FAQ – Accommodation

• IMPORTANT: if you are accepted for a study program in Darmstadt a room is not automatically included (unless explicitly stated). You will have to look for a room yourself.
• In order to find a room/apartment in Darmstadt you will require some time (several weeks is not uncommon). Darmstadt is a popular place to study and live, therefore low-priced accommodation is not easy to find.
• The Studierendenwerk Darmstadt has several student residences. You can apply online for accommodation. Please be aware that the number of rooms/apartments we offer is limited and in high demand. That is why it is necessary to look for other options at the same time.
• Popular websites to find a room/apartment are for example: www.wg-gesucht.de, www.immobilienscout24.de, www.studenten-wg.de
• You can get more tips on finding accommodation:
  • In the compilation of the accommodation service: Tips
  • The AStA of the TU Darmstadt also offers some information regarding accommodation.
• Our tutors from comeTOgether support you in searching and applying for private rooms/ apartments. You can use the internet and phone for free, in their office. The opening times of the office in the “Mensa Stadtmitte” are Mon-Thu 11:30-14:30.
• Social Counseling has a list of the student residences of the Studierendenwerk and other options regarding accommodation in Darmstadt.

Further information for international students:

• The “Katholische Hochschulgemeinde Darmstadt (KHG)“ offers to accompany you for free, when you are viewing apartments or shared accommodation. The Buddies support you in getting in contact with possible landlords and accompany you for the viewing of accommodation.

• You should start as early as possible to look for a room/apartment. Within six months your chances are good to find an affordable room. In the beginning, you might have to make concessions.
• For the first days/weeks you should make a reservation at a hostel or hotel.

• It depends on many factors: Which dorm you did apply for, how many applicants are ahead of you in the waiting list, when the room will be available, how much money you can spend, etc.
• The average waiting time is around 1-2 semesters. You can ask the accommodation service about your position on the waiting list.

When you are looking for a room, it helps if you go outside of the city center and widen your search area.

The map below shows places and suburbs not too far away from Darmstadt City that are well connected to the universities and Darmstadt via public transport.

• The security deposit has to be paid before renting a room/apartment (normally together with the first rent). In case of being behind with your rent or returning the rented accommodation in a “bad” condition, landlords can retain parts or all of the security deposit. You will get the security deposit back, when you vacate the room (unless there is good reason for the landlord to keep it, see above).
• The amount of the security deposit is usually 2-3 monthly rents, without expenses.

Even for native speakers these abbreviations are not always easy to understand. We provide you an English-German translation, which explains the abbreviations connected to accommodation in Germany.

• International students have the possibility to contact the “Welcome and Housing Department” of the TU Darmstadt.
• If you can afford it in terms of money, you can commission an estate agent to look for a room/apartment for you. Usually, the estate agent’s commission for this service is 2-3 monthly rents (excluding expenses).
• Important information: Make a reservation before your arrival at least for the first days/weeks for a hostel/hotel/guest house, there you will normally also have Wi-Fi (necessity for looking for accommodation)
• A guest house or hostel can also be a short term solution, especially during the most difficult phase during September/October/November.

• A wide range of public transportation is included in the “Semesterticket”. Students can use different kinds of public transportation for free in large parts of “Hessen”. You can find a good overview where and how the “Semesterticket” works on the website of the TU-AStA. (please be aware that certain “fast” trains and buses are not part of the “Semesterticket”, check in advance)
• The bus connection is very good. Normally, you will be able to reach Darmstadt main train station within 25-40 minutes. The bus is called Airliner and connects the airport directly with the main train station (Darmstadt Hbf) and the central square (Luisenplatz). A one-way ticket costs 8 € (not included in the “Semesterticket”).
• Using the train you can go from the station “Flughafen/Fernbahnhof” via Frankfurt main station to Darmstadt. You can find suitable connections on the website of the “Deutsche Bahn”.