Mercedes-Benz is one of the best-known German brands in the world. Ever since Carl Benz invented the first automobile in 1886, the name has been forever associated with cars.
If you're a long-time lover of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and are planning a trip to Germany, the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart is a must-visit destination.
Standing directly outside the main gate of the Mercedes-Benz Untertürkheim factory in Stuttgart, the museum was designed by Dutch architects UN Studio in a unique cloverleaf shape recalling a Wankel engine.
Bringing the stories behind this near 100-year-old organization to life is their aim here, although car enthusiasts will also marvel at the more than 160 vehicles of all shapes and sizes ranging on display, from some of the oldest ever built to legendary racing cars and futuristic prototype vehicles.
Image Credit: © Mercedes-Benz AG. Image Location: Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
Mercedes-Benz Museum: Stuttgart, Germany
Where is the Mercedes-Benz Museum?
The Mercedes-Benz Museum is located to the east of the center of Stuttgart on the east bank of the Neckar River. It's next to the Mercedes-Benz Group headquarters and directly across from the MHPArena—home to professional football club VfB Stuttgart.
It is easily accessible by local train: from Stuttgart Hbf, take the S1 or S11 S-Bahn trains to Neckarpark station, and it's a 15-minute walk from there to the Museum.
Stuttgart is the capital of southwest Germany’s Baden-Württemberg state and is known as a high-tech manufacturing hub. Nicknamed the Autohauptstadt ("car capital") of Germany, Stuttgart also is home to other well-known German brands, such as Porsche and Bosch.
Other nearby major cities accessible by train include Munich, Heidelberg, and Frankfurt.
When was the Mercedes-Benz Museum built?
The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, opened to the public in May 2006 and attracted around 860,000 visitors in its first full year.
How much does it cost to visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum?
Day tickets to the Mercedes-Benz Museum cost €12 for adults, while there is a reduced price of €6 available for children from ages 13 to 17, students, and seniors.
Admission is free for children up to and including 12 years of age. Just note: the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm and is closed on Mondays.
Image Credit: © Mercedes-Benz AG. Image Location: Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
What can you see at the Mercedes-Benz Museum?
The Mercedes-Benz Museum is set across nine levels covering a floor space of 178,000 square feet, presenting breathtaking vehicles and over 1,500 exhibits.
Step inside to discover Mercedes-Benz's automotive and contemporary history ranging from the very first patented car in the world to hydrogen vehicles from this millennium.
The unparalleled world of Mercedes-Benz can be taken in on two tours that follow "Legend" and "Collection" narratives. You can also book guided tours focusing on particular topics, such as motorsports and commercial vehicles, or take an audio-visual guide with you as you pass through the museum.
Models on display include the popular AMG and Maybach types, classic sports cars like the 300SL "Gullwing", and racing cars, as well as newer models spanning across saloons, SUVs, estates, coupés, cabriolets and MPVs. The museum also runs special exhibitions throughout the year.
If you need somewhere to rest and refuel during your visit, you can enjoy a full sit-down meal at Bertha's Bar and Restaurant. You'll also find a bistro on level one as well as a deli specialty shop on the lowest level of the museum.
Image Credit: © Mercedes-Benz AG. Image Location: Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
How to get to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Germany
You can get from Stuttgart's central train station (Stuttgart Hbf) to Neckarpark station in less than 10 minutes on the S1 and S11 S-Bahn trains. But what if you're flying in from the States to other popular German destinations? Well, Trainline can help you make the transfer:
- Munich to Stuttgart: ~ 2h 7m
- Frankfurt to Stuttgart: ~ 1h 36m
- Heidelberg to Stuttgart: ~ 52m
- Berlin to Stuttgart: ~ 5h 58m
Flying into a European hub a bit further away? Europe's high-speed train network will get you there faster than any highway. You can catch trains to Stuttgart from Paris (from 3h 9m) and even London (from 6h 37m, with changes).
High-speed journeys
Download the Trainline app today to book train tickets across Europe—all on your smartphone and paid for in US dollars. Also, for more southern Germany travel inspiration, check out our guides to the nearby Black Forest, neighboring region Bavaria, and the best German castles you can visit by train from Frankfurt.
Header Image Credit: © Mercedes-Benz AG. Image Location: Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany