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Stuttgart Layover Guide (STR)

What are you looking for in STR?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Stuttgart Airport (STR) is an international airport located in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Baden-Württemberg. It’s situated about 13 km (8 miles) from downtown Stuttgart. The airport officially opened in 1939. Stuttgart is the sixth-largest city in Germany and is known for its strong automotive industry and innovative economy. It’s also famous for its green spaces, vineyards, and cultural attractions, making it an appealing place to both live and visit.

Can you leave Stuttgart Airport (STR) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
You can exit Stuttgart Airport during a layover if you hold a valid Schengen entry permit or qualify for visa-free transit. Nationals requiring a Schengen visa must obtain one in advance, even for brief stays. Check your specific requirements via the German Federal Foreign Office. They provide up-to-date guidance online. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Schlossplatz Schlossplatz forms Stuttgart’s vibrant urban heart, showcasing baroque façades, fountains and lawns. Visitors enjoy leisurely strolls, often impromptu markets, street performances and quick coffee breaks in a picturesque city-center oasis. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: S-Bahn S2/S3 to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (approx. 27 minutes) and 5-minute walk.)
• Mercedes-Benz Museum The Mercedes-Benz Museum chronicles over 135 years of automotive innovation, housing rare vintage models, futuristic concept cars, immersive guided tours navigate thematic halls, revealing engineering marvels and rich legacy. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: S-Bahn S2/S3 to Neckarpark/Messe station (approx. 30 minutes) and short walk.)
• Porsche Museum The Porsche Museum showcases the brand’s evolution through sleek prototypes, racing legends and limited-edition supercars. Engaging displays, multimedia presentations and a dramatic glass atrium celebrate lightweight design and performance heritage. (Time required: 1½ hours. / Airport to here: S-Bahn S2/S3 to Neckarpark/Messe station (approx. 30 minutes) and 5-minute walk.)
• Staatsgalerie Stuttgart Staatsgalerie Stuttgart displays an impressive collection from classical to contemporary art, featuring masterpieces by Rembrandt, Monet and Picasso. Its striking postmodern extensions house rotating exhibitions, sculpture courtyards and interactive installations. (Time required: 1½ hours. / Airport to here: S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof, then U-Bahn U2/U4 to Staatsgalerie station (approx. 30 minutes).)
• Wilhelma Zoo & Botanical Garden Wilhelma Zoo & Botanical Garden blends exotic wildlife habitats with Moorish architecture amid landscaped gardens. Visitors wander meandering paths to encounter elephants, giraffes plant species in a serene riverside setting. (Time required: 3 hours. / Airport to here: S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof, then tram U14 to Wilhelma stop (approx. 45 minutes).)
• Fernsehturm Stuttgart Fernsehturm Stuttgart offers panoramic city and Neckar Valley views from its rotating observation deck and glass elevator. Café and outdoor terrace allow refreshments while admiring the iconic 1950s engineering marvel. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof, U-Bahn to Marienplatz, then bus 65 to Fernsehturm stop (approx. 40 minutes).)
• Schloss Solitude Schloss Solitude perches atop wooded hills, showcasing Rococo splendor in ornate salons, galleries and terraces. Panoramic vistas of Stuttgart and the Black Forest provide tranquil peaceful respite from airport crowds. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi (approx. 25 minutes) or S-Bahn to Feuerbach, bus 92 to Schloss Solitude stop (approx. 50 minutes).)
• Killesberg Park Killesberg Park features rolling hills, ornamental flower beds and charming light railway rides. Visitors admire modernist Pavillon Le Corbusier, climb the lookout tower and relax by serene ponds amid greenery. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: S-Bahn to Nordbahnhof, tram U6/U13 to Killesberg station (approx. 35 minutes).)

Things to Do in Stuttgart Airport (STR)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
The Airport Lounge in Terminal 3 offers 70 seats across 280 m² with panoramic apron views, buffet, drinks and free Wi-Fi. Open daily from 05:00 to 21:30 (subject to change), guests can relax for up to two hours in a quiet, power-socket-equipped environment before boarding. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Directly on site, Mövenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport provides sleek rooms and 24-hour service for business and leisure. Nearby Best Western Plazahotel and NH Hotel both offer comfortable accommodation with free shuttle links to the terminals. All feature on-demand room service, fitness facilities and secure parking. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
Overnight sleepers find quiet spots on the mezzanine of Terminal 4, where armrest-free benches and secluded nooks await. Seating areas in landside and airside also offer comfortable benches. Security patrols run throughout, and vending machines are available after hours for basic provisions.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout all terminals. Simply connect to the “STR Free WiFi” network and accept the terms. No password is required. Coverage extends from check-in through boarding gates, with sufficient speeds for browsing, email and light streaming.

SIM/eSIM Card: ONE travellers electronics in the mall near Terminal 1 sells prepaid SIM cards from major German carriers. For digital convenience, eSIM plans (e.g., via Airalo) can be purchased in advance and activated on arrival, offering data-only packages from 15 GB upwards without needing a physical card. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: A 24/7 taxi stand is located directly outside the Arrivals Hall of Terminal 1. Taxis can be hailed at the stand or booked in advance via Taxi-Zentrale Stuttgart (+49 711 55 100 00). Journey times to the city centre average 30 minutes, with flat rates available for airport transfers.

Train: The S-Bahn station sits directly beneath the terminal, serving lines S2 and S3 every 10 minutes to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof in about 27 minutes. Barrier-free access and escalators link the concourse to platforms. more info

Bus: The Stuttgart Airport Bus Terminal (SAB) is located under Car Park P14 between Terminal 4 and Flughafenstrasse. Platforms 1–3 serve local and regional routes; platforms 4–18 handle national, international and night coaches. Regular VVS buses connect nearby towns. more info

Shuttle: Shuttle services linking the airport to city hotels and key attractions operate on request. Reservations can be made through the Cab & Shuttle desk (+49 711 55 100 00) or directly with participating hotels, often included in room rates. Advance booking is advised to guarantee seating.

Car rentals: Major car-hire providers (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Enterprise) maintain service counters on the arrivals level of Terminal 1. Vehicles are collected from the on-site Car Rental Centre. Counters open 2–3 hours before the first flight and close when the last flight lands. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: With over 11,000 spaces across P0–P14, parking at STR ranges from short-term Kiss & Fly (first 8 minutes free) to long-term P0–P4 (online reservation recommended). P4 and P2 feature e-charging stations; barrier-free spaces are clearly marked. Rates rise closer to the terminals.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Self-service luggage lockers are located landside beside Terminal 1; fees start at €6.50 per item. For full-service baggage handling, the airport’s baggage service will pick up and deliver your bags for a small charge (phone +49 151 46341364; collection within 6 weeks). » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Stuttgart Airport (STR) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks