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Table of Contents:
How to get to Stuttgart from Stuttgart Airport
How to get to Stuttgart from Frankfurt
Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Garden
Other attractions in Stuttgart surroundings
When to travel to Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the administrative center of Baden-Wurttemberg and the largest city in the region. In addition, Stuttgart is considered to be an important industrial and cultural center of Germany. Geographically, Stuttgart is located in the center of Baden-Wurttemberg region, in the Neckar valley.
Its central location relatively close to other cities and resorts of Baden-Wurttemberg makes Stuttgart a convenient transport hub. Stuttgart has its own international airport, railway station and bus station. The approximate distance from Stuttgart to Baden-Baden is 110 km, to Heidelberg 120 km, to Freiburg 200 km, to Bodensee 180 km. I have travelled a lot around the region of Baden-Wurttemberg and I can confirm that the railway and road connections are developed excellently.
You can travel to Stuttgart any time of the year. The local climate is quite mild with warm springs and summers and rainy (rarely snowy) winters and colorful autumns. If your goal is strolling around and watching local attractions, you may choose any season of the year and each of them will have their own charm. In late autumn and in winter it is smart enough to have an umbrella or raincoat with you.
How to get to Stuttgart
Where do you fly into to get to Stuttgart? Stuttgart has its own international airport. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. Then you can reach Stuttgart from the airport by public transport or by renting a car. Also, the neighboring city – Frankfurt – has its own international airport too. You can fly to Frankfurt and then get to Stuttgart by train, by bus or by car.
How to get to Stuttgart from Stuttgart Airport
Stuttgart is situated 14 km away from the Stuttgart Airport and is connected to it with a highway # B27.
By public transport: Based on my thorough research, the city train (S-Bahn) runs to Stuttgart Central Railway Station from the Stuttgart Airport every 15 minutes per hour. Duration of the trip is 27 minutes. The station is located inside the terminal. You also may use a tram option. A tram stop is located opposite the arrival terminal. You need to catch a tram #U6. Duration of the trip usually takes 30 minutes. The trams run every 10 minutes during the day and arrive at the Main Station. Please be noted a ticket for 2 tariff zones must be purchased either if you travel by city train or by tram.
⇒You also can use the night bus line N8 in case you arrive in Stuttgart late at night or early morning. The Stuttgart Airport Bus terminal (SAB) is located near the Terminal #4 of Stuttgart Airport. It is situated at ground level beneath the newly built P14 car garage. In the city the bus stops at Schlossplatz.
By taxi: you can find a taxi car upon arrival, or book a car transfer in advance via the different booking services, for instance, at worldwide-known Kiwitaxi service or Intui.Travel service or other similar ones. In that case a transfer car will have already been waiting for you for the time of your arrival. I did some research and found out that both services have excellent reviews, that is why I can recommend them. For sure, there are a lot of other taxi services available at the airport.
◊Additionally, you can book a child car seat or booster if you travel with kids. Maximum waiting time at the point of arrival varies from 60 to 90 minutes after the landing. Approximate duration of a taxi ride is 25-40 minutes depending on the district you picked and the traffic conditions.
By renting a car: One more advisable way to travel in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. and then pick up a car at the airport.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Stuttgart Airport is connected to Stuttgart City Center with highway № B27 (see on the map).
How to get to Stuttgart from Frankfurt
Flights to Frankfurt are more frequent than flights to Stuttgart, but the distance between Frankfurt and Stuttgart is 200 km. Anyway, many tourists choose to fly to Frankfurt to get to the Baden-Wurttemberg region.
By train: Based on my research, the train from Frankfurt Airport to Stuttgart Central Station takes only an hour and a half. Frankfurt Airport has the Fernbahnhof train station, from which you can travel to various destinations, including Stuttgart. High-speed trains to Stuttgart run every two hours, starting at 7 am. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. Tickets to Stuttgart can be purchased online or at the ticket office of the Frankfurt railway station. I tried both variants and as a rule when booking online in advance I have more options available.
⇒As I found out, you can get to Stuttgart from Frankfurt not only from the airport, but also from the Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), located in the center of Frankfurt. From the Central Station, trains to Stuttgart run more frequently, approximately every 40 minutes, except at night. Alternatively, you can get from Frankfurt Airport to the Frankfurt Central Railway Station and then go to Stuttgart.
By bus: You can also use a bus, while the travel time takes about 3 hours or a little more. The main bus carrier operating in this direction is Flixbus. Buses depart from the Central Bus Station and from the Frankfurt Airport once an hour or a bit rarely, depending on the time of day. Check the bus timetable at the Flixbus online service. As I found out Flixbus is a pretty popular bus service in Europe and designed for cheaper trips with affordable prices.
By renting a car: Another popular way to travel between cities in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Frankfurt. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Frankfurt and Stuttgart are connected with highway # A6 (see on the map). I travelled along the autobahns from Frankfurt to the Baden-Wurttemberg region and I can confirm that the roads are pretty much comfortable and it is often the fastest way to get to the desired destination. Some roads can be paid though.
Where to stay in Stuttgart
I did some research and I can say that tourists can find a lot of different accommodation options to stay in the city. In Stuttgart, you can find a huge variety of hotels from cozy guest houses to well-known chain hotels, from unpretentious standard rooms to accommodation in buildings that are cultural monuments. Stuttgart also offers travel apartments with equipped kitchens and other amenities for self-use.
Waldhotel Stuttgart 4* – This 4-star hotel is located in the nearest quiet suburb of Stuttgart, a few kilometers from the main railway station. The Waldhotel Stuttgart has its own spa with gym and sauna, bar, restaurant and free parking. The hotel has all types of rooms – standard single rooms, standard double rooms, classic rooms, comfort rooms, superior rooms, junior suites. The rooms overlook the garden; an option of a balcony or a terrace is also available. The rooms have a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, free high-speed Wi-Fi, telephone, radio, safe, mini-bar, hairdryer and other toiletries. Breakfasts are paid separately, regardless of the type of room. The hotel most often receives the highest ratings for cleanliness of the rooms, comfort and professionalism of the staff.
Pullman Stuttgart Fontana 4* – The hotel is located in a quiet suburb of Stuttgart; you can get to the city center by train and metro, both stations are within walking distance. The international airport is only a 10–15-minute drive away. In addition to standard services, the hotel offers its guests a spa center, a swimming pool, and a sauna. A Restaurant on a terrace, a bar, a fitness room, and a parking area are also available at the hotel. The classic rooms have everything you need – air conditioning, TV, internet, mini-bar, safe, hairdryer, but breakfast is provided for a fee. The hotel receives the highest ratings for cleanliness, comfort and professionalism of the staff.
Central-Classic Hotel 3* – This 3-star hotel is located in the western district of Stuttgart, a 10-minute walk from the main sights of the city; the metro station is also within walking distance from the hotel. You can find bars, restaurants, cafes, shops and a park close to the hotel. In the room you can find free cable TV, mini-bar, telephone, fax, high-speed Internet. Check-in is from 2 am, check-out is until 12. Buffet breakfasts are included in the room price and are served from 7 to 10 am on weekdays and from 9 to 11 am on weekends. There are parking areas near the hotel, but the number of places is limited (you cannot reserve a place in advance); there is also public parking, but it is paid. The guests of the hotel gave the highest ratings for professionalism of the staff.
City Hotel Stuttgart 3* – The hotel is located in the central district of Stuttgart – Mitte. The main attractions of the city are within walking distance, as well as the Charlottenplatz metro station. The hotel is relatively small, designed for 30 rooms, but due to its location it is very popular. There is free parking in front of the hotel. Check-in is from 2 pm, check-out must be made before 12 noon. Rooms come with a buffet breakfast included in the price. The rooms are standard, double or single, equipped with free satellite TV, mini-bar, telephone, hairdryer. The hotel received the highest marks for the location and professionalism of the hotel staff.
What to see & do in Stuttgart
Stuttgart has a lot of attractions including architectural and historical monuments, museums, castles and squares, palaces and gardens, galleries and theaters. I recommend planning your visit to Stuttgart for at least 3 days in order to have enough time to visit the main attractions of the city.
The New Palace is located in the very center of Stuttgart and, along with the Old Castle, it is the tourist main attraction of the city. The palace was founded in the middle of the 18th century in a baroque style. It looks like the French Versailles in some ways. During the Second World War, the palace was quite badly destroyed, restoration work was subsequently carried out throughout the 20th century. Today, the New Palace in Stuttgart houses the local Ministry of Culture, and various cultural events are also held here. The palace is located on Palace Square next to the Old Castle.
The first mention of the Old Castle dates back to 950 years. The building was the residence of the Württemberg princes for a long time and was rebuilt more than once throughout the history. During the Second World War, as well as the New Palace, the building was significantly destroyed, and restoration work was carried out until the 70s of the 20th century.
Today, the castle-fortress houses the Württemberg Museum, the main historical museum of the region, where cultural and archaeological findings have been preserved, including the crown and scepter of the Württemberg kings. The old castle is made in the style of the early Renaissance and, despite numerous restoration works, has partially retained its original medieval design. The Old Castle in Stuttgart is located on the Palace Square next to the New Palace. I collected practical information for visiting the museum and here it is:
- The museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Admission price is 16 euros for adults (including audio guide), for children under 18 it is free
- Tickets can be purchased either at the ticket shop or online on the official website (available only in German).
The Solitude palace is the state villa of the Wurttemberg princes, founded in the middle of the 18th century and perfectly preserved to this day. The style of the castle is Baroque. The exteriors greatly resemble the Potsdam Sans Souci palace due to its lightness, airiness and festivity in decoration.
You also can see the castle`s interiors. The main part of the castle is open to visitors and shows a great exhibition of authentical décor and furniture. Most of the interiors are decorated in the rococo style with elements of classicism. After some research, I discovered the following practical information:
- Visits are only possible with a guided tour
- Tourist group tours are held inside the castle in German hourly during the day
- The castle is open daily, except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (till 4 p.m. during the winter time)
The Stuttgart State Gallery is considered to be one of the most visited art museums in Germany. The collections of artists of the 20th century are presented here. The gallery contains more than 800 works by world famous artists. Picasso, Dali, Mathis, Miro, Kandinsky, Chagall paintings are shown in the Stuttgart State Gallery. In addition to paintings, there is an extensive collection of sculptures, engravings, graphics, and photographs. I would like to share some practical information you need to know before visiting.
- The museum is open daily, except Monday, from 10 am to 5 pm (it is open from 10 am to 8 pm on Thursdays);
- You cannot buy entrance tickets in advance; tickets are sold only at the box office opposite the gallery;
- The entrance fee is 7 euros for adults. It is free for children and young people under 20.
The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart contains a great collection of cars from different times. The collection is located on 3 floors, ranging from retro cars to super technological models. The museum is situated in a futuristic building in the shape of an offset shamrock and it is one of the most visited places in Stuttgart along with the Porsche Museum. There is the Mercedes-Benz Arena, home to FC Stuttgart, near the museum. I collected some useful information for visiting the museum:
- The museum is open daily, except Monday, from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Entrance to the museum costs 12 euros, tickets can be purchased on the official website or at the museum box office.
- A ticket for a simulator attraction is purchased separately from the main ticket and costs 4 euros.
Another museum dedicated to the cars is the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, which has collected under its wing about 450 models from different times. The museum collection includes both the most famous car models and one-of-a-kind rarities.
- The museum is located on the Porsche Platz Street, in the Zuffenhausen district.
- The museum is open daily, except Monday, from 9 am to 6 pm.
- The cost of the entrance ticket is from 8 euros.
- Tickets can be purchased at the museum box office.
- On the official website of the museum, you can find up-to-date information on upcoming events held at the museum.
Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Garden
Wilhelma is a unique garden-zoo, on the area of which numerous species of plants and a huge variety of wildlife animals are presented at the same time. Wilhelma is considered to be the second largest zoo in Germany after the Berlin Zoo. It is home to over 1,000 animal species and about 7,000 plant species from all over the world.
The garden-zoo has different geographical areas. The territory is divided into the Amazon area, the tropic area, the cactus area and other types of flowers and plants. An aquarium, insectarium and bird habitats also can be found on the territory of the Wilhelma. There is also the area for various and rare species of butterflies.
- Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Garden is open daily from 08.15 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summertime and from 08.15 a.m. to 16.30 p.m. during the winters.
- The entrance fee is 20 euros in summers and 15 euros in winters for adults. The entrance fee is 8 euros in summers and 5.50 euros in winters for kids.
- Tickets can be purchased either at the box office or online on the official website.
Other attractions in Stuttgart surroundings
There are also many attractions that deserve attention in the nearest surroundings of Stuttgart. These, in particular, include Waldenbuch Castle (17 km from Stuttgart), Hohenzollern Castle (50 km from Stuttgart), Ludwigsburg Residence (12 km from Stuttgart), Baden Wine Road (110 km). In the summer you can find special bus tours from Stuttgart that take place along the Baden Wine Road with tastings of local wines such as Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Gutedel, Gewürztraminer, Weissburgunder, Silvaner. I partly travelled along the Baden Wine Road and I can say it is an absolutely inspiring countryside with a lot of great views.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Jorge Franganillo
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…