Getting There
The main gateway is Stuttgart Airport (STR), approximately 44 miles (71 km) from Heidenheim an der Brenz. There is no direct train; the best route by rail is from the STR underground station (Stuttgart Flughafen/Messe) via Stuttgart Hbf and Aalen Hbf to Heidenheim Bahnhof, taking roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes with one or two changes. Driving is the fastest option at around 1 hour via the A8 and A7 motorways, and is worth considering for matchday flexibility given Heidenheim's compact size.
Getting Around
Heidenheim is a small city of roughly 50,000 people where a car or taxi is the most practical option for getting around, especially for reaching the Voith-Arena on the Schlossberg. Local HVG city buses serve the town under the Heidenheimer Tarifverbund (HTV) fare system, with the central bus terminal (ZOB) located at the main train station on Marienstraße; bus lines including routes 1, 35, 40, 60, and 61 cover key areas of the city. Rideshare options are limited compared to larger German cities, so pre-booking a taxi or renting a car at STR is advisable for matchday travel.
Where to Stay
The city centre (Innenstadt) around the main train station and the pedestrian zone on Marienstraße is the most convenient base, putting you within reach of the ZOB bus terminal and a short taxi or bus ride from the Voith-Arena on the Schlossberg. Budget hotels and business-class properties in central Heidenheim typically run €70-€130 per night, though prices rise sharply on Bundesliga matchdays as the city is small and accommodation fills quickly. Visiting fans should book well in advance for home fixtures, particularly high-profile matches against Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund; overflow options exist in nearby Aalen (about 20 minutes by regional train on the Brenztalbahn line) or Ulm (about 30 minutes south on the A7). Staying in Aalen also provides a useful fallback if Heidenheim itself sells out.
Sports Fan Notes
1. FC Heidenheim's rise from the fifth tier to the Bundesliga is one of German football's great underdog stories, culminating in promotion as 2. Bundesliga champions in 2023 and a remarkable debut top-flight season in which the club finished eighth and qualified for the UEFA Conference League. The Voith-Arena holds just 15,000 supporters and is the highest-elevation stadium in Germany's top three divisions at 555 meters above sea level, creating an intimate, electric atmosphere that is totally sold out for every Bundesliga home game. The club's identity is deeply tied to local industrial firm Voith and the tight-knit community of the Ostalb region, giving matchdays a genuine grassroots feel unusual at the top level of German football. A trip to Heidenheim pairs well with a visit to VfB Stuttgart (about an hour by road), one of the region's storied Bundesliga clubs, for fans looking to take in multiple games on a single trip to Baden-Württemberg.
Venues in Heidenheim
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from STR to downtown Heidenheim?
The best public transport option is to take the S-Bahn from Stuttgart Flughafen/Messe station (directly beneath STR) toward Stuttgart Hbf, then transfer to a regional train toward Aalen Hbf, and finally change onto the Brenztalbahn regional service to Heidenheim Bahnhof. The full journey takes approximately 2 hours 15 minutes with one to two changes and costs roughly €20-€35 depending on ticket type; the Baden-Württemberg day ticket (Landesticket) is a cost-effective option for groups. Driving takes about 1 hour via the A8 westbound toward Ulm and the A7 north, and car rental at STR is a practical choice for matchday visits.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Heidenheim for a sports trip?
Stay in the Innenstadt (city centre) near Heidenheim Hauptbahnhof and the Marienstraße pedestrian zone. This puts you at the central bus terminal (ZOB) for local HVG bus connections, walking distance from bars and restaurants for pre- and post-match socializing, and a short taxi ride from the Voith-Arena on the Schlossberg. Given that Heidenheim is a small city, the centre is really the only practical base; if accommodation is fully booked, Aalen to the northwest is the best alternative, with regular Brenztalbahn train connections into Heidenheim.
Which sports teams play in Heidenheim?
1. FC Heidenheim 1846 is the city's professional sports team, competing in the Bundesliga, Germany's top football division. Founded effectively in its current form in 2007, the club made a remarkable climb through the lower tiers to reach the Bundesliga for the first time in 2023, finishing eighth in their debut season and qualifying for the UEFA Conference League.
Is Heidenheim a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Heidenheim is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is held exclusively in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The nearest host city is in North America; for European-based travelers, New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium) is among the closest North American venues hosting matches.
Sports cities near Heidenheim
Close enough to pair with a Heidenheim trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.