How to Plan a Fun Neuschwanstein Castle Day Trip from Munich, Germany
Wondering how to visit Neuschwanstein Castle on a day trip from Munich, Germany? Read on for everything you need to know about visiting this fairytale castle in the foothills of the Alps.
Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular day trips from Munich, the capital of the German state of Bavaria. More than 1.4 million tourists visit this castle every year, and it’s not hard to understand why.
The castle looks like something straight from the pages of a storybook, rising dramatically from the forest with picturesque mountains in the background. (And, in fact, it’s likely inspired a few fairytales – or at least a Disney castle!)
This guide will show you exactly how you can visit Neuschwanstein Castle for yourself, including the best way(s) to get there from Munich and important tips for your day trip.
What and where is Neuschwanstein Castle?
Neuschwanstein Castle is located about 75 miles southwest of Munich, very close to the border with Austria in the foothills of the Alps near a village called Hohenschwangau.
If you just look at it from the outside, you might guess that Neuschwanstein Castle is much older than it really is, but construction actually began in 1869 thanks to King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Looking for an escape from the demands of royal life in Munich, the eccentric Ludwig II built a castle suited to his fanciful tastes.
Neuschwanstein Castle pays homage to romantic ideals of the past, blending architectural styles including Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine. It’s an excellent example of Romanticism, and it was further influenced by Ludwig II’s love of Richard Wagner, a German composer known for his musical mythology.
With its fairytale-like style, it’s no surprise that the iconic Disney castles (the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland and also the Cinderella Castle at Disney World) were actually based on Neuschwanstein Castle.
The castle is located near another royal residence – Hohenschwangau Castle, which was constructed by Ludwig II’s father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria. This castle is where Ludwig II spent much of his childhood.
But, though he loved the castle, Ludwig II spent less than six months in total at Neuschwanstein Castle. This is because it took so long to build; in fact, at the time of his death in 1886, it still wasn’t fully finished.
Ludwig II’s successor, Prince-Regent Luitpold, immediately opened Neuschwanstein Castle to visitors, and construction was fast-tracked, leading to a simplified version of the original design being completed two years later.
Today, the castle still enchants visitors with its whimsical design and dreamy views, and it is one of the most-visited attractions in Bavaria.
Is taking a Neuschwanstein Castle day trip from Munich worth it?
Yes, taking a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle is worth it – as long as you know what to expect. There are some important things to know before visiting to avoid disappointment.
One thing to note is that Neuschwanstein Castle is very crowded year-round. Germany is filled with beautiful historic castles, but Neuschwanstein Castle is by far the most famous. So you should expect crowds when you visit (but read on for our tips on how you can avoid the worst of them).
Many visitors are also surprised to learn that you cannot take photos or videos inside Neuschwanstein Castle. You’re free to take as many photos or videos around the exterior of the castle as you want, but everything inside is off-limits. (These travel bloggers say booooo.)
Speaking of off-limits, much of the castle’s interior is actually inaccessible to guests. You can only visit 14 rooms inside the castle as part of the guided tour, though many of them are quite impressive. The rest of this sprawling castle is closed to visitors.
Some visitors actually choose not to visit the interior of the castle at all. Without a ticket, you can still see the exterior of the castle and photograph it from several viewpoints (and all for free). In our opinion, this might be all you need to see!
When to visit Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is beautiful to visit year-round.
In the spring, the weather is pleasant and the crowds are more manageable. Summer brings peak tourist season, with the biggest crowds from June through September.
Fall is a stunning time of year to visit Neuschwanstein Castle as the surrounding foliage changes colors, while winter turns it into an icy wonderland. However, it can get very cold in the winter, so if you’re visiting at this time of year, you’ll want to bundle up and be prepared for some slippery spots underfoot!
Winter and spring (with the exception of holidays like Christmas and Easter) are the best times of year to visit for lower crowd levels.
You can also avoid the worst of the crowds by arriving very early in the morning, or in the evening before the castle closes. Most tour groups arrive mid-morning and stay through the afternoon, making this the busiest time of day.
The castle is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM from April 1 until October 15, and from 10 AM to 4 PM from October 16 until March 31. It’s closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
How to take an independent day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
If you want to visit Neuschwanstein Castle on your own, booking your tickets in advance is extremely important. Up to 6,000 people visit the castle every day in the summer, and tickets frequently sell out. You can book tickets (for the interior of the castle) online via the official website.
Tickets are €23.50. It’s also possible to buy tickets in person at the castle, but seeing as they regularly sell out by mid-morning, it’s not worth the risk of waiting.
All tickets include a designated entry time slot for the castle, and include a guided tour (either in-person or via audioguide) of the interior rooms. You should plan to arrive early for your time slot to make sure you don’t miss it, and keep in mind that you need to get to the castle in advance of that entry timeslot, which usually involves catching a bus from Hohenschwangau.
After your tour, you can spend time walking around the castle grounds (climbing up to the Marienbrücke bridge is a must), or getting a bite to eat. There’s a cafe and bistro inside the castle itself, and a larger restaurant called Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein just outside the gates.
You could also visit the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, and a combo ticket is available for both castles for €48.50.
PRO TIP: If you forgot to book ahead or just don’t care about going inside Neuschwanstein, you can also do what we did on a recent visit and skip the interior of the castle altogether, and instead simply visit all the outside bits. You can take the bus to the Marienbrücke bridge (for that famous view over the castle), and explore all around the castle for just the price of parking and the bus ticket.
Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by car
The best way to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich is by renting a car and driving, a journey that takes about one hour and forty minutes. This gives you the most flexibility and allows you to arrive at Neuschwanstein Castle earlier in the morning than the big bus tour groups will. See the best rental deals here.
To visit the castle, you will park in the village of Hohenschwangau. Parking is €12 per day, and there are several parking lots. There is no parking at the castle itself, so you will then need to walk about thirty minutes from Hohenschwangau, or take a horse-drawn carriage (€8) or shuttle bus (€3 one-way) to get there. (We highly recommend the bus; you can buy your ticket for this before you board, and it’s cash-only.)
Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by train
If you don’t want to drive, it’s also possible to visit Neuschwanstein Castle by public transportation. From Munich, you can take a train to the nearest large town, Füssen, which requires one change. Then you can take a bus from Füssen to Hohenschwangau (bus 73 from Füssen to the “Neuschwanstein Castles, Schwangau” stop).
We don’t recommend this option for a day trip, however, since it can take over 2.5 hours each way, requires multiple changes, and is the least time-efficient.
Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by bus
Flixbus has a direct bus from Munich to Hohenschwangau, which takes just under two hours. This is a lot faster and easier than taking the train, and is the best option for visiting the castle independently if you don’t want to rent a car.
However, there are only two buses per day, leaving Munich at 8:30 AM and arriving in Hohenschwangau at 10:20 AM, and then leaving to go back to Munich at 5:40 PM and arriving at 7:25 PM, so you don’t have any flexibility with your time. Take a look at the Flixbus options here.
How to structure a Neuschwanstein day trip
If you’re going to be driving yourself to Hohenschwangau, here’s what we would personally recommend:
- Drive from Munich to Hohenschwangau, parking in one of the local lots. (The earlier you arrive, the better!)
- Take the shuttle bus up to the Marienbrücke bridge; it’s a 10-minute bus ride, and then a short walk from the bus stop to the famous bridge view.
- Walk down to Neuschwanstein Castle itself. IF you plan to go inside, you’ll want to book a ticket for at least 1.5 hours after you plan to arrive in Hohenschwangau to allow for parking, catching the shuttle, visiting the bridge, and arriving at the castle.
- Visit the castle (or simply take some photos outside).
- Either walk back uphill to the shuttle bus stop, or walk (all downhill) back to Hohenschwangau (the walk takes about 25 minutes).
- Have lunch in Hohenschwangau (we ate at Hotel & Restaurant Alpenstuben).
- Head back to Munich.
How to take a tour to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich
Another option for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich is taking a guided tour. This is a good idea if you don’t want to deal with the logistics of renting a car or taking the train or bus (which honestly might be the better choice, unless you’re visiting as part of a larger trip around Germany/Austria).
This full-day tour from Munich is the best option if you just want to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off and small-group transportation by van (maximum of eight passengers) to the castle.
You’ll be accompanied by a guide who will provide a walking tour at the castle, showing you many scenic viewpoints. If you want to visit the interior of the castle, you’ll have the option of purchasing skip-the-line tickets directly from your guide once you’re on the tour.
Another option is this tour that includes stops at two different castles. Not only will you visit Neuschwanstein Castle, you’ll also stop at Linderhof Palace, a smaller residence constructed by Ludwig II where he actually lived most of the time.
The tour includes transportation by bus from a central meeting point in Munich, and a knowledgeable local guide. You’ll also have the option of adding on tickets to visit Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace if you’d like.
More tours:
- From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip by Van – Super popular small group day trip.
- From Munich: Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Castle Full-Day Trip – There’s two fairytale castles included in this one!
- VIP All-Inclusive Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Tour – Hundreds of 5-star reviews, by far the best option.
What to pack for a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
What should you pack for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle? Here are some essentials you shouldn’t forget:
- Comfortable walking shoes – You’ll be doing a lot of walking at Neuschwanstein Castle, so it’s important to have the appropriate footwear.
- Weather-appropriate clothing – Again, since you’ll be walking outside, you’ll want to make sure you’re dressed right for the weather (especially if you’re visiting during the colder months!). Even in the summer, it can sometimes get chilly at Neuschwanstein Castle, so bring a light sweater or jacket plus a rain coat, just in case.
- Portable charger – You don’t want your phone to die right before snapping the perfect castle photo! A portable charger is a lifesaver for long day trips like this.
- Water bottle – It’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re visiting during the summer, so don’t forget a refillable water bottle (tap water is fine to drink in Germany).
Resources for your Neuschwanstein Castle day trip
- Looking to stay overnight? Find great places to stay in nearby Fussen here on Booking.com (but Expedia and Hotels.com are worth checking too).
- Rental cars: Check out the best Munich rental car deals here.
Like this post? Have questions about taking a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich? Let us know in the comments below. Have fun at Neuschwanstein Castle!
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