Where to live in Plzeň as a student
The University of West Bohemia has its campus in Bory, and the Charles University Faculty of Medicine is in Lochotín. Halls, renting, the cheapest neighbourhoods and where you are close to your faculty and to a night out.
Where people study in Plzeň
Most faculties of the University of West Bohemia (ZČU) are on the campus in Bory (Univerzitní street, Jižní Předměstí, on the south-western edge of the city). The faculties of education and of arts also have buildings in the centre, and the Faculty of Health Care Studies is in Husova street. The Charles University Faculty of Medicine is in Lochotín (Severní Předměstí) next to the university hospital, with some teaching in the centre too.
Choose where to live by where you will go most often: a tram runs from the centre to Bory, while Lochotín is in the north of the city.
Halls of residence
The ZČU halls and canteens office has halls in two places:
- Bory: Borská, Máchova, Baarova and Klatovská třída, all in Jižní Předměstí, a few minutes' walk from the campus.
- Lochotín: Bolevecká street in Severní Předměstí, close to the Faculty of Medicine.
Room prices, deadlines and the rules for applications are published by the ZČU halls and canteens office. Halls are usually the easiest option in the first year: no tenancy agreement, deposit or furniture to deal with.
What renting costs
A typical 1+kk in Plzeň costs CZK 10 400 a month excluding service charges and energy, a 2+kk for two flatmates CZK 13 600. The cheapest rents are in Božkov, Koterov and Křimice; check the journey to the centre from there too. Prices by flat size and neighbourhood are compared in the guide how much rent costs in Plzeň.
Cheapest Plzeň neighbourhoods to rent in
- 12 900 CZK Božkov Plzeň 2-Slovany
- 12 900 CZK Koterov Plzeň 2-Slovany
- 13 000 CZK Křimice Plzeň 5-Křimice
- 13 100 CZK Jižní Předměstí Plzeň 3
- 13 100 CZK Lobzy Plzeň 4
- 13 100 CZK Severní Předměstí Plzeň 1
- 13 100 CZK Újezd Plzeň 4
- 13 100 CZK Východní Předměstí Plzeň 2-Slovany
- 13 500 CZK Doudlevce Plzeň 3
- 13 600 CZK Doubravka Plzeň 4
Which neighbourhoods suit students
- Jižní Předměstí: the Bory campus, halls, the centre within walking distance.
- Vnitřní Město: the centre with faculties, cafés and nightlife; a tram to Bory.
- Skvrňany and Doudlevce: housing estates and older buildings a short way from Bory.
- Severní Předměstí and Bolevec: Lochotín with the Faculty of Medicine and the hospital, the Bolevec ponds for running and swimming.
For young people we build the order from public transport, shops, restaurants and night services. Vnitřní Město, Jižní Předměstí and Východní Předměstí come out best:
The best neighbourhoods for young people
- 95 Vnitřní Město Plzeň 3
- 93 Jižní Předměstí Plzeň 3
- 89 Východní Předměstí Plzeň 2-Slovany
- 78 Lobzy Plzeň 4
- 78 Severní Předměstí Plzeň 1
- 71 Bolevec Plzeň 1
- 70 Skvrňany Plzeň 3
- 68 Doubravka Plzeň 4
- 58 Doudlevce Plzeň 3
- 49 Božkov Plzeň 2-Slovany
The most restaurants, cafés and bars are in Jižní Předměstí, Východní Předměstí and Bolevec. Where you get home best from the centre at night (the PMDP night lines meet at Mrakodrap):
Plzeň neighbourhoods you reach fastest at night
- 14 min at night Jižní Předměstí Plzeň 3
- 24 min at night Východní Předměstí Plzeň 2-Slovany
- 32 min at night Lobzy Plzeň 4
- 34 min at night Severní Předměstí Plzeň 1
- 34 min at night Skvrňany Plzeň 3
Transport and doctors
Students get around Plzeň mainly by public transport (PMDP trams, trolleybuses and buses) and by bike; student fares and their conditions are on the transport company's website. You don't need to change your permanent address to study, and your registration with a GP at home stays valid. If you stay in Plzeň longer, practices by neighbourhood are in the overview doctors in Plzeň.
What to watch when renting
- A written agreement: even in a flatshare, everyone should be on the agreement or have a sublease agreement approved by the landlord.
- Deposit and handover record: get a receipt for the deposit and photograph the state of the flat and the meters when you move in.
- Charges: ask how much the advance payments for services and energy are; the advertised price often leaves them out.
- The way to your faculty: try it in the morning before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a student live in Plzeň?
The closest to the University of West Bohemia campus is Jižní Předměstí (Bory); the closest to the Faculty of Medicine is Severní Předměstí (Lochotín). For young people, Vnitřní Město, Jižní Předměstí and Východní Předměstí come out best: public transport, shops, restaurants and night services.
How much does a student pay for a rented flat in Plzeň?
A typical 1+kk in Plzeň costs CZK 10 400 a month excluding service charges, a 2+kk for two flatmates CZK 13 600. The cheapest neighbourhoods are Božkov, Koterov and Křimice.
Where are the University of West Bohemia's halls of residence?
The university's halls and canteens office (Správa kolejí a menz ZČU) has halls in Bory (Jižní Předměstí, a few minutes' walk from the campus) and in Lochotín (Severní Předměstí, by the Faculty of Medicine). It publishes prices and application deadlines on its website.