# Study in Rottal-Inn district, Bavaria

> Rottal-Inn is a rural district (Landkreis) in Bavaria with 120,497 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). There is no university in Rottal-Inn district itself; the nearest is Deggendorf Institute of Technology in Deggendorf, about 46 km away. Summers average 17.8 °C and winters -0.1 °C, with about 816 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).

Rottal-Inn is a rural Bavarian district with small towns, thermal baths and a quieter setting for student life.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,497 | Destatis, 31 Dec 2024 |
| Area | 1,281.2 km² | Destatis |
| Universities in the district | 0 | Where Is My Uni? catalogue |
| Nearest university | Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Deggendorf (46 km) | Where Is My Uni? catalogue |
| Typical student rent | €401–€436 per month — Listed rent per furnished room in a two-, three- or four-person shared flat at Alois-Gäßl-Straße, Pfarrkirchen; operator page checked November 2026. This is a residence-specific range, not a district average. | [source](https://www.stwno.de/de/wohnen/wohnanlagen-pfarrkirchen/alois-gaessl-strasse) |
| Mean temperature | 8.8 °C (summer 17.8 °C, winter -0.1 °C) | DWD 1991–2020 |
| Rain | 816 mm a year | DWD 1991–2020 |
| Sunshine | 1,756 hours a year | DWD 1991–2020 |

## About Rottal-Inn district

Rottal-Inn lies in southern Lower Bavaria, along the Austrian border. Pfarrkirchen is the administrative centre; Eggenfelden, Simbach am Inn and Arnstorf are other important local service centres. The landscape is shaped by the Rott and Inn valleys, hills and scattered settlements ([district development plan](https://www.rottal-inn.de/fileadmin/rottal-inn/Dateien/Kreisentwicklung/KEK-Rottal-Inn_Fortschreibung_2022-2030_komprimiert.pdf)).

Thermal bathing in Bad Birnbach and traditional rural buildings at Massing's open-air museum offer two different introductions to the area. This is a place to consider if countryside and smaller communities appeal to you ([Rottal Terme](https://www.badbirnbach.de/rottal-terme), [Freilichtmuseum Massing](https://www.freilichtmuseum.de/museum-massing/das-freilichtmuseum-massing/)).

- **Pfarrkirchen**: The district's administrative centre, with a historic town square ([district development plan](https://www.rottal-inn.de/fileadmin/rottal-inn/Dateien/Kreisentwicklung/KEK-Rottal-Inn_Fortschreibung_2022-2030_komprimiert.pdf), [town information](https://pfarrkirchen.de/kultur-tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/stadtplatz/)).
- **Eggenfelden**: An important service centre and a stop on the Rottalbahn regional railway ([district development plan](https://www.rottal-inn.de/fileadmin/rottal-inn/Dateien/Kreisentwicklung/KEK-Rottal-Inn_Fortschreibung_2022-2030_komprimiert.pdf), [Südostbayernbahn](https://www.suedostbayernbahn.de/fahrplan/fahrplanwechsel)).
- **Simbach am Inn**: One of the district's principal service towns and home to a specialist psychosomatic hospital ([district development plan](https://www.rottal-inn.de/fileadmin/rottal-inn/Dateien/Kreisentwicklung/KEK-Rottal-Inn_Fortschreibung_2022-2030_komprimiert.pdf), [Rottal-Inn Kliniken](https://www.rottalinnkliniken.de/rottal-inn-kliniken/kurzportrait)).
- **Arnstorf**: Home to Lindner's headquarters, with opportunities for working students and dual-study applicants ([Lindner](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/stellenmarkt)).
- **Bad Birnbach**: The district's thermal-spa destination, centred on the Rottal Terme ([official spa information](https://www.badbirnbach.de/rottal-terme)).

## Nearest universities

There is no separate university listed for Rottal-Inn, but there is an important branch campus: Deggendorf Institute of Technology operates the European Campus Rottal-Inn in Pfarrkirchen, offering English-taught courses ([district campus information](https://www.rottal-inn.de/en/municipal-service-forms/education/european-campus-rottal-inn/), [DIT](https://th-deg.de/en/ecri-campus)). For programmes based in Deggendorf, Passau or Landshut, check the actual commute before choosing accommodation. Pfarrkirchen–Passau alone takes roughly an hour and a half by regional train, before travel to the university ([DB timetable](https://assets.static-bahn.de/dam/jcr:e28a59a9-4035-4344-bd1d-46814701097c/KBS%20946%20M%C3%BChldorf-Passau-M%C3%BChldorf%20ab%2014.06.2026.2026-05-06-06-43-44.pdf)). The district is most worth considering for a local campus place, a local placement or a preference for smaller-town life; Lindner also offers dual-study routes in Arnstorf ([Lindner](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/fuer-schueler/duales-studium)).

- **Deggendorf Institute of Technology** (Deggendorf) — 46 km away, 113 courses
- **University of Passau** (Passau) — 46 km away, 113 courses
- **Hochschule Landshut - Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften** (Landshut) — 51 km away, 50 courses
- **Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences** (Rosenheim) — 84 km away, 73 courses
- **Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences** (Freising) — 84 km away, 45 courses

## Housing

Pfarrkirchen has both private accommodation and a Studierendenwerk residence, but do not assume that a rural location makes finding a room effortless. DIT recommends starting early and searching specifically around your teaching location ([DIT accommodation guidance](https://ec.th-deg.de/accommodation)). The town's published rental overview is dated July 2023 and explicitly is not an official Mietspiegel, so it is unsuitable as a current district-wide rent benchmark ([Pfarrkirchen](https://pfarrkirchen.de/wirtschaft/wirtschaftsdaten/miet-kaufpreise/)).

**How to find a place**

- Use DIT's accommodation listings for Pfarrkirchen and contact its accommodation team if you need help ([DIT accommodation](https://ec.th-deg.de/accommodation)).
- Check the Alois-Gäßl-Straße residence directly with Studierendenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz; ask about eligibility and availability before relying on a room ([residence information](https://www.stwno.de/de/wohnen/wohnanlagen-pfarrkirchen/alois-gaessl-strasse)).
- Search WG-Gesucht for Pfarrkirchen using terms such as WG-Zimmer and Wohnung; DIT recommends this portal for private accommodation ([DIT housing guidance](https://www.th-deg.de/wohnen)).
- Before accepting a room outside your study town, check weekday, evening and weekend connections using the local bus timetables ([VGRI](https://www.vgrottal-inn.de/)).
- If joining Lindner for an internship, working-student position or thesis, ask about its furnished shared accommodation in Arnstorf during the interview ([Lindner student accommodation](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/fuer-studierende)).

**Student residences**

- [Wohnanlage Alois-Gäßl-Straße](https://www.stwno.de/de/wohnen/wohnanlagen-pfarrkirchen/alois-gaessl-strasse) (Studierendenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz): Furnished rooms in shared flats at Alois-Gäßl-Straße 4, Pfarrkirchen, with shared kitchens and bathrooms ([official residence page](https://www.stwno.de/de/wohnen/wohnanlagen-pfarrkirchen/alois-gaessl-strasse)).

## Cost of living

A useful housing reference is the €401–€436 monthly room range at Pfarrkirchen's Studierendenwerk residence, checked in November 2026 ([Studierendenwerk](https://www.stwno.de/de/wohnen/wohnanlagen-pfarrkirchen/alois-gaessl-strasse)). The standard Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month at the time of checking and covers local and regional public transport ([Deutsche Bahn](https://www.bahn.de/faq/deutschlandticket-konditionen)). Budget separately for food, health insurance, study costs and any expenses excluded from your lease. Compare total housing and transport costs: a room farther from campus may require spending on a car. A reliable current comparison with big-city living costs was not established.

## Jobs & employers

Construction and manufacturing, healthcare and spa hospitality provide different routes into local employment. Lindner explicitly offers working-student positions, internships and holiday jobs, while Bad Birnbach's Vitalhotel welcomes students for restaurant service ([Lindner careers](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/stellenmarkt), [Vitalhotel careers](https://www.vitalhotel-badbirnbach.de/de/vitalhotel-bad-birnbach/karriere.html)). Treat these as employers and job categories to investigate, rather than guaranteed vacancies or English-only opportunities.

- Working-student roles and internships at Lindner in Arnstorf ([student careers](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/fuer-studierende)).
- Semester-break holiday jobs at Lindner ([careers portal](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/stellenmarkt)).
- Restaurant service in Bad Birnbach, including roles explicitly open to students at the Vitalhotel ([hotel careers](https://www.vitalhotel-badbirnbach.de/de/vitalhotel-bad-birnbach/karriere.html)).

- **Lindner Group** (Construction, interior fit-out and building systems): Headquartered in Arnstorf; offers internships, working-student employment and dual study ([Lindner careers](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/stellenmarkt)).
- **Haas Fertigbau** (Timber construction): Based in Falkenberg, producing timber buildings for residential, commercial and agricultural uses ([Haas](https://www.haas-karriere.com/)).
- **Rottal-Inn Kliniken** (Healthcare): Operates hospitals in Eggenfelden, Pfarrkirchen and Simbach am Inn; Eggenfelden also has an associated nursing school ([hospital profile](https://www.rottalinnkliniken.de/rottal-inn-kliniken/kurzportrait)).
- **Rottal Terme** (Thermal bathing and health tourism): A local employer in Bad Birnbach with its own recruitment pages ([Rottal Terme careers](https://www.badbirnbach.de/rottal-terme/stellenangebote)).

## Getting around

The RB 46 Rottalbahn connects Massing, Eggenfelden, Pfarrkirchen and Bad Birnbach with Mühldorf and Passau. In the timetable effective from June 2026, typical daytime journeys from Pfarrkirchen to Passau take about 1 hour 20–30 minutes; Eggenfelden to Passau is roughly 1 hour 40–50 minutes ([DB timetable](https://assets.static-bahn.de/dam/jcr:e28a59a9-4035-4344-bd1d-46814701097c/KBS%20946%20M%C3%BChldorf-Passau-M%C3%BChldorf%20ab%2014.06.2026.2026-05-06-06-43-44.pdf)). Consult VGRI for local bus connections, especially before renting away from a station ([VGRI](https://www.vgrottal-inn.de/)). The Deutschlandticket covers regional trains and participating local buses, but not ordinary ICE, IC or EC journeys ([Deutsche Bahn](https://www.bahn.de/faq/deutschlandticket-konditionen)). Allow additional time between the station and your destination, and check live services before travelling.

- Station: Pfarrkirchen — RB 46 regional services ([Südostbayernbahn](https://www.suedostbayernbahn.de/fahrplan/fahrplanwechsel)).
- Station: Eggenfelden and Eggenfelden Mitte — separate stops on the Rottalbahn ([Südostbayernbahn](https://www.suedostbayernbahn.de/fahrplan/fahrplanwechsel)).
- Station: Bad Birnbach — regional rail access to Passau and Mühldorf ([Südostbayernbahn](https://www.suedostbayernbahn.de/fahrplan/fahrplanwechsel)).
- Nearest airport: Salzburg Airport; Munich Airport is another option — Using Pfarrkirchen as the reference point, DIT places Salzburg Airport approximately 100 km away and Munich Airport approximately 110 km away, with around three hours by public transport to the campus from either. The most convenient airport depends on your town and flight ([DIT directions](https://www.th-deg.de/en/dit/directions)).

## Weather & seasons

- Winter: -0.1 °C, 55 mm rain a month, 2.2 h sun a day
- Spring: 8.9 °C, 63 mm rain a month, 5.8 h sun a day
- Summer: 17.8 °C, 94 mm rain a month, 7.5 h sun a day
- Autumn: 8.7 °C, 61 mm rain a month, 3.7 h sun a day

Expect cold winters with regular frost, a gradual spring warm-up and generally mild-to-warm summers. Summer is also relatively wet, so waterproof clothing is useful even during cycling season. Autumn brings cooler evenings and the regional Mostwochen programme, making it a good time to explore orchard traditions ([Bad Birnbach tourism](https://www.badbirnbach.de/mostkoenigin)).

## Culture & language

Local cultural life includes choirs, amateur theatre, visual artists and heritage organisations. Church-fair traditions remain visible at events such as Massinger Kirta, with regional food and craft demonstrations ([district cultural office](https://www.rottal-inn.de/wirtschaft-tourismus/kultur-brauchtum/kulturarbeit-im-landkreis/), [Massinger Kirta](https://www.freilichtmuseum.de/event/kirta/)).

For student social life, Pfarrkirchen's campus offers sports clubs and events, while the town square has cafés and restaurants. This suggests a social life built around campus activities and smaller venues; do not choose the district expecting a big-city nightlife scene ([DIT campus guide](https://th-deg.de/en/ecri-campus)).

English is useful within Pfarrkirchen's international campus, which offers English-taught courses ([DIT](https://th-deg.de/en/ecri-campus)). For housing, everyday administration and a wider job search, aim for conversational German; B1–B2 is a practical learning target, not a universal admission or employment requirement. The regional dialect belongs to the Bairisch tradition, which differs from standard German ([Bavarian Academy of Sciences](https://bwb.badw.de/bairische-mundarten.html)).

## Local food

- **Rottaler Most**: The local fermented orchard-fruit drink is celebrated through the Rottaler Mostwochen, alongside regional produce and orchard traditions ([Bad Birnbach tourism](https://www.badbirnbach.de/mostkoenigin)).
- **Kirtabratl**: A traditional church-fair roast associated with autumn eating in the Rottal; Bad Birnbach's tourism office highlights it as a seasonal speciality ([regional gastronomy](https://www.badbirnbach.de/gastronomie)).
- **Bauernbrot**: Farmhouse bread is part of the area's rural food traditions and is baked in the museum bakery for Massinger Kirta ([Freilichtmuseum Massing](https://www.freilichtmuseum.de/event/kirta/)).

## Events

- **Rottaler Mostwochen** (September–October): An annual programme celebrating Most, orchards and regional products. The verified 2026 edition ran from 5 September to 25 October ([official tourism page](https://www.badbirnbach.de/mostkoenigin)).
- **Massinger Kirta** (October): The open-air museum's church-fair celebration brings together crafts, market stalls and regional food; the 2026 edition was held on 11 October ([museum event page](https://www.freilichtmuseum.de/event/kirta/)).

## Places to see

- **Pfarrkirchen Stadtplatz** (Town centre): Explore the historic square and look for the projecting bay window with its gilded roof, locally called the Goldene Dachl ([town visitor information](https://pfarrkirchen.de/kultur-tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/stadtplatz/)).
- **Freilichtmuseum Massing** (Museum): Historic farmhouses and village buildings introduce rural life in southern Lower Bavaria. The buildings were transferred here from their original locations ([museum](https://www.freilichtmuseum.de/museum-massing/das-freilichtmuseum-massing/)).
- **Rottal Terme, Bad Birnbach** (Thermal baths): Thermal bathing and sauna facilities provide an indoor option for a free afternoon; check current access and maintenance notices before visiting ([official spa website](https://www.badbirnbach.de/rottal-terme)).
- **Naturium Ering** (Nature): The visitor centre explains the habitats of the Lower Inn and provides information about birds currently present in the area ([Naturium](https://www.naturium-am-inn.eu/naturium-ering/)).

## FAQ

### Is Rottal-Inn a good place to live as an international student?

It is particularly worth considering if your course is at the European Campus Rottal-Inn in Pfarrkirchen and you prefer smaller-town surroundings. The campus offers English-taught courses, a library, a canteen and sports activities ([DIT](https://th-deg.de/en/ecri-campus)).

### Is there a university in Rottal-Inn?

There is a university campus in Pfarrkirchen: the European Campus Rottal-Inn belongs to Deggendorf Institute of Technology. It is a branch campus rather than a separate university institution ([district information](https://www.rottal-inn.de/en/municipal-service-forms/education/european-campus-rottal-inn/)).

### How do I get from Pfarrkirchen to Passau?

Take the RB 46 Rottalbahn towards Passau Hauptbahnhof. Typical daytime journeys take about 1 hour 20–30 minutes in the timetable effective from June 2026; add time to reach the university from the station ([DB timetable](https://assets.static-bahn.de/dam/jcr:e28a59a9-4035-4344-bd1d-46814701097c/KBS%20946%20M%C3%BChldorf-Passau-M%C3%BChldorf%20ab%2014.06.2026.2026-05-06-06-43-44.pdf)).

### How much does student accommodation cost in Rottal-Inn?

The Studierendenwerk residence in Pfarrkirchen lists rooms at €401–€436 per month, checked November 2026. This is a specific residence's price range, not an average for private rentals across the district ([Studierendenwerk](https://www.stwno.de/de/wohnen/wohnanlagen-pfarrkirchen/alois-gaessl-strasse)).

### What jobs can students find in Rottal-Inn?

Examples include working-student positions, internships and holiday jobs at Lindner in Arnstorf, plus restaurant service in Bad Birnbach. Lindner and the Vitalhotel publish relevant recruitment information, but availability and language requirements need checking directly ([Lindner](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/stellenmarkt), [Vitalhotel](https://www.vitalhotel-badbirnbach.de/de/vitalhotel-bad-birnbach/karriere.html)).

### Can I live in Rottal-Inn without a car?

Living near Pfarrkirchen's campus or a Rottalbahn station is worth considering: DIT describes the campus as about a 16-minute walk from Pfarrkirchen station. For accommodation elsewhere, check local bus services against your actual timetable before signing a lease ([DIT directions](https://www.th-deg.de/en/dit/directions), [VGRI](https://www.vgrottal-inn.de/)).

## Sources

- [Rottal-Inn district development plan 2022–2030](https://www.rottal-inn.de/fileadmin/rottal-inn/Dateien/Kreisentwicklung/KEK-Rottal-Inn_Fortschreibung_2022-2030_komprimiert.pdf)
- [District information about European Campus Rottal-Inn](https://www.rottal-inn.de/en/municipal-service-forms/education/european-campus-rottal-inn/)
- [DIT European Campus Rottal-Inn](https://th-deg.de/en/ecri-campus)
- [DIT accommodation guidance](https://ec.th-deg.de/accommodation)
- [DIT housing resources](https://www.th-deg.de/wohnen)
- [DIT campus directions and airport access](https://www.th-deg.de/en/dit/directions)
- [Studierendenwerk Alois-Gäßl-Straße residence and rents](https://www.stwno.de/de/wohnen/wohnanlagen-pfarrkirchen/alois-gaessl-strasse)
- [Pfarrkirchen rental-price guidance](https://pfarrkirchen.de/wirtschaft/wirtschaftsdaten/miet-kaufpreise/)
- [VGRI local public transport](https://www.vgrottal-inn.de/)
- [Südostbayernbahn timetable downloads](https://www.suedostbayernbahn.de/fahrplan/fahrplanwechsel)
- [RB 46 timetable effective 14 June 2026](https://assets.static-bahn.de/dam/jcr:e28a59a9-4035-4344-bd1d-46814701097c/KBS%20946%20M%C3%BChldorf-Passau-M%C3%BChldorf%20ab%2014.06.2026.2026-05-06-06-43-44.pdf)
- [Deutsche Bahn Deutschlandticket conditions](https://www.bahn.de/faq/deutschlandticket-konditionen)
- [Lindner careers](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/stellenmarkt)
- [Lindner student opportunities and accommodation](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/fuer-studierende)
- [Lindner dual study](https://www.lindner-group.com/de/ueber-uns/karriere/fuer-schueler/duales-studium)
- [Haas Fertigbau company and location](https://www.haas-karriere.com/)
- [Rottal-Inn Kliniken profile](https://www.rottalinnkliniken.de/rottal-inn-kliniken/kurzportrait)
- [Vitalhotel Bad Birnbach careers](https://www.vitalhotel-badbirnbach.de/de/vitalhotel-bad-birnbach/karriere.html)
- [Rottal Terme](https://www.badbirnbach.de/rottal-terme)
- [Rottal Terme careers](https://www.badbirnbach.de/rottal-terme/stellenangebote)
- [Pfarrkirchen Stadtplatz](https://pfarrkirchen.de/kultur-tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/stadtplatz/)
- [Freilichtmuseum Massing](https://www.freilichtmuseum.de/museum-massing/das-freilichtmuseum-massing/)
- [Naturium Ering](https://www.naturium-am-inn.eu/naturium-ering/)
- [District cultural office](https://www.rottal-inn.de/wirtschaft-tourismus/kultur-brauchtum/kulturarbeit-im-landkreis/)
- [Rottaler Mostwochen](https://www.badbirnbach.de/mostkoenigin)
- [Rottal regional gastronomy](https://www.badbirnbach.de/gastronomie)
- [Massinger Kirta event](https://www.freilichtmuseum.de/event/kirta/)
- [Massinger Kirta – museum programme](https://www.freilichtmuseum.de/event/kirta/)
- [Bavarian Academy of Sciences: Bairisch dialects](https://bwb.badw.de/bairische-mundarten.html)
- [Commons: Pfarrkirchen town hall](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pfarrkirchen-Stadtplatz-2-Rathaus.jpg)
- [Commons: Massing open-air museum](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Freilichtmuseum_Massing.JPG)
- [Commons: Eggenfelden town square](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stadtplatz_Eggenfelden.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/rottal-inn-district. Last updated November 2026. [How we research](https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/how-we-research).