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Central Square, Stuttgart

© 123rf.com / Eugen Weide

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Germany

Travel to Stuttgart

Flying to Stuttgart

Airlines offering direct flights to Stuttgart from London include Lufthansa, British Airways, BMI (from Heathrow), germanwings and TUIfly (from Stansted). BMI and Lufthansa also offer services from Manchester. Ticket prices tend to be fairly steady, though a little cheaper in winter.

Flight times: 

London to Stuttgart (1 hour 45 minutes), New York to Stuttgart (9 hours 30 minutes), Los Angeles to Stuttgart (16 hours), Toronto to Stuttgart 12 hours 30 minutes, Sydney to Stuttgart (25 hours)

Travel by road

Summary:

Stuttgart is proud of its longstanding connections with the automotive industry and the high performance vehicles which are designed and built in the city. Therefore, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that the city’s roads are good and well maintained.

In common with most other European countries, German traffic drives on the right hand side of the road. Drivers must be at least 18 years of age. Third party insurance is a compulsory minimum. Since 4 December 2010 winter tyres must be fitted, even on foreign vehicles, if driving during winter conditions. A speed limit of 50kmph (31 mph) is the general rule in urban areas; exceptions are signposted.

Signs stating Umwelt mean Stuttgart is a Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) and drivers should check that their vehicle complies with exhaust emissions guidelines. The city’s guidelines are even stricter than other cities in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Compliance stickers may need to be purchased. Non-compliance, even for foreign cars, means a fine.

Emergency breakdown service:

The Allgemeine Deutsche Automobil Club (ADAC) (tel: (0180) 222 2222 or 222 222 from mobile phones) and Auto Club Europa (ACE) (tel: (01802) 343 536) provide emergency breakdown services.

Routes:

In terms of Europe’s geography, Stuttgart occupies a central position and has good road connections. The A8 and A81 Autobahns (motorways) serve the city, providing fast links with other major cities. There is also a network of good, very drivable highways. Frankfurt is 213km (132 miles) to the north, Munich lies 220km (137 miles) to the south-east, Berlin is 625km (388 miles) to the north-east and Hamburg is 698km (434 miles) north.

Driving times:

Driving to Munich takes about two-and-a-half hours and the drive to Berlin take seven hours. Be aware that journeys tend to take longer on a Friday afternoon and evening, and Sunday afternoon and evening, when the roads are busy with people heading to and from the city.

Coaches:

Deutsche Touring Gmbh (tel: (0711) 273 0962; www.touring.de) operates scheduled intercity and international coach services to and from Stuttgart. The bus terminal is located in Hafenbahnstrasse, next to the Stuttgart-Obertuerkheim S-Bahn station.

Travel by rail

Services:

Deutsche Bahn (tel: (01805) 194 195; www.bahn.de) operates a comprehensive range of high-speed (ICE), intercity, regional and local services to and from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof. Intercity and ICE services connect with the international network, while a new high-speed TGV service links the city directly to Paris in less than four hours.
Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (central station) is in the city centre and the main terminal for services to and from the city. Major restructuring is under way as part of the long-term Stuttgart 21 development project. Stuttgart has good rail connections with other Germany cities. Rail services are generally comfortable, clean and reliable. That remains true despite some difficulties in the German rail network during 2010, due to the extreme summer heat and very low winter temperatures.

Operators:

Deutsche Bahn (tel: (01805) 599 6633; www.bahn.de) operates a comprehensive range of high-speed (ICE), intercity (IC), regional (RB) and local services to and from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof. Intercity and ICE services connect with the international network. Tickets can be booked online and at the station’s ticket hall. Advance internet bookings, made between three days and three months ahead of travelling attract a 25% saving on the full ticket price.

Journey times:

Journeys to Berlin (via ICE or IC) take approximately six hours, Munich two hours 20 minutes, Hamburg takes five hours 30 minutes and Cologne is two hours 15 minutes away. A high-speed TGV service links Stuttgart directly with Paris in less than four hours. Amsterdam Centraal takes just over five hours, Rome 15 hours.

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