Route guide

Stuttgart → Salzburg

306 km · Germany to Austria · Fastest: 3h by train · Cheapest: €17+ by bus

How to travel from Stuttgart to Salzburg

There are 3 ways to travel between Stuttgart and Salzburg — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€33–95

Duration: 2h 33m

via Railjet, ICE

~4.3 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€17–41

Duration: 4h 22m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~9.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

Not practical for this route.

🚗Car

€37–67

Duration: 3h 24m

~52 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Stuttgart and Salzburg highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 306 km this is a comfortable weekend trip — train or flight both work.
Direct or connecting trains cover this route. Advance fares (1–2 months out) drop prices significantly.
This route crosses from Germany into Austria. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Stuttgart to Salzburg — every option in detail

Stuttgart to Salzburg by train

Trains link Stuttgart (Germany) and Salzburg (Austria) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 2h 33m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Railjet, ICE.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €33 to €95. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

On routes under 600 km like this one, train often beats flight door-to-door once you factor in airport check-in and transfers.

Climate footprint: about 4.3 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 48 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~44 kg on this distance.

Stuttgart to Salzburg by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Stuttgart and Salzburg with a typical journey of 4h 22m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €17 when booked in advance, rising to €41 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Stuttgart to Salzburg by flight

Flight is not a typical choice for this 306 km route.

Stuttgart to Salzburg by car

The driving distance from Stuttgart to Salzburg is approximately 352 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 3h 24m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €37–67 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Germany–Austria border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 52 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Stuttgart and Salzburg is approximately 306 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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