How to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
Whether you are a fan of Disney stories or not, this famous castle will leave you speechless. I'll tell you how to visit it and walk around 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 organized tour from Munich. I tell you the best ones:
Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace Day Trip from Munich
Discover two castles in one day at 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 organize the visit.
The good thing about visiting Neuschwanstein Castle with an organized tour is that you don't have to worry about transportation or queuing for tickets. Also, on this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit Linderhof Palace, located less than an hour away.
The day trip to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles from Munich is available in English and Spanish and includes bus transportation from Munich city center and the services of a guide.
Entrance to the two castles is at your own expense, but the organization of this tour ensures that you will not have to wait in line. In addition, once you arrive at Neuschwanstein, you can choose whether you want to visit the castle on your own or with a guided tour.
Why I like this tour: You will make much better use of your time, as you will be able to see two castles in one day, both set in the unique landscape of the Bavarian Alps. The fact that you travel by bus also allows you to enjoy the views along the way.
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 are one of those who can stand the cold... In high season, it is best to book tickets in advance to avoid waiting.
Opening hours
Between April and October, you can visit Neuschwanstein Castle from 9 am to 6 pm. The rest of the year the opening is delayed by one hour (10:00 am) and the closing is brought forward to 4:00 pm.
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 hard for them, as it is about 40 minutes uphill. In any case, you can also go up by bus or horse-drawn carriage. What you have to take into account is that access to the castle with baby carriages is not allowed. If you are looking for other things to do in Munich with children during your stay, read this article, you won't regret it!
Organize your visit
If you go on an arranged 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 purchasing your ticket. To avoid crowds, passes are arranged in 10 or 15 minute slots.
Free admission
Children under 17 years of age enter the castle for free, but for the rest the entrance fee is about 13 €.
Where to eat
At the base of the castle you'll find some fast food stalls to satisfy your hunger. But my recommendation is that you 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 contemplate it in all its immensity. From there you will find the best views of the castle. The Bavarian mountains form the surroundings, which are not to be despised.
An important fact: to access the Neuschwanstein Castle you will have to walk uphill, but you can save it by hiring a bus ride there.
How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle on your own
Neuschwanstein Castle is located at a distance from Munich of one and a half hours by road, while by train the travel time is about two and a half hours. Many organized tours offer the trip by bus, which saves travel time, but the train remains the most popular mode of transport for the convenience it provides.
Trains depart approximately every hour from 5 am to 4 pm; it is important to note that the last train back to Munich is at 6 pm. As for the price of the round trip, it is around 23 €.
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 on the mountains of Bavaria and did not let up until he got it. Years later, the castle would serve as an inspiration for Walt Disney, as the famous castle architecture of the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty was based on it.
In the surroundings
One of the main attractions of this enclave are its surroundings; the scenery is breathtaking and, therefore, I recommend you not to miss it regardless of whether you go on your own or with an organized visit. From the bridge of Marienbrucke you can contemplate extraordinary views and the surrounding villages are also very worthwhile. It is also recommended to visit Linderhof Palace, located about 50 minutes away from Neuschwanstein Castle.
Inside the castle
As for the interior of the castle, the visit usually lasts about 40 minutes, since in the visit you will see only 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 the Neuschwanstein Castle, you will also be interested in
The visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular among those who travel to Munich. It is followed on the podium by a completely different visit: the excursion to the Dachau concentration camp from Munich.
To get to know this camp-turned-museum, you have different tours organized from Munich. Although it is hard, it is a highly recommended visit for those who want to learn more about the historical period of World War II. And if you are looking for other proposals from the capital of Bavaria, be sure to read this article about other excursions that can be done from Munich.