Living in Jena

Public local and long-distance transport in Jena and Germany

Jena has buses and trams. There are three train stations from which you can reach many other German cities. Sometimes it is worth buying a weekly or monthly ticket if you regularly travel on certain routes.

• Public transport in the city of JenaExternal link
• Buses to Jenas surrounding areasExternal link
• central Thuringian transport association External linkVMT (combined tickets for bus and train)
• Long-distance buses (e.g. FlixbusExternal link)
• Deutsche BahnExternal link
• Carpooling via various online platforms

Having a car in Jena

If you want to drive in Germany, you must first check whether your driving licence is also valid in Germany.  
In Jena, there are also several car sharingExternal link providers.  

Hiking and cycling tours in and around Jena

Jenas surrounding is ideal for walks and hikes. Most of the trails are well signposted and maps can be bought in bookshops or tourist information offices.

• Cycle route planner NAVIKIExternal link
• Cycle route planner ThuringiaExternal link
• General German Bicycle ClubExternal link
• Bicycle shops and hire

Jena has a rich cultural scene. You can often find events being advertised that break new ground. Here is a brief overview.

The city of Jenas website publishes an up-to-date event calendar External linkwith events in and around Jena (choose language in the upper left corner).

Music

Whether you want to listen, watch or actively get involved, take a look at Jenas orchestras, choirs, festivals, and dance groupsExternal link. If you are staying in Jena for a while, the choirsExternal link and orchestrasExternal link (e. g. the Freies OrchesterExternal link) will be pleased with new participants. The university has an Academic Music ClubExternal link, which includes two choirs and an orchestra. You can regularly listen to classical music at the Jena PhilharmonieExternal link, jazz is the focus in autumn during the Jazz MileExternal link, different programmes are on at the VolkshausExternal link, VolksbadExternal link, and at KassablancaExternal link.

Theatre

Theaterhaus JenaExternal link offers emerging, unconventional theatre on a small stage and lots of other events. You can also go to the theatre in WeimarExternal link, ErfurtExternal link, GeraExternal link, and RudolstadtExternal link by train to experience further good productions!

Film

In addition to a large commercial cinema, there are two art house cinemas that offer interesting programmes.

• Kino im SchillerhofExternal link
• Kino am MarktExternal link
• Cinestar JenaExternal link

Short film enthusiasts get their money's worth once a year at the Cellu lartExternal link festival.

Museums and exhibitions

Jena has nine museumsExternal link at which temporary exhibitions frequently take place. The University also has numerous public museums and collections, and research-oriented and teaching collections worth visiting. Find more information hereExternal link.

Lectures

At the University, there are public lectures de almost every day.

Family

There are plenty of activities for families as Jena is a very young city. Sports clubs and music schools also offer courses for children.

• Family Office 'JUniFamilie'
• Family CentreExternal link
• Concerts External linkfor families
• Philharmonic for childrenExternal link
• Music and art schoolExternal link
• ImaginataExternal link
• Climbing for childrenExternal link

A special open-air festival KulturarenaExternal link takes place in the city centre in July and August. Theatre, films, concerts and a Sunday programme for children alternate here every evening. Should you be in Jena in summer it is well worth it!

The University offers a wide range of sports courses for students and staff. You, too, can take part in courses at the University Sports Centre.

In addition, there are many other clubsExternal link you may want to join.

In summer, the outdoor poolsExternal link in Jena invite you to swim. Apart from this, you may take the boat out on the river Saale.

There are different churches and religious communities in Jena that are open for prayer and community life.

You will find an overview here.pdf, 52 kb · de

You can contact the Welcome Point or Family Office 'JUniFamilie' for all questions concerning you and your family.

There is also the Family CentreExternal link in Jena, which is also a point of contact for families. It organizes various family events, too.

The music and art school offers lessons and courses for young and old, including the parent-child music coursesExternal link. There are concerts for the whole family and children to listen to in a relaxed atmosphere.

Radio and television licence fees

As in some other European countries, the State charges a contribution for financing public service broadcasters for using radio and television sets. This radio and TV licence fee ('Rundfunkbeitrag')External link must be paid for every home, regardless of how many people live there and what kind of radio or TV sets they have. The contribution covers all offers for all types of transmission. If you move to Germany or move houses within Germany, you have to register here.

Telephone and Internet

You will find general information on telephone and Internet hereExternal link.

Germanys healthcare systemExternal link is very well developed. There is a right to a free choice of doctor. However, you should make an appointment with doctors surgeries by telephone. It is normal that you have to wait a few days or even a week for one, especially in the case of specialists. In urgent cases, you are usually asked to go to the medical practice immediately or on the same day.

• General practitioners and specialists

If you are ill, it is best to see a general practitioner near you first. These are usually general practitioners who may refer you to specialists, e.g. dermatologists and orthopaedists, or to a hospital. There are also paediatricians who specialize in the treatment of children and adolescents. Although general practitioners also treat children, it is recommended that children should be treated by a paediatrician.
Here you will find a list of doctors in Jena that speak English.External link

• Dentists

Do you have a toothache? You may go to one of the dentists on the list.External link Please note that most dental treatments are financed or partly financed by German health insurance companies.

• Emergency services

The emergency services in Germany are divided into two areas.
Dial 112 for an ambulance and the fire service or 110 for the police.
Both numbers are free of charge and should also be accessible even with no network coverage.

• Medical emergency service

For urgent but not life-threatening cases, where treatment cannot wait until the next day, there is an emergency medical service (116117).

Jena tourismExternal link

ThuringiaExternal link

German National Tourist BoardExternal link

City of Jena: lost property officeExternal link 

Everyday life in GermanyExternal link

Emergencies