Due to jet lag, we recommend you come 1-2 weeks before the wedding. We live in the large city of Stuttgart which is about a 50-minute drive from the venue in Bad Urach (small rural town) and recommend you stay in Stuttgart the rest of the time outside of the wedding since there is more to do in the city (we recommend you stay in Bad Urach the night of the wedding and potentially the night after due to German weddings lasting until 4-5 A.M. in the morning). DJ and dancing at our wedding will be until 4:30 A.M. (reminder you get a midnight snack after the bouquet and garter throws). :) For the bridesmaids/groomsmen/parents of bride and groom, we recommend staying in Bad Urach the night before the wedding too.
Stuttgart Airport (STR) is the closest airport to the wedding location and to where we live. From here you can get to downtown Stuttgart in 20min and 50min to the location. Stuttgart is located in the south west of Germany. Other countries like France or Italy can be reached from here by car within a few hours.
If you plan on staying in Germany for a few days only this would be a good option.
Like many German cities, Stuttgart has a safe and reliable public transportation system of trains and buses. This is the easiest way to get to the city from the airport and to move around town. Tickets can be bought at the stops, by downloading the VVS app, or online on your phone:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the biggest Airport in Germany and about 2h away from Stuttgart. From here you can easily take a public transportation to Stuttgart or get a rental car. Train and Bus Tickets can be bought ahead of time or at the Frankfurt Airport.
Train Tickets: https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml
Bus Tickets: www.global.flixbus.com
Flights to Franfurt are often cheaper from the US compared to Stuttgart. Frankfurt is located in central Germany which makes it easy to travel to other parts of Germany or Europe. Frankfurt is a good option if you plan to stay a little longer and want to save some money.
A good place to find cheap airfare is:
Due to the current Corona situation a lot of airlines offer flexible Tickets where you can move the travel date or get your money back. Make sure to look out for those.
Both Stuttgart and Frankfurt Airport/Main Station provide the possibilty to get a rental car during your time here. Find good prices here:
To make life easier we recommend buying a Sim Card for your smartphone before you arrive in Germany. These allow you internet access on your phone and are usually cheaper than paying your service provider for out of country internet access.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Germany+Sim+Card
Ensure you check the expiration date of you and your guest's passports before travel. For Germany, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months (90 days) beyond your period of stay. European countries within the Schengen zone generally have a 3-month validity requirement but to be safe it is recommended to have at least 6 months left on your passport if you intend to travel within Europe too as some countries require 6 months (Italy requires 6 months for example). Get specific information for each country for travel at:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel
Travel Adapters:
Plugs for your devices, such as phones and laptops, will not work in Germany. You will need to buy an adapter to charge these devices. High power devices, such as hair dryers, may not work even with an adapter if they are not dual voltage.