# Study in Kaufbeuren, Bavaria

> Kaufbeuren is a district-free city in Bavaria with 46,193 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). There is no university in Kaufbeuren itself; the nearest is Kempten University of Applied Sciences in Kempten (Allgäu), about 29 km away. Summers average 16.3 °C and winters -0.6 °C, with about 1,096 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).

Kaufbeuren is a small Bavarian city with a historic centre, local industry and rail connections for students commuting to Kempten or Augsburg.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,193 | Destatis, 31 Dec 2024 |
| Area | 40.02 km² | Destatis |
| Universities in the district | 0 | Where Is My Uni? catalogue |
| Nearest university | Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Kempten (Allgäu) (29 km) | Where Is My Uni? catalogue |
| Mean temperature | 7.7 °C (summer 16.3 °C, winter -0.6 °C) | DWD 1991–2020 |
| Rain | 1,096 mm a year | DWD 1991–2020 |
| Sunshine | 1,764 hours a year | DWD 1991–2020 |

## About Kaufbeuren

Kaufbeuren is an independent city in Bavaria’s Allgäu region. Its historic centre, the Tänzelfest and the jewellery-making traditions of Neugablonz give it a distinctive local identity. [Kaufbeuren Tourism](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/)

The old town and Neugablonz tell different stories. The Stadtmuseum traces Kaufbeuren’s imperial-city and textile history; Neugablonz developed after the Second World War when people expelled from the Gablonz region rebuilt their glass and jewellery industries here. [Kaufbeuren museums](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/museen) [Neugablonz history](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/in-neugablonz)

- **Altstadt / central Kaufbeuren**: The historic centre contains the Stadtmuseum and is a useful starting point for exploring the city. [Kaufbeuren museums](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/museen)
- **Neugablonz**: A residential and industrial quarter with a glass-and-jewellery heritage; bus line 9 connects it with Kaufbeuren station. [Neugablonz](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/in-neugablonz) [City transport information](https://www.kaufbeuren.de/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-2459/3026_read-26050/)
- **Oberbeuren**: A residential area in the southwest of Kaufbeuren, identified in the local housing-market report. [HypoVereinsbank, April 2024](https://www.hypovereinsbank.de/content/dam/hypovereinsbank/privatkunden/pdf/immobilien/marktberichte/Kaufbeuren-Ostallgaeu.pdf)

## Nearest universities

Kaufbeuren has no university listed in the Where Is My Uni? catalogue. The nearest options are Kempten University of Applied Sciences, followed by the University of Augsburg and Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg. Direct regional trains make commuting possible, but compare the complete journey from your prospective home to your campus, including the final walk or local connection. [DB departure timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_3141.pdf) Local apprenticeships are another route: HAWE’s Kaufbeuren recruitment page includes manufacturing and logistics training. [HAWE careers](https://career.hawe.com/hawe/?location=LOC007) This is worth considering if you prefer living separately from your campus and have a workable timetable or a local employer connection.

- **Kempten University of Applied Sciences** (Kempten (Allgäu)) — 29 km away, 42 courses
- **University of Augsburg** (Augsburg) — 55 km away, 145 courses
- **Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg** (Augsburg) — 57 km away, 54 courses
- **Biberach University of Applied Sciences** (Biberach an der Riß) — 66 km away, 24 courses
- **Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Neu-Ulm** (Neu-Ulm) — 72 km away, 39 courses

## Housing

Do not assume that a smaller city means an easy housing search. HypoVereinsbank’s April 2024 report described Kaufbeuren’s affordable housing supply as scarce and its market as tight; this is historical context, not a measurement of current availability. Start with private rooms and local housing providers, and compare total rent with commuting costs. [Local housing-market report](https://www.hypovereinsbank.de/content/dam/hypovereinsbank/privatkunden/pdf/immobilien/marktberichte/Kaufbeuren-Ostallgaeu.pdf)

**How to find a place**

- Check Immowelt’s Kaufbeuren shared-housing search for rooms and flats suitable for sharing; inspect the address and tenancy terms of each result. [Immowelt Kaufbeuren](https://www.immowelt.de/suche/mieten/wohnung/wohngemeinschaft/bayern/kaufbeuren-09762/ad06de307)
- Contact Gablonzer Siedlungswerk about its rental application process and available housing in Neugablonz. It is a local housing cooperative, rather than a student-accommodation service. [Gablonzer Siedlungswerk](https://www.gsw-kaufbeuren.de/)
- Before choosing Neugablonz, check the bus connection to the station against your first and last lectures. The city identifies line 9 as a connection between the quarter and the station via local employment areas. [City transport information](https://www.kaufbeuren.de/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-2459/3026_read-26050/)
- Compare addresses using the operator’s city-bus map and current timetables, especially if you expect evening shifts or late returns from university. [Kirchweihtal timetables](https://www.vg-kirchweihtal.de/downloads/)

## Cost of living

Transport is a predictable part of a commuter budget: the standard Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month through December 2026, with DB announcing €66.80 from January 2027. [Deutsche Bahn](https://www.bahn.de/angebot/regio/deutschland-ticket) Bavaria’s 2026 guidance lists a €43 monthly discounted ticket for eligible students and apprentices; confirm your eligibility and purchase route before budgeting for it. [Bavarian ticket guidance](https://www.lff.bayern.de/media/nw0h2xho/merkblatt-info-deutschlandticket-2026.pdf) For inexpensive cultural outings, the local museum combination card is listed at €9 for one visit to each participating institution within a year. [Kaufbeuren museums](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/museen) A current, comparable housing-cost advantage over larger university cities was not verified.

## Jobs & employers

Verified local employers span manufacturing, healthcare and municipal services. HAWE combines production with design and development in Kaufbeuren; the hospital group offers healthcare training and placements; the city recruits across public-service roles. [HAWE](https://www.hawe.com/de-de/unternehmen/karriere/standorte/kaufbeuren/) [Kliniken Ostallgäu-Kaufbeuren](https://www.kliniken-oal-kf.de/jobs) [City careers](https://www.kaufbeuren.de/nav/karriere.aspx) For work alongside lectures, hotel shifts and bank customer-service roles have clearer student-specific evidence than a general promise of plentiful technical jobs. [Hotel Am Kamin](https://www.hotel-am-kamin.de/hotel/jobs-karriere/) [Sparkasse Allgäu](https://blog.sparkasse-allgaeu.de/artikel/studium-und-job-vereinen-dein-werkstudentenjob-bei-der-sparkasse-allgaeu)

- Restaurant service and bar shifts: Hotel Am Kamin explicitly welcomes students for its minijob roles. [Hotel careers](https://www.hotel-am-kamin.de/hotel/jobs-karriere/)
- Kitchen assistance and dishwashing: Hotel Am Kamin describes roles with training provided. [Hotel careers](https://www.hotel-am-kamin.de/hotel/jobs-karriere/)
- Hotel housekeeping: the same employer lists housekeeping among its recurring minijob areas. [Hotel careers](https://www.hotel-am-kamin.de/hotel/jobs-karriere/)
- Bank customer service: Sparkasse Allgäu describes working-student duties and identifies its Kaufbeuren branch among the locations. [Sparkasse student work](https://blog.sparkasse-allgaeu.de/artikel/studium-und-job-vereinen-dein-werkstudentenjob-bei-der-sparkasse-allgaeu)

- **HAWE Hydraulik** (Hydraulic engineering and manufacturing): Its Kaufbeuren site handles production and dispatch and includes design and development offices. [HAWE site profile](https://www.hawe.com/de-de/unternehmen/karriere/standorte/kaufbeuren/)
- **Kliniken Ostallgäu-Kaufbeuren** (Healthcare): Operates Klinikum Kaufbeuren; its careers portal covers nursing training, internships and medical placements. Check the location of each opportunity within the hospital group. [Hospital careers](https://www.kliniken-oal-kf.de/jobs)
- **Stadt Kaufbeuren** (Local government and public services): A substantial local employer with recruitment routes for jobs, apprenticeships and internships. [City careers](https://www.kaufbeuren.de/nav/karriere.aspx)
- **Sparkasse Allgäu** (Banking): Its student-employment information names the Ludwigstraße branch in Kaufbeuren and describes customer-service work alongside study. [Sparkasse Allgäu](https://blog.sparkasse-allgaeu.de/artikel/studium-und-job-vereinen-dein-werkstudentenjob-bei-der-sparkasse-allgaeu)

## Getting around

Kaufbeuren station has direct regional services towards Kempten, Augsburg and Munich. Allow roughly 20–30 minutes to Kempten Hauptbahnhof and approximately 35–55 minutes to Augsburg Hauptbahnhof, depending on the train; these are station-to-station estimates from the published timetable, not campus journey times. Check your travel date for changes. [DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_3141.pdf) Kirchweihtal publishes the city and regional bus timetables, while line 9 links Neugablonz with the station. [Bus timetables](https://www.vg-kirchweihtal.de/downloads/) [City transport information](https://www.kaufbeuren.de/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-2459/3026_read-26050/) The Deutschlandticket covers ordinary local buses and second-class regional trains; long-distance ICE, IC and EC services are generally excluded. [Bavarian ticket guidance](https://www.lff.bayern.de/media/nw0h2xho/merkblatt-info-deutschlandticket-2026.pdf)

- Station: Kaufbeuren — the city’s regional railway station, with services towards Kempten, Augsburg and Munich. [DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_3141.pdf)
- Nearest airport: Memmingen Airport (FMM) — Approximately 46 km away by road. Public-transport journeys can run via Buchloe and Memmingen station, followed by the airport bus. [Route overview](https://www.rome2rio.com/de/s/Flughafen-Memmingen-FMM/Kaufbeuren) The airport confirms a shuttle between Memmingen station and the terminal. [Airport transport](https://www.memmingen-airport.de/an-abreise/oeffentliche-verkehrsmittel/)

## Weather & seasons

- Winter: -0.6 °C, 71 mm rain a month, 2.6 h sun a day
- Spring: 7.4 °C, 87 mm rain a month, 5.6 h sun a day
- Summer: 16.3 °C, 130 mm rain a month, 7.2 h sun a day
- Autumn: 7.8 °C, 79 mm rain a month, 3.9 h sun a day

Expect cold, frequently frosty winters and relatively mild summers, with rain remaining relevant even in the warmer months. For everyday commuting, bring waterproof layers and shoes with good grip rather than packing only for summer sunshine. July brings the Tänzelfest, while the Christmas market provides a seasonal meeting place towards the end of the year. [Tänzelfest](https://www.ike.bayern.de/meta/termine/000427/index.html) [Christmas market](https://www.xn--weihnachtsstadt-im-allgu-dcc.de/)

## Culture & language

The Tänzelfest is central to local identity: children recreate episodes from Kaufbeuren’s history in costume each July. Neugablonz adds a different cultural strand, shaped by displacement from northern Bohemia and the rebuilding of its jewellery industry. [Bavarian cultural-heritage information](https://www.ike.bayern.de/meta/termine/000427/index.html) [Neugablonz history](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/in-neugablonz)

Museums, theatre, cinema and local cultural venues provide starting points for evenings and weekends. [Kaufbeuren Tourism](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/) For a prospective student, it is sensible to plan a social life around local activities and campus visits; the verified information does not establish a substantial student nightlife scene.

Do not plan on English alone for housing enquiries, paperwork or customer-facing work. As a practical learning target, aim for B1 German for everyday independence and work towards B2 for more demanding conversations; these are recommendations, not universal admission or employment requirements. The local Volkshochschule offers German as a foreign language within its language programme. [VHS Kaufbeuren](https://vhs-kaufbeuren.de/Programmbereich/cmx642597ace8185.html)

## Local food

- **Allgäuer Kässpatzen**: Soft egg noodles mixed with regional cheeses and topped with onions, commonly accompanied by green salad. [Allgäu culinary heritage](https://www.allgaeu.de/genuss-gesundheit/kulinarisches-erbe/allgaeuer-kaesspatzen)
- **Krautkrapfen**: Rolled noodle dough filled with sauerkraut, traditionally also bacon, and fried; a Swabian and Allgäu speciality. Vegetarian versions also exist. [Krautkrapfen background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krautkrapfen)

## Events

- **Tänzelfest** (July): An annual historical children’s festival with costumed groups reenacting local history. [Bavarian cultural-heritage calendar](https://www.ike.bayern.de/meta/termine/000427/index.html)
- **Kaufbeurer Weihnachtsmarkt** (Late November–December): The old-town Christmas market takes place on the square at St Martin’s Church. The published 2026 dates are 27 November–22 December. [Official Christmas-market website](https://www.xn--weihnachtsstadt-im-allgu-dcc.de/)

## Places to see

- **Kaufbeuren Altstadt** (Old town): Explore the historic centre using the tourism office’s free smartphone audio walk. [Kaufbeuren Tourism](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/)
- **Fünfknopfturm** (Landmark): Kaufbeuren’s landmark tower; consult its supporting association for visiting information. [Förderverein Fünfknopfturm](https://www.fuenfknopfturm.de/)
- **Stadtmuseum Kaufbeuren** (Museum): An old-town museum explaining the city’s development, including its imperial-city past and textile industry. [Kaufbeuren museums](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/museen)
- **Isergebirgs-Museum Neugablonz** (Museum): A place to understand Neugablonz through its history, jewellery production and glassworking traditions. [Kaufbeuren museums](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/museen)

## FAQ

### Is Kaufbeuren a good place to live as a student?

Kaufbeuren can suit students who accept commuting and have a workable connection to their campus. Direct regional trains serve Kempten and Augsburg, but you should test the complete home-to-campus journey before signing a tenancy. [DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_3141.pdf)

### Is there a university in Kaufbeuren?

No university is listed for Kaufbeuren in the Where Is My Uni? catalogue. The nearest listed institution is Kempten University of Applied Sciences; Augsburg provides further university options.

### How do I get from Kaufbeuren to Kempten for university?

Take a direct regional train from Kaufbeuren to Kempten Hauptbahnhof. Published services take roughly 20–30 minutes, with additional time needed to reach your university building. [DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_3141.pdf)

### Is Kaufbeuren expensive for students?

A current student-room average was not verified, so a reliable total monthly budget cannot be quoted here. The April 2024 local housing report described affordable housing as scarce; compare actual warm rents and commuting costs rather than assuming a small city will be cheap. [Housing-market report](https://www.hypovereinsbank.de/content/dam/hypovereinsbank/privatkunden/pdf/immobilien/marktberichte/Kaufbeuren-Ostallgaeu.pdf)

### What student jobs can I find in Kaufbeuren?

Verified examples include hotel service, kitchen assistance and housekeeping, plus working-student customer-service roles at Sparkasse Allgäu. Availability and required German skills depend on the position. [Hotel Am Kamin](https://www.hotel-am-kamin.de/hotel/jobs-karriere/) [Sparkasse Allgäu](https://blog.sparkasse-allgaeu.de/artikel/studium-und-job-vereinen-dein-werkstudentenjob-bei-der-sparkasse-allgaeu)

### Can I live in Kaufbeuren without a car?

It is worth considering if your home, campus and workplace fit the bus and train network. Neugablonz has a bus connection to Kaufbeuren station; check evening and weekend timetables before choosing an address. [City transport information](https://www.kaufbeuren.de/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-2459/3026_read-26050/) [Bus timetables](https://www.vg-kirchweihtal.de/downloads/)

## Sources

- [Kaufbeuren Tourism](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/)
- [Neugablonz history and landmarks](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/in-neugablonz)
- [Kaufbeuren museums and combination ticket](https://www.kaufbeuren-tourismus.de/museen)
- [HypoVereinsbank housing-market report, April 2024](https://www.hypovereinsbank.de/content/dam/hypovereinsbank/privatkunden/pdf/immobilien/marktberichte/Kaufbeuren-Ostallgaeu.pdf)
- [Gablonzer Siedlungswerk housing cooperative](https://www.gsw-kaufbeuren.de/)
- [Immowelt Kaufbeuren shared-housing search](https://www.immowelt.de/suche/mieten/wohnung/wohngemeinschaft/bayern/kaufbeuren-09762/ad06de307)
- [City bus information and line 9](https://www.kaufbeuren.de/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-2459/3026_read-26050/)
- [Kirchweihtal bus maps and timetables](https://www.vg-kirchweihtal.de/downloads/)
- [DB Kaufbeuren departure timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_3141.pdf)
- [DB Deutschlandticket prices](https://www.bahn.de/angebot/regio/deutschland-ticket)
- [Bavarian Deutschlandticket guidance, February 2026](https://www.lff.bayern.de/media/nw0h2xho/merkblatt-info-deutschlandticket-2026.pdf)
- [HAWE Kaufbeuren site](https://www.hawe.com/de-de/unternehmen/karriere/standorte/kaufbeuren/)
- [HAWE Kaufbeuren recruitment](https://career.hawe.com/hawe/?location=LOC007)
- [Kliniken Ostallgäu-Kaufbeuren careers](https://www.kliniken-oal-kf.de/jobs)
- [City of Kaufbeuren careers](https://www.kaufbeuren.de/nav/karriere.aspx)
- [Hotel Am Kamin jobs and student minijobs](https://www.hotel-am-kamin.de/hotel/jobs-karriere/)
- [Sparkasse Allgäu working-student information](https://blog.sparkasse-allgaeu.de/artikel/studium-und-job-vereinen-dein-werkstudentenjob-bei-der-sparkasse-allgaeu)
- [Memmingen Airport public transport](https://www.memmingen-airport.de/an-abreise/oeffentliche-verkehrsmittel/)
- [Memmingen Airport–Kaufbeuren route overview](https://www.rome2rio.com/de/s/Flughafen-Memmingen-FMM/Kaufbeuren)
- [Tänzelfest cultural-heritage calendar](https://www.ike.bayern.de/meta/termine/000427/index.html)
- [Official Kaufbeuren Christmas-market website](https://www.xn--weihnachtsstadt-im-allgu-dcc.de/)
- [Allgäu culinary heritage: Kässpatzen](https://www.allgaeu.de/genuss-gesundheit/kulinarisches-erbe/allgaeuer-kaesspatzen)
- [Krautkrapfen background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krautkrapfen)
- [Fünfknopfturm supporting association](https://www.fuenfknopfturm.de/)
- [VHS Kaufbeuren languages and integration](https://vhs-kaufbeuren.de/Programmbereich/cmx642597ace8185.html)
- [Commons: Kaufbeurer Altstadt](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kaufbeurer_Altstadt.jpg)
- [Commons: Fuenfknopfturm Kaufbeuren-3](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fuenfknopfturm_Kaufbeuren-3.jpg)
- [Commons: Neugablonz](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neugablonz.jpg)

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Published by [Where Is My Uni?](https://whereismyuni.com) — every German university on one map. Canonical page: https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/bavaria/kaufbeuren. Last updated November 2026. [How we research](https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/how-we-research).