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Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle | How to Get Here

Updated: September 6, 2022

This post provides information about how to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, including directions, how long it takes, and suggestions for the best method of travel.


How to Get to Neuschwanstein Castle by Bus Tour

There are multiple tour companies offering organized bus tours to and from Neuschwanstein Castle.

These services include both transportation by bus and a few hours to explore the castle grounds and learn more about the area.

The average cost of an organized bus tour to Neuschwanstein Castle is between €50-€75.

Tickets to the castle are typically not included in the cost of these bus tours, so you might want to purchase admission separately before arriving.

NOTE: These tour operators will often sell tickets to Neuschwanstein Castle separately, and they usually have access to tickets even when the castle website sells out. Even if you don’t purchase admission ahead of time, there shouldn’t be a problem getting inside the castle.


Gray Line

This internationally recognized tour company offers an organized bus tour from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle which also includes a stop at Linderhof Palace.

If you’re looking to see as much as possible in one day, this is an excellent option.

In addition to these locations, there are also scheduled stops at Oberammergau for photo opportunities and Schwangau for lunch.

Entry costs are not included for either Linderhof Palace or Neuschwanstein Palace.

  • Tickets: €59.90/Adults (27+) | €49.90/Youth (15-26) | €29/Kids (4-14)
  • Children under the age of 4 are free.
  • Availability: Daily at 8:30 am
  • Duration: 10.5 hours
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Things to Consider

At €62, this organized bus tour is just a few euros more than competitors who only provide transportation to and from Neuschwanstein Castle, and it includes more than one additional stop.

If you’re interested in seeing more than just the one castle, this is an excellent option.

Due to the additional stops, this outing also comes with the longest duration time.

Tourists who would rather spend less time visiting Neuschwanstein Castle might want to consider another service instead.


Radius Tours

This tour focuses more on Neuschwanstein Castle, and it does not include a stop at Linderhof Palace.

That said, you can expect stops in Hohenschwangau for photo opportunities and Schwangau for a food break.

Another nice thing about this company is that they offer transportation either by bus or by train depending on the day of travel.

If you’re not sure which option to choose, this is an easy way to just leave it up to a tour operator!

  • Tickets: €59/Adults (14+) | €40/Kids (6-13) | €15/Infants (5 and under)
  • Availability: Daily at 9:15 am
  • Duration: 9.5 hours
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Things to Consider

At just €59 for tickets, this is one of the cheapest ways to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t include as many stops as some of their competitors, but that might not be a bad thing if you’re trying to save some time.

Another nice thing about this option is that they switch back and forth between offering the service by bus or by train.

Travelers who don’t know which type of transportation to choose might find it easier to let someone else figure out which one is best at any given time.


Pure Bavaria Tours

At just 9 hours in duration, this is one of the quicker day trips from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Although there aren’t many major stops along the way, they do offer the opportunity to visit a Bavarian cheese farm as well.

While their competitors are a bit more affordable, this tour company offers hotel pickup and drop-off at no extra cost.

If you want to avoid any additional travel either before or after the day trip, this is definitely an important factor to keep in mind.

  • Tickets: €75/Adults (5-99) | €69/Students (18-25) | €65/Kids (4) | €60/Infants (0-3)
  • Availability: Daily at 8 am
  • Duration: 9 hours
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Things to Consider

Although this is the most costly of Neuschwanstein Castle bus tours on our list, it’s also the only one with guaranteed hotel pickup and drop-off.

This is also the shortest day trip on our list, so you’ll likely be back in Munich by 5 pm - 6 pm, which gives you plenty of time for other nighttime activities.

In addition to the shorter duration, they also provide an opportunity to visit a Bavarian cheese farm.

If that sounds like an interesting activity, this is the only organized bus tour to the castle which includes the option.


How to Get to Neuschwanstein Castle by Train

The closest train station to Neuschwanstein Castle is in Füssen, which is roughly 2 hours from Munich and another 10 minute bus ride to Schwangau, which is where the landmark is located.

One of the reasons that organized bus tours tend to be a better option is that they will usually take you much closer to the castle than the train will get you.

In addition to that factor, it will typically take you just as long to reach Füssen by train as it will by bus.

Of course, there is something to be said for having control over how you spend the day, as most organized bus tours include stops along the way that you might not care to visit.

The average price for a return train ticket from Munich to Füssen is around €23, so you might even save some money as well.

Just keep in mind that you’ll also need to get from Füssen to Schwangau. If you’re planning to take a bus, that will cost an extra €2-€3.

Purchase train tickets from Munich to Füssen.

At about €25-€30, the main advantage of taking the train is that it costs less than an organized bus tour.

There are extra steps involved to reach Neuschwanstein Castle, but nothing too difficult or strenuous.

In addition to the lower costs, there are some companies that offer bike tours or horse carriage rides from Füssen to the castle, as well as admission to Neuschwanstein Castle.

If you’re curious about these options, consider one of the services below.


Bike Tour + Neuschwanstein Castle Ticket

This is essentially a combo ticket which includes both a bike tour from Füssen and admission to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Since you’ll need both transportation to and from the train station and tickets to the castle itself, this is a good way to take care of both necessities at once.

Aside from the bike rental and skip-the-line entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle, you’ll also receive a city map and the aid of a professional tour guide.

  • Tickets: €46.76/Adults (18-59) | €25.98/Youth (12-17) | €18.71/Children (9-11)
  • Availability: Train leaves daily at 9:40 am | Tour begins at 12:15 pm
  • Duration (of the bike tour): 3-4 hours
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Things to Consider

When you combine the cost of return train tickets at about €23, the total amount you can expect to spend is around €70.

The most comparable organized bus tour is €55, but it does not include tickets to the castle, which would cost an extra €15.

Ultimately, you’re paying around the same price, so it’s up to your own discretion to decide which experience you prefer.


Horse Carriage Ride + Neuschwanstein Castle Ticket

What better way to experience one of the most picturesque castles in the world than on a horse carriage ride?

This combo package includes skip-the-line tickets to Neuschwanstein Castle, a shuttle bus up to Mary’s Bridge, and a horse carriage ride back down the hill.

  • Tickets: €53.25/Adults (18+) | €25.98/Children (under 18)
  • Availability: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
  • Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Things to Consider

Although this service is mostly about the horse carriage ride, it’s also the only service on our list that includes the shuttle bus service.

The shuttle bus typically doesn’t cost much as it is, but it’s a nice little addition to the other transportation.

The only problem with this option is that the departure point is in Hohenschwangau, which will require you to purchase a bus ticket from the train station.

This is an additional €2-€3, so it’s not a big deal.


Neuschwanstein Castle Ticket + Guided Tour and Shuttle Bus

If you've got transportation to the area covered, this might be one of the better options for anyone who needs help finding their way around the castle.

In addition to providing a ticket to Neuschwanstein Castle, this service also includes a 35-minute guided tour of the castle in English.

You'll also receive a guided tour of Marienbrücke when available (might be closed during winter/for renovation).

Finally, you'll also receive a shuttle bus to Marienbrücke whenever it is operating. This will help you get around the area without too much walking.

  • Tickets: €47/Adults (18+) | €22/Children (under 18)
  • Availability: Friday - Monday | More dates in Spring/Summer
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Things to Consider

This is only an option for those who already have a train ticket to the area or other means to get there. That said, it is a much more affordable way to get to Neuschwanstein Castle than some of the other tours on our list.

With the shuttle bus, you can save a lot of time and avoid having to walk as much, which could be a great benefit to anyone who has back problems or other concerns.


Where is Neuschwanstein Castle?

This beautiful and historic castle is located near Schwangau. The path to the castle starts just south of here in the village of Hohenschwangau.

The nearest city is Füssen, which is about a mile west of the castle.

Both bus tours and trains will take around 2 hours to reach this area from Munich, give or take 10-15 minutes. No matter how you plan to get here, you should prepare for 4 hours of travel to and from Neuschwanstein Castle.

It’s worth noting that there is a shuttle bus from the castle entrance to the gates.

This distance typically takes about 30 minutes to walk, so if you’re trying to save time or energy, it might be worth the extra cost. Return tickets for the shuttle bus are €3.


Other Nearby Destinations

There are a few other landmarks and locations you might want to visit either on the way to Neuschwanstein Castle or in the area.

Some of these sites are included as stops on organized bus tours, so you can check them out even if you’re not taking the train.


Hohenschwangau Castle

Located within viewing distance of Neuschwanstein Castle, this landmark is very close by.

Most people who travel here from as far away as Munich will visit both castles at the same time due to their proximity.

Tickets are required to get inside the castle, and they include a tour of the grounds.


Bullachberg Castle

This is another notable building very close to both the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles.

Bullachberg Castle is closer to Füssen, so you might be able to get a closer look while you’re in town.

Unfortunately, this castle is not open to the public, but they do open their doors for private engagements. You can also rent an apartment within the castle!


High Castle of Füssen

Located right in the middle of Füssen, this castle definitely won’t be difficult to find.

This building has since been transformed into a museum of sorts, and it houses art galleries and monuments.

It’s free to visit the courtyard and gardens, but you will require a ticket to see the art gallery inside.


Linderhof Palace

While this site isn’t directly in the vicinity of Neuschwanstein Castle, it is pretty close to Füssen and easy to access from Munich.

If you’re planning to drive down anyways, it’s worth considering a visit here to see another important building in the area. 

The Gray Line bus tour includes a stop at this palace at no extra cost, so even if you aren’t driving here, it’s entirely possible to visit this landmark.


About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: September 6th, 2022
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