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So, are you ready to take on one of THE most important day trips from Munich? Here is everything you need to know in order to plan a Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle day trip.
Let’s be honest: the day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle is like a rite of passage for anyone who crosses through Munich. After all, it’s THE castle that inspired Walt Disney to design his sweet digs for Sleeping Beauty, making it a coveted little piece of fairytale history…. and naturally as a result of that, a total tourist magnet.
In spite of the heavy crowds though (which you’re sure to find plenty of at Neuschwanstein Castle), the castle is a must-visit.
Should you book a Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich?
Obviously, one of the easiest and least stressful ways to go from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle is to book a guided Neuschwanstein Castle tour from Munich that takes care of everything, from transportation to your entry ticket. But should you really book one of these tours?
PROS of doing a Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich
- Less stress and worry – you just park your butt in a seat and let the guide take you
- You get a guide who can explain the history, context, etc. to you
- If you’re travelling solo, it might be a chance to meet new people/make friends
CONS of doing a Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich
- It’s more expensive
- You’ll feel like a total cheesy tourist surrounded by fellow cheesy tourists
- It’ll be impossible to avoid the crowds because you are literally part of the crowd
- No flexibility to stay longer or sightsee independently that much
Soooo, it really comes down to what you value more: ease and convenience vs. independence and cost. If you decide to go with the latter, here are the directions for getting from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle using the public transport system.
Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by Public Transport
If you’re a strong independent traveller who don’t need no guide, luckily, going from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by public transport is super easy. Make sure you buy a Deutschlanticket for this trip because it will save you a lot of money (click here for our full blog post on it!)
Long story short: you catch a train to Füssen and then take the 73 or 78 bus, getting off at Hohenschwangau (which is when literally everyone else will get off, so don’t worry about missing it). Here, you’ll find the Neuschwanstein tickets office. From this point, you can get to the castle by foot, shuttle bus or horse carriage.
Because Neuschwanstein is such a popular destination, odds are you will be making this trip with dozens of others. This means it’s extremely hard to screw up. When in doubt, follow the crowds or just ask someone.
Should You Do the Neuschwanstein Castle Tour?
Having done it before, in our opinion, the Neuschwanstein Castle tour (of the interior) is pretty underwhelming. The major draw of the castle is no doubt the views you get from the outside. Granted, it was a few years back that we did the tour, but it was really short in duration (30 min) so we left with feelings of “oh. That’s it?”
It’s important to note that Ludwig II didn’t actually spend that much time here – in fact, he died before the whole thing was done, so it’s not all that historically significant in that sense. If you’re looking for cool interiors, there are plenty of other opulent palaces in Bavaria to check out. We will say though, the view from the balcony is really gorgeous.
If you’re really dying to see Neuschwanstein Castle inside, then by all means, take the tour. Taking a tour is the only way you’ll be able to see the interior, so make sure you book a tour in advance (or at the very least, get your tickets in-person at the ticket office BEFORE you climb up the giant hill, because that’s the only place you can get tickets).
Munich To Neuschwanstein Day Trip: Final Tips
Okay, so having done this trip countless times, here are our final golden tips for you to ensure that you enjoy it and don’t go insane on the day-of.
- Get the Deutschlandticket if you’re traveling by public transport. It’s a ticket that gives you all-day access to public transport throughout the country, which means you can use it for the public buses to the castles too
- If possible, go at off-peak times, like during the off-season (e.g. not summer) and on weekdays
- Be sure to check the weather before you go. If you have the luxury of options, avoid any days that the weather is bad. It’ll be miserable.
- Go as early as you can. This can be tough with the Deutschlandticket’s regional train restrictions, but going early is the best way to avoid crowds
- Bring snacks and drinks. It’s expensive there
- Get your tickets in advance if you plan to do the tour
- Don’t miss Hohenschwangau Castle – it’s literally right there and is quite nice too
- Take the time to walk around Füssen if you have time. It’s really lovely
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