In short
Plön is a rural district (Landkreis) in Schleswig-Holstein with 130,609 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). There is no university in Plön district itself; the nearest is Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Kiel in Kiel, about 16 km away. Summers average 16.8 °C and winters 2.1 °C, with about 767 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).
Plön district in numbers
- Population
- Area
1,083.56 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- People per km²
- Universities in the district
- Nearest university
Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Kiel, KielWhere Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)
About 16 km away in a straight line
- Average temperature
9.2 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Rain
767 mm a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine
1,630 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Frost days
56 a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
About Plön district
Plön combines Baltic coastline with the wooded hills and lakes of Holsteinische Schweiz. Sailing, swimming, cycling and walking are central to its outdoor appeal (Kreis Plön (opens in a new tab)).
Plön town is the district seat, with a historic centre and hilltop castle; Schwentinental borders Kiel, while Laboe and Schönberg offer coastal settings. These are quite different places to live, so choose a neighbourhood around your actual campus journey (Stadt Plön (opens in a new tab), Schwentinental (opens in a new tab), Laboe (opens in a new tab), Schönberg (opens in a new tab)).
Main towns
Plön
The district seat, with a lakeside old town and a castle overlooking the water (Tourist information (opens in a new tab)).
Preetz
A town with shops, a cinema and regional rail connections, making it worth considering for a Kiel commute (Wankendorfer (opens in a new tab)).
Schwentinental
Immediately east of Kiel, incorporating Klausdorf and Raisdorf; Raisdorf has a station on the Kiel–Lübeck railway (Background (opens in a new tab)).
Schönberg
A Baltic resort whose coastal areas include Schönberger Strand, Kalifornien and Brasilien; the town centre is inland (Probstei tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Laboe
A seaside settlement on the outer Kiel Fjord, with a fishing harbour and marina close to its centre (Laboe tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Nearest universities
No university in Plön district itself — these are the nearest (straight-line distance).
There is no university in Plön district. The nearest university options are in Kiel: HAW Kiel, Muthesius Kunsthochschule and Kiel University. For commuting, start by comparing homes near Preetz, Raisdorf or Plön stations, which have regional trains towards Kiel; allow additional time from Kiel Hauptbahnhof to your campus (NAH.SH timetable (opens in a new tab)). Living here is worth considering if you value outdoor space and are comfortable travelling for classes and student activities. Separate from university study, Stryker advertises technical apprenticeships and engineering internships in Schönkirchen (Stryker careers (opens in a new tab)).
Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Kiel
Kiel · 16 km away · 44 courses
Kiel University of Applied Sciences
Kiel · 16 km away · 4 courses
Muthesius Kunsthochschule
Kiel · 17 km away · 11 courses
Kiel University
Kiel · 19 km away · 237 courses
Musikhochschule Lübeck
Lübeck · 47 km away · 10 courses
Housing
Plan to investigate ordinary rental flats and shared accommodation. Wankendorfer has an established rental stock in Preetz, including publicly subsidised housing (Wankendorfer (opens in a new tab)). The evidence checked does not establish that the district's student housing market is relaxed or consistently cheaper than Kiel. Compare actual warm rents and commuting costs before choosing a location.
How to find a place
- Check Wankendorfer's Preetz properties and ask about smaller flats, availability and eligibility for subsidised homes (Wankendorfer (opens in a new tab)).
- Use WG-Gesucht, ImmobilienScout24 and Kleinanzeigen, searching individual towns rather than only Kiel. These portals are recommended in the Studentenwerk's regional housing guide (Studentenwerk SH (opens in a new tab)).
- Use the Kiel AStA classifieds and the housing resources collected by Studentenwerk SH to widen your search into Kiel and its surroundings (Studentenwerk SH (opens in a new tab)).
- Before accepting a flat, check its weekday and late-evening connections using the local bus network and rail timetable (VKP (opens in a new tab), NAH.SH (opens in a new tab)).
- Ask what the advertised rent includes: heating, electricity and internet are not necessarily bundled together. Compare the total monthly cost rather than Kaltmiete alone (Studentenwerk SH (opens in a new tab)).
Cost of living
For a Kiel University student, the published semester contribution is €403 for winter semester 2026/27 (AStA contribution archive (opens in a new tab)). Its Deutschland-Semesterticket is included in the contribution, so eligible students should activate it before buying another transport subscription (AStA ticket information (opens in a new tab)). The ordinary Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month in 2026 (NAH.SH (opens in a new tab)). A reliable local student rent or overall budget was not verified. Do not assume a rural address guarantees savings: compare warm rent, utilities and the cost of reaching campus.
Jobs & employers
The district describes its economy as predominantly small and medium-sized businesses in trades, retail, tourism and some industry (Kreis Plön (opens in a new tab)).
Typical student jobs
- Café counter and buffet assistance at accommodation or seminar venues (akademie am see (opens in a new tab)).
- Kitchen assistance, washing up and guest-room housekeeping; a local vacancy explicitly combines these tasks in a part-time role (akademie am see (opens in a new tab)).
Major employers
Stryker (opens in a new tab)
Medical technology
Operates in Schönkirchen, with local recruitment in manufacturing, engineering and research, alongside apprenticeships and internships (Stryker careers (opens in a new tab)).
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology (opens in a new tab)
Scientific research
An international evolutionary-biology research institute based in Plön; its presence also brings scientific and technical employment to the town (Stadt Plön (opens in a new tab), Institute (opens in a new tab)).
Klinik Preetz (opens in a new tab)
Healthcare
The hospital belongs to the district's health and care organisation and maintains a recruitment portal in Preetz; suitability depends on the role and qualifications (Klinik Preetz (opens in a new tab)).
Bundeswehr — Marineunteroffizierschule (opens in a new tab)
Defence and training
The naval non-commissioned officer school operates in Plön. The municipality identifies the Bundeswehr as the town's largest employer; this does not imply readily available student jobs (Stadt Plön (opens in a new tab)).
Getting around
RE83 and RB84 connect the district's main rail corridor with Kiel and Lübeck. Under the published normal timetable, Plön–Kiel Hauptbahnhof takes roughly 32–42 minutes and Preetz–Kiel about 16–24 minutes, depending on the train (NAH.SH timetable (opens in a new tab)). VKP publishes district and town bus networks; check the particular village and evening service before choosing housing (VKP (opens in a new tab)). The Deutschlandticket covers participating local buses and second-class regional trains (NAH.SH ticket conditions (opens in a new tab)). November 2026 travel note: erixx lists cancellations and replacement buses between Lübeck and Preetz/Plön from 2 November to 7 December 2026, so normal journey times do not apply to every connection (erixx disruption notice (opens in a new tab)).
- Main stations
- Plön — regional trains towards Kiel and Lübeck (NAH.SH (opens in a new tab)).
- Preetz — regional trains towards Kiel and Lübeck (NAH.SH (opens in a new tab)).
- Raisdorf, in Schwentinental — regional rail access near Kiel (Background (opens in a new tab)).
- Ascheberg (Holstein) — another station on the Kiel–Plön corridor (NAH.SH (opens in a new tab)).
- Nearest airport
Lübeck Airport
A nearby passenger-airport option. Plan onward travel through Lübeck, using the airport railway stop or bus 6; check replacement services before travelling. Hamburg Airport is another option, with an S1 connection to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (Lübeck tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Weather & seasons
Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Dörnick (9 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.
Winter
2.1 °C
68 mm rain a month
1.5 h sun a day
Spring
8.2 °C
46 mm rain a month
5.8 h sun a day
Summer
16.8 °C
76 mm rain a month
7.1 h sun a day
Autumn
9.8 °C
66 mm rain a month
3.4 h sun a day
Expect cool, damp winters with limited sunshine, a brighter spring and generally mild summers rather than prolonged heat. Waterproof layers are useful throughout the year. Summer gives you the best opportunity to combine studying with lake swimming, cycling and outdoor events; the Stadtbuchtfest and Korntage fall in this part of the year (Plön events (opens in a new tab), Probsteier Korntage (opens in a new tab)).
Culture, language & food
Local identity combines maritime life with farming traditions. The Probstei's annual Korntage celebrate grain-growing through village straw sculptures, farm visits and community events (Probstei tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Plön's cultural programme includes lakeside concerts, open-air cinema, castle concerts and the Kulturnacht (Tourist information (opens in a new tab)). For a student, this suggests an event-based social life rather than a campus-centred nightlife scene; check the calendar and your journey home when planning an evening out.
Plan to use German for housing enquiries and everyday administration, and check the working language of each job rather than assuming English is sufficient. As practical preparation, aim for conversational German and the ability to understand rental documents. Low German, or Plattdeutsch, is part of the regional cultural identity (Probstei tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Local food
Fischbrötchen
Fish-filled bread rolls are closely associated with the Probstei coast. Local versions include herring, matjes and mackerel, with sellers around Laboe, Wendtorf and Schönberger Strand (Probstei tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Korntagebrot
A seasonal bread made by the local Probsteier Bäcker for the Probsteier Korntage (Festival organiser (opens in a new tab)).
Probsteier Kaffeetafel
A regional coffee-and-cake gathering featured at the Korntage closing celebration (Festival organiser (opens in a new tab)).
Places & events
Places to see
Plön Castle and old town
Castle
Explore the narrow old-town lanes and castle grounds above the lake. The castle is used by the Fielmann Academy; interior visits require a guided tour rather than ordinary museum admission (Tourist information (opens in a new tab)).
Prinzeninsel
Nature
A narrow lakeside walking destination reached through Plön's castle park, with woodland paths, small bays and a bathing beach (Tourist information (opens in a new tab)).
Laboe harbour
Coast
A fishing harbour and marina where the Kiel Fjord meets the open sea, close to the village centre (Laboe tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Schönberger Strand, Kalifornien and Brasilien
Beach
Neighbouring Baltic beach areas with coastal cycling and watersports opportunities (Probstei tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Events
Plöner Stadtbuchtfest (opens in a new tab)
July; the 2026 programme ran from 3–5 July.
An annual lakeside festival with live music and opportunities to try water activities. Check the organiser's programme for the next edition (Tourist information (opens in a new tab)).
Probsteier Korntage (opens in a new tab)
July–August; 25 July–23 August in 2026.
A recurring regional celebration with straw sculptures across the villages, farm visits and cycling routes between installations (Probstei tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Großer Plöner See from the bathing area at Koppelsberg
Laboe village and beach seen from the Naval Memorial
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Plön district, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Plön district: FAQ
Is Plön district a good place to live as a student?
It is worth considering if you enjoy lakes, beaches and outdoor activities (Kreis Plön (opens in a new tab)). Your decision should depend on the door-to-door campus journey and whether you are comfortable commuting for student activities.
Is there a university in Plön district?
There is no university in the district. The nearest options are in Kiel, including Kiel University, HAW Kiel and Muthesius Kunsthochschule.
How do I get from Plön to Kiel for university?
RE83 and RB84 serve Plön–Kiel; normal scheduled journeys to Kiel Hauptbahnhof take approximately 32–42 minutes (NAH.SH (opens in a new tab)). Add your campus transfer and check disruption information for the travel date.
Is Plön cheaper than Kiel for students?
A reliable like-for-like student rent comparison was not verified. Compare actual warm rents, utilities and transport costs; the Studentenwerk explains which costs may be separate from the advertised rent (Studentenwerk SH (opens in a new tab)).
What part-time jobs can students find in Plön district?
Vacancies and required hours change, so check the employer's current listing.
Does the Deutschlandticket cover commuting from Plön to Kiel?
Yes, it covers participating regional trains and local buses in second class (NAH.SH (opens in a new tab)). Kiel University students already pay for a Deutschland-Semesterticket through their semester contribution and need to activate it (AStA (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
- Kreis Plön: tourism and recreation (opens in a new tab)
- Stadt Plön: economic profile and local employers (opens in a new tab)
- Plön sights and castle visiting arrangements (opens in a new tab)
- Wankendorfer: rental housing in Preetz (opens in a new tab)
- Schwentinental: geography and transport (opens in a new tab)
- Probstei tourism: Schönberg (opens in a new tab)
- Laboe tourism: harbour (opens in a new tab)
- Studentenwerk SH: accommodation search guide (opens in a new tab)
- Kiel University AStA: semester contribution archive (opens in a new tab)
- Kiel University AStA: Deutschland-Semesterticket (opens in a new tab)
- NAH.SH: Deutschlandticket conditions (opens in a new tab)
- Kreis Plön: economic structure (opens in a new tab)
- Stryker: Schönkirchen recruitment (opens in a new tab)
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology (opens in a new tab)
- Klinik Preetz: careers (opens in a new tab)
- akademie am see: local part-time vacancies (opens in a new tab)
- NAH.SH: RE83 and RB84 timetable 2025/26 (opens in a new tab)
- NAH.SH: current timetable downloads (opens in a new tab)
- VKP: district and town bus networks (opens in a new tab)
- erixx: November–December 2026 replacement services (opens in a new tab)
- Lübeck tourism: airport connections (opens in a new tab)
- Plön cultural events (opens in a new tab)
- Plöner Stadtbuchtfest (opens in a new tab)
- Probsteier Korntage: dates, traditions and food (opens in a new tab)
- Probstei tourism: Fischbrötchen (opens in a new tab)
- Prinzeninsel walking and recreation (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Plön Castle panorama (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Großer Plöner See at Koppelsberg (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Laboe village and beach (opens in a new tab)
Photo credits
- Panoramic southern view of Plön Castle — Holger.Ellgaard (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Großer Plöner See from the bathing area at Koppelsberg — Christian Alexander Tietgen (opens in a new tab), CC BY 4.0
- Laboe village and beach seen from the Naval Memorial — Dguendel (opens in a new tab), CC BY 3.0
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