Cheap city trip Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of Baden-Wurttemberg, nestled between green hills and vineyards, and home to Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. World-class car museums, the Staatsgalerie, the Wilhelma and the vibrant Bohnenviertel with local tavernas. Direct flight from Amsterdam in 1 hour 35. 3 days from €300 per person.
Quick answer: Fly direct from Amsterdam to Stuttgart in about 1 hour 35 with Eurowings or KLM, from €79 return. S-Bahn S2/S3 takes you from the airport to the city centre in 27 minutes. Best months: April to June or September. Budget: 3 days all-in from €300 per person including flight, hotel and museums.
At a glance: Stuttgart
When is the best time to visit?
April to June and September to October are ideal: 16 to 24 degrees, vineyards in bloom and terraces open. The Stuttgarter Weindorf (late August to early September 2026) is Germany's largest wine festival with over 120 wine tents on the Schlossplatz and Marktplatz. If you like classic car events, look for the spring events at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Summer is pleasant but peak tourist season.
Best neighbourhoods in Stuttgart
- Mitte (Stadtzentrum) Around the Schlossplatz and Konigstrasse: Stuttgart's shopping heart, with the Staatsgalerie and Markthalle within walking distance. Most expensive area to stay, but most central.
- Bohnenviertel Stuttgart's hippest quarter, southeast of the centre: cobblestone streets, boutiques, Besenwirtschaften (seasonal restaurants) and street art. Cheaper hotels and a local feel.
- Stuttgart-West Popular with students and young expats, with many cafes and bars along Rotebuehlstrasse. 15 minutes' walk to the centre.
- Bad Cannstatt To the north, on the Neckar: cheaper, well connected by S-Bahn and right next to the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Handy if you plan to spend a lot of time at that museum.
- Degerloch On the Filder plateau above the city, reachable by Zahnradbahn. Quiet, residential and with a panorama over all of Stuttgart. Less central but unique.
Top 5 things to do in Stuttgart
- Porsche Museum (Zuffenhausen) 80 legendary Porsche models from 1948 to the present in a spectacular tilting building. Entry €10; children under 14 free. Open Tue-Sun 9am-6pm. Reachable by S-Bahn S6 in 15 minutes. Tip: add the factory tour (€19) if you are into cars.
- Mercedes-Benz Museum (Bad Cannstatt) Nine floors through 130 years of motoring history in a spiral-shaped building. Entry €12. Open Tue-Sun 9am-6pm. S-Bahn S1 or S3 in 10 minutes from the centre. One of the finest car museums in the world.
- Staatsgalerie Stuttgart Top museum for modern and contemporary art, with Picasso, Beuys, Giacometti and Max Beckmann. The 19th-century Alte Staatsgalerie and the postmodern extension by James Stirling stand side by side. Entry €8; free on Wednesdays. Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (Thu until 8pm).
- Wilhelma One of Europe's finest combinations of zoo and botanical garden, laid out in Moorish style for the Swabian kings. Over 1,100 animal species and 8,000 plant species. Entry €22 (adult); book in advance in summer.
- Zahnradbahn + Weinsteige Ride Stuttgart's unique rack railway (Zahnradbahn, line 10) up to Degerloch and walk back down via the Weinsteige with vineyards on both sides and a panorama over the city. Free with a VVS day ticket.
Flights + transport from the Netherlands
Eurowings and KLM fly direct from Amsterdam to Stuttgart (STR) in about 1 hour 35, from €79 return. From Eindhoven there is no direct flight connection; travel to Amsterdam (1 hour by train) or consider the ICE train to Stuttgart via Frankfurt or Mannheim in about 5 hours, from €49 via NS International or the DB app. S-Bahn lines S2 or S3 take you from Stuttgart Airport (STR) to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof in 27 minutes for €4.50. Within the city, the VVS network (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, bus) provides excellent public transport; a day ticket costs €7.20 and the StuttCard PLUS (48 hours, €33) covers public transport plus 30+ museums and attractions. For day trips to the Swabian Jura, Baden-Baden or the Black Forest, a hire car via DiscoverCars at Stuttgart Airport is handy, typically €30 to 55 per day.
What does a city trip to Stuttgart cost?
Hostels (2026) from €22 per night, budget hotel €65 to 100, mid-range hotel €100 to 160. Eating in the Bohnenviertel or Stuttgart-West: lunch €10 to 14, evening meal €18 to 30. Porsche Museum €10; Mercedes-Benz Museum €12; Staatsgalerie €8 (free on Wednesdays); Wilhelma €22. The StuttCard PLUS (48 hours, €33) covers public transport and 30+ sights, worthwhile for a full programme. 3 days all-in including flight and accommodation: realistically €300 to 420 per person.
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Frequently asked questions about Stuttgart
When is the best time to visit Stuttgart?
April to June and September to October are ideal: 16 to 24 degrees, vineyards in bloom and terraces open. The Stuttgarter Weindorf (late August to early September 2026) is Germany's largest wine festival with over 120 wine tents on the Schlossplatz. Summer is warm but busy.
How do I get from the Netherlands to Stuttgart?
Eurowings and KLM fly direct from Amsterdam to Stuttgart (STR) in about 1 hour 35, from €79 return. From Eindhoven there is no direct connection; travel to Amsterdam or take the train via Frankfurt or Mannheim in about 5 hours, from €49 via NS International or the DB app. S-Bahn S2 or S3 takes you from the airport to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof in 27 minutes for €4.50.
Which neighbourhood is best to stay in Stuttgart?
The Stadtzentrum around Schlossplatz and Konigstrasse: central and within walking distance of Staatsgalerie and Bohnenviertel. Stuttgart-West is hipper and popular with young locals. Bad Cannstatt is cheaper and has the Mercedes-Benz Arena right next to the Mercedes-Benz Museum.
What does a city trip to Stuttgart cost?
Hostel from €22 per night, budget hotel €65-100. Porsche Museum free (!) or €10 premium; Mercedes-Benz Museum €12; Staatsgalerie €8 (free on Wednesdays). StuttCard PLUS €33 for 48h covers public transport and 30+ attractions. 3 days all-in including flight and accommodation: from €300 per person.
What is there to do in Stuttgart beyond the museums?
Ride the Zahnradbahn (rack railway) up to the Weinsteige for a panorama over the city and vineyards. Stroll through the Bohnenviertel with its shops and local Besenwirtschaften (seasonal tavernas serving only their own wine). The Markthalle in the centre is an Art Nouveau market hall with fresh Swabian produce. And the Rosensteinpark next to the Wilhelma is free and perfect for a picnic.
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