Parking at Stuttgart Airport during trade fairs: tips for departure and return
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Hardly any other major German airport has such a close neighbour as Stuttgart: directly north of the terminals, separated only by the A8, lies the Stuttgart trade fair centre with its large halls. The airport and trade fair share the Stuttgart-Flughafen/Messe junction, the access roads and the S-Bahn station. For trade fair visitors this is ideal. For holidaymakers and business travellers departing or landing on a trade fair day, it means more traffic, fuller parking areas and a journey that may take longer than usual. This guide shows how to cope with such days calmly.
Key facts at a glance
- The airport and trade fair share the junction, access roads and S-Bahn station.
- Check the trade fair calendar before your trip.
- Allow more time for the last few kilometres on trade fair days.
- Reserve your parking space early and enter the address from your booking in the satnav.
What happens on trade fair days
During major events, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the Filder plateau every day. Many come by car via the A8, others by S-Bahn or bus. The trade fair has its own multi-storey car parks and parking areas, but traffic converges at the same junctions that airport travellers use. Especially in the morning when the halls open and in the late afternoon when the fair closes, traffic backs up at the junction and on the feeder roads. If you want to get to the airport in exactly these time windows, you need patience and reserve.
Which fairs matter most
The Stuttgart trade fair hosts numerous trade and consumer fairs throughout the year. Consumer fairs attract many private visitors who come by car – a well-known example is the CMT holiday fair in January. Trade fairs bring many business travellers, some of whom arrive via the airport themselves. Which event takes place on your day of travel is shown in the calendar on the trade fair website. A quick look is enough to know whether you should allow more time.
Getting there on trade fair days
Before setting off, check the traffic situation on the A8 and around the Flughafen/Messe junction. Depending on where you start, a route via the B27 or the side roads of the Filder towns may make sense; a satnav with real-time data helps with the decision. Follow the signs to the airport and not to the trade fair – the routes separate shortly after the exit. Enter the address from your parking booking in the satnav. More on the route: Driving to Stuttgart Airport.
Valet on trade fair days
With valet, you drive to the meeting point near the terminal. The journey may take longer on trade fair days, but afterwards there is no shuttle transfer. So you make up part of the delay. Inform the provider if you are stuck in trade fair traffic so that they can schedule the driver accordingly. More: Valet parking at Stuttgart Airport.
Shuttle on trade fair days
With shuttle parking, the car park is in the surrounding area. Depending on its location, you may get there before you hit the trade fair traffic – an advantage. The shuttle bus itself, however, has to cover the last few kilometres to the terminal and may get stuck in traffic. Allow more generously for the transfer on such days. Ask the provider whether they adjust their procedures on trade fair days. More: Shuttle parking at Stuttgart Airport.
The airport's multi-storey car parks on trade fair days
Trade fair visitors also sometimes park in the multi-storey car parks around the airport and trade fair centre. On major trade fair days they can get fuller. If you want to park at the terminal, it is better to reserve in advance via the airport's website. Without a reservation, it is worth checking the occupancy displays before you drive in.
S-Bahn on trade fair days
The S2 and S3 S-Bahn lines stop at Flughafen/Messe station. On trade fair days, trains are well filled, especially in the morning and afternoon. If you are travelling with large luggage, you won't necessarily want to board the fullest train. The U6 light rail line is another connection. For families with suitcases, the car is usually the more relaxed choice on such days.
If you want to go to the fair yourself
Some business travellers combine the two: a visit to the trade fair in Stuttgart, then a flight abroad. Then the proximity is ideal. Nevertheless, allow time for the change from the trade fair to the terminal, especially if you have luggage. The walk across the bridge between the trade fair and the airport is short, but with suitcases it doesn't take just two minutes.
Returning on a trade fair day
If you land on a trade fair day, the arrivals level is often busier than usual, because many trade fair visitors arrive at the same time. Taxis and hire cars are in greater demand. For you as a parking customer, little changes: collect your luggage, contact the provider, go to the meeting point or pick-up point. Allow a little more time for the drive home if it coincides with the fair closing. More: Returning: collecting your car at Stuttgart Airport.
Reserve early
On major trade fair days, many trade fair guests fly in addition to holidaymakers. If you are travelling on such dates, book your parking space early. With free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service begins, you stay flexible. Planning tips: Reserving a car park at Stuttgart Airport.
An example from January
A family from Göppingen is flying to the sun on a Saturday in January, departure at 11:30. On this day a major consumer fair is on next door. The family allows two hours' lead time, 15 minutes for the valet handover and, instead of the usual 30 minutes' drive via the A8, 50 minutes this time – departure at 08:25. In the end they are a little early at the terminal, have a relaxed breakfast and watch the planes. The figures are an example; your trip may look different.
Exhibitors and stand staff
If you exhibit at a Stuttgart trade fair yourself and then go travelling – or, conversely, come straight from your holiday to set up for the fair – you can combine the airport and trade fair well. Note that the trade fair car parks and the parking areas for air travellers have different rules and rates. A car parked for days in a trade fair car park is not necessarily in the right place there. For the trip, book an airport car park or a parking service.
If the fair ends on your day of return
On the last day of a trade fair, many exhibitors leave the site with vans and lorries, and visitors also depart at the same time. If your landing falls in this period, the drive home via the A8 and the feeder roads may take longer. Allow a little more time for it, or have a relaxed coffee in the terminal before setting off until the traffic has eased.
Trade fair visitors who fly
Many trade visitors themselves travel to the fair by plane. For them, the proximity is ideal: from the gate it is only a few minutes' walk to the trade fair entrance. If you are a host picking up clients, use the multi-storey car park at the terminal and allow time for passport control and luggage. A sign with the company name helps in the crowded arrivals hall.
Major events outside the trade fair
Not only trade fairs but also concerts, sporting events in Stuttgart or festivals such as the Cannstatter Wasen in autumn affect traffic in the region. They affect the airport less directly than the trade fair but can lengthen the journey through the city. If you are driving through the valley basin on such days, check the traffic situation beforehand.
In brief
Having the airport and trade fair as neighbours is usually an advantage for travellers – but a challenge on major trade fair days. If you know the calendar, reserve early, allow more time for the last few kilometres and inform the provider of delays, you will start your trip relaxed even then.
A quick look at the trade fair calendar when booking your flight is enough to identify such days early – and to stay calm when tens of thousands of visitors are out and about next door.
Have a good trip – whether on holiday or to your next client appointment.
If you are flexible, you would rather schedule your departure for a day without a major event anyway.
Checklist for trade fair days
- Trade fair calendar checked
- Parking space reserved early
- Extra driving time planned for the last few kilometres
- Address from the booking in the satnav; follow the "Flughafen" (airport) signs
- Provider informed of any delay
Whether offers at Stuttgart Airport can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on the page Parking at Stuttgart Airport.
