A Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle

VISIT SCHLOSS NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, GERMANY

Here is everything you need to know for your day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany – a castle where Disney dreams come true. 

I would be lying if I said that I am totally into Disney or have always dreamt of being a little princess. When it comes to royalty or fairy tales, I am pretty down-to-earth. However, visiting Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein in German) in Bavaria had been on my list for a while. It is more or less the end of my “Romantic Road” road trip through Bavaria (another popular stop of the road trip is pretty Rothenburg ob der Tauber) and quite close to Munich.

This place seems too pretty and too unreal, but this castle is real. I have seen it. Located on a hill, it is an impressive castle and probably one of the world’s prettiest. And in this post, I will share my tips for a Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle day tour –things you need to know before visiting Neuschwanstein Castle.

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Travel Tips For Schloss Neuschwanstein

Here they are – the travel tips you need for your Neuschwanstein Castle day trip.

How to Get To Neuschwanstein Castle

By Car:  If you arrive by car, you will have to head to Hohenschwangau. It is well-signed once you are in Bavaria (if you are doing the Romantic Road road trip, it will be the first or last stop).

• From Munich to Schloss Neuschwanstein, it takes almost 2 hours.
• From Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Schloss Neuschwanstein, it takes about 2.5 hours.
• From Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Schloss Neuschwanstein, it takes about 1 hour.
• From Füssen to Schloss Neuschwanstein, it just takes 5 minutes.

You can park your car in the big parking area. A parking ticket for one day costs 10€.

By Train / Bus: There is no train going to Neuschwanstein Castle. You can get to towns like Füssen and then take a bus from there to the castle. From Munich to Schloss Neuschwanstein, it takes about 3 hours. It is time-consuming, so start your day early.

Guided Tours If you prefer guided tours where you can just lay back and relax, then check out the prices for the different tours available.

• Check out more information on a guided tour from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

Sights at Hohenschwangau / Castles/Museums/Lakes

You have two castles in the area (which can both be visited in one day) and a few more attractions:

• Neuschwanstein Castle – this is the fairy-tale castle that makes hearts beat faster 
• Hohenschwangau Castle – another gorgeous castle, though it is in the shadow of Schloss Neuschwanstein 
• Museum der Bayerischen Könige / Museum of the Bavarian Kings: A museum where you can find out about the Bavarian royalty history. 
• Alpsee is a lovely lake just next to the Museum der Bayerischen Könige and should be on your list as well.

Read more: The most beautiful places in Bavaria

Tickets For Schloss Neuschwanstein

It does sound a bit complicated when it comes to buying tickets, but it actually is not.

What Tickets to Buy?

If you have booked guided tours, tickets for the castles MIGHT be included. However, you will most likely need to buy tickets beforehand if you want to visit the inside of the different castles and museums.

You need a ticket only if you want to get inside the castle and see the garden. There is no entrance fee to get close to the castle or from various viewpoints.

There are separate tickets for each of the castles and the museum.

• The prices are 17,50 € for Schluss Neuschwanstein Castle (adults).
• You can buy your tickets online here – there you can also buy tickets for the other attractions. Tickets might be booked quickly, so online booking is highly advised.

Opening Hours at Neuschwanstein Castle

Opening Hours – Neuschwanstein Castle 2023

• April to 15th of October: 9 am to 6 pm
• 16th October to März: 10 am to 4 pm
• Closed on: 1st of January, as well as the 24th, 25th, and 31st December 

Where to Stay in Neuschwanstein Castle

If you visit Neuschwanstein Castle, Füssen is a popular place to stay. This hotel looks charming and might be the perfect place for your stay in Füssen.

Where to Eat in Neuschwanstein Castle

There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and snack stalls around Schloss Neuschwanstein. If you are a big meat-eater and especially love pork, you will be in heaven. All others, like me, have to struggle with vegetarian and healthy options.

More Info in Neuschwanstein Castle

There are quite some snack stalls and restaurants near Neuschwanstein Castle. Also, there are souvenir shops. For me, as a vegetarian, options were limited, and I regretted that I didn‘t bring my own snacks. Fries were sold out by 6 pm at all the stalls. So, if you don’t want to buy overpriced food (or prefer healthy snacks), bring your food.

Make sure to bring your reusable water bottle. At least one water fountain provides fresh drinking water (close to the Ticket Center).   

I went to Neuschwanstein Castle with my dog – traveling with a pet in Germany is okay most of the time, but you cannot take them into museums and castles. So, maybe it is essential to keep this in mind when visiting this castle. However, you can walk up with the pet, walk around, visit the bridge, etc.

How to Get to Neuschwanstein Castle

While the main castle is visible from afar (at least if it isn’t too cloudy), you still need to get to the castle, which might include some hiking (other options available).

HIKE UP

Hiking up is probably the most rewarding way to get to Neuschwanstein Castle. It takes about 45 minutes, and it is an uphill but easyish hike. It is not one of those hikes that are supposed to take 45 minutes but take 60 minutes – the path was super easy to walk.

The paths might be very crowded, but I suggest hiking up and down – not only because you save money but also because it is fun. 

SHUTTLE BUS

There is a shuttle bus that takes you up. From there, you need to walk another 5-10 minutes to either reach the Marienbrücke or the castle entrance if you want to do the tour. 

• A return ticket is about 3,50€.

CARRIAGE 

I know, people think it is romantic and fun to get up via carriage. But even though I am not a militant vegan (I am actually no vegan at all), I actually do not recommend getting around via carriage. Either walk up or take the shuttle bus – it is cheaper and… just better. If you arrive by carriage, you will be at the castle entrance but need to hike another 10 minutes or get to the Marienbrücke (for the view).

• A return ticket is about 10,50 €.

Best Things to Do Around Neuschwanstein Castle

Here is what to do around Neuschwanstein Castle.

Castle Entrance / Visit the Castle

You will find some smaller shops selling souvenirs and snacks. Monitors show you the times for the guided tours, but if you haven’t booked a tour (like me), then I wouldn’t spend too much time here as it is not really spectacular.

Standing so close to the front of it, the castle doesn’t look that impressive.  

If you have a few hours until your tour starts, you can still head to the Marienbrücke (a 10-minute hike from the castle entrance) or go there after your tour.

Marienbrücke

The Marienbrücke is probably one of the most crowded areas here – and for a good reason. The view of the castle is splendid. Even on a foggy day, you have the best views of Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle.

The bridge does shake if you walk on it, but I am pretty sure it is solid. However, the bridge might be closed at times for maintenance. In winter, it can also be closed due to weather conditions.

Personally, I would have been very upset if it had been closed during the time of my visit. While I can understand that people from other countries cannot plan their trip based on the bridge’s opening alone, I would still check and try to reschedule the trip if the bridge was closed.

There is also a waterfall next to the bridge – the hiking path is closed, but you can look at it from above.

Enjoy More Great Views

If you have some more time, head to another area that offers great views as well. After passing the bridge, you need to hike up another 5-10 minutes. The view is totally worth it (and less crowded).

Even with a tour, this will probably take a few hours. If you have planned a full day, you can still discover some more great places in this area.

Hiking Up/Down 

After that view, you can happily hike back. On your way, you will see the Alpsee – a stunning little lake with interesting colors.

Hohenschwanstein Castle and Museum Bayrische Könige

I skipped Hohenschwanstein Castle and the museum (just because I was with a dog) and headed to the lake, which doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves because most people focus on the castles.

Alpsee Hike

I really suggest hiking the lake. The starting point is next to the museum, and from there, keep left (I got this tip from the person at the Ticket Center, and I stuck to it). Hiking this pretty lake takes about 1.5 hours (including some stops). There are only a few hills, but personally, I think it is a great place to end the day.

As you can see, Hohenschwanstein is a beautiful place to visit. The Neuschwanstein Castle is the most prominent sight (and for a good reason), but there are more places to see, too. A bit of romance, a bit of history, and a bit of nature – seems like the perfect place to visit, doesn’t it?

• Check out my Germany itinerary for more travel inspiration
• Read more: 5-day Bavaria itinerary