Getting there
Getting there by Air
Stuttgart, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden and Friedrichshafen are all international airports. Stuttgart Airport welcomes direct flights from countries around the world. The airport is only 8 miles (13 km) from the city center. The S2 and S3 urban train lines provide a fast, direct connection to the main railway station in just 27 minutes. The airport is just off the A8 Karlsruhe–Munich Autobahn (highway).
Two additional airports, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport and Friedrichshafen Airport, have flights to and from European cities.
Further convenient international gateways:
- From the North: Frankfurt International Airport (120 miles / 200 km from Stuttgart)
- From the East: Munich Airport (150 miles / 240 km from Stuttgart)
- From the South: EuroAirport Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg (160 miles / 260 km from Stuttgart), Zurich Airport, Switzerland (135 miles / 220 km from Stuttgartt)
Getting there by Train
Traveling by train is a convenient alternative to flying – and is often the quickest way of getting around Europe, Germany and SouthWest Germany.
Long-distance and local networks are co-ordinated to ensure quick, easy connections. The ICE-Intercity Express high speed service offers at least one train every hour between Germany’s major cities and neighboring countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For example, from Paris to Stuttgart takes only 3 hours, 40 minutes on the ICE/TGV high speed train.
Deutsche Bahn has a wide range of tailor-made services for visitors traveling to, or within, Germany by rail. For information, timetables and tickets, please visit www.bahn.de
Getting there by Car
SouthWest Germany has an excellent network of roads, including motorways/highways (Autobahn).
There are no tolls for passenger cars. Drivers are required to carry a valid driver's license, vehicle registration documents, and proof of proper insurance. Seatbelts must be worn in all seats, front and rear, at all times. Only hands-free cell (mobile) phones may be used. The minimum driving age is 18 years.
As in the rest of continental Europe, traffic is on the right-hand side of the road. Passing on the right is prohibited. For passenger cars, the speed limit outside residential areas is 62 mph/100 km/h. In urban areas, it is 31 mph/50 km/h. On the Autobahn, the maximum recommended speed is 80 mph/130 km/h.
Rental cars are available in larger towns and cities, from locations, such as airports, railway stations and hotels. All categories are available, including vans, compact cars, convertibles and, of course, fast sports cars. Look for weekend deals.
Please note: To improve the quality of life and the environment, 32 German cities have (or are about to implement) new Low Emission Zones. Only vehicles displaying an "Emission Badge" (Umwelt-Plakette) are allowed to enter. Rental cars usually have all the required stickers and permits.