Sleeping in Airports

Stuttgart Airport Guide

sleeping in stuttgart airport
(photo courtesy of Giovanni / September 2009)

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Stuttgart Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Every five minutes a female voice was telling me not to leave my luggage unattended, in english, german and turkish. I hate her. -Barbara

STR Airport Overview

Here is a quick run-down of what to expect at Stuttgart Airport to help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover.

What to Expect

Stuttgart Airport (code: STR) consists of four terminals with separate entrances that are directly connected to each other. The terminals share a single airside corridor for easy security screening-free passenger transit between terminals. There are plenty of eateries and shops throughout the airport on both the airside and landside. Unfortunately, these services close at night, leaving vending machines as your only source of food for snacks and drinks. WiFi is available to help you pass the time. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first-class lounges.

stuttgart airport guide
(Photo courtesy of Giovanni / 17Sep2009)

Sleeping in Stuttgart Airport

Stuttgart Airport is relatively conducive to overnight sleeping, with plenty of comfortable seating and some private nooks. The security presence and passport checks may help travellers feel more secure, as refugees are said to roam the landside areas. Due to the refugee presence, some reviewers have recommended not sleeping alone. Terminal 4 has been cited as a good sleeping area due to its relatively quiet and comfortable armrest-free benches. The upper level near the observation deck is also cited as a semi-private and quiet refuge. Reviewers recommend bringing earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones, extra layers and/or a travel blanket for added comfort.

For uninterrupted sleep, a hotel is opposite the Terminal 3 entrance and others nearby. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Stuttgart Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.   

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Airside generally closes after the last departing flight, and passengers may be required to exit and re-clear security in the morning.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in Stuttgart airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels within walking distance of the terminal:

  • Movenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport – About a 1-minute walk from the terminal. No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates
  • Wyndham Stuttgart Airport Messe Hotel – About a 5-minute walk from the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Stuttgart Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

  • Airport Lounge – Location: Terminal 3, Airside, Gallery. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.

Drinking Water

A reader reports a water bottle refill station near Gates 336/337.

Food & Drinks

Food concessions operate on varying schedules, with many opening as early as 4:00 AM. A reader reports a 24/7 Edeka supermarket landside, accessible by credit card only with self-checkout. If you can confirm this information, click here to update this guide.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Self-service lockers are available. Rates: €2–€6, depending on locker size. Payment: Cash (Euros) and credit cards accepted. Location: Terminal 1, right side, behind the guard house.

Mobile Charging

Power outlets for charging mobile devices are available throughout the terminals, both landside and airside.

Showers

Shower facilities are located near the Airport Bus Terminal, about a 5-minute walk from the main terminal. Showers are available for a short timed session for €2, with options to purchase additional time.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available for up to three hours. Connect to the “AIRPORT-FREE-WIFI” network.

Security & Safety

Airport staff seem to tolerate overnight sleepers. However, they seem to be quite strict with their security procedures and checkpoints. Travellers have mentioned seeing refugees, homeless, and vagrant folks wandering the landside areas of the main terminal, so you may want to arrive early enough to get into the airside areas for an overnight stay.

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

  • Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
  • Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
  • Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
  • Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Chapel – A multi-faith prayer room is available for travellers. Location: Terminal 3, Landside, Level 2.

Family Services

  • Baby Care Facilities – Baby care rooms are available landside and airside, and some include bottle warmers. Strollers can be borrowed from the oversize luggage counter in Terminal 3 and used up to the gate, where they can be returned.
  • Children’s Play Area – Children’s play areas are available in several terminals. The Kiddieland play zones feature colourful equipment for climbing and play and are accessible 24 hours in landside arrivals areas. SkyLand, an aviation-themed play and learning area, is located airside in Terminal 3 and operates on limited days and hours.

Luggage

  • Baggage Trolleys – Baggage trolleys are available free of charge with a refundable coin deposit. They can be found in parking areas, near terminal entrances, and in baggage claim.
  • Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
  • Luggage Wrapping – A luggage-wrapping service is available in Terminal 3, landside.
  • Porter Service – Paid porter services are available for travellers who need assistance with their luggage.

Medical Services – An airport medical centre provides urgent and emergency care during weekday business hours.

Money

  • ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available in multiple terminals, both landside and airside. Fees may apply depending on your bank.
  • Currency Exchange – Currency exchange services are available landside in Terminal 1 during daytime hours.

Massage Chairs – Self-service massage chairs are available in Terminal 3, landside, and operate 24 hours.

Pharmacy – A pharmacy is available landside in Terminal 2, with reduced hours on weekends.

Post Office – Postal services are available at a kiosk in Terminal 3, landside.

Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside in Terminals 1, 3, and 4. A range of other retail shops are located throughout the terminal areas.

SIM Cards – Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased airside in Terminal 3 from an electronics retailer.

Smokers’ Lounge – Designated smoking areas are available landside in Terminal 1 and airside in Terminal 3.

Supermarket – A full-service supermarket is available landside in Terminal 3. Overnight access is available via self-service outside standard staffed hours.

Things to do & see

  • Airport Tours – Behind-the-scenes airport tours are offered on select days and must be booked in advance.
  • Arcade – Slot machines are available landside in Terminals 3 and 4, with daily operating hours.
  • Observation Deck – An outdoor visitor terrace offers panoramic runway views and seating during daytime hours.

Tourist Office – A tourist information desk is available landside in Terminal 3, offering general travel assistance on weekdays.

Travel Agencies – Several travel agencies operate landside offices across Terminals 2 and 3 and can assist with bookings and last-minute travel arrangements.

Airlines
Stuttgart airport is served by the following airlines: Aegean Airlines • Air Cairo • Air France • Air Serbia • Austrian Airlines • Avantiair • British Airways • Chair • Condor • Corendon Airlines • Dan Air • Delta Air Lines • Enter Air • Eurowings • Freebird • Freebird Europe • gp aviation • ITA Airways • KLM • LOT • Lufthansa • Marabu • MGA • Nouvelair • Pegasus • SAS • skyalps • Smartwings • Southwind Airlines • Star East Airlines • SunExpress • Swiss • Tailwind • TRADEAIRl • TUIFly • Turkish Airlines • Volotea • Vueling.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

The Stuttgart Airport Busterminal (SAB) is between Flughafenstrasse and Terminal 4, beneath the P14 car garage. Regional, national, and international long-distance buses are available here. Night bus line 8 runs between the city centre and Stuttgart Airport early in the morning and late in the evening. For fares, routes, and schedules, visit the Stuttgart Airport website.

Car Rentals

The following car rental agencies are located onsite in Terminal 3 (Level 2): Avis • Buchbinder • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz/Thrifty • SIXT.
There are also various e-vehicle car-sharing options at Stuttgart Airport. For more information, visit the Stuttgart Airport website.

Hotel Shuttles

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available 24 hours a day outside Terminal 1, Departures Level. Total one-way trip time to the city centre is about 20 minutes.

Train

S-Bahn commuter trains S2 and S3 connect the airport with Stuttgart Central Railway Station (Hauptbahnhof), running from around 5:00 AM to just after midnight. Departures are available every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends. There is an S-Bahn station on Level 1 of Terminal 1. For fare and route information, visit the VVS Transit website.

From Hauptbahnhof, passengers can change to numerous Deutsche Bahn, ICE, EC and IC high-speed trains travelling to Baden-Württemberg and beyond. For Deutsche Bahn train timetables, routes and fares, visit the Deutsche Bahn website.

Last updated: 2026-01-29

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.