Stuttgart Airport (STR) lies about 13 km south of the city centre in the Filder plain, near the Messe Stuttgart exhibition centre and Leinfelden-Echterdingen. The S-Bahn S2 and S3 lines both call at the underground airport station, giving you a reliable, frequent connection to Stuttgart city centre in around 27–30 minutes without changing trains.
S-Bahn S2 and S3: the main route into the city
Two S-Bahn lines — the S2 (towards Schorndorf) and the S3 (towards Backnang) — serve Stuttgart Airport station, which sits beneath the terminal building. Together they give a combined frequency of roughly every 10 minutes during daytime hours, making this one of the most convenient German airport rail connections. Both lines stop at the same platform and follow the same route into the city.
Key stops along the way include Vaihingen, Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) and onwards into the network. The Hauptbahnhof is your main interchange for other S-Bahn lines, the U-Bahn, regional trains and long-distance ICE services connecting Stuttgart to the wider German rail network. For most hotels in the city centre, you will alight at the Hauptbahnhof or at Stadtmitte/Rotebühlplatz.
The airport station is within Stuttgart's VVS (Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart) fare zone. Tickets are available from machines at the platform or via the VVS app. Validate before boarding — as with all German S-Bahn services, there are no ticket barriers and inspectors conduct random checks. Travelling without a valid, validated ticket is a fineable offence.
Tip: If you have a Bayern-Ticket or a Baden-Württemberg day ticket, check whether it covers the airport zone before assuming it is valid — airport surcharges and zone boundaries vary by ticket type.
Night services and late arrivals
The S2 and S3 run until the early hours, but overnight there are gaps — typically one departure per hour or less between roughly 01:00 and 05:00. If you are arriving on a late-night flight, check the exact timetable on the VVS journey planner before you land. For flights arriving in the small hours when S-Bahn services have paused, a taxi or rideshare is the practical alternative.
Bus connections
Several regional bus routes stop at the airport, connecting it to surrounding towns in the Filder region and to destinations not on the S-Bahn corridor. For most visitors travelling to Stuttgart city centre, the S-Bahn is significantly faster and more direct than any bus option, so buses are mainly useful for those heading to Esslingen, Filderstadt or other nearby towns rather than central Stuttgart.
Taxi and rideshare
Taxi ranks are located directly outside the arrivals halls. The drive to Stuttgart city centre takes 20–35 minutes depending on traffic — the B27 road and the approach to the city can become congested, particularly during commuter peak hours. Metered fares apply; expect the fare to be considerably more than an S-Bahn ticket, though it becomes more reasonable when split among three or four travellers.
App-based rideshare services are available in Stuttgart. Pick-up points are sometimes located a short walk from the main taxi rank — check the app before leaving the terminal building.
Rental car
Car hire desks are in the terminal building. The airport has good motorway access via the A8 and B27, connecting to Stuttgart city centre and to routes west towards Karlsruhe or east towards Munich. Stuttgart city centre has several environmental and low-emission zones, and during major events at the adjacent Messe Stuttgart, the approach roads can become heavily congested — factor in extra time on event days.
Travelling between Stuttgart and other cities
Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is a major hub on the German high-speed rail network. From there, ICE and IC trains serve Frankfurt, Munich, Mannheim, Nuremberg and many other cities; see the Germany by train guide for an overview of the rail system. For longer European routes, Stuttgart is well connected to France via TGV services through Karlsruhe and Strasbourg.
Getting back to the airport
Allow at least 30 minutes for the S-Bahn journey from the city centre, plus the time you need to walk through the terminal. Stuttgart Airport handles a mix of short-haul and some medium-haul European flights; the general advice is to arrive 90 minutes before your flight. The S-Bahn is strongly preferred for the return journey during peak hours, as road traffic on the B27 can be unpredictable, particularly in the afternoon.
Luggage and accessibility notes
The airport S-Bahn station has lifts and escalators connecting the platform to the terminal level, making it manageable with wheeled luggage or for travellers with reduced mobility, though as with much of the German S-Bahn network there can be a gap and small step between the platform and the train — station staff and other passengers are generally helpful if you need assistance boarding. Trains have space for luggage and pushchairs near the doors, but there are no dedicated large-luggage racks as on long-distance trains, so keep bags close during busy periods when the S-Bahn can get crowded with commuters as well as air travellers.
Money-saving tips
A single VVS ticket covering the airport zone into the city centre is the standard, straightforward option, but if you are staying a few days and plan to use Stuttgart's public transport repeatedly, a multi-day or group ticket often works out cheaper than buying single fares each time — check current VVS ticket types at the machine or app before your first journey. Travelling in a small group makes the S-Bahn even better value relative to a taxi, since S-Bahn fares are per person while a taxi fare is fixed regardless of how many people share the ride.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent error is boarding without validating a paper ticket first — German S-Bahn stations rely on proof-of-payment rather than gates, and random ticket inspections do happen, with fines for travelling without a valid, stamped ticket. Another common mix-up is confusing the S2 and S3 with other S-Bahn lines that do not serve the airport; both trains display their destination clearly, but a quick check of the platform display before boarding avoids any doubt, especially if you are jet-lagged after a long flight.
Frequently asked questions
Which S-Bahn goes to Stuttgart Airport?
Both the S2 and S3 lines stop at Stuttgart Airport station. They share the same route into the city centre and together give a combined frequency of around every 10 minutes during the day.
How long does the S-Bahn take from Stuttgart Airport to the Hauptbahnhof?
The journey from the airport to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof takes approximately 27–30 minutes on the S2 or S3.
Is there a bus from Stuttgart Airport to the city?
Regional buses serve the airport, but for the city centre the S-Bahn is faster and more practical. Buses are more useful for destinations in the Filder region or towns not on the S-Bahn corridor.
Can I take a taxi from Stuttgart Airport to the city?
Yes, taxis wait at the arrivals hall exit. The journey takes 20–35 minutes in normal traffic and is metered; the fare is higher than the S-Bahn, but can be shared cost-effectively by a group.
Sources and further reading:
- S-Bahn timetables and fares: VVS (Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart).
- Airport transport information: Stuttgart Airport (STR) official website.