Stuttgart Hbf (Train Station): Departures and guide

​Travel to train station Stuttgart Hbf from the Stuttgart city center

Rather like Stuttgart itself, the city's central station (or in German, Hauptbahnhof), is a mix of old and new. This is mostly due to a controversial major construction project, Stuttgart 21, that broke ground in 2010 and has so far demolished several historic wings of the building. Despite the seemingly never-ending construction, however, Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof remains in use. The station is easily accessed by multiple U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn lines (overground), city buses, as well as regional and intercity train lines.

Stuttgart Hbf is very much part and parcel with its home city, which as the capital of the wealthy German state and manufacturing hub Baden-Wurttemberg, was heavily bombed in WWII. Today, though this small city retains some of its historic charm, it is perhaps better known as a headquarters for major legacy car manufacturers like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

The best way to get to the Stuttgart Hbf train station from Stuttgart's city center

Convenient for locals and visitors alike, the train station Stuttgart Hbf is actually located within Stuttgart-Mitte, the historic heart of the city (Mitte means center in German). Travel to the train station from the Stuttgart city center can thus often be accomplished on foot. For example, the walk from the stunning square known as the Schlossplatz (itself the centerpiece of Stuttgart-Mitte) to the central station is a mere 10 minutes. For those toting luggage, simply take any number of U-Bahn lines (the U5, U6, U7, U12, or U15) a single stop, from the eponymous Schlossplatz station to Hauptbahnhof Arnulf-Klett-Platz. Cultural hotspots like the Staatsgalerie (known for its fantastic 20th century art collection) and the Carl-Zeiss Planetarium Stuttgart are practically next door, each less than a 10 minute walk away. From the Staatsgalerie, travelers also have the option of taking the number 40 bus line one stop to Stuttgart Hbf. 

How far is it from the Stuttgart city center to the train station?

The distance to the train station Stuttgart Hbf from the city center depends on where one begins, but it's never terribly far. From Schlossplatz, where both the baroque Neue Schloss Stuttgart and the History Museum Württemberg can be found,  it's a mere half a mile (800 meters). Travelers can walk in less than 10 minutes or take the aforementioned U-Bahn lines. Other centrally located cultural highlights, like the State Museum of Natural History, are just a bit farther away, at 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers). From here, it's a 10 minute journey on the S4, S5, S6, or S60, or a 12 minute journey on the U12. For any of these trains, embark at the Nordbahnhof station. It's also easy to reach Stuttgart Hbf from nearby stations that serve must-see destinations somewhat outside the city center. For example, it's an 11 minute, non-stop journey on either the R4 or RB17 between the central station and Ludwigsburg, where visitors can alight to visit the beautiful Ludwigsburg Residential Palace. 

How accessible is the Stuttgart central train station for those with limited mobility?

Having traveled to the train station from the Stuttgart city center, for those with limited mobility or excess baggage, ​arriving at the station and navigating it once inside should not present many issues. One of the goals of the Stuttgart 21 construction project is to increase barrier-free access to the train station Stuttgart Hbf. As such, there are plentiful elevators and escalators accessing the platforms. Furthermore, the vast majority of public transportation around the city is also barrier-free, with wheelchair accessibility on most U-Bahns, S-Bahns, city buses, and regional and intercity train lines. Both the German rail system, Deutsche Bahn, and Stuttgart's city transport, VVS, offer detailed information on barrier-free travel ​on their websites. 

Local tips: points of interest around Stuttgart Hbf

When it comes to what to do near the train station, one of the most appealing aspects of Stuttgart Hbf is that it directly abuts two beautiful adjacent parks, the Mittlerer Schlossgarten and the Oberer Schlossgarten. Besides opportunities for picnics and scenic walks, there are also fantastic playgrounds, which are ideal for young families on the go. In the Mittlerer Schlossgarten, don't miss the Lusthause Ruine, a ruin of a 16th century Renaissance building which burned down in 1902. For something more lighthearted, just stop by the park's beer garden, aptly named Biergarten im Schlossgarten, and enjoy a full menu of southern German specialties, coffee, and wine, in addition to plentiful beer. The Biergarten is open daily in good weather from 10:30 a.m. Down in the Oberer Schlossgarten, the Staatstheater and the adjacent Eckensee (a lake, albeit a small one) make for stately views and even better photographs.