In short
Mainz-Bingen is a rural district (Landkreis) in Rhineland-Palatinate with 206,454 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). It has one university: Bingen University of Applied Sciences (Bingen am Rhein). Summers average 19.4 °C and winters 2.6 °C, with about 518 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).
Mainz-Bingen district in numbers
- Population
- Area
605.33 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- People per km²
- Universities in the district
1Where Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)
Bingen University of Applied Sciences
- Typical student rent
€398–408 per monthSource (opens in a new tab)
Published monthly rent for an approximately 17–20 m² apartment in Wohnheim Bingen, as listed by Studierendenwerk Mainz on its undated price page, checked November 2026. This is a residence price, not a private-market average. Official price list
- Average temperature
10.8 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Rain
518 mm a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine
1,676 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Frost days
51 a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
About Mainz-Bingen district
Mainz-Bingen lies in eastern Rhineland-Palatinate, with Rhine-side towns and the vineyard-covered hills of Rheinhessen. Ingelheim is its administrative centre; despite the district’s name, Mainz city is administratively separate. District overview (opens in a new tab)
Bingen is the district’s university town, while Ingelheim and Nieder-Olm also offer substantial corporate employment. Wine-growing, agriculture, manufacturing and services coexist here, so the district is more than a rural commuter belt. TH Bingen (opens in a new tab) District economic development (opens in a new tab)
Main towns
Bingen am Rhein
The university’s main campus is in Büdesheim, with the Hermann-Hoepke-Technikum in the town centre. TH Bingen (opens in a new tab)
Ingelheim am Rhein
The district’s administrative centre and the headquarters location of Boehringer Ingelheim. District overview (opens in a new tab) Boehringer Ingelheim (opens in a new tab)
Nieder-Olm
Home to Eckes-Granini’s group and German headquarters, including central commercial functions. Eckes-Granini (opens in a new tab)
Oppenheim
A historic town known for its underground cellar passages and Gothic Katharinenkirche. Town of Oppenheim (opens in a new tab)
Universities here
Universities in Mainz-Bingen district, biggest first.
Bingen University of Applied Sciences provides a local study base; nearby alternatives include the universities in Mainz, Geisenheim and Oestrich-Winkel. Choose accommodation around your actual campus: TH Bingen has locations in Büdesheim and central Bingen. TH Bingen (opens in a new tab) Regional trains connect Bingen and Ingelheim with Mainz, while journeys across the Rhine need separate planning. MittelrheinBahn (opens in a new tab) Bingen travel information (opens in a new tab) This is a good option to consider if you want a smaller-town study base and enjoy spending time outdoors.
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Bingen University of Applied Sciences
University of applied sciences · Bingen am Rhein · 31 courses
Housing
Apply early rather than assuming a small town guarantees an available room. Studierendenwerk Mainz reports a longstanding waiting list across its housing system; this does not establish a district-wide shortage, but it makes a parallel private search sensible. Housing FAQ (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
- Apply through Studierendenwerk Mainz’s housing portal early; you can apply before receiving university admission. Application guidance (opens in a new tab)
- Use TH Bingen’s housing portal through the university intranet for private accommodation offered to university members. TH Bingen housing (opens in a new tab)
- Check the Studierendenwerk’s private-room service and contact its Bingen housing office for local guidance. TH Bingen housing contacts (opens in a new tab)
- Before accepting a room, check the journey to your teaching location rather than only its distance from Bingen station. University locations (opens in a new tab)
Student residences
Wohnheim Bingen (opens in a new tab)
Studierendenwerk Mainz
Located at Hintere Grube 5, with apartments, bicycle storage, laundry facilities and a communal room. Residence information (opens in a new tab)
Cost of living
TH Bingen publishes a semester contribution of €231.31 for winter semester 2026/27, including its semester ticket. University fees (opens in a new tab) The AStA states that this is not a Deutschlandticket and that a discounted upgrade is unavailable; the separate Deutschlandticket costs €63 monthly in 2026. Check whether the included regional ticket already covers your journeys before buying another pass. AStA ticket guidance (opens in a new tab) RNN (opens in a new tab) Studierendenwerk rents include water, electricity, internet and waste disposal, but laundry and the broadcasting contribution are additional. Housing FAQ (opens in a new tab)
Jobs & employers
The district combines smaller businesses, agriculture and tourism with international companies. District economic development (opens in a new tab) Eckes-Granini explicitly offers internships, working-student positions and thesis opportunities; nearby Mainz adds employers such as SCHOTT. Search by location and working hours, because a company’s student programme does not guarantee a suitable local vacancy. Eckes-Granini careers (opens in a new tab) SCHOTT careers (opens in a new tab)
Typical student jobs
- Marketing and commercial student placements through Eckes-Granini’s recruitment programme; check the advertised location. Eckes-Granini careers (opens in a new tab)
- Human-resources internships and student support roles; Eckes-Granini identifies HR among its student placement areas. Eckes-Granini careers (opens in a new tab)
- Technical and engineering internships or working-student roles with nearby industrial employers such as SCHOTT. SCHOTT careers (opens in a new tab)
Major employers
Boehringer Ingelheim (opens in a new tab)
Pharmaceuticals
Ingelheim is the company’s headquarters and a major site for bringing medicines to market and supplying them commercially. Company locations (opens in a new tab)
Eckes-Granini (opens in a new tab)
Fruit beverages
Its Nieder-Olm headquarters houses management and central functions including marketing, sales, supply chain and finance. Company careers and locations (opens in a new tab)
SCHOTT (opens in a new tab)
Specialty glass and glass-ceramics
Located nearby in Mainz city, outside the district, with its headquarters, main plant and central research and development centre. Mainz location (opens in a new tab)
Getting around
The RB26 links Bacharach, Trechtingshausen, Bingen, Gau-Algesheim, Ingelheim and Budenheim with Mainz. MittelrheinBahn route (opens in a new tab) Allow roughly 35 minutes for a regional train from Bingen Hauptbahnhof to Mainz Hauptbahnhof, based on the journey displayed by DB; campus transfers take additional time. DB connection information (opens in a new tab) Bingen Hauptbahnhof is in Bingerbrück, whereas Bingen Stadt serves the centre. Bingen travel information (opens in a new tab) The Deutschlandticket covers local public transport and second-class regional trains, excluding IC, EC and ICE services. RNN (opens in a new tab) For village accommodation, check the complete bus-and-train journey and evening return before signing a lease.
- Main stations
- Bingen (Rhein) Hbf — regional services and some long-distance trains. DB (opens in a new tab)
- Bingen (Rhein) Stadt — central station on the RB26 route. MittelrheinBahn (opens in a new tab)
- Ingelheim — regional connections towards Mainz and Bingen. MittelrheinBahn (opens in a new tab)
- Nearest airport
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
A practical international gateway: the published RE2 timetable includes direct services from Bingen and Ingelheim to Frankfurt Airport’s regional station. Check your date for engineering changes. RMV timetable (opens in a new tab)
Weather & seasons
Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Mainz-Lerchenberg (ZDF) (11 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.
Winter
2.6 °C
36 mm rain a month
1.8 h sun a day
Spring
10.8 °C
39 mm rain a month
5.8 h sun a day
Summer
19.4 °C
54 mm rain a month
7.3 h sun a day
Autumn
10.6 °C
44 mm rain a month
3.4 h sun a day
Expect warm summers, cool winters and occasional frost rather than reliably snowy conditions. Spring and autumn are useful seasons for walking between study sessions; summer calls for sun protection as well as rainwear. Late summer and early autumn bring the major wine festivals in Bingen and Ingelheim. Bingen festival calendar (opens in a new tab) Ingelheim Rotweinfest (opens in a new tab)
Culture, language & food
Wine festivals are a substantial part of local social life: Bingen’s Winzerfest spreads across town-centre festival areas, while Ingelheim’s Rotweinfest takes place around the Burgkirche. Both combine local wine with music and food. Bingen tourism (opens in a new tab) Ingelheim organiser (opens in a new tab)
For student company, start with the AStA: its recurring activities include campus parties, film nights and shared cooking events. These are useful entry points into a smaller student community; check the current calendar before making plans. AStA Bingen (opens in a new tab)
English-language exchange modules exist at TH Bingen, but the university says its regular courses are taught almost exclusively in German. Exchange students taking those courses need at least B1 German; full-degree admission requirements are separate. TH Bingen exchange guidance (opens in a new tab) For everyday life, aim to build conversational German rather than relying on English for housing and administration. The university advertises German-as-a-foreign-language courses for international students. Language support (opens in a new tab)
Local food
Spundekäs
A Rheinhessen cream-cheese speciality seasoned with paprika, pepper and onions, usually eaten with bread or pretzels. Rheinhessen wine lexicon (opens in a new tab)
Handkäs mit Musik
Sour-milk cheese served with an onion marinade, associated with Rheinhessen and the wider Rhine-Main region. Background and serving traditions (opens in a new tab)
Places & events
Places to see
Bingen Kulturufer
Riverside
A Rhine-side walk through parks, gardens and outdoor sculpture, with cultural events along the waterfront. Bingen tourism (opens in a new tab)
Kaiserpfalz Ingelheim
History
Explore the remains of Charlemagne’s imperial palace using the signposted historical walking route. Ingelheim tourism (opens in a new tab)
Oppenheim old town and cellar labyrinth
Old town
Historic streets and the Gothic Katharinenkirche sit above an extensive network of cellar vaults and passages. Town of Oppenheim (opens in a new tab)
Burg Rheinstein
Castle
A castle museum at Trechtingshausen with historic rooms, gardens and Rhine views. Access involves an uphill walk; the site is not wheelchair accessible. Burg Rheinstein (opens in a new tab)
Events
Binger Winzerfest (opens in a new tab)
Late August to early September
An annual wine festival with local producers, food and live music across central Bingen. The confirmed 2026 edition ran from 28 August to 7 September. Bingen tourism (opens in a new tab)
Ingelheimer Rotweinfest (opens in a new tab)
Late September to early October
Wine, music and festivities around Ober-Ingelheim’s Burgkirche; the confirmed 2026 edition ran from 26 September to 4 October. Official organiser (opens in a new tab)
Rheinstein Castle above the Rhine near Trechtingshausen
The Zuckerbergtor at Ingelheim’s imperial palace site
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Mainz-Bingen district, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Mainz-Bingen district: FAQ
Is Mainz-Bingen a good place to live as a student?
Consider it if you prefer a smaller-town study base with access to Mainz. Bingen has university-organised social activities, and regional trains connect it with Mainz; compare your complete campus journey before choosing accommodation. AStA Bingen (opens in a new tab) MittelrheinBahn (opens in a new tab)
Is there a university in Mainz-Bingen?
Yes. Bingen University of Applied Sciences has its main campus in Büdesheim and another location in central Bingen. University locations (opens in a new tab)
How do I get from Bingen to Mainz for university?
Regional trains run directly between Bingen and Mainz. A regional journey displayed by DB takes approximately 35 minutes from Bingen Hauptbahnhof to Mainz Hauptbahnhof; allow additional time to reach your campus. DB (opens in a new tab)
How much does student accommodation in Bingen cost?
Studierendenwerk Mainz lists apartments in Wohnheim Bingen at €398–408 monthly, checked November 2026. This is a residence benchmark, not an average for private rooms or flats. Official prices (opens in a new tab)
Does TH Bingen’s semester ticket include the Deutschlandticket?
No. The AStA says its semester ticket covers the agreed regional network and specified ferry travel, but does not include the Deutschlandticket or a discounted upgrade. AStA ticket information (opens in a new tab)
What student jobs can I look for around Mainz-Bingen?
Look for commercial and HR student placements at Eckes-Granini and technical working-student opportunities with nearby employers such as SCHOTT in Mainz. Check each vacancy’s location, language requirements and hours. Eckes-Granini (opens in a new tab) SCHOTT (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
- District geography and administrative boundaries (opens in a new tab)
- District economic development (opens in a new tab)
- TH Bingen campus locations and exchange guidance (opens in a new tab)
- TH Bingen housing services (opens in a new tab)
- Studierendenwerk residence prices and applications (opens in a new tab)
- Wohnheim Bingen (opens in a new tab)
- Studierendenwerk housing FAQ (opens in a new tab)
- TH Bingen semester contribution (opens in a new tab)
- AStA semester ticket (opens in a new tab)
- RNN Deutschlandticket price and validity (opens in a new tab)
- MittelrheinBahn RB26 route (opens in a new tab)
- DB Bingen–Mainz connections (opens in a new tab)
- RMV regional timetable for 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Bingen stations and Rhine crossings (opens in a new tab)
- Boehringer Ingelheim locations (opens in a new tab)
- Eckes-Granini careers and headquarters (opens in a new tab)
- SCHOTT Mainz location (opens in a new tab)
- SCHOTT student and career opportunities (opens in a new tab)
- AStA Bingen social activities (opens in a new tab)
- Bingen wine festivals (opens in a new tab)
- Ingelheim Rotweinfest organiser (opens in a new tab)
- Spundekäs regional background (opens in a new tab)
- Handkäse regional background (opens in a new tab)
- Bingen Kulturufer (opens in a new tab)
- Kaiserpfalz Ingelheim (opens in a new tab)
- Oppenheim sights (opens in a new tab)
- Burg Rheinstein visitor information (opens in a new tab)
- TH Bingen German-language support (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Bingen panorama (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Rheinstein Castle (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Ingelheim Zuckerbergtor (opens in a new tab)
Photo credits
- Panoramic view across the Rhine towards Bingen from the Niederwald viewpoint — Daniel71953 (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Rheinstein Castle above the Rhine near Trechtingshausen — Pedelecs (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Zuckerbergtor at Ingelheim’s imperial palace site — Dguendel (opens in a new tab), CC BY 3.0
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