Easy Neuschwanstein Day Trip from Munich Guide: DIY + Tours
Neuschwanstein Castle was on my bucket list for years, so when I had some extra days to use my Global Eurail Pass, I went straight to Munich.
My philosophy was that if I didn’t take the chance then and there to take a Neuschwanstein day trip from Munich, there might be a few more years before the opportunity came around again.
Even though I was exhausted, I managed to squeeze in two full days in Munich, one of which was a day trip to Neuschwanstein.
So what were my options? For a day trip to Neuschwanstein from Munich, I could either join a group tour or go on my own.
Eventually, I decided to do it myself by train so I could have more flexibility, since I want to hike and explore freely without any pressure.
If you’re wondering how to plan a day trip to Neuschwanstein from Munich, let me make it easier by sharing the best options, plus how I did it myself.
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Tips for a Neuschwanstein Day Trip from Munich
- Buy tickets to the castle ahead of time (at least two weeks in advance, as they sell fast!). Buying direct is the best option.
- On-site tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may sell out.
- Get ahold of the shuttle bus schedule to/from Neuschwanstein to plan more easily.
- Wear decent walking shoes, especially if you want to do some light hiking.
- Pack snacks! There are places to grab a bite, but I picked up plenty of snacks from REWE to make things easier and more affordable.
- There is also Hohenschwangau Castle and the Museum of the Kings, which you can visit. If you want to go, plan your time accordingly. This guide only features Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Bad weather can impact shuttles and carriages to the castle; always check the conditions, especially if you’ll visit in winter.
Option 1: Join a Neuschwanstein Day Trip
The easiest way to plan a Neuschwanstein day trip from Munich is to not plan it at all and join a group. Here are a couple of day trip ideas that you can easily join with pick-up in Munich.
The main benefits of joining a group trip:
- No need to plan around train/bus times, they’re handled for you
- In-depth information about destinations along the way
Note that because these are organized group trips, you may not have as much time allotted for wandering the grounds of the castle.
Multiple Castles in a Day: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof Palace, and Oberammergau Tour
If I were to pick a day trip from Munich to visit Neuschwanstein, I think this would be the one. While visiting just Neuschwanstein is pretty doable on your own, visiting multiple places like this tour would be super difficult just with public transit in one day.
With this day trip, you get to visit Linderhof Palace, Neuschwanstein, plus make a pit stop in the cute Bavarian town of Oberammergau.
Neuschwanstein Castle Day Tour from Munich
Another group tour option is to join a bus tour that goes only to Neuschwanstein, so you don’t have to second-guess how to get there. Just enjoy the views along the way! You have to buy castle tickets separately on-site.
Klook.comDo It Yourself Neuschwanstein Day Trip from Munich
If you’re down to get to Neuschwanstein on your own, here’s how I did it.
Start Early
Since there’s a lot to see and lots of walking to do, a day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein is best started early. Ideally, you’ll want to leave by 8 AM to arrive around 10 AM.
If you want to use the Bayern Pass, which gives unlimited travel around Bavaria, then take the first train after 9 AM (or earlier on weekends).
Pro tip: When booking your castle tickets, don’t book them too early. I reserved my time entry for about 12:00 PM, which gave me enough time to arrive, hike up to the castle, and enter without rushing.
How to Get There by Train/Bus
There are two ways to get to Neuschwanstein via public transit: the train and the bus.
By Train to Neuschwanstein
To me, this is the best way to get to Neuschwanstein because you get to enjoy a beautiful train ride, plus stop in Füssen, which is a delightful town to explore. If you start early enough, you’ll have a bit of time to hang out there.
For train tickets, I had an extra day on my Eurail Pass, so I used it.
You can also consider the Bayern Pass, which offers unlimited travel in Bavaria, but it’s only valid from 9:00 AM (or from midnight on weekends). Double-check the conditions, but it might be a money-saving option for you, as individual round-trip tickets can add up.
The fastest train journey (approx. 2 hours, 15 minutes) starts in Munich, transfers in Buchloe, and ends in Füssen.
FlixBus from Munich to Neuschwanstein
Yep, FlixBus has a direct bus from Munich to Neuschwanstein, and it takes about 2 hours. This might actually be more straightforward than the train, as there are no transfers.
The bus stops right in Schwangau, where Neuschwanstein Castle is located, so it’s pretty direct. You can catch a bus at 8:00 AM and arrive around 10:00 AM.
Option to Explore Füssen (If By Train)
When I arrived in Füssen by train, I was tempted to catch the soonest bus to Neuschwanstein. The shuttle buses (Bus 78 and Bus 73) to the castle are right outside the train station, and there is a schedule at each stop.
I wanted to see a bit of Füssen before going to the castle, so I checked the schedule and saw I had about an hour before the next bus. If you want to explore Füssen, snap a photo of the bus schedule so you know when to arrive back.
In Füssen, I took a beautiful walk across the river to the Lech Fall, a stunning natural waterfall surrounded by mountains.
I considered hiking through the forest (as there are many hiking trails in the area), but decided to head back into town, stopped at REWE, a local grocery store, for some snacks, and then went back to catch the bus.
Definitely a pit stop that’s worth it on a day trip to Neuschwanstein from Munich, especially if the weather is nice.
Take the Shuttle Bus (If by Train)
So if you came to Neuschwanstein on a day trip from Munich by train, catching the shuttle bus to the castle is the next step. You’ll find the stops right outside of the Füssen train station, and it takes about 20 minutes by bus to the base of the castle.
Pro tip: If you buy a ticket for Neuschwanstein Castle, be sure to take the shuttle bus early and arrive in Schwangau about an hour before your reserved entry time, as it takes time to reach the castle from the base.
How to Get to the Castle
Once you arrive in Schwangau, you still have ways to get to Neuschwanstein, as it’s perched high atop the hill. There are a few ways to get there.
There may be changes due to severe weather. You can always check closures on the official website.
Walk/Hike
This is how I decided to get to Neuschwanstein Castle: hiking through the woods from the base of the castle. After about 20 minutes, I ended up on the winding road that led to the castle as horse-drawn carriages passed me.
Overall, it takes about 40 minutes.
If the roads are slick or slippery, make sure you’ve got on good shoes.
Take the Shuttle
There’s a shuttle that runs up to the Marienbrücke Bridge, and then the castle is about a 15-minute walk from there. I saw this bus as I was about to head down, but decided to pass on it since I preferred the walk/hike.
Horse-Drawn Carriage
One way to feel like you’re traveling back in time is to take a horse-drawn carriage to the castle. As someone who tries to avoid paying for things that may harm animals, I wouldn’t choose this option.
But the horse-drawn carriage may be a good idea for someone who needs to ensure they can sit down, as the bus can be packed and people are left standing while navigating winding roads.
Tour The Castle
I was hesitant to book the castle tour because of online reviews saying the castle felt empty and there wasn’t much to see.
And I’m so glad I didn’t listen to those because, while yes, it’s not a complete castle, the fairytale artwork was unlike any other castles that I have seen before. Mind you, this is my first castle in Germany, so maybe my expectations were different.
Be sure to arrive on time for your time slot, and if you’re booking ahead, grab it from the official website.
I booked my time slot for about 12:00 PM, and the tour itself lasted about 45 minutes.
Marienbrücke: The Most Iconic View of Neuschwanstein
The most famous view you need to catch on a day trip to Neuschwanstein from Munich is this one right here.
This shot I took is from Marienbrücke, which is about a 15-minute walk from the castle.
If you have a fear of heights, the bridge might scare you a bit, but I swear the view is so worth it. If you visit in winter, there’s a chance the bridge will be closed.
Planning Idea ✨If you decide to take the shuttle bus, you might want to stop here first if you don’t plan to hike afterward. With extra time later, you could hike, stop at a restaurant, or hang out more in Schwangau or Füssen.
Option to Hike Further Up (Seasonal)
If you cross the bridge and keep going, you’ll find yourself on a hiking trail that, after about 30 minutes, will give you one of the most stunning views over the castle.
It’s a moderate hike that I managed to do in my long dress and sneakers, though I wouldn’t recommend doing it like I did, as there are some trails with drops. If you think you’ll want to do this hike, come prepared with clothes best suited for it and maybe even a pole.
Sitting and breathing the fresh air, marveling over a site I dreamt of seeing for years, made me feel that every bit of effort to take a day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein was worth it. I didn’t wanna leave.
Klook.comCatch the Last Bus/Train Back to Munich
Whichever way you decide to get to Neuschwanstein, check for the last bus and train times back to Munich.
If you need to take the train from Füssen back to Munich, make sure you know the shuttle times so you arrive in time for your train. There was quite a line for the shuttle from Neuschwanstein to Füssen, so arrive about 10-15 minutes before the bus is set to arrive to ensure you can catch it.
Is it a day trip to Neuschwanstein from Munich Worth It?
This was a long day trip, but since it was a dream of mine, it was 100% worth it and did not disappoint at all.
I visited in mid-November and think I got lucky with the weather, as there were no closures and I was able to walk and hike without issue.
If you’re thinking of taking a day trip to Neuschwanstein from Munich, I would say it’s well worth it if you’re expecting decent weather.
Should You Plan a Visit in Winter? ❄️ If it’s the middle of winter and the weather is uncertain, what I would suggest is to plan the day trip by ear and buy your castle tickets on site. It’s possible you could book them and have a winter storm hit, making a day trip to Neuschwanstein from Munich difficult and less pleasant.
FAQs About How to Plan a Neuschwanstein Day Trip from Munich
How Long Should I Plan for a Day Trip to Neuschwanstein?
If you plan to go on your own, you should plan from at least 9 AM (but earlier is better!) until the last bus or train back to Munich. Or, depending on the time of year, finishing your visit to the castle before it gets dark.
How Often do the Shuttles Run Between Neuschwanstein and Füssen?
About every 20-30 minutes for buses 73 & 78. You can check the official timetables on the DB website here.
How Early Should I Reserve Tickets Ahead of Time to Visit the Castle?
Reserving them at least 2-3 weeks in advance is your safest bet, but you can also buy them on-site the day of, as long as they are still available.
