Esslingen or Stuttgart?

While the Strasbourg Christmas markets are fantastic, I was not impressed with Stuttgart's (last year). I'd recommend you fly from Strasbourg to Vienna, and then travel to Salzburg via the train. That would allow you to take the extra day and visit Bratislava or Prague, both easily reached by train. You could also end your trip flying home from Vienna and save a lot of travel time.

I'd say that the stop in Stuttgart is worth it, maybe not for the Christmas market in Stuttgart but for the one in Esslingen.

I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be safe to travel back to Stuttgart in the evening. And if you're leaving early next morning, staying near the station is probably a good thing. Just be aware that Stuttgart central station is being rebuilt at the moment, so if you're sensitive to construction noise it might be a good idea to stay a bit further away.

I lived in Stuttgart for 9 months as well as did my US Army reserve duty in the summer for a few years.

The city is spread out and frankly not very amenable for tourists. The Mercedes Benz and Porsche Museums are something to see.

Use TripAdvisor.com to check things to do in both cities. You might wish to skip Stuttgart.

Took train to and from Paris-Stuttgart and spent a day there a month ago - it’s a gritty feeling city that doesn’t have a lot going for it tourism wise - personally I’d skip it. And the traffic was horrible. (RS doesn’t include it at all in the Germany guidebook if that tells you anything.)

I went to the Stuttgart market a few years ago and found it to be one of the best ones around. Things may have changed over the last few years, but it gets high marks on the FB pages for Christmas markets. It is spread out around the city, had an ice skating rink, and some unusual food items.
Esslingen is tops for sure. Had hoped to go back to both of them last year, but hopefully make it this year.

There aren't any unsafe areas (no go) areas in Germany.

You might want to get to Esslingen a bit earlier as the lights and torches start going on at dusk, which will be around 15:30-16:00. This gives you a bit of time to see Stuttgart at night too, as it the market is really pretty. All the stands are decorated. It is not like Nuremburg, where every stand looks alike. The roofs especially are cool.

For those who haven't gone to Stuttgart in many years, consider giving it a try again. The city has more to see and discover than you might think. Palaces, vineyards, and history. Maybe Sarah, who used to do Stuttgart Steps will come and share some tips.

You don’t have a lot of time, so you won’t see much of Stuttgart anyways, but I will chime in to say that we spent 3 days there last year - to see car museums/factories - but we found it to be a great city. The pedestrian street is lined with shops and some nice museums, there’s nice green spaces right in the Old Town area. The train station area is directly next to the start of the main pedestrian street. The neighborhood is fine there. There is a really big construction project going on - but it didn’t impact us other than some of the access points to the train station are closed and you are detoured to enter a little bit.

Thank you all for the replies. With only one night, I wasn't planning on touring Stuttgart. My main purpose for stopping was (since my train to Salzburg will stop there anyway) is to see the Esslingen market and possibly the Stuttgart market since it's close to the train station. Can I do both in one day? Which would you suggest in the morning and which at night? Arriving at 10am.

Like Jo, we found the Stuttgart Christmas Market to be one of the best. It is large and spread-out. We were there for 2 days.

The Esslingen medieval market is fairly unique. We visited it in the evening by train and returned well after dark by train. We felt no fear for our safety. I am well into my 70's.

I think your plan would work but you might feel a little rushed.

It has been a couple years. We did not find a good hotel choice near the train station that fit our budget.

My daughter and I stayed two nights in Esslingen last December, 2023. We went to the Esslingen market the first evening, and went back the next morning. We had originally planned to also see the Stuttgart market, but we were having such a good time in Esslingen we decided it was not worth the bother. The Esslingen medieval market is fantastic, especially for fans of the middle ages. There is also a lovely and not insignificant "regular" market right next to the medieval market (complete with a Käthe Wolfahrt pop-up and decorated roofs.) In addition, there was a handcrafts market, weekends only, which we enjoyed. For a break, we walked outside the market area and "discovered" the Esslingen castle right there. We were sorry we did not have more time to explore it. Esslingen is a nice little city.

Also, I had trained in to Stuttgart to meet my daughter at the airport. The Hbf is a huge construction zone, and the city area around it was not at all inviting. I questioned wanting to go through there at night. I had been staying in the nearby town of Ehningen and the hotel clerk warned against Stuttgart at night, it's not as safe as the small towns. He also recommended the Esslingen markets over Stuttgart's, saying that while Stuttgart was the biggest, it was also more commercial.

In Esslingen we stayed very near by the market at the Eco Inn, a clean, comfortable and economic choice with a very good and very substantial breakfast, and a very doable walk to/from the train station. For dinner, we took a break and ate at Weinstube Kleine Traube, which I highly recommend. The best schnitzel (their speciality) I ever ate. Reservations are highly recommended that time of year; the only drawback is that you have to make them by telephone. After dinner we enjoyed another flaming evening at the medieval market.

While I do not recommend against the Stuttgart Weihnachtsmarkt and hope to get there some day, with the time we had (and considering jet lag) staying the day in Esslingen was the right choice for us. I admit that we prefer an "enjoy" pace as opposed to a more frantic "see as many things as possible" pace.

Have a wonderful trip!

Thank you for all the thoughtful replies. I will look through all the options and report back!

We are flying into Paris and out of Vienna. We have 4 nights in each in Strasbourg, Salzburg and Vienna. Main concern is where to spend our extra night. Stuttgart is right on the train line. In fact we will have to change trains there on way to Salzburg so hopping off to see Esslingen is convenient. Other options are add a day to Salzburg and see Hallstat OR add a day to Vienna and either day trip to Bratislava or Budapest (spend the night and return). I can add 5th Night free in Vienna with Hilton. Decisions, Decisions! Just wondering if we will tire of Christmas markets and may need to add the day somewhere to see something besides markets.

Stuttgart is a perfect way to break the journey from Strasbourg and I, too, greatly enjoyed both Stuttgart's and Esslingen's Christmas market back in 2016.