Stuttgart main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) is a significant regional rail terminal with long distance rail connections running from 17 platforms.  The station is due to be redeveloped as part of 'Stuttgart 21', a joint venture between German Rail and the City of Stuttgart that will see Stuttgart integrated into the high-speed trans-European network and the platforms sunk below ground.  Work is due to be completed in 2012.  An exhibition on 'Stuttgart 21' can be viewed in the 56-metre high tower that forms the station's dominant architectural feature.  Crowned by a large Mercedes star, access to the tower and the lift to a viewing terrace is free.  One floor higher, there is also a cafe, called 'Bistro 21'.   

Location
Stuttgart station is located in the centre of the city, at the end of the main pedestrian shopping street, the Königstrasse, and adjacent to the Schlossgarten (Castle Gardens), through which you can walk all the way to the stadium.  The alternative route to the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium is by light urban rail (S-Bahn line S1) or on the underground Stadtbahn (line U11), both of which run from the station (see City centre to stadium).

Local transport
Like all German cities, Stuttgart has a very efficient local transport service including an underground system (called the Stadtbahn here), a light urban rail system (S-Bahn), trams (Strassenbahn) and an integrated bus network (Public transport planner).

The station tower - 56 metres high

Mainline Services
Stuttgart main station offers direct connections to 8 of the other 11 cities hosting World Cup games - and the other 3 (Gelsenkirchen, Leipzig and Kaiserslautern) can be reached with just one change.  See German rail journey planner and the details below:

Stuttgart to / from other World Cup cities by rail:

     Map of station location

InterRail
Eurail
Rail discount cards