Tips for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is dramatic, romantic, and fortunately, affordable, too. Photo: Sharon Mollerus

A trip to Neuschwanstein Castle is on the bucket list of many a European traveler. Nestled away in the Bavarian Alps about a two-hour drive south from Munich, this castle was one of several built by the eccentric Bavarian king Ludwig II, also known as “Mad King” Ludwig.

If its white, limestone façade and fairy tale turrets immediately make you think “Disney”, there is a reason – Walt Disney fashioned Sleeping Beauty’s castle after Neuschwanstein, just one of the reasons why it is among the most popular castles in the world.

Here are some tips for maximizing your experience at this unforgettable sight.

Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle

The castle is located at Neuschwansteinstraße 20, Schwangau, Germany. Some tips for arriving:

By car

If you’re driving, you can take the A7 autobahn (direction Ulm-Kempten-Füssen) to the end and then head towards Füssen. From Füssen, you get on the B17 to Schwangau, following the signs to Hohenschwangau.

Another option is to get off the A7 at the Kempten exit and drive the B12 to Marktoberdorf. From there, get on the B16 to Roßhaupten – OAL I to Buching – and then on the B17 to Schwangau and Hohenschwangau.

Save on parking: If you opt to drive to Neuschwanstein, you can usually find free parking along the forest road about 900 feet south of the touristy area in the village Hohenschwangau.

Related: Need a rental car? Reserve well in advance to get the best deals. Search for your dates here.

Taking the train? Get off at cute-as-a-button-Füssen. Photo: ho visto nina volare

By train

One of the best ways to reach Neuschwanstein is by train from Munich to the village of Füssen. The ride takes about two and a half hours and will give you a lovely view of the picturesque Allgäu countryside.

Once in Füssen, you need to take Bus 73 to “Steingaden Feuerwehrhaus” or Bus 78 to “Tegelbergbahn, Schwangau”. The bus stop you’ll need to disembark is “Hohenschwangau, Schlösser”.

Tip: Save on your train trip with the Bavaria ticket

The normal round-trip train ticket from Munich costs €58, including the bus fare. However, you can save if you buy a Bavaria ticket. This ticket offers one-day unlimited travel on Bavaria’s local transportation, including buses and trams. The ticket costs €23 and is ideal for groups of travelers: If one person in the group has purchased the Bavaria ticket, up to four travelers can go along with them for a mere €5 each.

Furthermore, children 15 and under travel free when traveling with parents or grandparents.

Learn about the Mad King as you make the walk up to the castles. Photo: luizcontreira

How to reach the castle(s)

Once you’ve reached Hohenschwanngau, you still need to get up to the castles – in plural because Hohenschwangau, a terra cotta colored castle built by Ludwig’s father, is right across from Neuschwanstein. Your options include hoofing it or taking the bus.

In our opinion, the best – and cheapest – option for outdoorsy and fit travelers is to walk. You’ll see signs warning of steep trails and a 40-minute walk but, in reality, most fit travelers can manage the trek in about half that time. The walk takes you along paved paths through the forest, and signs along the way offer interesting reading about the history and intrigue (as well as shenanigans) of the Mad King. With a little luck, you may even see a lone stag traipsing through the woods, making it just about the most romantic experience ever.

Those not in the mood for the work out should opt for the bus ride up the hill, which will only set you back €1.80. (You can always take a more leisurely stroll back down the trail afterward.) Note that buses don’t run when there’s ice and snow.

Tickets to visit the castles

The price is €12 per castle or €23 for both. Kids 18 and under are free if accompanied by a paying adult.

The time of your tour will be listed on the ticket, so be sure you don’t arrive late. It’s a one-time opportunity, folks. If you miss your tour, you’ll have to pay again.

Make sure you have your ticket before you reach the castle. Tickets can only be purchased at the ticket counter in Hohenschwangau or reserved online in advance for a small fee. The address of the ticket center is:

Alpseestraße 12, D-87645 Hohenschwangau
Telephone +49 (0) 83 62 – 9 30 83 – 0
Fax +49 (0) 83 62 -9 30 83 – 20
Online reservations

But, here’s the big question: Do you even need to visit the castles’ interiors?

In our opinion, the answer is: not really. Entrance is by guided tour only and the tour guides take you through the rooms at break-neck speed and you’re not allowed to take photographs. The castles are most beautiful from the outside anyway, and will give you plenty of gorgeous vistas and photo ops for Facebook and Instagram envy.

Tip: If you can, go off season

Neuschwanstein boasts 1.4 million visitors a year, and most of them come during the summer. If you do visit at this time, be prepared for long waits at the ticket counter and streams of tourists marching through old Ludwig’s palace – in the peak season, up to 6,000 pass through each day. Thus, if visiting during the summer, arrive as early as possible to beat the crowds. High season hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

But if you hold off your trip until, say, February, you’re likely to have the place almost to yourself. But don’t get there too late in the off-season: From mid-October to mid-March, the castles are only open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nearby hotels

As noted above, many visitors to Neuschwanstein make the journey down from Munich. If you plan to do the same, here are some budget-friendly hotels in Munich that we recommend. However, there are many hotel options in Schwangau, as well. Search your dates for Schwangau here.