Transportation in Stuttgart

Stuttgart's network is built around the S-Bahn and Stadtbahn (light rail), fast, punctual, and cheap enough that locals rarely think twice about hopping on. Buy the VVS day pass from the red machines in any station. It covers both systems plus buses and saves the hassle of single tickets. The city's hills mean some lines dive underground while others run at street level, so check the platform signs rather than assuming "U" always means subway. From Stuttgart Airport, the S-Bahn S2 or S3 whisks you to the main station (Hauptbahnhof) in 27 minutes, far quicker and a fraction of a taxi fare. Skip the unofficial cab touts outside arrivals. The official rank is on the terminal's lower level and runs on the meter. If you land late and the S-Bahn has stopped, the night bus N8 covers the same route until service resumes.