The Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region
Located in the heart of Europe and hosting Germany’s largest airport, the Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region offers unparalleled connectivity. With a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and a thriving international community, our location provides an ideal environment for both scientific and personal discovery.
The Rhine-Main metropolitan region, centered around Frankfurt am Main, Mainz, and their neighboring cities, is one of Europe’s most dynamic hubs for science, culture, and international life. With its strong academic landscape, excellent infrastructure, and high quality of life, it offers an ideal environment for doctoral researchers from around the world.
Discovering Frankfurt
Frankfurt is often seen as the financial capital of Germany, but for early-career scientists it offers much more than skyscrapers. The city has a vibrant academic landscape with leading universities and Max Planck Institutes, a strong biotech ecosystem, and many opportunities for networking, collaboration, and career development. At the same time, Frankfurt is a very livable city: compact, well connected, and full of green spaces. The Main riverbanks are a favorite spot for running, cycling, or simply relaxing with friends, and the city’s diverse neighborhoods offer food, culture, and events from all over the world. On the official website of the City of Frankfurt you can find further information about transportation, education, culture, offices and everything else the city has to offer.
Discovering Mainz
Mainz, the historic and accessible city, is just 30 minutes by train from Frankfurt. The lively old town, Roman landmarks, and famous "Fastnacht" carnival make Mainz a culturally rich destination. As the heart of Germany's largest wine-growing region, Rheinhessen, Mainz offers breathtaking landscapes and plenty to explore along the beautiful Rhine. Mainz adds a more traditional and relaxed atmosphere. Known for its historic old town, wine culture, and friendly pace of life, Mainz is especially popular with students and young academics. Despite its calm charm, it is also a strong center for biomedical research and home to major scientific innovations. Take a look at the official website of the City of Mainz (external link) for further information.
From Lab to City Life
Living and working in the Rhein Main region means experiencing one of Germany´s most dynamic and diverse metropolitican areas! Rhein Main Metropolis and its surroundings combine internationally with a high quality of life, offering an environment that is both stimulating and welcoming for PhD students, Post Docs and researchers from around the world.
Beyond Frankfurt’s urban center, the Rhine-Main area opens into a landscape of vineyards, forests, and historic towns. Cities such as Mainz, Wiesbaden, and Darmstadt—as well as the Taunus hills—are easily reached by public transport and offer countless opportunities to unwind after a day of experiments or lectures. Hiking trails, river paths for cycling, and local winegrowing areas make it easy to enjoy nature and discover the region’s cultural heritage.
The Rhine-Main region offers a unique blend of culture, history, innovation, and internationalism. From world-class museums along the River Main to small traditional towns, scenic vineyards, and modern urban neighborhoods, there is always something new to experience. Whether drawn to architecture, nature, food, or cultural events, researchers living here find a balanced setting that supports both scientific focus and an enjoyable everyday life.
For curated recommendations and inspiration on what to explore in and around the Rhein-Main region, you can visit this helpful guide.
Moving to Rhein-Main
Every year, Frankfurt and Mainz welcome thousands of international students and researchers who come to study, conduct research, or begin new academic collaborations. Moving to a new country can feel both exciting and overwhelming, but the Rhine-Main region makes the transition remarkably smooth. Its open-minded atmosphere, diverse international communities, and excellent infrastructure help newcomers feel at home quickly.
Germany is known for its high quality of life, reliable public services, and well-organized systems, features that many international researchers appreciate in their first weeks. Everyday essentials such as public transport, healthcare, and student services are easily accessible, and most people you encounter will speak at least some English.
Cost of Living
While Frankfurt is one of Germany’s major financial hubs, living costs are generally moderate compared to other European research cities. Groceries, public transport, and university canteens are affordable, though housing can be competitive in the city center. Many students choose to live in nearby districts or in Mainz, where rent can be lower but connections to campuses and institutes remain excellent.
Housing Support
To make your arrival easier, we offer temporary accommodation options:
Max Planck Guest House at the MPI of Biophysics – located directly next to the institute, offering a comfortable and convenient place to stay during your first weeks.
Goethe University’s International House – ideal for researchers arriving through the university, with furnished rooms and an international community.
These options give you time to settle in, complete your administrative procedures (registration, banking, insurance), and search for long-term housing without stress.
Settling In
The Rhine-Main region is known for being welcoming to internationals. You’ll find:
supermarkets and services that cater to different cultures,
international student groups,
English-speaking medical facilities,
and a vibrant calendar of cultural events, festivals, and social activities.
The International Office
For international researchers and students, our International Office plays an essential role. It provides guidance before, during, and after the move to Frankfurt. Our team supports newcomers with practical matters such as registration, visa questions, university procedures, and orientation events. Beyond administrative help, our International Office also connects students with internal community clubs, like bouldering, badminton, dragon boat, running and the crafting club, making it easier to integrate into both academic and social life.
In addition, the International Office coordinates our Buddy System, which pairs incoming students with members of earlier cohorts. These buddies offer practical tips, answer questions, and help newcomers navigate their first steps in the program—even before they arrive in Germany.