Fastest way from Stuttgart to Ulm: Train, about 0h 59min (from €10). Cheapest: Bus, from €5 (about 1h). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 10, 2026): FlixBus, WESTbahn, Blablacar Bus; main departure point: Stuttgart Airport.
There are 2 ways to get from Stuttgart to Ulm
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WESTbahn | Train | Stuttgart Central | €10 | 2 |
| FlixBus | Bus | Stuttgart Airport | €5 | 10 |
| Blablacar Bus | Bus | Stuttgart Airport | €8 | 1 |
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Practical tips
The gap between bus and train is small on this route, so check the table on this page for your date. Pick the bus if you want the lowest fare, the train if you value comfort and a central arrival.
Bus stop and train station are rarely the same place. Read your e-ticket carefully and note the exact stop name before leaving your accommodation, so you never end up at the wrong station with a departure about to leave.
Bus fares are lowest when booked ahead, especially on weekends and holidays. Reserving a few days before travel usually secures the cheapest seat and gives you an instant e-ticket on your phone.
If you are connecting to an onward trip from Ulm, avoid taking the last departure of the day. Leave earlier, so a delay on the road or rails does not make you miss your next connection.
Keep your backpack manageable and your valuables and e-ticket in a day bag. Arrive at the stop a little early, since buses wait only briefly and boarding is often in a busy area.
The journey experience
Stuttgart to Ulm is one of the easiest hops in southern Germany, and you can stop worrying about whether to take the bus or the train: both are quick, simple and well suited to travelling without a car. The comparison table on this page shows durations and price ranges side by side, so you can decide in a few seconds.
The train is the classic choice. It runs from the city's main station into the centre of Ulm, with comfortable seats, luggage space, and the freedom to move around, buy a snack or use the toilet. The bus is the budget option: it follows the same corridor along the motorway, is usually the cheapest way to go, and suits you if you travel light and book early. Both options are direct, so there is no change to manage.
My advice: if your budget is tight, book the bus ahead and enjoy the savings; if you want maximum flexibility or a central arrival, pick the train. Always check the exact departure stop or station on your e-ticket before you leave, since the central bus station and the main station are not the same place. From Ulm you can easily continue to Munich, Augsburg or Lake Constance, so the route fits well into a wider trip across southern Germany.
Frequently asked questions — Stuttgart → Ulm
Both take about the same time, roughly 1 h to 1 h 10, so the choice is mostly about budget and comfort. The bus is cheaper, from €5, while the train starts at €10. Take the bus to save money, or the train for more space and flexibility.
The journey takes about 1 h to 1 h 10 whether you go by train or by bus. Since the duration is nearly identical, you do not need to pay extra for speed. Allow a little extra time to reach your departure stop or station.
Bus tickets start from €5 and typically go up to €6. Train tickets start from €10 and typically go up to €11. Prices vary by date and how early you book, so reserving ahead usually gives you the best fare.
The train leaves from Stuttgart's main station (Hauptbahnhof) and arrives at Ulm's main station, close to the city centre. Bus stops can differ from the station, so always check the departure and arrival points on your e-ticket before travelling.
Check the details of your chosen departure when booking, as the booking page shows whether your trip is direct or includes a change. Both bus and train take about 1 h to 1 h 10, so in either case the journey stays short and simple.
Why visit Ulm?
- ✓ Climb the 768 steps of Ulm Minster, the tallest church tower in the world at 161.5 m, for views over the Danube and, on clear days, the Alps
- ✓ Wander the Fischerviertel, the medieval fishermen's quarter with half-timbered houses, canals and the famously leaning Schiefes Haus
- ✓ Visit the Einstein Fountain and the Einstein memorial, honouring the physicist born in Ulm in 1879
- ✓ Explore the Museum Brot und Kunst, dedicated to bread culture, and the Museum of Hybrid Art in the old town
- ✓ Stroll or cycle the Danube promenade to Neu-Ulm and see the Stadtmauer, Metzgerturm (Butchers' Tower) and the Danube-side city walls
When to visit Ulm?
CONTINENTAL TEMPERATE CLIMATE
May to September — mild, sunny weather ideal for the Danube, terraces and tower climbs
What to do in Ulm?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Ulm?
Ulm is best done in 1 to 2 days. In one day, climb the Münster tower (161 m, the world's tallest church spire), stroll the Fischerviertel and the Danube riverbank, and see the Einstein sights. With a second day, add the Museum of Bread and Art, the Stadtmauer walk to the Metzgerturm, and a trip across the river to Neu-Ulm or a day out to Blaubeuren. Book an overnight stay if you want to climb the tower early before the crowds.
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