In short
Alb-Donau-Kreis is a rural district (Landkreis) in Baden-Württemberg with 202,354 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). There is no university in Alb-Donau-Kreis district itself; the nearest is Ulm University of Applied Sciences in Ulm, about 8 km away. Summers average 17.2 °C and winters 0.2 °C, with about 742 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).
Alb-Donau-Kreis district in numbers
- Population
- Area
1,358.54 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- People per km²
- Universities in the district
- Nearest university
Ulm University of Applied Sciences, UlmWhere Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)
About 8 km away in a straight line
- Typical student rent
€9.51/m² base cold rentSource (opens in a new tab)
Published benchmark for a 40 m² apartment in Ehingen’s 2024 qualified Mietspiegel, effective December 2024; before adjustments for building age, location and amenities. Excludes utilities and heating. This is not a current asking-rent average or a student-room price.
- Average temperature
8.6 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Rain
742 mm a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine
1,715 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Frost days
113 a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
About Alb-Donau-Kreis district
Alb-Donau-Kreis stretches across the Swabian Alb and Danube countryside in eastern Baden-Württemberg. Ulm is a separate city, so living in the district means choosing a surrounding town or village rather than an Ulm neighbourhood. (District background (opens in a new tab))
Its character combines countryside with working towns: Ehingen has a strong brewing tradition, while Blaubeuren is known for the Blautopf spring and prehistoric discoveries. Walking, cycling and exploring caves are prominent local activities. (Ehingen tourism (opens in a new tab), Blaubeuren (opens in a new tab), Alb-Donau tourism (opens in a new tab))
Main towns
Ehingen (Donau)
An industrial and brewing town, home to Liebherr’s mobile and crawler crane works and independent breweries. (Liebherr (opens in a new tab), Ehingen tourism (opens in a new tab))
Blaustein
Immediately west of Ulm, with neighbourhoods extending through the Blau and Lauter valleys towards the Alb plateau. (Blaustein background (opens in a new tab))
Blaubeuren
Home to the Blautopf spring and the Museum of Prehistory and Ice Age Art, with direct trains to Ulm. (City (opens in a new tab), Museum (opens in a new tab), DB timetable (opens in a new tab))
Langenau
A base for exploring the Langenauer Ried wetlands, whose nature trail and observation tower introduce the local landscape and wildlife. (Langenau tourism (opens in a new tab))
Nearest universities
No university in Alb-Donau-Kreis district itself — these are the nearest (straight-line distance).
There is no university in Alb-Donau-Kreis. The nearest study options include Ulm University, Ulm University of Applied Sciences and Hochschule Neu-Ulm. Treat living here as a commuting choice: Blaubeuren has direct trains to Ulm, but Ulm University requires an onward journey towards the Wissenschaftsstadt, including tram line 2. Check the complete route to your particular campus before choosing a flat. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab), University directions (opens in a new tab)) This can suit students who prefer countryside and small-town life. Employer-based study is also a real option: Liebherr in Ehingen offers apprenticeships and dual study programmes, including routes with TH Ulm. (Liebherr training (opens in a new tab))
Ulm University of Applied Sciences
Ulm · 8 km away · 32 courses
Ulm University
Ulm · 10 km away · 89 courses
Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Neu-Ulm
Neu-Ulm · 14 km away · 39 courses
Biberach University of Applied Sciences
Biberach an der Riß · 34 km away · 24 courses
Hochschule Esslingen
Göppingen · 36 km away · 42 courses
Housing
Plan primarily around private rooms, shared flats and apartments. No student residence inside the district was verified in the Studierendenwerk Ulm directory. (Residence directory (opens in a new tab)) Ehingen has an official rent guide, but its apartment benchmarks should not be mistaken for current furnished-room prices: individual rooms within larger apartments are outside its direct scope. (Official rent guide (opens in a new tab))
The typical student rent we found, and what that figure covers, is in the key facts.
How to find a place
- Search WG-Gesucht, ImmobilienScout24 and immowelt by individual town, including Blaustein and Blaubeuren. These portals are recommended in Studierendenwerk Ulm’s housing guidance. (Housing guidance (opens in a new tab))
- Check Studierendenwerk Ulm’s free private-room service and the Südwest Presse regional property marketplace; inspect each address carefully to distinguish district towns from Ulm itself. (Local search channels (opens in a new tab))
- For an apartment in Ehingen, use the city’s official Mietspiegel calculator to understand how size, age and amenities affect the comparison rent. (Official calculator (opens in a new tab))
- Before viewing a property, test its journey to your actual campus at morning, evening and weekend times in DING’s planner. (DING journey planner (opens in a new tab))
Cost of living
The standard Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month as listed by DING when checked in November 2026, providing a useful commuting budget for regional trains and local public transport. (DING (opens in a new tab)) Keep heating and other running costs separate when comparing cold rents; Ehingen’s official benchmark excludes these charges. (Rent guide (opens in a new tab)) A cheaper advertised flat is only a saving if its transport costs also work for you. There is no verified basis here for promising a particular saving over a large city.
Jobs & employers
Manufacturing offers concrete routes into technical work: Liebherr makes cranes in Ehingen, centrotherm has its machinery headquarters in Blaubeuren, and SCHWENK operates a cement works in Allmendingen. (Liebherr (opens in a new tab), centrotherm (opens in a new tab), SCHWENK (opens in a new tab)) For degree-related experience, centrotherm explicitly offers internships, thesis projects and working-student opportunities. Casual hospitality and conference-support work is another documented local option. (centrotherm careers (opens in a new tab), Tagungszentrum Blaubeuren (opens in a new tab))
Typical student jobs
- Working-student roles and internships in technical or business departments at centrotherm in Blaubeuren; openings vary. (centrotherm (opens in a new tab))
- Restaurant service and reception assistance at Tagungszentrum Blaubeuren. (Employer careers page (opens in a new tab))
- Conference logistics and event setup assistance at Tagungszentrum Blaubeuren. (Employer careers page (opens in a new tab))
- Kitchen, dishwashing and cleaning shifts at Tagungszentrum Blaubeuren. (Employer careers page (opens in a new tab))
Major employers
Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH (opens in a new tab)
Crane manufacturing
Develops and manufactures mobile and crawler cranes in Ehingen. (Official site profile (opens in a new tab))
centrotherm (opens in a new tab)
High-technology machinery and production equipment
Headquartered in Blaubeuren, with technologies serving semiconductor and other manufacturing applications; its careers page includes student opportunities. (Official careers page (opens in a new tab))
SCHWENK Zement (opens in a new tab)
Cement and building materials
Operates the Allmendingen cement works, producing cement and specialist building materials. (Official works profile (opens in a new tab))
Getting around
Use DING to plan local bus and rail journeys from your exact address. (Journey planner (opens in a new tab)) Blaubeuren–Ulm Hbf takes roughly 15–20 minutes on many direct trains in the published 2025/26 timetable; this is station-to-station time, not a campus commute. The same railway serves Schelklingen and Ehingen. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)) From Ulm Hbf, tram line 2 serves Universität Süd and the Wissenschaftsstadt. (University directions (opens in a new tab)) The Deutschlandticket covers local buses, trams and regional trains, but not ordinary ICE or IC journeys. Check current connections and disruption notices before travelling. (DING ticket coverage (opens in a new tab))
- Main stations
- Blaubeuren — direct regional trains towards Ulm and Ehingen. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab))
- Ehingen (Donau) — regional rail connection through Schelklingen and Blaubeuren. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab))
- Ulm Hauptbahnhof — outside the district; a useful interchange for onward travel to Ulm University. (University directions (opens in a new tab))
- Nearest airport
Memmingen Airport (FMM)
A nearby commercial airport option for students travelling through Ulm. Allgäu Airport Express lists a direct connection from Ulm-Böfingen to the terminal; this departs from the coach stop, not Ulm Hbf. Compare the complete transfer from your town, since the closest airport depends on where in the district you live. (Airport Express (opens in a new tab))
Weather & seasons
Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Ulm-Mähringen (8 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.
Winter
0.2 °C
48 mm rain a month
2.1 h sun a day
Spring
8.5 °C
60 mm rain a month
5.7 h sun a day
Summer
17.2 °C
85 mm rain a month
7.4 h sun a day
Autumn
8.5 °C
55 mm rain a month
3.5 h sun a day
Expect cold, frequently frosty winters, a gradual spring warm-up and generally mild summers with rain still possible. Pack waterproof layers for walking and cycling, and allow for slippery winter journeys. Summer brings outdoor events such as Ehingen’s market-square cinema; December offers its Christmas market. (Ehingen seasonal events (opens in a new tab))
Culture, language & food
Local cultural life has a strong town-and-club focus. Langenau’s annual Kinderfest includes a school parade, while Ehingen’s calendar combines traditional celebrations with concerts, outdoor cinema and a Christmas market. These are useful starting points for meeting people beyond campus. (Langenau festivals (opens in a new tab), Ehingen events (opens in a new tab))
Plan for small-town evenings rather than a campus-centred social scene. Ehingen’s breweries offer one local focus, and the district tourism office also highlights small-scale cultural events in Blaubeuren. For university socialising, factor the journey home from Ulm into your housing decision. (Ehingen brewing culture (opens in a new tab), District tourism (opens in a new tab))
Even if your degree is taught in English, plan to use German in daily life; DAAD’s student guidance explicitly recommends learning it alongside an English-language course. (Study in Germany (opens in a new tab)) As a practical learning target, aim towards B1 for everyday independence and B2 for more demanding workplace conversations; these are recommendations, not universal admission or employment requirements. Swabian is part of the regional dialect landscape, so local speech may sound different from classroom German. (Baden-Württemberg dialect guide (opens in a new tab))
Local food
Maultaschen
Swabian filled pasta parcels, traditionally with a savoury filling. They also appear on the menu at Berg Brauerei in Ehingen-Berg. (Swabian cuisine (opens in a new tab), Berg menu (opens in a new tab))
Linsen mit Spätzle
Lentils with Swabian egg noodles, a regional staple also served at Berg Brauerei. (Swabian cuisine (opens in a new tab), Berg menu (opens in a new tab))
Ehingen beer
Locally brewed beer is part of the town’s identity, with independent breweries and visitor experiences centred on brewing. (Ehingen tourism (opens in a new tab))
Places & events
Places to see
Blautopf, Blaubeuren
Nature
The blue karst spring is Blaubeuren’s signature landmark. Its surroundings are undergoing redevelopment: access remains possible, but the temporary approach is currently not step-free. Check the project page before visiting. (City of Blaubeuren (opens in a new tab), Access updates (opens in a new tab))
Hohle Fels, Schelklingen
UNESCO
Visit a cave associated with the UNESCO-listed Ice Age art of the Swabian Alb. Consult the town’s visitor information for current access arrangements and wear secure footwear. (City of Schelklingen (opens in a new tab))
Museum für Urgeschichte und Eiszeitkunst, Blaubeuren
Museum
The URMU introduces prehistoric life through Ice Age artworks and early musical instruments from the region. (Official museum website (opens in a new tab))
Langenauer Ried
Nature
Wetlands, meadows and small lakes with an educational walking trail and observation tower for watching birds. (Langenau tourism (opens in a new tab))
Events
Langenau Kinderfest (opens in a new tab)
Summer, on the last weekend before the school summer holidays
An annual town tradition featuring a school parade with a changing theme. (City of Langenau (opens in a new tab))
Ehingen Marktplatz Kino (opens in a new tab)
Beginning of the summer holidays
The market square becomes an outdoor cinema each year, with food and drink alongside the screenings. (City of Ehingen (opens in a new tab))
Ehingen Weihnachtsmarkt (opens in a new tab)
December
An annual central Christmas market with stalls, hot drinks and performances; the published 2026 dates are 11–20 December. (City of Ehingen (opens in a new tab))
Ehingen town hall
The Hohle Fels rock and cave site near Schelklingen
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Alb-Donau-Kreis district, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Alb-Donau-Kreis district: FAQ
Is Alb-Donau-Kreis a good place to live as a student?
It can suit students who enjoy countryside and are comfortable commuting. Choose accommodation by its complete campus journey: direct trains from Blaubeuren reach Ulm, but Ulm University requires an onward connection. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab), University directions (opens in a new tab))
Is there a university in Alb-Donau-Kreis?
No. Nearby options include Ulm University, Ulm University of Applied Sciences and Hochschule Neu-Ulm. Local employer-based routes also exist, including Liebherr’s dual study programmes in Ehingen. (Liebherr (opens in a new tab))
How do I get from Alb-Donau-Kreis to Ulm University?
From Blaubeuren, take a regional train to Ulm Hbf and continue towards the Wissenschaftsstadt, for example on tram line 2 to Universität Süd. Other towns need different routes, so use your actual address and campus building in the journey planner. (University directions (opens in a new tab), DING (opens in a new tab))
Is Alb-Donau-Kreis expensive for students?
Costs depend on the particular rental and commute; there is no verified district-wide student budget here. Ehingen publishes an official apartment rent guide, while the standard Deutschlandticket is listed at €63 per month when checked in November 2026. (Ehingen rent guide (opens in a new tab), DING (opens in a new tab))
What student jobs are available in Alb-Donau-Kreis?
Documented options include working-student roles and internships at centrotherm in Blaubeuren, plus service, kitchen, cleaning and conference-support shifts at Tagungszentrum Blaubeuren. Availability changes, so use the employers’ careers pages. (centrotherm (opens in a new tab), Tagungszentrum (opens in a new tab))
Can I live in Alb-Donau-Kreis without a car?
A car-free arrangement is possible where your accommodation connects well with regional trains and local buses. Test evening and weekend journeys before signing a lease, and remember that reaching Ulm Hbf is only part of the trip to Ulm University. (DING planner (opens in a new tab), University directions (opens in a new tab))
More guides
Sources & photo credits
Last updated November 2026. Population and area: Destatis. Weather: Deutscher Wetterdienst. Universities and courses: our catalogue. Everything else was researched from the sources below and checked — how we research these guides.
Sources
- Alb-Donau-Kreis geographical background (opens in a new tab)
- Alb-Donau district tourism (opens in a new tab)
- Blaustein geographical background (opens in a new tab)
- City of Blaubeuren: Blautopf (opens in a new tab)
- Blautopf redevelopment and access (opens in a new tab)
- Langenau: Donauried (opens in a new tab)
- Studierendenwerk Ulm residence directory (opens in a new tab)
- Studierendenwerk Ulm housing search guidance (opens in a new tab)
- Ehingen official Mietspiegel information (opens in a new tab)
- Ehingen qualified Mietspiegel 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- Ehingen official rent calculator (opens in a new tab)
- DING Deutschlandticket (opens in a new tab)
- DING journey planner (opens in a new tab)
- DB Blaubeuren departure timetable 2025/26 (opens in a new tab)
- Ulm University public transport directions (opens in a new tab)
- Allgäu Airport Express routes (opens in a new tab)
- Liebherr Ehingen site profile (opens in a new tab)
- Liebherr Ehingen apprenticeships and dual study (opens in a new tab)
- centrotherm careers and Blaubeuren headquarters (opens in a new tab)
- SCHWENK Allmendingen cement works (opens in a new tab)
- Tagungszentrum Blaubeuren careers (opens in a new tab)
- Ehingen brewing culture (opens in a new tab)
- Swabian cuisine background (opens in a new tab)
- Berg Brauerei food menu (opens in a new tab)
- Langenau recurring festivals (opens in a new tab)
- Ehingen festivals, markets and events (opens in a new tab)
- Schelklingen: UNESCO Hohle Fels (opens in a new tab)
- Museum of Prehistory and Ice Age Art (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD Study in Germany: German in daily life (opens in a new tab)
- Baden-Württemberg dialect guide (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Blautopf photograph (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Ehingen town hall photograph (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Hohle Fels photograph (opens in a new tab)
Photo credits
- The Blautopf spring in Blaubeuren, photographed before the current redevelopment — Ziko van Dijk (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ehingen town hall — Hohenzollernsche Lande (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Hohle Fels rock and cave site near Schelklingen — Thilo Parg (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0
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