Our Review of Stuttgart Airport (STR)

Table of contents: Our Review of Stuttgart Airport (STR) Pros and Cons of Stuttgart Airport (STR) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Stuttgart Airport (STR)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this Guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Pros and Cons of Stuttgart Airport (STR)

Pros of Stuttgart Airport:

Excellent public transport connections: The airport is directly linked to Stuttgart’s city center and the region by S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and shuttles, making transfers fast and convenient.
Wide range of services: Free and unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the airport, plenty of ATMs, currency exchange offices, and 24/7 luggage lockers are available for passengers.
Good shopping and dining options: Numerous shops, including a 24-hour Edeka supermarket and a variety of restaurants and cafés, both before and after security.
Observation deck: The airport features a rooftop observation terrace with panoramic views of the runway, accessible daily and free of charge—ideal for aviation enthusiasts.
Proximity to the city and hotels: The airport is only about 13 km from Stuttgart city center and has several hotels, such as the Mövenpick, within walking distance—perfect for early flights or layovers.

Cons of Stuttgart Airport:

Ongoing renovations: Since 2020, significant parts of the airport (especially the second floor) have been under renovation, which can cause inconvenience and confusion for passengers.
Night flight ban: There is a strict prohibition on night flights between 23:00 and 05:00, which can limit flight options and flexibility for travelers with late or early connections.
Mixed reviews on staff attitude: Some travelers report poor customer service, especially for non-German speakers, with staff sometimes reluctant to communicate in English.
Parking can be expensive: While there are many parking options, the rates for short-term and premium parking are relatively high compared to other airports.
Can be crowded and stressful: During peak hours, the airport can become crowded, and security or check-in lines may be long, especially with ongoing construction and limited space.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Location & Access:

Stuttgart Airport (STR) is the main international airport for Stuttgart and Baden-Württemberg, located about 13 km south of the city center. It’s easily accessible by S-Bahn (S2, S3), U-Bahn (U6), regional buses, taxis, and private transfers. The S-Bahn takes you to the city center in about 27 minutes, with trains departing every 10–20 minutes.

Terminals & Layout:

The airport has four passenger terminals (T1–T4) under one roof, making transfers between flights easy and quick. All terminals offer modern amenities, clear signage, and direct access to public transport and parking.

Facilities & Services:

Wi-Fi: Free throughout the airport.
Shops & Dining: Duty-free, boutiques, a 24/7 supermarket, and a wide range of cafés and restaurants.
Family Services: Play areas and family rooms are available for travelers with children.
ATMs & Currency Exchange: Located in arrivals and departures.
Luggage Storage: Lockers and left-luggage services are available.
Lost & Found: Located in the arrivals area.

Transport Options:

S-Bahn: Fastest way to the city center (about €4–€6 one-way).
Buses: Connect to Stuttgart, Tübingen, Esslingen, and more; tickets from €3–€8.
Taxis: 20–25 minutes to downtown, costing €35–€45.
Car Rental: Major companies are on-site in Terminal 3, with prices from €30/day.

Parking:

Over 11,000 spaces, from short-term (directly opposite terminals) to long-term and budget options a short walk away. Book online for discounts and guaranteed space.

Tips for Travelers:

Buy public transport tickets at vending machines or via the VVS app for discounts.
For quick drop-offs, use the Kiss & Fly zone for 8 minutes of free parking.
If traveling with children, look for play areas in all terminals.
Check for ongoing construction, which may affect some areas.

Popular Destinations:

Direct flights connect Stuttgart to major German and European cities. The airport is also a great starting point for exploring the Black Forest, Lake Constance, and nearby cities like Heidelberg and Ulm.

Summary:

Stuttgart Airport is modern, efficient, and well-connected, offering everything you need for a smooth journey—whether you’re arriving, departing, or in transit.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation