Fastest way from Stuttgart to Hamburg: Flight, about 1h 10min (from €93). Cheapest: Train, from €30 (about 8h 7min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 10, 2026): Eurowings, SAS, FlixTrain; main departure point: Stuttgart Airport.
There are 2 ways to get from Stuttgart to Hamburg
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on November 10, 2026 for a departure on December 1, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixTrain | Train | Stuttgart Central | €30 | 1 |
| Eurowings | Flight | Stuttgart Airport | €93 | 15 |
| SAS | Flight | Stuttgart Airport | €241 | 2 |
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Practical tips
Check the comparison table first: the train is usually the relaxed choice, the plane the fast one. Look at both price and total door-to-door effort so you don't overpay for speed you won't really gain.
Train fares vary a lot with the date and how early you book. Reserve as soon as your plans are fixed, and avoid peak Friday and Sunday departures if your dates are flexible.
Trains leave from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof and arrive at a Hamburg station named on your ticket. Check the arrival station before you travel, as Hamburg has several, and note it for your onward connection.
A flight looks quick, but add the transfer to the airport, security, baggage fees and the ride into Hamburg. Compare that total effort with a city-centre train before you decide.
If your train needs a change, check the connection time on your ticket and leave a comfortable margin. Keep your booking on your phone, and avoid the very last departure of the day for time-critical plans.
The journey experience
Stuttgart to Hamburg is one of the longest north–south legs in Germany, so choosing the right transport matters more here than on most routes. This page compares the two options side by side, train and flight, so you can see at a glance which one fits your budget and your schedule without opening ten different tabs.
The train, mainly run by Deutsche Bahn, takes you from the centre of Stuttgart to the centre of Hamburg. There is no airport check-in, you get room for your backpack, power sockets and a window seat on the German countryside, and you can walk out of the station straight into the city. The flight is the fast option: you fly from Stuttgart Airport to Hamburg Airport, which makes sense if saving time matters more than saving money. Keep in mind the transfers to and from each airport and the baggage rules.
Our advice: decide what you value most, then check the table and book early, because prices move with the date. Always confirm the exact departure station or airport on your ticket, and whether your train is direct or needs a change, leaving a comfortable buffer if it does. From Hamburg, onward trips to neighbouring countries are easy to plan, so check the border conditions before you go.
Frequently asked questions — Stuttgart → Hamburg
It depends on your priority. The train is the budget-friendly choice and takes you city centre to city centre, with room for luggage and no airport procedures. The plane is far quicker in the air, which suits you if time matters most, but you must add airport transfers and baggage rules.
By train, the journey takes about 8 h to 10 h depending on the service you choose. By plane, the flight itself takes about 1 h 10 to 1 h 25. Remember to add the time to reach the airport, check-in and the ride into town when comparing both options.
Train tickets start from 30 €, and typical fares go up to 31 €. Flights start from 93 €, with typical fares up to 129 €. Prices change with the date and how early you book, so reserving ahead usually gives you the best choice of fares.
Trains leave from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, the main station in the city centre. Flights leave from Stuttgart Airport and land at Hamburg Airport. Always check the exact arrival station or terminal on your ticket before travelling, especially if you plan an onward connection.
The flight connects the two cities as a single trip. For the train, the booking page shows whether your chosen service is direct or includes a change. Check this before paying, and leave a comfortable margin between connections so you don't miss your onward train.
Why visit Hamburg?
- ✓ Stroll through the Speicherstadt, the world's largest timber-piled warehouse district, and visit Miniatur Wunderland
- ✓ Attend a concert at the Elbphilharmonie and enjoy the free Plaza viewing platform over the harbour
- ✓ Take a harbour cruise or ride the HVV ferry line 62 along the Elbe past the Landungsbrücken and container terminals
- ✓ Experience the nightlife of St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn, then eat a fish roll at the Fischmarkt on Sunday morning
- ✓ Walk the Elbstrand beach in Övelgönne and admire the villas and museum ships of the Elbchaussee
When to visit Hamburg?
TEMPERATE OCEANIC CLIMATE
May to September — mild, longest days and outdoor terraces, though showers are frequent year-round, so bring a light rain jacket
What to do in Hamburg?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Hamburg?
Allow 3 days to cover Hamburg properly. In 2 days, focus on the Speicherstadt, HafenCity with the Elbphilharmonie plaza, the harbour and a evening on the Reeperbahn. With a third day, add the Alster lake, the Fischmarkt (Sunday morning) and a museum such as the Miniatur Wunderland. Buy a day ticket for public transport and book Miniatur Wunderland online to skip the queues.
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