Travel & Accomodation

 

Once you have decided to come to Kaiserslautern University and your application has been accepted, all the matters concerning a problem-free entry to Germany and an easy arrival in Kaiserslautern are what we put first on our service list for international students.

Whether you need help with getting your visa, receiving a suitable accommodation, or finding your way from the airport to the city of Kaiserslautern, we will guide you through the process step by step. We have international students from all parts of the world, so do not worry - we know what has to be done in order to ensure a safe arrival at the Kaiserslautern University.

 

Beware: rental scammers

How do I recognize fake profiles of landlords?

- Examine the person's profile: Who is the person? What information do they reveal about themselves?

  • References to a made-up fake profile:
    • The person is attractive above average and has attractive, professional photos (e.g. "model" photos ). Nevertheless, the photos have any likes or comments.
    • The profile has less or none Facebook friends.
    • Hardly any interactions (e.g. conversations) take place in the chronicle.
    • The Facebook profile was only created shortly before contact was made.
    • Contact is often made in English. The comment function is switched off.

If you should pay into an non-german bank account eg. UK or receive a phone number from Great Britain (0044..)  please take care!

In general: Do not pay anything in advance!

In order to be allowed to study in Germany, you will require a student visa, which must be issued by the German embassy or the German consulate in your home country.

Please note:

  • Applicants from EU countries do not need a visa
  • Special regulations apply to applicants from:

Australia, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Canada, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, South Korea and the US. Please contact the German embassy in your home country for more information.
 


You will only receive your visa upon presentation of the following documents:

  • A valid passport and biometric photos
  • Certificate of aptitude for higher education, or a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
  • Proof of financial resources
  • Letter of admission
  • Proof of valid health insurance


As the requirements differ from country to country, please refer directly to the German embassy in your home country for valid information! 

You will then receive a temporary residence permit for three months. For an extension of your residence permit, please apply directly to the Office of Foreigner Affairs (Ausländerbehörde) in Kaiserslautern. There is also a branch office directly on campus in building 38.

By Plane
 

It is most convenient to fly to either Frankfurt or Stuttgart.

After landing, you need to proceed through the following steps:

  • Immigration check (please have your visa and ID card/ passport ready)
  • Baggage claim (don’t forget your flight number)
  • Customs (please find out about import restrictions beforehand)

Kaiserslautern can be reached by train from both airports within 2-3 hours.


By train
 

From Frankfurt airport: 
your destination is "Kaiserslautern Hauptbahnhof":

There are two possible routes:

  • Frankfurt - Mannheim - Kaiserslautern (approx. 2 hours, cost: approx. 24.70 EUR)
  • Frankfurt - Bad Münster am Stein - Kaiserslautern (approx. 3 hours, cost: approx. 21.70 EUR)

From Stuttgart airport: 
your destination is "Kaiserslautern Hauptbahnhof":

  • route via Mannheim: Stuttgart - Mannheim - Kaiserslautern (approx. 2-3 hours, cost: approx. 36 EUR)

On weekends, the German rail system offers the "Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket" (valid on regional trains only). Up to five people can share the same ticket, sharing the cost of 76 EUR (Internet booking).

From Kaiserslautern main train station by bus:

  • take Bus # 105, 107, or 115 (which run every 30 minutes) and get off at either "Uni West", "Uni Süd", or "Uni Ost" - direction 'Universität"
  • take Bus # 102, 105, or 107 (which run every 30 minutes) - direction "Rathaus" (city hall in the city center)

Please note: There is no 24-hour bus service in Kaiserslautern! After midnight, buses only run Friday and Saturday nights (called Nachtbus) and these only depart from the city hall/ Rathaus every hour from 12:15 am to 3:15 am.

However, taxis are available at all times in front of the train station!


By car
 

Kaiserslautern can easily be reached from all directions.

On the Motorway:
From Saarbrücken on the A6 (E12)
From Mainz / Frankfurt on the A63

On Federal Roads:
From Ludwigshafen on the B37
From Saarbrücken on the B40
From Pirmasens-Lauterecken on the B270

Route planners on the Internet will help you find the best route.

For example www.falk.de.


Campus & city map

 

To find us in Kaiserslautern, have a look at the city map or campus map.

We recommend that you announce your arrival at the ISGS office in advance so that we can arrange to fetch you from the railway station and take you to your flat. You can be sure to arrive in time, as we also coordinate dates for language courses, enrolments, and moving.

Accommodation