Neuschwanstein is the iconic castle in Bavaria, Germany which served as inspiration to Walt Disney for the Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland. So if you’re a castle fan or a Disney fan, then this castle is definitely on your list. But you don’t have to be an enthusiast of either to appreciate its beauty year around.
We visited during both winter and autumn and the castle and its surrounding are vastly different yet equally breathtaking during both seasons. In other words, Neuschwanstein has repeat value. But, don’t hop on a tour bus to visit it. Instead, let us tell you how easy it is to visit on your own.
From Munich, it is a picturesque train ride to Fussen, a short bus ride to the village of Hohenschwangau and then a walk/bus/carriage ride up to the castle. Sounds complicated? We promise you it is not. However, it is time consuming, therefore, we recommend devoting a full day to really enjoy not just the castle but the process of getting there.
How To Get There
Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany
Take Train from Munich central station (Hauptbahnhof) to Fussen.
- Travel Time: approximately 2 hours
- Trains options include both 1 and no change. The time to get to Fussen is the same regardless, so we recommend hopping on a no change train just for peace of mind. However, if you do end up on a 1 change train, be sure to get off at Kaufbeuren to change trains. See your ticket for final confirmation.
- Ticket options: There are several ticket options to choose from but the best one for visitors is the Bayren ticket. See below for details on all of them.
- Bayern-Ticket: Valid Mon-Fri from 9 am and from 12 am on Sat, Sun and public holidays. Valid for any number of journeys on the day of validity, no matter the connection indicated. Please enter the first name and surname of every passenger before departure. Not exchangeable or refundable.
- Regio-Ticket Allgäu-Schwaben: Valid Mon-Fri from 9 am and from 12 am on Sat, Sun and public holidays. Valid for as many journeys as you like on the day of validity within the area of validity, irrespective of the route you have chosen. Not exchangeable or refundable.
- Bayern-Bohmen-Ticket: Valid on Mondays to Friday from 09:00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays throughout Bavaria from 00:00 until 03:00 the following day. Valid for unlimited journeys on the day of validity on all local trains within Bavaria and on legs of journeys on routes in the border areas of the Czech Republic. Please enter the first name and surname of every passenger before departure. Not exchangeable or refundable.
- Schnes-Wochenende-Ticket (Weekend Only): Valid on the day of validity, on Sat or Sun from 12 am. Valid for any number of journeys on the day of validity, no matter the connection indicated. Please enter the first name and surname of every passenger before departure. Not exchangeable or refundable.
- Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket (Day Ticket): Valid Mon-Fri from 9 am until 3 am the following day and from 12 am on Sat, Sun and public holidays. Valid for any number of journeys on the day of validity, no matter the connection indicated. Please enter the first name and surname of every passenger before departure. Not exchangeable or refundable.
- Flexpreis: Fully flexible (not bound to a specific train / not dependent on the connection indicated on the selected route). Can be used in conjunction with BahnCard 25/50. Exchange/refund free of charge, a fee of EUR 17,50 will apply from the 1st day of validity.
- Ticket fee depends on 1st class, 2nd class and train timings. Ticket fee includes all passengers and both inward and outward journeys. So once you purchase a ticket, hold onto it because it will cover your round-trip journeys for everyone traveling together.
- Tickets may be purchased in advanced online or in person at the station.
Where To Buy Entrance Tickets To Castle(s)
Bavaria, Germany
Entrance tickets must be bought at the Ticketcenter Hohenschwangau in the village of Hohenschwangau below the castle.
Ticket Sales Hours
7:30 am – 5:00 pm (April 1 to October 15)
8:30 am – 3:00 pm (October 16 to March 31)
Ticket Options and Prices:
Neuschwanstein: 13 euros (regular), 12 euros (reduced), Free (ages 18 and below)
Details about reduced admission charges and free entrance are on the general information portion of the castle website.
King’s Ticket (combination ticket for both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau on the same day): 25 euros (regular), 23 euros (reduced)
Prince Ticket (combination ticket for Neuschwanstein and the Museum of Bavarian Kings): 22 euros (regular), 20 euros (reduced)
Wittelsbach Ticket (combination ticket for Hohenschwangau and the Museum of Bavarian Kings): 22 euros (regular), 20 euros (reduced)
Swan Ticket (combination ticket for Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and the Museum of Bavarian Kings): 31.50 euros (regular), 31 euros (reduced)
Tickets are valid for same day use only.
How To Get To Castle Grounds
Bavaria, Germany
From the ticket center, the castle is up on a hill, which means you need another mode of transportation to get to the castle grounds. Here are your options:
Walk
A 1.5 km steep uphill hike, takes about 30-40 minutes.
Bus
The quickest way to the castle is via the shuttle bus.
A bus runs between Schlosshotel Lisl and Neuschwanstein Castle year round (unless there is snow or ice on the roads). There is no set schedule/timetable, it runs according to demand.
Fee: 1.80 euros uphill, 1 euro downhill, 2.60 euros roundtrip. Tickets are purchased on the bus. Be sure to have cash on you.
Note: Due to space restraints, the bus stops 600 meters above the castle grounds which means a downhill walk of about 10-15 minutes is required to reach the castle entrance.
Horse & Carriage
Perhaps the most magical way to go to the castle grounds is by horse and carriage.
The carriages run between Hotel MÃller and Neuschwanstein Castle year round (unless there is snow or ice on the roads). There is no set schedule/timetable, it runs according to demand.
Fee: 6 euros uphill, 3 euros downhill. Tickets are purchased from the carriage driver. Be sure to have cash on you.
Note: Due to space restraints, the carriages stops 300 meters below the castle grounds which means a downhill walk of about 5-10 minutes is required to reach the castle entrance.
Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany
We take great pride in our photography and really put forth a lot of effort to share great visuals with our readers. We hope you’ve enjoyed some of the unique perspectives of the castle and its surroundings.
Have you been to Neuschwanstein? What season did you visit during?
Did you love it? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
We hope this article helps you plan your next visit to Neuschwanstein. We can’t wait to go back.
Happy and Safe Travels!
The information in this article is accurate at the time of writing.
