The ultimate guide on how to see Neuschwanstein Castle in one day when traveling by train from Munich, Germany.
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If you’re still planning your trip to Munich, check out my 2 days in Munich itinerary for inspiration!
Breakdown of your Neuschwanstein Castle itinerary
Morning: Travel & Neuschwanstein Castle Tour
Afternoon: Lunch & Hohenschwangau Castle Tour
Evening: Travel to Munich
Trip Summary
CITIES: Füssen, Neuschwanstein Castle & Hohenschwangau Castle
TRIP COST: ~Approx. $150 or $75/per person
*incl. transport, food, entrance fees
How to get from Munich to Füssen
Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle, is situated near Schwangau and Füssen in the Allgäu.
We traveled by train directly from Munich to Füssen, Germany. The fastest trains from Munich to Füssen take around 1 hour and 45 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 90 kilometres. It costs us $35.51.
Options to Get You From Munich to Füssen
- Option 1: Driving from Munich to Füssen
- Option 2: Taking the train from Munich to Füssen
- Option 3: By bus and train
- Option 4: Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle day trip organized tour
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How to get from Füssen to Hohenschwangau
Füssen is 5 km (3.1 miles) from Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle, so you’ll have to take a taxi or hop on a bus to get there. You’ll get off the train at Füssen station and then you’ll walk around the station to the busses and taxis at the back.
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- Bus 73 in the direction to Steingaden / Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Bus 78 in the direction to Schwangau until you reach the stop Hohenschwangau / Alpseestraße.
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We hopped in an available taxi immediately because we weren’t sure of the bus schedule. When we were ready to leave, there was a bus waiting at the stop, so we hopped on it to return to Füssen station. It cost us $17.22. The taxi dropped us off off at the ticket center.
The bus will drop you off at the Information point, which also has a toilets (for €1). If you don’t buy tickets ahead of time, then you’ll walk up the hill for a couple minutes to get to the ticket center. We took the taxi on the way back to the train station and it cost us €3, or $6.46.
Hohenschwangau
Hohenschwangau is located on Germany’s Romantic Road, which is one of the biggest magnets for tourism in the southern provinces of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Hohenschwangau is home to two castles, four lakes, and an abundance of mountain summits. It is gorgeous!
There are several restaurants, hotels and gift shops in the village. In the map above, you can see the walking paths to reach each castle. The walk to Neuschwanstein is all uphill, so get your legs ready some tough inclines!
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Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle was built in 1869 and partially completed in 1886, when King Ludwig II mysteriously died in Lake Starnberg. Since then, it is opened to all visitors around the world and earmarked as the Landmark of Germany, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany.
The path to the castle starts in the village of Hohenschwangau. It takes about 30-40 minutes to walk from the ticket center to the castle (around 1.5 km on a steep uphill road).
The best thing to do is to buy tickets ahead of time here, so you can reserve your time slot. Tickets may not be available for the day if you just show up. The tickets only work at the specific time you purchase – exactly. If you try to scan your ticket even one minute earlier, then the buzzer says your ticket isn’t valid.
There was three American guys that were in line at the ticket counter trying to get in after the time on their ticket. They were over 30 minutes past the time on their ticket. They were being loud and complaining about something that they didn’t prepare for… Don’t be them! Prepare!
Neuschwanstein Castle Details:
- Hours: April to October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and October to March from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Address: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau
- Ticket Cost: €15 each
pro tip: Entrance tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle can only be bought at the Ticket Center Hohenschwangau.
Marienbrücke
Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge, aka Pöllat Bridge) is a bridge across Pöllat gorge. It is situated right behind and in clear line of sight of Castle Neuschwanstein. The bridge was named after Queen Marie. This is the most famous viewpoint if you’re looking for that iconic castle view you’ve probably seen a thousand times on postcards!
From the Marienbrücke you have a unique view of Neuschwanstein Castle, but it was beyond busy. There was a line to even get onto the bridge and it was not fun waiting.
If you’re traveling in the winter, then the path to the bridge may not be open. There was a sign at the base of the road that the bridge was closed, but they verbally told us that it is open when we asked for a map.
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You’re going to want plan to take this hike to get the the shot above and to view the valley and Hohenschwangau Castle below.
Hohenschwangau Castle
The castle was dated back to the 12th century, home to the knights of Schwangau. However, over the centuries, it was badly damaged.
In 1832, Crown Prince Maximilian, who became the father of King Ludwig II, acquired the castle. It was totally rebuilt and took a duration of 5 years to complete. He and his family used the castle during the summer and as a hunting residence.
After the demise of his father, King Ludwig II took over the castle and spent much of his time there.
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In one of the rooms on the second floor, there is a telescope that is pointed directly towards Neuschwanstein. The king used it to check on the building progress! And the castle looks so tiny when you’re viewing it from the garden.
Hohenschwangau Castle Details:
- Hours: April to October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and October to March from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Address: Alpseestraße 30, 87645 Schwangau, Germany
- Ticket Cost: €21 each
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Restaurants near the Castles
I was so stimulated with my entire day at both castles that we forgot to eat lunch. There are plenty of sit-down places directly in Hohenschwangau that you’ll have your choice depending on how busy it is when you visit.
Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein – Neuschwansteinstraße 17, 87645 Schwangau
Located just outside the gates of Neuschwanstein Castle (you’ll pass it on your way to the entrance!).
Kainz Restaurant – Alpseestraße 5, 87645 Schwangau
Surrounded by a dreamy landscape, you can enjoy your Bavarian style meal on their terrace. Located right near the Information Center.
Schloss Braustüberl – Alpseestrasse 25, 87645 Schwangau
Down-to-earth, rustic and cosy: in the Schloss Bräustüberl with the Alpseestube and the Biergarten, you will experience the romance of the Allgäu Alps up close. Located directly in Hohenschwangau with a view of the castles.
Google Map for your Neuschwanstein Castle itinerary
Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you’re going to visit on this Neuschwanstein Castle itinerary.
If you open up this post on your phone and you click on the bracket in the upper right corner of the map, it will open up in your Google Maps app so you can always have it with you. It’s super convenient.
Click to view the full interactive map!
Tips for Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle
1. Is Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle worth a day trip?
Yes! I had a great time visiting both castles. Neuschwanstein Castle is definitely prettier from outside because it was never finished on the inside, but it was still fun to experience seeing it all for myself on the tour. Hohenschwangau Castle was actually lived in, so there is furniture and art and everything else still present inside. This tour was much more interesting overall. If you are interested in the history of the family, then it is definitely worth a visit.
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2. What to wear to Neuschwanstein Castle in Winter?
Germany is cold in the winter, so make sure to pack accordingly and keep warm, so you can enjoy walking around while the temperatures are below freezing conditions for hours on end, especially with a windchill. I visited Neuschwanstein in February when there was snow on the ground. Here are my tips for what to wear:
- Warm Accessories: Hat, gloves, scarf.
- Coat:
- Layers:
- Shoes for Walking:
3. Looking to stay near the Castles? Hotel Recommendations
Luxury: Ameron
Mid-Budget: Hotel Hirsch
Budget: Hotel Schwanstein
Final Thoughts
If you’re not comfortable buying tickets and planning travel yourself, then this is the most comparable tour from Get Your Guide.
I hope that you’ve got the information you needed to make your day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle a wonderful success!
If you have any questions about visiting, please feel free to reach out. You can email me, direct message via social media, or drop a comment below. If you’ve already visited, let me know what you thought and if there’s anything else you’d like to recommend!
Have you been to these spots? Do you have any more to add? Comment below!
XOXO,
Katie
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