THE BEST TIPS FOR YOUR VISITING NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE 2023
Working Hours | Visiting Information | Neuschwanstein Castle Visiting Guide | Things to do
Visit the real-life Disney castle and step inside a fairytale!
Located in the Bavarian Alps, the Neuschwanstein castle looks like it was pulled out straight out of a fairytale. So it’s no wonder that the 19th-century castle inspired Disney himself. Many say that Neuschwanstein is the Cinderella castle. But the fact is that this castle was the inspiration for both the Cinderella castle inside of the Magic Kingdom and the Paris Disneyland’s centerpiece, the Sleeping Beauty’s castle.
A fusion of these two resulted in the iconic Disney logo we know and love today. A visit to the real-life Disney castle, as some call Neuschwanstein, will certainly not leave you indifferent. The castle’s architecture, details, and breathtaking scenery it’s set in will leave you in awe. And who knows, maybe, just like Walt Disney, you will find great inspiration during your visit to Neuschwanstein castle.
Learn all the information you’ll need for the best way to visit Neuschwanstein Castle
We’ve put all the valuable information and visiting tips you’ll need to know before visiting one of the most beautiful castles in the world – Neuschwanstein castle. From the working hours of the castle, where and how to buy a Neuschwanstein ticket to how to reach the castle and where to stay. We’ve put everything in one place so you can plan your visit stress-free and with all the needed information. The Neuschwanstein castle is a must-visit destination if you are traveling through Bavaria, Germany.
Find out everything you need to know before visiting this real-life fairytale castle! Read our Neuschwanstein castle visiting guide to be well informed and prepared for an actual fairytale experience in the Bavarian Alps.
When can you cisit Neuschwanstein Castle – Working Hours
The Neuschwanstein castle is open every day during the year, except for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Neuschwanstein’s working hours are divided into two seasons – summer and winter. Ensure the working hours and if the Mary’s Bridge is open before visiting Neuschwanstein Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle Working Hours
Neuschwanstein Winter season Opening Hours
16th October – March:
10:00 h – 16:00 h
Neuschwanstein Summer season Opening Hours
April – 15th October:
9:00 h – 18:00 h
Ticket Office Working Hours:
16th October – March:
9:00 h – 15:00 h
April – 15th October:
8:00 h – 16:00 h
Neuschwanstein Closed Days:
124th, 25th, and 31st December 1st January
Neuschwanstein Castle Tour Tickets
You can buy your ticket for the Schloss Neuschwanstein on-site at the ticket office in Hohenschwangau. Remember that when you buy your tour ticket online, you will also have to pick them up at the Hohenschwangau ticket office. The ticket office is located near the Neuschwanstein castle. There are predetermined time slots for the castle tours, and the spots fill up very quickly.
That is why we recommend you purchase your Neuschwanstein ticket tour online and in advance. Keep in mind that due to the castle’s high popularity and many visitors, there is a chance you will not be able to buy a ticket for your preferred time slot. Instead, you will automatically be pushed to book the next available time slot. For that reason, carefully read your Neuschwanstein ticket.
Find out everything you need to know about purchasing your Neuschwanstein castle ticket tour!
Getting to the Neuschwanstein Castle
The castle is near the Austrian border with Bavaria, Germany, and you could visit it easily from both countries. If you want to visit Neuschwanstein Castle on your own, there are frequent trains and bus connections to the castle, so it is pretty easy to organize your visit by simply buying the Bayern ticket. The closest big city to the castle is Munich, and you can always book an organized Neuschwanstein day trip from Munich. So visiting Neuschwanstein Castle needs to be on top of your to-do list if you are ever there. And a visit to this fairytale castle is a perfect day trip.
Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich
There are three main ways to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich: car, train, and bus. The castle is located in a small village called Schwangau. If you decide to visit the Bavarian castle by car, it will take 1.5-2 hours. Once you arrive at the village of Schwangau, you will be able to find parking without a problem. The parking fee at Neuschwanstein is 6€ per day.
Suppose you decide to visit a famous attraction using public transportation. In that case, you can choose between a bus or a train ride. You can buy a bus ticket from Munich’s central bus station to Neuschwanstein or book a tour bus. Both will take you directly to the village of Schwangau, where the real-life fairy tale castle is located. The train from Munich does not go directly to Neuschwanstein, but a train ride can add to the whole experience. Once you arrive at the central train station in Munich (The Munich Hauptbahnhof), you will have to purchase your train ticket. We advise you to buy a Bayern Pass. This ticket covers public transport for up to 5 people for the whole day in Bavaria, Germany. You’ll get off the train at Fussen. From Fussen, you will have to take one of the local buses to get to the Neuschwanstein castle.
Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle from Fussen
From the town of Fussen, you can visit Neuschwanstein by car, taxi, or local bus. If you decide to visit by car, you will find a parking space in a village at the foot of the castle. A taxi car ride from Fussen to Neuschwanstein lasts about 5 minutes, and it will cost you around 13 euros.
And lastly, if you decide to visit the castle by bus from Fussen, you will have to take bus line number 73 or 78 to Hohenschwangau. Buses are frequent, they go every 30 minutes, and the ride takes about 10 minutes. Keep in mind that if you arrive in Fussen from Munich by train, your Bayern Pass will also be valid for the bus ride.
Want to learn more about Neuschwanstein Castle? Book Your guided tour now!
Explore the German Fairytale Castle and discover its beautiful interior
Once you arrive in Hohenschwangau, there are few ways to get to the castle. Once you pick up your Neuschwanstein tour tickets at the ticket office, you’ll have to climb up to the court. And here are the three ways of doing it:
Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle By Foot
You can take a 40-minute uphill walk to get to the castle. It is relatively steep, but if you have spare time until your tour of the castle begins, it’s a great way to soak in the surroundings of Neuschwanstein. The scenic views of the forest and Bavarian alps will add to your overall experience.
Just make sure that you wear comfortable hiking shoes if you decide to walk up to Neuschwanstein. Also, charge your phone or camera because, trust us, you will not be able to resist taking a million photos of this real-life fairytale.
Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle By Carriage Ride
If you want to feel like you’re a part of a fairytale, you can even go up to the castle by a horse-drawn carriage. Departure points for the Neuschwanstein carriage are Alpseestraße, Hotel Müller,and Hohenschwangau. The price for your chariot ride is 7 € for the uphill trip and 3.5 € for the downhill trip. And you can purchase your ticket directly from the carriage driver.
There is no fixed driving schedule, and you can not reserve your seat on the carriage. They drive according to demand – but don’t worry, you’ll have no problem catching a ride up to Neuschwanstein.
The chariots operate during the whole year, but sometimes they may be unavailable due to the bad weather conditions. Remember that the horse-drawn chariot will not take you up to the castle. The carriage stops at its designated turning area around a 10-15 minute or 450-meter uphill walk from the castle’s entrance.
Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle By Shuttle Bus
The most comfortable way to get up to the Neuschwanstein castle is by the organized shuttle bus. The price of the Neuschwanstein shuttle bus is 2.5 € for the uphill trip. And 1.5 € for the downhill trip, or 3 € for the round trip. There is no set timetable; shuttle buses between Neuschwanstein and Schlosshotel Lisl drive according to demand, so you can’t reserve a ticket for the bus ride. But worry not, they are very frequent, and you’ll have no problem catching a bus to the castle.
You can purchase your bus ticket right on the spot from the bus driver. The shuttle bus will not take you to the front of the castle’s entrance. Instead, from your departure point – parking P4, you will take the route via Bleckenaustraße to the lookout point above the castle – Marienbrücke. It is about a 10-15 minute or 500-meter walk to the Neuschwanstein’s entrance.
Things To Do When You Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
There are many things to do around the Neuschwanstein castle. So you will not be bored if you decide to dedicate a full day or even half-day to your visit there. You can have a meal or a cup of coffee at Neuschwanstein’s Café & Bistro. Several charming Bavarian restaurants are located in the Schwangau village beneath the castle, such as the Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein, with a fantastic garden and a terrace overlooking the castle.
Dedicate a whole day to the adventure of exploring the spectacular German castles of Bavaria, Germany. While you’re at Neuschwanstein, you should make time to visit the Linderhof Castle, which was commissioned by King Ludwig II as well. And, of course, his childhood home – the Hohenschwangau Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle Bridge – Marienbrücke
Queen Mary’s Bridge, or Marienbrücke in German, is the most popular destination for visitors to Neuschwanstein castle. This footbridge gives you the most incredible view of the Neuschwanstein castle in its natural surroundings. Once you’re there, you can marvel at the beauty of the Bavarian Alps and the forest that encircles the breathtakingly beautiful castle.
Make sure not to leave without a visit to this spectacular viewpoint. Most visitors claim that the view of the castle from Marienbrücke will be the highlight of your trip. Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged because, trust us, you’ll want to immortalize this view of the Neuschwanstein castle. And don’t miss out on the view from the Mary’s Bridge when you visit Neuschwanstein Castle.
Good To Know Before Visiting Neuschwanstein
- If you’re spending a full or half a day exploring the Neuschwanstein castle, you will have many options for where to eat. There are plenty of charming restaurants at the Schwangau just beneath the castle. Stop by for a proper Bavarian meal and some refreshments.
- How to dress for your visit to the Neuschwanstein castle depends on the time of the year you’re visiting. One thing you should do is wear a pair of comfortable shoes.
- People with restricted mobility might find it hard to visit Neuschwanstein. The shuttle bus and the horse carriages that go up to the castle don’t drop you off right at the entrance. And, you will still need to take a short walk to get to the castle.
- Photography is not permitted inside the Neuschwanstein castle.
- There are on-site toilets.
- We strongly recommend you dedicate the whole day if you visit Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Look carefully at your purchased ticket. Sometimes your preferred time slot is not available, so that you will get another one. For this reason, we advise you to check the exact time of your Neuschwanstein tour so you can organize your visit correctly and avoid any confusion.
Best Advice for Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle
Here are the top three visiting tips if you’re planning to visit Neuschwanstein Castle!
1.
BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE
Waiting in line to buy the Neuschwanstein ticket on the spot might take you a long time. And it still can happen that you will not be able to purchase a ticket because all the time slots for visiting are filled. The best thing to do is to buy your Neuschwanstein tour ticket online and in advance.
Buying your ticket online is highly recommended, and it will ensure that you will enter the castle on your desired date. And you can have a stress-free visit to the German fairy tale castle.
2.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE MARIENBRUCKE VIEW
One thing you can’t miss out on is going to the Neuschwanstein castle bridge – Marienbrucke. From there, you will experience the most fantastic view of the castle and its surroundings.
3.
VISIT LINDERHOF PALACE AD HOHENSCHWANGAU CASTLE WHILE THERE
Set aside a whole day to explore the marvelous castles of Bavaria, Germany. Incorporate a visit to Linderhof Castle and the Hohenschwangau Castle into your Neuschwanstein schedule. Even if it turns into a long day trip to Neuschwanstein, trust us it’s worth it.
FAQ – Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle
How many people visit Neuschwanstein Castle each year?
Neuschwanstein Castle is one the most famous castle in Europe, so it’s no surprise that over 1.4 million people visit Neuschwanstein Castle every year. During the summer season, around 6000 visitors tour the castle.Is it worth going to Neuschwanstein Castle?
Yes! Visiting the Neuschwanstein castle is undoubtedly worth it. The Castle’s unique architecture, scenic setting of the Alps, and the fairytale-like ambiance surrounding it are something you should experience.Can you go inside Neuschwanstein Castle?
You can only enter the Neuschwanstein castle as a part of a guided walking tour. During your tour of the castle, you will explore and learn all about the 14 decorated rooms of the court. Book your Neuschwanstein tour right away!Is Neuschwanstein Castle free?
The entrance to Neuschwanstein is free for children younger than 18. If you want to go inside the castle, you will have to buy a tour ticket. But you can explore the castle grounds and the nearby village of Schwangau for free. We highly advise you to purchase tickets ahead and online. Once you visit the castle, you can pick up your tickets at the ticket center.What is special about Neuschwanstein Castle?
Numerous things make the Neuschwanstein castle special and so famous. To start, the castle is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. It was also a great inspiration to Disney for their Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella’s castle, which were later combined and became the world-famous Disney logo. Neuschwanstein is famous for being dreamt up by the so-called fairy tale king, also known as the mad king- Ludwig II. The castle doesn’t have a throne. The Throne Hall is empty because the King of Bavaria died before the court was finished. Once you visit Neuschwanstein, you will see how impressive and truly special the castle is.How much time do you need at Neuschwanstein Castle?
The tour inside Neuschwanstein Castle is about 35 minutes long. But if you are visiting the castle, we recommend you set aside a whole day, or at least a few hours, to get the entire Neuschwanstein experience. By doing so, you will be able to explore the castle’s grounds properly, soak in the beautiful Alps scenery, eat at one of the authentic Bavarian restaurants, and take plenty of stunning photographs. You could also visit the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle and Linderhof Palace.What is the best time to visit the Neuschwanstein castle?
The castle is breathtaking all year round, whether it’s lit up by the summer sun or covered in fluffy snow. There truly is no one best time to visit it. The biggest crowds are during the summer season, so you should visit the Neuschwanstein castle anytime between October and April if you want to avoid them. Although the weather is a bit colder, winter is still a great time to visit this famous castle. Plus, you may see the castle grounds covered in snow, which is a memorable experience in itself. It’s best to come to Neuschwanstein at least a couple of hours before your booked tour time. This way, you will have enough time to explore the surrounding area, take amazing pictures and visit the Marienbrücke to see the most magical view of the castle.Learn More About The Real-Life Fairytale Castle!
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle and book your Neuschwanstein tour! Step inside a proper fairytale setting in the middle of Bavaria, Germany.