Study abroad in Frankfurt
Housing, Erasmus groups, universities, costs and student life for exchange students in Frankfurt.
Country
GermanyStudent Budget
EUR 950 – 1,500/month
Transport Card
Semesterticket (bundled into the semester contribution) — covers all RMV buses, U-Bahn, S-Bahn and trams across Frankfurt and the wider Rhine-Main region.
Population
770,000 city / 2,700,000 metro (Hessisches Statistisches Landesamt, 2024)
Study abroad in Frankfurt: student life
Study abroad in Frankfurt for Germany's financial capital in miniature — a compact, walkable city with the country's only real skyline and a huge international population.
Who loves this city?
Business, economics, law and finance students who want Europe's banking capital on their doorstep, plus one of Germany's largest and most research-active universities.
What makes it special
Frankfurt punches far above its size: it hosts the European Central Bank, Germany's busiest airport, and one of the country's most international populations, while remaining compact and easy to navigate compared to London or Paris.
Newcomer shocks
- Frankfurt is the only German city with a real skyscraper skyline — locals call it 'Mainhattan'.
- It's small enough to cross on foot or by bike in under an hour, despite the big-city skyline.
- The Museumsufer puts more than a dozen museums along one riverbank, making culture cheap and walkable.
Weather in Frankfurt & what to pack
Frankfurt has mild but grey winters and warm, occasionally humid summers in the Rhine-Main basin — pack for damp cold more than snow.
| Month | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January 4° / -1° | ❄️ Cold, occasional snowCold, occasional snow, cold | Short, grey days. |
| February 6° / -1° | 🌤️ Cold, dampCold, damp, cool | Still short days. |
| March 11° / 3° | 🌤️ Mild, breezyMild, breezy, cool | Semester starts, days lengthen fast. |
| April 15° / 6° | 🌤️ ShowersShowers, mild | Pleasant, changeable. |
| May 19° / 10° | 🌧️ Mild, occasional rainMild, occasional rain, mild | Best month for the Museumsufer. |
| June 23° / 13° | 🌧️ Warm, some rainWarm, some rain, warm | Long daylight hours. |
| July 25° / 15° | 💧 Warm, humidWarm, humid, warm | Mainfest riverside festival. |
| August 25° / 15° | 🌤️ Warm, occasional stormsWarm, occasional storms, warm | Museumsuferfest, the city's biggest festival. |
| September 20° / 11° | 🌤️ Cooling, breezyCooling, breezy, warm | Semester starts. |
| October 14° / 7° | 🌧️ Cool, rainyCool, rainy, mild | Days shorten quickly. |
| November 9° / 3° | 🌤️ Cold, dampCold, damp, cool | Grey, wet month. |
| December 5° / 0° | ❄️ Cold, occasional snowCold, occasional snow, cool | Christmas market around the Römerberg. |
Mild by German standards but grey and damp in winter (0-6°C); warm, occasionally humid summers thanks to the Rhine-Main basin.
Packing checklist
- A warm, waterproof coat for the grey winter months.
- Comfortable walking shoes — Frankfurt's compact size makes walking the default way to get around.
- Light layers for humid summer days along the Main.
Cost of living for students in Frankfurt
A Frankfurt student budget usually runs EUR 400-700/month for rent and EUR 950-1,500/month overall, with the Semesterticket covering all regional transport.
| Category | Range / mo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared room - private market | EUR 400 – 650 | Shared flat (WG) in Bockenheim, Nordend or Niederrad; central Westend-adjacent rooms cost more. |
| Student Dormitory | EUR 285 – 385 | Studentenwerk Frankfurt dormitory room, allocated first-come first-served for nominated exchange students. |
Private-market baseline
Use the standard student budget as a private-market planning range. Shared housing can cost less than a private apartment, especially outside the centre.
University and public housing
Campus halls, CROUS or an equivalent public option may cost substantially less. Prices, shared-room conditions and eligibility depend on the institution, and availability is never assumed in the standard range.
Going out & dining
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Student housing in Frankfurt
Apply to Studentenwerk Frankfurt the moment your exchange nomination is confirmed — housing is strictly first-come, first-served and only open to nominated exchange students.
Bockenheim
MediumStudents who want the classic university-district feel with bars and cheap eats
Nordend / Dornbusch
Medium-HighStudents near the Westend campus who want a quieter, leafy area
Niederrad
Low-MediumStudents at the Riedberg or medical campuses on a tighter budget
Official contacts
Studentenwerk Frankfurt am Main
Manages dormitory allocation for Goethe University students, including nominated exchange students, on a first-come first-served basis.
Student residences
Studentenwerk Frankfurt dormitories
Only nominated exchange students qualify for university housing; Freemover (self-funded, non-nominated) students cannot access it.
Private platforms
Student groups
ESN Frankfurt
Runs housing tips, welcome events and a buddy programme for incoming exchange students.
Documents to prepare
Passport or EU ID
Exchange nomination / proof of enrollment
Proof of funds or a blocked account for non-EU students
EUR 600 deposit for university dormitory housing
Timing
Apply to Studentenwerk Frankfurt the moment your nomination is confirmed — allocation is strictly first-come, first-served.
Start WG-Gesucht searches 2-3 months before arrival if going private.
Deposit & contract notes
University dorm deposit is a flat EUR 600.
Private rentals typically require up to 3 months' rent as deposit — always get a written contract.
Red flags
Never pay a deposit before viewing the room or verifying the landlord's identity.
Be suspicious of landlords who are 'abroad' and can only communicate by email.
Confirm whether utilities (Nebenkosten) are included in the quoted rent.
Is Frankfurt safe for students?
Frankfurt is safe overall; the area right around the main train station (Bahnhofsviertel) needs normal late-night caution.
A safe, wealthy German city overall; normal caution applies around the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) area, especially at night.
Top risks
- The area directly around Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Kaiserstraße/Bahnhofsviertel) has open drug use and petty crime, especially at night.
- Bike theft — always use a solid lock.
Getting around Frankfurt
The RMV network (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, buses) is fully covered by the student Semesterticket across the whole Rhine-Main region.
🚊 RMV (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, buses)
Covers the whole Rhine-Main region, including day trips to Wiesbaden, Mainz and Darmstadt.
Fully covered by the mandatory Semesterticket for enrolled students.
🚲 Bicycle
Frankfurt is compact and increasingly cycle-friendly, especially along the Main riverbanks.
Things to do in Frankfurt as a student
The Museumsuferfest, Mainfest and Römerberg old town give Frankfurt a strong, walkable events calendar despite its financial-capital reputation.
Museumsuferfest
Last weekend of August
Free
Around one million visitors, 25+ museums and 12+ stages along both banks of the Main, ending with a music-and-fireworks show over the skyline.
medium
Mainfest
Late July-early August
Free entry; food and drink extra
A classic riverside folk festival celebrating the Main, opening with wine from the Fountain of Justice and closing with fireworks.
Römerberg old town and Christmas market
Year-round; Christmas market late November-December
Free to walk
The reconstructed medieval square at the heart of the old city — Frankfurt's most photographed spot and the site of its famous Christmas market.
medium
Night of the Museums
Twice a year, spring and autumn
One ticket covers dozens of museums, reduced for students
A single evening ticket gives access to nearly every museum in the city, with shuttle buses running between them until after midnight.
Universities in Frankfurt for exchange students
Goethe University Frankfurt is the anchor institution — one of Germany's largest research universities, especially strong in economics, law and finance.
Goethe University Frankfurt
One of Germany's largest research universities, with around 48,000 students spread across the Westend, Riedberg and Niederrad campuses, and a well-organised exchange programme with a fixed nomination-and-application timeline.
Student social life in Frankfurt
ESN Frankfurt and Goethe University's AStA run most of the exchange-student social calendar — join both in week one.
What Students Usually Get Wrong
Student Associations
ESN Frankfurt
Runs welcome week, trips and regular social events for exchange and international students.
Goethe University AStA (student union)
Represents student interests and organises cultural and political events.
Meeting Places 2
Public Groups 1
ESN Frankfurt
Main hub for exchange student events, trips and the buddy programme.
Forums & Advice 1
Erasmus+ Community
Official network for exchange students — forums, contacts, and city guides.
Reddit: r/Frankfurt
Community for housing, visa and daily-life questions from residents and students.