Neuschwanstein: A Fairytale Castle
Experience the magic of Neuschwanstein, the fairytale castle of King Ludwig II, nestled in the Bavarian Alps and the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle, nestled in the Bavarian Alps near Füssen, Germany, is a breathtaking 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace commissioned by King Ludwig II. Often dubbed the "fairytale castle," it served as inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Perched atop a rugged hill, the castle offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Though Ludwig II only lived in the castle for a few months before his death, it quickly became a popular tourist attraction. Visitors are captivated by its opulent interiors, intricate architecture, and the romantic story of the "Mad King" who dreamed of recreating a medieval world. Today, Neuschwanstein stands as a testament to Ludwig's vision and a symbol of German Romanticism, drawing millions of visitors each year.
A brief summary to Neuschwanstein
- Hermann-Weinhauser-Straße 71, Munich, Berg am Laim, 81673, DE
Local tips
- Book tickets online well in advance, especially during peak season, to avoid long queues and ensure entry at your preferred time. A service fee of 2,50 € per person /ticket is applied to tickets purchased on our online ticket shop or reserved tickets, also free tickets.
- Wear comfortable shoes as there is a steep uphill walk from the village of Hohenschwangau to the castle entrance. Consider the shuttle bus or horse-drawn carriage for a less strenuous ascent.
- Allocate at least 5-7 hours for your visit, including travel time from Munich, the ascent to the castle, the guided tour, and exploring the surrounding area.
- Visit Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) for the iconic postcard view of Neuschwanstein. Be aware that the bridge may be closed during winter due to snow or ice.
- Consider purchasing a combination ticket to visit both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles, as well as the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, for a comprehensive historical experience.
Getting There
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Public Transport
From Munich, take a train to Füssen (approximately 2 hours). Check the Deutsche Bahn (DB) website for schedules. From Füssen train station, take bus #73 (direction Steingaden/Garmisch-Partenkirchen) or #78 (direction Schwangau) to the Hohenschwangau Neuschwanstein Castles stop (approximately 10 minutes). From the bus stop in Hohenschwangau, it's a steep uphill walk to Neuschwanstein Castle. Consider the shuttle bus or horse-drawn carriage for the final ascent. Bus tickets can be purchased from the bus driver. A Bayern Ticket offers unlimited travel within Bavaria for one day and covers the train and bus journey.
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Driving
From Munich, drive via the A95 and B17 to Hohenschwangau (approximately 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic). Enter 'Alpseestrasse' into your navigation system to reach Hohenschwangau. Parking is available in the village of Hohenschwangau (P1-P4). Parking costs approximately €10 per day for cars. From the parking area, follow signs to Neuschwanstein Castle. Note that you cannot drive directly to the castle; you must either walk uphill (approximately 40 minutes), take a shuttle bus, or hire a horse-drawn carriage for the final ascent.
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Shuttle Bus
From the village of Hohenschwangau (parking P4), a shuttle bus operates to a viewpoint near Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge), above Neuschwanstein Castle. From there, it is a 500-meter (10-15 minute) downhill walk to the castle entrance. The shuttle bus costs approximately €3 for an uphill trip, €2 for a downhill trip, or €3.50 for a round trip. Tickets can be purchased on the bus. Note: The buses do not run if there is snow or ice on the roads.
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Horse-Drawn Carriage
Horse-drawn carriages depart from Hotel Müller in Hohenschwangau. The carriage will take you partway up the hill, leaving a 450-meter (10-15 minute) uphill walk to the castle entrance. The carriage ride costs approximately €8 for an uphill trip and €4 for a downhill trip. Tickets can be purchased from the carriage driver.
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