How to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle

Whether or not you are a fan of Disney fairy tales, this famous castle will leave you speechless. I’ll tell you how to visit it and take a tour inside. Let’s dream!

Neuschwanstein Castle | ©Bharat Patil

Located in the region of Bavaria and built by Ludwig II, this castle is known as the castle of "The Mad King". It is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and can be visited with a day trip from Munich. Tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle can be purchased online or at the ticket office, but the most recommended option is to join an organised tour from Munich. Here are the best ones:

Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castle Day Trip from Munich

Discover two castles in one day for the best price

Perfect if you want to discover Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich without having to worry about how to get there or how to organise your visit.

The great thing about visiting Neuschwanstein Castle on an organised tour is that you don’t have to worry about transport or queuing for tickets, and most of them include a personal guide. In addition to Neuschwanstein Castle, this tour includes Linderhof Castle, located less than an hour away from Neuschwanstein Castle. With this tour to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof you will get to know Germany’s two most important castles in one day.

The day trip to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles from Munich is available in English and Spanish. This cost includes coach transport from Munich city centre and the services of a guide for the duration of the tour. Entrance to the castles is at your own expense, but the organisation of this tour ensures that you will not have to wait in queues.

Also, once you arrive at Neuschwanstein, you can choose whether you want to visit the castle on your own or with a guided tour. Although the order of the visit can change, it is usual to see Linderhof Castle first and then finish the day at Neuschwanstein with enough time to have lunch, see the castle and have a look around.

Why I like this tour: You’ll make much better use of your time, as you’ll be able to see two castles in one day, both set in the unique scenery of the Bavarian Alps. The fact that you travel by bus also allows you to enjoy the views along the way.

Neuschwanstein Castle Small-Group Tour from Munich

Tour Neuschwanstein Castle in small groups for a more intimate visit.

If you don’t like large organised groups, this option will take you to Neuschwanstein Castle in a small group. You will be able to connect better with the place and enjoy a more premium experience.

If you have decided to visit Neuschwanstein Castle not only for its beauty and historical importance, but also to escape the crowds of Munich, you may prefer to do this tour with a small group. If you choose to visit Neuschwanstein Castle in a small group, you will share the day with a maximum of 14 people, allowing you to enjoy more peace and quiet and make the most of the guide.

Your day will start at Munich train station, where you will meet your guide at the agreed time (you will receive detailed information by email upon booking) to begin the journey to Neuschwanstein. The train journey, which is included in the price of the tour, takes about two and a half hours.

Once you arrive at Neuschwanstein Castle, you will have skip-the-line access (although you must pay your own entrance fee) and your guide will give you a tour of the interior in English or Spanish, depending on which language you choose when you book. After the guided tour of the castle and before returning to Munich, you will have time to walk around and enjoy the views of a beautiful lake, a gorge with a waterfall and, of course, the scenery of the Bavarian mountains.

Why I like this tour: The intimacy created with the guide will allow him to step away from the historical facts to tell you about lesser-known legends about Neuschwanstein Castle. You will also be able to share impressions about the customs and way of life in and around Munich, which will greatly enrich your trip.

When to go to Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is open all year round. In winter it can be quite a spectacle to see it in the snow, but only if you can stand the cold. In high season, it’s best to book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line.

Opening times

Between April and October, you can visit Neuschwanstein Castle from 9am to 6pm. The rest of the year, entrance is delayed by one hour (10am) and closing time is 4pm.

Visit the castle with children

The visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is suitable and recommended for children, but the climb up to the castle can be difficult for them as it is about 40 minutes uphill. However, you can also go up by bus or horse-drawn carriage. However, it should be noted that access to the castle with pushchairs is not permitted.

Organise your visit

If you go on an organised tour, you will be able to visit the interior of Neuschwanstein Castle as soon as you arrive, but if you visit on your own, you may not be able to enter immediately after buying your ticket, as passes are arranged in 10 or 15 minute slots to avoid crowds.

Free admission

Children under the age of 17 get free entry to the castle, for everyone else the entrance fee is around 13 euros.

Where to eat

At the base of the castle you’ll find a few fast food stalls to satisfy your hunger, but my recommendation is to wait until after your visit to eat in one of the surrounding villages where the food will be more tasty and authentic.

The best views

Before going up to Neuschwanstein, you have to go up to the Marienbrucke Bridge to see it in all its immensity. From there you will find the best views of the castle. The Bavarian mountains form the surrounding area, which is not to be underestimated.

Ana’s Traveller Tip

To get to Neuschwanstein Castle, you’ll have to walk uphill, but you can save yourself the trouble by hiring a bus.

How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle on your own

Neuschwanstein Castle is about an hour and a half’s drive from Munich, while the train journey takes about two and a half hours. Many organised tours offer travel by bus, which saves travel time, but the train remains the most popular mode of transport because of its convenience.

Trains run approximately every hour from 5am to 4pm; it is important to note that the last train back to Munich is at 6pm. The cost of a return journey is around 23 euros.

What to see at Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle was built by King Ludwig II in the 19th century. The monarch, nicknamed "The Mad King", wanted a dream castle in the mountains of Bavaria, and he did not give up until he got it. Years later, the castle would serve as an inspiration for Walt Disney, as the famous architecture of Sleeping Beauty’s castle is based on it.

Around the castle

One of the main attractions of this enclave is its surroundings; the scenery is breathtaking and I recommend you visit it regardless of whether you go on your own or with an organised tour. From the Marienbrucke Bridge, you can enjoy a breathtaking view, and the surrounding villages are also well worth a visit. Linderhof Palace, which is about 50 minutes away from Neuschwanstein Castle, is also worth a visit.

Inside the castle

As for the interior of the castle, the visit usually takes about 40 minutes, as you will only see the main rooms of the complex. What you will like most are the private rooms of Ludwig II, including the bedroom, the dining room, the chapel or the office. The throne room is also remarkable, as it is said that Wagner took inspiration from it to compose several of his operas.

If you are interested in visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, you will also be interested in

The visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular among visitors to Munich. It is followed on the podium by another visit of a completely different kind: the Dachau concentration camp.

To get to know this camp turned into a museum you have different tours organised from Munich, all of them explained here: Guide to Visiting Dachau Concentration Camp. Although it is hard, it is a highly recommended visit for those who want to learn more about the historical period of the Second World War.

If you want to see other tours that can be done from Munich, here is an article from Best Tours and Day Trips from Munich for you to take a look at.

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best castles near Munich?

Perhaps the most interesting castle to visit is Neuschwanstein, the famous castle that Walt Disney based the Disney castle on, but be aware that you won’t be able to enter the castle without a tour. After this, Burghausen Castle is a fortification on the Austrian border, with iconic red roofs and cylindrical towers, and boasts the largest castle in the world. Finally, Hohenschwangau Castle, which actually sits directly opposite Neuschwanstein Castle, offers a truly enchanting spectacle despite being overshadowed by its fairy-tale neighbour.

How far is Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich?

Neuschwanstein Castle is located about 108 kilometres (67 miles) southwest of Munich and it takes about 2 hours to get there. Unfortunately, using public transport to get to the castle almost doubles the travel time, so it’s a good idea to join a tour or hire a car to visit the fantasy castle.

How far is Burghausen Castle from Munich?

Burghausen Castle is located about 90 km (56 miles) east of Munich, and takes approximately 90 minutes to reach, making it a perfect day trip.