Sunday 15 October 2028, with confirmed status. As is usual, the first days are for trade visitors, and the public days fall at the end of the week, which would be Friday to Sunday, 13 to 15 October. The exact ticket categories and prices are announced by the fair, so check the official website closer to the date.

Romania as guest of honour means that the fair will present Romanian literature with a special pavilion and a cultural programme that usually extends into the city. That is a good reason for visitors interested in Eastern European writing to go in 2028.

Character and atmosphere

The weekdays have the feel of a business convention, with agents' tables, rights meetings and appointments in every hall. The weekend belongs to the public: families, young readers, authors on stage and, as in recent years, plenty of fans of fantasy and comics. Even for those who are not in the trade, wandering the halls is a way to see what the year's new books look like.

Because the fair is so large, it rewards preparation. Decide which halls you want and leave the rest, rather than trying to see everything in one day.

What to see, do and eat

Besides the fair, Frankfurt offers a compact programme for a city break. Walk along the Museumsufer on the Main, look at the Römer square, visit the cathedral tower and cross the Eiserner Steg for views of the skyline. The old Sachsenhausen quarter is the place for apple wine and regional food.

Try Grüne Soße, Handkäs mit Musik, Frankfurter Würstchen and, in autumn, a glass of Äppelwoi. On the fairground itself catering is plentiful but busy at lunchtime, so a snack before or after can save time.

Getting there and where to stay

The fairground is connected by the U4 line at Festhalle/Messe and by trams and S-Bahn from the main station. Frankfurt airport is one of Europe's largest, with an S-Bahn link to the centre, and the main station has direct ICE connections across Germany.

During the fair, hotel prices are high and availability is limited, so book as early as possible once you decide on dates. Mainz, Wiesbaden, Darmstadt and Offenbach are all within a short train ride and often cheaper.

Public holidays and vacation days in 2028

In Hessen, no public holiday falls between 11 and 15 October 2028. German Unity Day, 3 October, is a Tuesday that year, so many people will have taken Monday 2 October off, but that is more than a week before the fair. For the public days, Friday 13 to Sunday 15 October, one vacation day is needed, Friday 13 October. A full five-day visit from Wednesday would cost three vacation days, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. School autumn holidays in Hessen may touch the period, so look at the official calendar.

The 2028 edition suits readers, translators, students and families with older children, and anyone who wants to hear Romanian voices. As always, buy tickets from the official source and wear comfortable shoes.

Since the fair is still two years away, keep an eye on the organiser's announcements for ticket sales, the programme of the guest country and the opening hours of the public days.