Stuttgart Airport (STR): pickup, drop-off and terminal guide
Stuttgart Airport has a single passenger terminal (Terminal 1 — the former Terminals 2 and 4 were merged into it). That makes orientation simple, but knowing the right level and meeting point saves real time when you are tired or in a hurry. This guide covers both directions: dropping you for departure and meeting you on arrival.
For a pre-booked transfer the key difference from a taxi-rank ride is that you are met — your driver is already there with your booking reference, so there is no queue and no fare negotiation at the kerb.
Departures: which level for drop-off
For departures, your driver drops you at the Terminal 1 Departures level (Level 3), directly outside the check-in halls for Lufthansa, Eurowings and Star Alliance carriers. Non-Star airlines (KLM, Air France, Turkish) use the same drop point — security control is shared across the single terminal.
Because there is one terminal, you cannot pick the "wrong" one. Tell the driver your airline only if you have an oversized-bag drop or need the assistance desk, otherwise the standard Departures kerb is the fastest option.
Arrivals: where your driver meets you
On arrival, Standard and Van pickups meet at the rental-car-and-hotel-service kerb just outside Terminal 1 Arrivals (Level 0), about 80 metres from the baggage hall exit. The driver is already in position with your reference; your booking confirmation also carries the driver’s number for direct coordination.
Premium (S-Class) bookings include an airside meet-and-greet: the driver waits inside the arrivals area with a name placard before customs, so you do not need a working phone or Wi-Fi to find each other.
Parking vs. being dropped off
If someone is driving you, the Kiss-and-Fly zone outside Terminal 1 allows a brief free curbside stop. Short-stay parking (P0/P1) is convenient but adds up quickly; long-stay (P14/P15, with terminal shuttle) is the economical self-park option for week-plus trips.
For most week-plus trips a round-trip fixed-price transfer removes the parking maths entirely — no daily parking fee, no fuel, no walk from the far garages with luggage. You simply book the return leg for your landing time.
Flight delays and waiting time
We do not auto-track flights, so the simplest reliable approach is to set your pickup at least 45 minutes after the scheduled landing — that covers taxi-in, passport control and baggage. Up to 60 minutes of waiting after the landing is included free.
If a flight lands very late or customs backs up beyond that, call dispatch — we accommodate where logistically possible and the fixed price holds.
Frequently asked questions
How many terminals does Stuttgart Airport have?
One passenger terminal (Terminal 1). The former Terminals 2 and 4 were merged into it, so there is no risk of going to the wrong terminal — all check-in and arrivals are in the same building.
Where does the driver meet me when I arrive at STR?
Standard and Van: the rental-car-and-hotel-service kerb just outside Terminal 1 Arrivals (Level 0), about 80 m from baggage. Premium: an airside meet-and-greet with a name placard before customs.
Which level is departures drop-off?
Terminal 1 Departures, Level 3, directly outside the check-in halls. All airlines share the single terminal, so the standard Departures kerb works for every carrier.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Set the pickup 45 minutes after the scheduled landing; up to 60 minutes of waiting after landing is free. For longer delays, call dispatch — the fixed price still applies.
Is a fixed-price transfer cheaper than airport parking?
For week-plus trips, usually yes once you add parking fees, fuel and the time cost of the far garages — and you skip the luggage walk. For a quick same-day drop-off, parking or Kiss-and-Fly can be fine.
Book a fixed price