Best Student Accommodation in Berlin, Germany

Here are the top public universities in Berlin, all part of the Berlin University Alliance, a prestigious partnership recognised under Germany’s Excellence Strategy. Three of these universities are also featured in the QS World University Rankings, as highlighted in the QS Best Student Cities profile for the city:

Freie Universität Berlin

Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) or the Free University of Berlin, is a top research university in Berlin, particularly known for social sciences and humanities and also offers programmes in natural sciences, earth sciences, languages, and business and economics. Students at FU Berlin get to choose their bachelor's degree as a mono bachelor, focusing on a single subject, or a combi bachelor, which combines a major with one or two minor subjects for a more flexible, interdisciplinary degree. 

The university is home to around 34,400 students, with students from abroad accounting for 13% of bachelor’s programme students, 33% of master’s degree students, and 42% of doctoral candidates.

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin 

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin) is one of the most prestigious public research universities in Berlin, with a long history and an established reputation for excellence in Germany and across Europe. It’s recognised for programmes in the humanities, social sciences, and law, as well as the natural and life sciences, including mathematics, medicine, and agricultural science. 

HU Berlin has a student population of over 35,000, of whom 18% are international students.  

Technische Universität Berlin

Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) is a public technical university with a strong emphasis on research and innovation. It’s renowned for technology, engineering, architecture, and applied sciences, and students can also study social sciences, humanities, and economics. TU Berlin is part of TU9, an alliance of nine top-tier technical universities in Germany recognised for their size and reputation.

TU Berlin has around 34,000 students enrolled, and roughly 30% of the student body is international.

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin is among Europe’s best medical schools and one of its largest university hospitals, and it accounts for more than half of all Nobel Prizes in medicine and physiology awarded to German physicians and researchers. It offers programmes in human medicine, dentistry, and a wide range of biomedical and life sciences disciplines, including molecular medicine, public health, and neuroscience. 

Charité is spread across four campuses in Berlin: Benjamin Franklin, Charité Mitte, Virchow-Klinikum, and Berlin Buch. With approximately 10,200 students enrolled, Charité is one of Europe’s largest medical faculties and attracts a diverse student body, including a significant number of international students.

There are various student housing options in Berlin, accommodating different budgets and university locations. Here are some of our recommendations, including en-suite, single, studio, and flat options:

Best Student Accommodation in Berlin

• 'Spice' - Modern shared apartment in Charlottenburg

• Berlin Mitte Premium+ Balcony

• Arnold 6 Room 3 Jumbo+

• Lea Room 4 Mighty+

• Charlie 2 Room 2 Standard+

Affordable Student Accommodation in Berlin

• Zimmer in der Adolfstraße

• Zimmer in der Holzmannstraße

• Room in Boppstraße, Berlin for 64 m² with 2 bedrooms

• Gabriel-Max-Straße - Room 2

• Wilhelmsruher Damm

There are various popular student areas in Berlin, among them are:

Friedrichshain

Friedrichshain is located in East Berlin, within the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough, and is one of the top student areas in Berlin. It’s popular with students and young professionals for its youthful vibe and wide range of student-friendly amenities. Key highlights in Friedrichshain include RAW-Gelände, a former railway workshop turned cultural centre featuring urban art, galleries, a skate park, and food markets. The Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin's oldest public park, is another hangout spot featuring a Fairy Tale Fountain and recreational facilities. 

Friedrichshain is well connected by U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses, providing direct links to central Berlin and neighbouring districts like Kreuzberg and Charlottenburg. Nearby universities include HU in the Mitte district, a short public transport commute away.

Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg is a central neighbourhood directly south of the Mitte district and forms part of the combined Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough. It’s a multicultural area known for its alternative and creative scene, appealing to students studying in Berlin. Kreuzberg is traditionally split into SO36 and Kreuzberg 61, with SO36 offering a vibrant, alternative atmosphere, while Kreuzberg 61 provides a more relaxed, residential feel with cafés and green spaces. The district features a wide range of restaurants along Oranienstraße, as well as green spaces such as Victoria Park.

Kreuzberg benefits from excellent transport links, with several U-Bahn lines like U1, U6, U7, and U8 providing quick access to central Berlin and neighbouring districts.

Neukölln

Neukölln is situated in southeastern Berlin and has become a trendy student area with a diverse, multicultural atmosphere and a growing creative scene. Neukölln offers a mix of affordable housing, vintage shops, and independent cafés. It offers a mix of relatively affordable housing, vintage shops, and independent cafés, alongside a wide range of international food spots and social spaces, especially around Sonnenallee and Weserstraße. The district also features open green areas such as Tempelhofer Feld, which is ideal for outdoor activities and socialising.

Neukölln is well connected by public transport, with U-Bahn lines such as the U7 and U8 providing direct access to central Berlin and other key districts, offering good access to institutions across the city. HU Berlin in Mitte and TU Berlin in Charlottenburg can be reached within around an hour via public transport.

Charlottenburg

Charlottenburg is a residential neighbourhood in western Berlin, with elegant streets, cultural landmarks, and a more relaxed atmosphere. It offers a quieter, more residential alternative to Berlin’s trendier districts, making it an excellent choice for students in Berlin who prefer a calmer lifestyle. Charlottenburg features a mix of cafés, restaurants, and shopping streets, notably around Kurfürstendamm (Ku'damm), as well as green spaces like the Charlottenburg Palace Gardens, ideal for relaxing or studying outdoors.

The district is a major transport hub, with several U-Bahn lines such as the U1, U2, U7, and U9, along with S-Bahn and regional train connections, providing easy access across Berlin. It’s also home to the Technische Universität Berlin, making it especially popular among engineering and technology students.

The cost of living in Berlin depends on your lifestyle, accommodation, and choice of neighbourhood, whether it’s central or not. 

According to Numbeo, the estimated monthly cost of living for a single student in Berlin is 1,002.6 €, excluding rent. Here’s an average monthly breakdown for student expenses in Berlin:

1. Housing

2. Groceries

3. Utilities

4. Transportation

Berlin has a highly efficient and well-connected public transport system, making it easy for students to travel between universities, accommodation, and social spots across the city. The network includes the U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (urban rail), trams, buses, and ferries, all operating under a single integrated ticketing system managed by VBB.

U-Bahn (Subway)

The U-Bahn is Berlin’s underground train system, covering central and outer districts with frequent services. It’s fast and reliable, and it’s often the quickest way to reach university campuses. Operated by BVG, its popular lines for students include U1, U2, U6, U7, and U8, which connect areas like Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Charlottenburg, and Mitte. Tickets are valid across all U-Bahn lines within your fare zone. 

S-Bahn (Urban Rail)

The S-Bahn complements the U-Bahn by connecting central Berlin with outer districts and surrounding areas. It’s especially useful for reaching campuses farther from the city centre, like Freie Universität Berlin in Dahlem. The S-Bahn network is fully integrated into the VBB system, allowing seamless transfers with the same ticket.

Major lines for students include S1, S2, S3, and S5, linking key residential and academic areas. Tickets are integrated with U-Bahn, trams, and buses, so transfers are seamless. 

Trams

Trams mainly serve eastern Berlin, filling gaps where U-Bahn and S-Bahn don’t run. Lines like M10 and M4 are popular for connecting Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg, and Lichtenberg. Trams are included in the same ticketing system as the U-Bahn and S-Bahn. (BVG)

Buses

Buses cover areas not served by trains, including late-night and weekend routes. They connect residential neighbourhoods with key transport hubs, making them a reliable part of everyday travel.

Ferries

Berlin also offers ferry services along its rivers and lakes, which are included in the standard public transport ticket. While not essential for daily commuting, they provide a scenic way to explore parts of the city.

Tickets & Fare Zones

Berlin’s system is divided into Zones A, B, and C:

• A: central Berlin, including Mitte and major campuses

• B: outer districts and suburbs

• C: surrounding towns and BER Airport

Most students travel within zones A and B. Single, day, and monthly tickets are valid across all modes of transport, and students often benefit from monthly or semester passes for cost savings. 

• Brandenburg Gate: An iconic and symbolic 18th-century neoclassical monument in Berlin.

• East Side Gallery: The world’s longest open-air gallery, and the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall.

• Berlin Zoo: The oldest zoo in Germany, housing the largest variety of species compared to any other zoo in the world.

• Museum Island: A UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains five internationally significant museums featuring over 6,000 years of art and history.

• Mauerpark: A public park with recreational facilities including flea markets, picnics, and live outdoor karaoke.