Student life in Luxembourg: the essentials

Transportation and travel

There's no need to worry about being caught by a ticket inspector, because since 2020 all public transport is free in Luxembourg!

The bus and train network covers the whole country. Moreover, special services are provided at night and for major events. Don't forget, the tram is the best way to commute between the southern districts of Luxembourg City and Kirchberg. Over the coming years, the network will be developed further and new routes will be put into service.

Furthermore, the Grand Duchy currently has a network of 600 km of cycle paths, connecting different regions of the country and thus facilitating soft mobility. Bike rental services are available throughout the country.

Beyond the borders, international networks are also well developed. Luxembourg is located in the heart of the European Union and the Greater Region and, as such, neighbouring countries are easily and quickly accessible via public transport or by car.

And what about destinations further afield? The airports of Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Frankfurt-Hahn, Charleroi, Lorraine and Saarbrücken are all nearby.

Cost of living and housing

It is difficult to provide an exact estimate of the average living costs of a student, as this depends very much on personal tastes, needs and circumstances. However, you can find an approximate estimation of average costs per person per month below, gathered from information available on the Expatistan and uni.lu websites:

With regard to accommodation, the easiest thing to do is to contact the University of Luxembourg. However, there are other ways to find accommodation in the Grand Duchy. Renting a flat on the open market is an option, as is sharing a flat. You can find more information on the different types of student accommodation in Luxembourg in the section Student accommodation. 

Culture and nightlife

Is Luxembourg a sleepy province? Far from it! From Michael Jackson to Måneskin, the big stars have proven otherwise!

Parties and weekend outings are part of student life for most students. They allow young people to get together and socialise, as well as discover the cultural and social life of their new city of residence. There are wide range of options in the Grand Duchy.

Theatres, concert halls and cultural centres offer a broad and affordable programme of cultural events to suit all tastes. Even during the summer holidays, a jam-packed programme of outdoor festivals and concerts attracts a diverse audience.

If you're looking for a party at the weekend or after-uni nightlife, many cafes, bars, terraces and clubs are dotted across Luxembourg city in a wide range of districts, such as the Alstad (old town), the Grund, Clausen and Hollerich.

Esch-sur-Alzette, close to the Belval campus, is also becoming more popular and cosmopolitan. In the city centre, a variety of bars can be found, the Kulturfabrik hosts concerts and theatre and the Rockhal, the biggest concert venue in the country, regularly welcomes international superstars.

Furthermore, most of the museums in Luxembourg are free for young people up to 21 years of age and a large number of museums also offer discounts for students up to 26 years of age. To take advantage of this offer, you just need to show your student card.

For film buffs, the Grand Duchy has a significant number of cinemas spread across the country. These include the Cinémathèque de la Ville de Luxembourg or the Kinepolis cinema complex in Limpertsberg and Kirchberg, the Kinepolis Belval cinema in Esch-Belval and the Cinéma Scala in Diekirch.

The Kinepolis Student Card is free and offers students a discount of up to 20% on cinema tickets and certain drinks and snacks. 

Leisure and student associations

The University of Luxembourg offers free sports activities, but students also have the option to join one of the many sports clubs in Luxembourg. To join your new team, just consult the "clubs" section of the website of the relevant federation. From football, basketball and volleyball, as well as tennis, martial arts and swimming and gymnastics, dance and climbing, there is something suit everyone.

If you want to expand your social circle, simply become a member of a student association such as the ACEL, ALUC or any association officially recognised by the University of Luxembourg which organises events and different activities on a regular basis. You will get to meet students from other faculties and from different countries.

There's no shortage of opportunities to help you make the most of student life in Luxembourg!