Neuschwanstein Castle

The basics

Neuschwanstein castle tours can be taken from Munich, Fussen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, or Frankfurt, and are often combined with visits to other attractions along Bavaria's Romantic Road. Many visitors choose to admire the castle from the outside only and find that the most stunning views are from the Marienbrucke Bridge. The interior, including the opulent Minstrel's Hall and the grand Byzantine Throne Room, can only be visited on a guided castle tour.

Things to know before you go

• Neuschwanstein Castle ticket lines can be long in peak season—plan ahead and book a skip-the-line tour to avoid the hassle.

• Wear suitable walking shoes if you opt to walk up to the castle—the road is uphill and uneven in places.

• The castle is wheelchair-accessible with buses and carriages that can bring visitors up the hill to the entrance; inside, you'll also find elevators.

• Plan to spend about two hours at the castle, excluding wait times.

How to get there

The nearest town to Neuschwanstein is Hohenschwangau, about 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Munich. Buses and trains run between Hohenschwangau and the castle. From the ticket booths at the bottom of the mountain, it's a scenic 30-minute walk through the forest to reach the castle, but regular shuttle buses and romantic horse-drawn carriages also run the route in peak season.

When to get there

Neuschwanstein is open all year round, but with up to 1.4 million annual visitors, it can get extremely busy, especially in July and August. To avoid the crowds, get there before opening at 8am or after 3pm, when most of the day-trippers have already left. The castle looks majestic at any time of year, but the snowfall of mid-winter and the colorful foliage of early fall can add an extra edge to your photos.

Visiting Bavaria's fairy-tale castles

Bavaria is home to dozens of royal castles, but the most famous were built for King Ludwig II, the "Mad King" or "Swan King." In addition to Neuschwanstein, visitors can tour the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, Ludwig's childhood home; Herrenchiemsee, inspired by Versailles; and Linderhof Palace, another of the king's masterpieces.

Do you need tickets to see Neuschwanstein Castle?

Yes. The only way to visit Neuschwanstein Castle is by buying tickets for the interior guided tours operated by the castle itself. You can purchase tickets for these timed tours on the day at the Neuschwanstein ticket center in the nearby village of Hohenschwangau—arrive early to avoid long waits in high season—or purchase tickets online in advance.

How long does it take to tour the Neuschwanstein Castle?

You can only visit Neuschwanstein Castle on timed, castle-run tours showing its highlights in around 30 minutes. However, when you factor in time to collect entry tickets, reach the castle by foot, bus, or horse-drawn carriage; and absorb the castle views from Queen Mary’s Bridge, your visit can take 4-5 hours.

Is Neuschwanstein Castle worth visiting?

Yes, Neuschwanstein Castle is worth visiting. An interior tour reveals its astonishingly ostentatious rooms, from a kitsch Throne Hall to an artificial grotto, all inspired by Bavaria’s eccentric 19th-century king, Ludwig II. Seeing the castle from afar is equally magical, with its slender turrets rising from a forested crag like a fairy tale.

How hard is the walk up to Neuschwanstein Castle?

The 40-minute or so walk to Neuschwanstein Castle is steep but more than manageable if you’re reasonably fit. However, if you have mobility difficulties or simply don't fancy the hike, you can catch horse-drawn carriages to two-thirds of the way up or a shuttle bus to Queen Mary’s Bridge, from where a downhill stroll brings you to the castle.

Do you have to walk up to Neuschwanstein Castle?

No. To avoid the entire 40-minute-or-so hike up to Neuschwanstein, horse-drawn carriages from Hohenschwangau village ferry visitors within a 15-minute walk of the castle. Alternatively, buses from Hohenschwangau run to nearby Queen Mary’s Bridge, from where you can stroll downhill to Neuschwanstein and, after visiting, walk back down to Hohenschwangau.

Can you take pictures inside Neuschwanstein Castle?

No, visitors aren’t permitted to take photos or videos inside Neuschwanstein Castle. However, you can photograph its exterior to capture its fairy-tale architecture and location. A favorite photo stop is nearby Queen Mary’s Bridge which affords unobstructed views of the castle, but you'll find additional viewpoints, including a glass deck, on the road from Hohenschwangau.

Ways to explore

Neuschwanstein castle tours can be taken from Munich, Fussen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, or Frankfurt, and are often combined with visits to attractions along Bavaria’s Romantic Road or nearby Bavarian castles such as Hohenschwangau Castle, Herrenchiemsee New Palace, and Linderhof Palace. Many visitors choose to admire the castle only from the outside and find that the most stunning views are from the Marienbrücke Bridge. The interior, including the opulent Minstrel’s Hall and the grand Byzantine Throne Room, can only be visited on a guided castle tour.

Guided tours of the castle interiors take 30 minutes, but plan on spending at least 2-3 hours to cover the grounds and admire the view from the Marienbrücke Bridge. Take the horse-drawn carriage to the castle for a particularly magical arrival. Carriages depart from Hotel Müller and stop below the castle—there is a 15-minute uphill walk to the entrance—and cost €8 for the uphill ride and €4 back down.

Accessibility

The castle tour is accessible to wheelchair users with an elevator. The carriages and shuttle buses are only partially accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, water bottle, sunscreen

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, hat

Not allowed

Photography, large bags, strollers or baby carriers, drones

Amenities

Restrooms, shuttle bus, horse carriage, restaurants (all located below the castle)

Address

The nearest town to Neuschwanstein is Hohenschwangau, about 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Munich and just below the castle. From the Hohenschwangau ticket office, it’s a scenic 40-minute uphill walk through the forest to reach the castle. Regular shuttle buses and romantic horse-drawn carriages also run the route between the village and the castle.

Driving

Take highway A7 towards Ulm-Kempten-Füssen, and exit at Füssen. Continue along highway B16 to Schwangau/ Königschlösser, then take B17 towards Schwangau. Follow the signs to Hohenschwangaue/ Königsschlösser. Paid parking can be found in the village of Hohenschwangau below the castle for around €12 and up.

Public transportation

The nearest train station is in Füssen (Fuessen Bahnhof), about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from Hohenschwangau and the castle. At the Füssen station, take bus RVA 73 (Steingarden/Garmisch-Partenkirchen) or RVA 78 (Schwangau) to Hohenschwangau.

Best times to visit

Neuschwanstein is open all year round, but with up to 1.4 million annual visitors, it can get extremely busy. To avoid the crowds, get there just as the ticket office opens at 8am or in the afternoon when most of the day-trippers have already left.

Best days to visit

Weekday mornings are the best bet for visiting the castle without the bus-tour throngs, which tend to peak on the weekends and holidays.

Best months to visit

July and August are the busiest months to visit, and the summertime heat creates a haze over the view. It’s best to visit during the snowfall of mid-winter or the colorful foliage of early fall to add an extra edge to your photos.

Special events

The castle hosts a program of open-air classical music concerts each August featuring international musicians. Check the official website for an updated schedule.