Stuttgart Airport

Stuttgart Airport (STR), officially Flughafen Stuttgart, is the international airport serving Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Wurttemberg in southwestern Germany. Located approximately 13 km south of Stuttgart city center near the towns of Leinfelden-Echterdingen and Filderstadt, it is the sixth-busiest airport in Germany, handling around 12 million passengers annually.

The airport has four terminals arranged in a linear layout along a single building:

• Terminal 1: Main terminal for most scheduled airlines, including Lufthansa and Star Alliance partners
• Terminal 2: Adjacent to Terminal 1, handles overflow traffic and some charter operations
• Terminal 3: Low-cost carriers including Eurowings and Ryanair
• Terminal 4: Primarily used for charter flights and seasonal operations

All terminals are connected within a single building complex, making navigation straightforward. The central area between Terminals 1 and 3 houses check-in, shopping, and the main security checkpoint. After security, passengers can walk between all gate areas without additional screening.

Stuttgart Airport is notable for its convenient S-Bahn connection directly to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (main station) and its position as a gateway to the Black Forest region and Swabian Alps.

Stuttgart Airport is located 13 km south of Stuttgart city center, with direct S-Bahn train service making it easily accessible.

Typical travel times:

• Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (main station): 27 minutes by S-Bahn
• Stuttgart city center by taxi: 20-30 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Stuttgart Messe (trade fair): 8 minutes by S-Bahn
• Esslingen: 20 minutes by S-Bahn

The S-Bahn station is located directly beneath Terminal 1, accessible via escalators from the arrivals level. The airport is also connected to the A8 motorway for drivers.

Uber

Uber operates at Stuttgart Airport with standard service.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare area outside Terminal 1 arrivals
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort
• Fares to city center: EUR 25-40 depending on destination and demand

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside all terminal exits. All German taxis are metered and accept credit cards.

Destination	Fare	Time
Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof	EUR 35-45	20-30 min
Stuttgart city center	EUR 30-45	20-30 min
Stuttgart Messe	EUR 12-18	5-10 min
Esslingen	EUR 35-45	20-25 min
Tubingen	EUR 55-70	30-40 min

Tip: The S-Bahn offers significantly better value for city center travel at a fraction of taxi costs.

Bolt and FREE NOW

Both Bolt and FREE NOW (formerly mytaxi) apps operate in Stuttgart and often offer competitive rates compared to traditional taxis.

S-Bahn (S2 and S3 Lines)

The Stuttgart S-Bahn connects the airport directly to the city center. The station is located beneath Terminal 1.

To Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (Central Station):

1. Follow signs to "S-Bahn" in Terminal 1 arrivals (level 0)
2. Take S2 (direction Schorndorf) or S3 (direction Backnang)
3. Exit at Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (6 stops, 27 minutes)

Ticket Type	Price
Single adult (zones 1-4)	EUR 5.20
Day ticket (Stuttgart zone)	EUR 7.90
StuttCard (24/48/72 hours)	EUR 21/31/41 (includes attractions)

Frequency: Every 10 minutes (peak) / Every 20 minutes (off-peak) Operating hours: 04:30-00:30 (night buses available after midnight)

Airport Bus

Airport Sprinter X3 provides express bus service:

• Route: Airport to Stuttgart Central Bus Station
• Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
• Journey time: 30 minutes
• Fare: EUR 5.20

Long-Distance Connections

Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof connects to:

Destination	Train Type	Journey Time	Frequency
Frankfurt	ICE	1h 15min	Hourly
Munich	ICE	2h 15min	Hourly
Zurich	ICE	3h	Several daily
Paris	TGV	3h 30min	Several daily

Stuttgart Airport offers multiple parking options with online booking discounts.

Terminal Parking

Facility	Location	Rate
P0 (Short-term)	Terminal 1	EUR 6/hour, max EUR 49/day
P2 (Covered)	Terminal 3	From EUR 12/day (online)
P4/P5 (Long-term)	5-min walk	From EUR 8/day (online)
P6 (Economy)	Free shuttle	From EUR 6/day (online)

Tips:

• Book online at flughafen-stuttgart.de for discounts up to 50%
• Electric vehicle charging available in P0, P2, and P4
• First 20 minutes free in P0 for drop-off
• Covered parking recommended for extended stays

Stuttgart Airport offers a variety of dining options with both German and international cuisine.

Landside (Before Security)

• Burger King: Fast food classics
• Nordsee: German seafood chain, fish sandwiches
• Kamps Backstube: German bakery, pretzels, pastries, and coffee
• Dean & David: Healthy salads and bowls

Airside (After Security)

• Marche Movenpick: Swiss-inspired fresh market restaurant, one of the best airport dining options
• Sansibar: Popular German wine bar and restaurant, Sylt-inspired cuisine
• Hans im Gluck: German gourmet burger chain
• McDonald's: Fast food
• Starbucks: Coffee and snacks

Terminal 3

• Brezelkonig: Fresh Swabian pretzels and bakery items
• Asia Quick: Asian fast food

Budget tip: Kamps bakery offers affordable Swabian pretzels (Brezeln) and sandwiches. The Edeka supermarket (landside) sells provisions for budget-conscious travelers.

Local specialty: Try a Swabian pretzel (Laugenbrezel) with butter, a regional favorite.

Free WiFi is available throughout Stuttgart Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	Telekom_FreeWiFi
Registration	None required
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Adequate for browsing and email, streaming may be limited

For faster connections, airline lounges offer premium WiFi access.

SIM cards are available at the airport, with more options in the city center.

Airport Locations

• Telekom Shop (Terminal 1): German carrier, prepaid SIM cards
• Vodafone (Terminal 1): Prepaid options available
• Press & Books: Basic prepaid SIM cards

Pricing

Provider	Price	Data
Telekom	From EUR 10	3 GB
Vodafone	From EUR 10	3 GB
O2	From EUR 10	3 GB
Aldi Talk	From EUR 8	Budget option (available in city)

Note: EU roaming is included on all German SIM cards. For better prices and more options, visit electronics stores like MediaMarkt in the city center.

ATMs are located throughout all terminals in both landside and airside areas. Major German and international banks have machines available.

Currency

• Germany: Euro (EUR)
• The Eurozone currency is used throughout Germany

ATM Locations

• Terminal 1: Multiple ATMs near check-in and arrivals
• Terminal 3: ATMs near security checkpoint
• Airside: ATMs available in departure areas

Currency Exchange

Reisebank counters are located in Terminal 1 arrivals. However, airport exchange rates include significant markups.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw EUR from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Germany is increasingly card-friendly, though cash is still more common than in Northern Europe
• Many smaller shops and restaurants prefer cash
• Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates

Tip: Germans often prefer cash (Bargeld) for smaller purchases. Carry some euros for small transactions.

Stuttgart Airport offers a range of shopping options focused on travel essentials and German products.

Duty-Free

• Heinemann Duty Free (Terminals 1 and 3): Main duty-free operator with spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, and confectionery
• Tax-free savings: Up to 30-50% on alcohol and tobacco for non-EU travelers

German Products

• BOSS Store: Hugo Boss (founded in nearby Metzingen)
• Steiff Gallery: Famous German teddy bears and plush toys
• WMF: German kitchenware and cutlery
• Rituals: Cosmetics and home fragrances

Other Shops

• Relay: Newsagent, magazines, books
• Victoria's Secret: Cosmetics and accessories
• Swarovski: Crystal jewelry

Tips

• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds (19% German VAT) on purchases over EUR 50
• Hugo Boss outlet in nearby Metzingen (30 minutes by car) offers better prices
• Best shopping selection is airside in Terminal 1

Stuttgart Airport has several lounge options, with airline-specific and independent access available.

Lufthansa Lounges

Lufthansa Business Lounge (Terminal 1, Schengen):

• Access: Lufthansa/Star Alliance Business Class, Senator/HON Circle status, Miles & More frequent flyer card holders
• Hours: Opens 2 hours before first Lufthansa departure
• Amenities: Hot and cold buffet, drinks, workstations, quiet areas
• Quality: Standard Lufthansa quality with German efficiency

Lufthansa Senator Lounge (Terminal 1):

• Access: Lufthansa Senator, HON Circle, Star Alliance Gold flying Business
• Amenities: Premium food selection, dedicated service

Priority Pass Lounges

Airport Lounge World (Terminal 1, Schengen):

• Location: Central departure area
• Hours: 06:00-21:00
• Amenities: Buffet, bar, newspapers, workstations
• Notes: Standard independent lounge, can get busy during peak hours

Airport Lounge World (Terminal 3):

• Location: Near low-cost carrier gates
• Hours: 06:00-21:00
• Amenities: Similar to Terminal 1 lounge
• Notes: Useful for Eurowings and Ryanair passengers

Pay-Per-Entry

Day passes available for EUR 35-45 at lounge entrances. Book online for discounts.

Several hotels are located at or near Stuttgart Airport.

At the Airport

Moxy Stuttgart Airport/Messe

• Connected to Terminal 1 via covered walkway
• 3-star Marriott brand, modern design
• From EUR 90/night

Wyndham Stuttgart Airport Messe

• 5-minute walk from terminals
• 4-star, business-focused
• Conference facilities, restaurant
• From EUR 110/night

Near the Airport

• Parkhotel Stuttgart Messe-Airport: 4-star, 5 minutes by shuttle, from EUR 100/night
• Holiday Inn Stuttgart Airport: Free shuttle, from EUR 85/night
• B&B Hotel Stuttgart-Airport/Messe: Budget-friendly, from EUR 60/night
• Ibis Stuttgart Airport Messe: Budget option, from EUR 65/night

Transit/Nap Options

• DB Lounge (Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof): For long layovers with city exploration, rest areas for Deutsche Bahn customers
• Quiet seating areas available throughout airport terminals

Tip: For longer layovers, consider taking the S-Bahn to Stuttgart city center where more accommodation options and attractions are available.

Stuttgart is the capital of Baden-Wurttemberg, known as the birthplace of the automobile and home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. The city combines industrial heritage with green spaces, excellent wine, and Swabian cuisine.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Mercedes-Benz Museum	25 min	S-Bahn to Neckarpark
Porsche Museum	30 min	S-Bahn to Neuwirtshaus
Schlossplatz (city center)	30 min	S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof + walk
Wilhelma Zoo	35 min	S-Bahn to Wilhelma
Esslingen Old Town	40 min	S-Bahn to Esslingen

Travel Tips

• Purchase a StuttCard for unlimited transit and museum discounts
• Stuttgart has excellent public transit; parking in the city center is expensive
• The Stafele (outdoor staircases) connect hilltop neighborhoods and offer great views
• Shops are closed on Sundays (German law)
• Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner (14:00-18:00)

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Visit Schlossplatz and the pedestrian shopping area
• 6-hour layover: Add the Mercedes-Benz Museum (one of the best automotive museums in the world)
• 8+ hour layover: Combine Mercedes-Benz Museum with Porsche Museum, or explore the medieval town of Esslingen

Day Trips from Stuttgart

• Black Forest (Schwarzwald): 1 hour by car, hiking, scenic drives, cuckoo clocks
• Tubingen: 30 min by train, picturesque university town with medieval old town
• Heidelberg: 1 hour by train, romantic castle ruins and old town
• Metzingen Outlet City: 30 min by car, Hugo Boss and designer outlets
• Lake Constance (Bodensee): 2 hours by train, lakeside towns and Alps views

Stuttgart Specialties

• Maultaschen: Swabian pasta pockets (similar to ravioli), filled with meat and spinach
• Spatzle: Egg noodles, often served with cheese (Kasespatzle)
• Zwiebelrostbraten: Roast beef with fried onions
• Trollinger and Lemberger: Local red wines from the Stuttgart region
• Brezel (Pretzel): Swabian pretzels are famous throughout Germany

Automotive Heritage

Stuttgart is the undisputed capital of German automotive engineering:

• Mercedes-Benz Museum: 9 floors spanning 130 years of automotive history, EUR 12 admission
• Porsche Museum: Sleek modern building showcasing Porsche's racing heritage, EUR 10 admission
• Both museums offer combined tickets and are accessible by S-Bahn