Stuttgart Airport, officially named Manfred Rommel Airport, serves as a key gateway to Baden-Württemberg, offering a smooth and efficient experience for travellers. Located just 13 kilometres south of Stuttgart’s city centre, the airport is easily accessible via several transport options. The S-Bahn lines S2 and S3 provide a direct connection to Stuttgart Central Station, taking around 25–30 minutes with departures every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes at weekends. Tickets cost approximately £3.50, and the station, located beneath Terminal 1, is wheelchair-accessible. Public bus lines 122 and 828 link the airport to the city and nearby towns like Esslingen and Tübingen, with fares starting at £2.50.
Taxis, available 24/7 outside Terminal 1, reach the city centre in about 20 minutes for £25–£40, while ride-share services like mytaxi operate from the same area. Car rental desks, including Avis, Hertz, and Sixt, are situated in Terminal 3, Level 2, with advance booking recommended during peak times. The Stuttgart Airport Bus Terminal (SAB), located near Terminal 4, serves regional and long-distance coaches operated by FlixBus and others, offering affordable connections to cities across Germany and beyond.
The airport’s layout consists of four terminals—1, 2, 3, and 4—connected under a single roof for Terminals 1–3, with Terminal 4 accessible via a short walkway. Terminal 1, with 50 check-in counters, is primarily used by Eurowings and Turkish Airlines, while Terminal 2, with nine counters, serves Lufthansa and Star Alliance partners. Terminal 3, with 39 counters, handles both arrivals and departures, and Terminal 4, a simpler facility, caters to charter flights. The shared airside area, with eight air bridges and around two dozen bus-boarding stands, allows easy movement between terminals without additional security checks. Clear signage and a compact design make navigation straightforward, though security queues in Terminals 1 and 3 can be slow during peak hours, with wait times reported up to 45 minutes. Travellers are advised to arrive 1.5 hours before domestic flights and 2.5 hours before international ones, particularly for non-Schengen destinations requiring passport control. The Easypass automated border control system in Terminal 3 speeds up entry for eligible passengers with electronic passports.
On-time performance at Stuttgart is generally reliable, with real-time flight updates available via Flightradar24 or the airport’s website. Delays may occur due to high passenger volumes during morning and evening rushes or adverse weather, especially in winter. The airport serves over 100 destinations, with key airlines like Lufthansa, Eurowings, and Turkish Airlines offering connections to hubs such as Frankfurt, Istanbul, and Dubai. Minimum connection times are efficient—30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic or domestic-to-international flights and 45 minutes for international-to-international—making transfers manageable, though rushed connections may involve navigating passport control and security.
Dining and retail options cater to a range of preferences. Terminal 1’s Der Koffer serves Swabian specialities like spنtzle, open from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm, while the Stuttgart Airport Shop stocks local souvenirs. Terminal 3’s Marketplace offers international cuisine, including Italian at Trattoria Milan and quick bites at Marché Express, with most eateries open until 10:00 pm. Duty-free shops in Terminals 1 and 3 provide cosmetics, alcohol, and fragrances, though prices can be steep. A 24-hour kiosk in Terminal 1 ensures round-the-clock snacks. Lounges, such as the Lufthansa Senator Lounge and Sky Lounge in Terminal 1, offer comfortable seating, complimentary meals, and Wi-Fi for eligible passengers or day-pass holders starting at £20.
Facilities enhance the passenger experience with practical amenities. Free Wi-Fi is available for three hours via the AIRPORT-FREE-WIFI network, with charging points scattered across terminals. A children’s play area in Terminal 1 keeps families entertained, and shower facilities, accessible for £2 near the bus terminal, provide a quick refresh. Lost property services and baggage wrapping are available in Terminals 1 and 3, and over 1,600 parking spaces, including short- and long-term options, are accessible near the terminals. A cell phone waiting area allows drivers to wait for arriving passengers without charge. For those with mobility needs, dedicated assistance is available if booked 48 hours in advance.
Stuttgart Airport offers a functional and welcoming experience for travellers. By planning for potential security delays and utilising the efficient transport links, passengers can enjoy a seamless journey through this gateway to southwest Germany.
