Planning a Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich: Here’s All You Need to Know
Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: August 20, 2024
Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace that’s located in Fussen, Germany. It was commissioned by King Ludwig II as a personal retreat and homage to composer Richard Wagner. Perched on a hill with views of the Bavarian Alps, the castle is renowned for its fairy-tale architecture, featuring turrets and a white limestone façade, with opulent interiors inspired by Wagner’s operas. Although Ludwig’s mysterious death left it unfinished, Neuschwanstein has become a symbol of romantic fantasy and even inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
When visiting Neuschwanstein Castle by car, it’s essential to plan your activities carefully to make the most of your day. This travel guide, based on my firsthand experience, offers helpful tips on how to get there and highlights the best things to do at and around Neuschwanstein Castle.
General Information
Neuschwanstein Castle is open every day from 9am – 6pm, except for major holidays as noted in the table below.
You are able to visit the castle grounds for free, but to enter Neuschwanstein castle itself, you must purchase a ticket for a guided tour. Tickets are available on the official booking website, with a booking fee of 2,50 euros. During peak travel season, I highly recommend booking online a few weeks in advance as tickets may sell out. If you’re unable to purchase tickets online, you can buy them at the Ticket Center, located next to Hotel & Restaurant Muller Hohenschwangau, on the day of your visit. Since tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, they tend to sell out very early, so it’s best to arrive when the ticket center opens to ensure you get a ticket.
| Dates | Admission (Guided Tours) | Castle Hours of Operation | Ticket Center Hours of Operation | Days Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mar 23 to Oct 15 | 18 euros | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | None |
| Oct 16 to Mar 22 | 18 euros | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Jan 1, Dec 24, 25, 31 |
Tours are available in English or German, or an audio-guided tour available in various languages like Japanese, French, Spanish, Italian, Czech, Mandarin Chinese, and more!
Time Needed: 3 hours
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rUcTJA44jgXThxTr6
How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich?
- By Public Transportation: There are no direct connections by train from Munich to Neuschwanstein. To get there, take a 2 hour train ride from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Fussen Station. Then, take the 73 or 78 bus from Fussen to either Steingaden or Schwangau.
- By Car: It will take approximately 1 hour and 30 mins to drive to Neuschwanstein castle. There are four Parkplatz (parking lots) available and each one costs 12 euros to park:
- Parkplatz P1: Near the Ticket Center, location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hN15LgYn9twzQAM77
- Parkplatz P2: Near the Ticket Center, location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tiDX4kuqg1pkkE9y9
- Parkplatz P3: Near the walking trail to go up the castle. The lot is narrow, making it difficult for larger vehicles to park, location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/no7nPE6h9ELKn4KGA
- Parkplatz P4: Closest to the Shuttle Bus, location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/92iVxsnmd21jRPBW7
How to Get to Neuschwanstein Castle from the parking lot
After parking your car, it will take at least another 30 minutes to reach the castle. There are several ways to reach the castle’s entrance, where the guided tours begin:
- Walking: Park at Parkplatz P3 and follow the paved path up the mountainside. It’s a grueling 30-minute hike, so make sure to wear comfortable athletic wear. Since this walk is the same path that the horse carriage uses, watch out for horse poop. After 20 minutes of walking, you’ll see a souvenir shop selling souvenirs, sausages and non-alcoholic drinks. I bought a sausage, which wasn’t very good, but it filled me up.
- Shuttle Bus: The shuttle bus costs 2.50 euros for uphill and 1.50 euros for downhill. The bus drop-off point is Marienbrucke (Mary’s Bridge). From there, you’ll still have to walk 15 minutes to the castle entrance.
- Horse Carriage: The horse carriage ride cost 7 euros for uphill and 3.50 euros for downhill. The horse carriage drop-off point is a 10 minute walk from the castle’s entrance.
Best Places to Visit near Neuschwanstein Castle
1. Marienbrucke (Queen Mary’s Bridge)
Marienbrucke offers stunning views of the castle, waterfall, and the surrounding Bavarian Alps. Originally built in 1845 by King Maximilian II and reconstructed in 1866, the bridge is named after Queen Marie. It can be reached by walking 15 minutes from the castle’s entrance or via shuttle buses from Hohenschwangau. The bridge is often crowded, so expect to wait in line for 20 mins, but it provides the best view of the castle.
Visit:
- Admission: 5 euros
- Opening Hours: Same as Neuschwanstein Castle
- Time Needed: 30 mins
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aGJkVjq257rhm2dR8
2. Forest Experience Center Ziegelwies: The Treetop Walk
The Forest Experience Center Ziegelwies in Füssen, Germany, features an exhibition about different forest types and a unique attraction called the Treetop Walk. This elevated path, perched 21 meters above the ground, offers stunning views (my favorite part!) of the Alps and even crosses the border from Germany to Austria. Although the treetop path is only 0.31 miles long, it is well worth a visit for its breathtaking scenery.
Visit:
- Admission: 5 euros
- Opening Hours: March: daily from 10:00am – 4:00pm, April: daily from 10:00am – 4:30pm, May 1 – October 15: daily from 9:00am – 7:30pm, October 16 – November 25: daily rom 10:00am – 4:30pm
- Time Needed: 30 mins
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BVbjZeEGRQtP2g2H7
3. Alpine Coaster
The Alpine Coaster in Oberammergau, Germany, offers an amusement ride down the mountainside, featuring numerous loops, jumps, and waves at speeds of up to 25 mph. The experience takes about 45 minutes and begins with a scenic ascent on the Kolben Chairlift, which provides breathtaking views of the alpine forest. The toboggan ride is safe, as seatbelts are mandatory and each sled is equipped with hand brakes for speed control. Personally, the ride was a highlight of my vacation and a very memorable experience!
- Admission: 16,50 euros for one ride (includes chair lift ascent)
- Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9am – 7:30pm
- Time Needed: 45 mins
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UCpDqHZKm5xaEH7x9
Enjoy Your Time in Munich, Germany
I hope you’ll find this guide to be useful when planning your day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, it’s definitely worth a visit as one of the best Castles to visit in the world. Don’t hesitate to drop a comment to let us know what you think.
Read our relevant posts to learn more about additional attractions to visit in Munich, Germany.
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