Neuschwanstein Castle: Visit the Fairytale Castle in Germany

Wow! Welcome to one of the most beautiful castles in the world!

You may recognise Neuschwanstein Castle even if you’ve never been…

Did you know that it’s actually said to have been the inspiration behind Disney’s Cinderella Castle?

And you can absolutely see why they would have taken inspiration from this beautiful German Castle, it’s stunning!

Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle has forever been one of those bucket list places that I’ve wanted to visit.

As someone obsessed with castles and all things magical travel, this is simply one place you have to go to in your lifetime.

And I’m now lucky enough to have visited twice!

We went once in the winter and once in the springtime – and while I loved the winter, I think a spring or summer visit is even better.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of visiting Neuschwanstein Castle

Booking tickets

Here’s the hard part done for you.

You can book your tickets HERE via GetYourGuide. I usually book through their website as they have great cancellation flexibility as well as tending to have last minute availability options for tickets.

Tickets are €42 each. But it depends on what you are after as there are several booking options.

We decided to visit both castles (Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau) on our visit, because when in Germany, right? This ticket costs €77 each.

You can’t simply wander into the castle at anytime. You book in for a specific time slot. 

They have tours in various languages throughout the day as well as audio guide slots.

Extra notes on bookings:

PS please note that when you book your ticket, you need to pick it up in town ahead of going to the castle!

ONE MORE TIME: PICK UP YOUR BOOKED TICKETS AHEAD OF TIME!

Plus if your first castle is Neuschwanstein, it’s a pretty long trek up there.

It takes about 45 minutes to walk to the top. Though there are buses that you can pay to get onas well.

Besides that you’re going to want to get there early anyways to look around… it’s BEAUTIFUL.

Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle

We rented a car for the day from Munich and drove down early in the morning.

It was easy to hire a car from Munich’s train station, München Hauptbahnhof.

Although it can be a little confusing finding the car park where you pick up your vehicle so be sure to go over it a few times with the rental agent. 

From Munich it’s a pretty smooth hour and 40 minute drive to the castle town of Schwangau. 

There’s plenty of parking available and it’s signposted so you can choose from a variety of marked areas.

Hotels near Neuschwanstein Castle:

We stayed at the Villa Ludwig Suite Hotel, which pretty much looks straight up to the castle.

And honestly, we LOVED our stay there. We had a few days in the area… annoyingly, it rained most of it!

But it was honestly so wonderful to wake up and look outside at this view (photos above).

Let’s visit Neuschwanstein Castle!

You’ve got a few options to get up to the castle – but please note that driving your car up is NOT one of them.

Option 1: Walk up to the castle!

I’d definitely at least recommend walking if you are able to, the views walking up are beautiful.

It takes around 40 minutes from the centre of town. And of course, walking is free!

Option 2: A very easy option? The Shuttle-bus to Neuschwanstein Castle

The bus shuttle takes about 15 minutes.

Ticket costs: One way is € 3.50 each. Or a roundtrip fare is: € 5,00 each.

Weirdly, the shuttle-bus does not have any fixed departure times, but it departs about every 20 minutes.

• Bus stop valley: at the “Alpsee” parking are P4 (below Hohenschwangau castle)
• Bus stop castle: Viewpoint “Jugend”/ Mary’s bridge (above Neuschwanstein castle) 

IMPORTANT INFO: The bus does not go directly to Neuschwanstein castle. There is a 15 minute walk from the bus-stop “Jugend”/ Mary’s bridge to the entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle.

The viewpoint “Jugend” is approx. 5 minutes walking from the bus-stop-castle. 

EXTRA NOTES: Pets are not allowed in the bus-shuttle. During winter time limited service only, depending on the weather. The shuttle bus only operates in suitable weather conditions (no snow or ice).

Option 3: Horse carriage to Neuschwanstein Castle

There are also Horse carriages that you can get up to Neuschwanstein castle.

Where to get the carriage?

• Carriage stop valley: across the Hotel Müller
• Carriage stop castle: below Neuschwanstein castle

Prices per person, you also pay directly to the driver.

• Uphill: € 8,00
• Downhill: € 4,00

Duration of the ride: approx. 20 minutes.

IMPORTANT INFO: Just like with the buses, the horse carriages do not drive directly to the main entrance of the Neuschwanstein Castle. You need to walk approx. 15 minutes uphill from the carriage-stop to the entrance of the castle. The carriages run all year round, without a fixed schedule.

Visiting Inside Neuschwanstein Castle

You’re going to be surprised by this massive structure!

In reality, the King who built it, King Ludwig II only spent about 12 nights in total at the property before his untimely demise. I know, quite dark!

Ludwig wanted the castle built in the authentic style of the old German knights’ castles.

He was obsessed with the Middle Ages. Something about the glamour, the beauty.

Much like how I sometimes find myself feeling like I could have been in Paris the 1920s… Side note, has anyone ever seen Midnight in Paris? I think sometimes we all wanderlust after a different time period because of the romance of it all.

Ludwig II was the same! Kings, they’re just like us. 

What to lookout for inside:

Ludwig started construction in 1868 on Neuschwanstein Castle and well, it’s still being worked on today. Safe to say, this is one of the longest renovation projects that I’ve ever heard of!

The inside of the castle has been a serious work in progress for many years. There are certain rooms that will absolutely stun you, such as the Throne Hall.

And currently the Singers Hall was under construction the last time I visited, but I am fairly confident that is been finished now!

King Ludwig definitely knew what he wanted in his room. The room size was modest, but the decor is not whatsoever.

They’re regal, it’s the only way to describe them. Stunning detail work and well worth the tour.

The thing is there are only a handful of rooms to walk through and explore. I do feel like the true awe moment of beauty that Neuschwanstein holds is on the outside.

Oh and sorry to disappoint you… but you’re not allowed to take photos inside. Sorry!

Don’t miss the Marienbrücke Bridge

Marienbrüke Bridge has SPECTACULAR views of the castle.

Marienbrücke, situated above Pöllat gorge, is a viewpoint and a great spot to take photos from.

In the spring and summer it can get quite crowded. We decided to pop back at sunset when the castle was closed and only one other person was up there too!

Depending on the time of year that you travel though, this bridge could be closed.

In the winter it can be quite icy and they will lock the bridge, but usually you should be fine the rest of the year.

The bridge is a completely independent structure so you don’t have to cross it to get to the castle – it’s just a great photo opp spot! You can check if the bridge is open on their official website.

Take snaps from the Viewing Platform

Some of my favourite shots actually happened to be ones from this very safe Neuschwanstein Castle viewing area!

Who would have thought it?!

I truly love these shots of the front of the castle. The last time we were here it was under major construction, but now it’s all clear and so beautiful!

Further photo spots?

There are wild flower fields nearby to the town, we pulled our car over on the side of the road, hopped out and took a few pictures of the castle in the distance.

I love how these turned out!

Bonus Castle? Don’t forget to visit Hohenschwangau

Hogenschwangau may not be the “main attraction” of the town.

And I can confirm that it’s slightly overshadowed by the beauty of Neuschwanstein Castle… but that doesn’t mean you should rule out a visit to Hohenschwangau Castle.

It’s a MUST.

This is the original castle of the town, where Ludwig II spent his childhood.

It’s smaller in scale and not quite as grand as Neuschwanstein, but Hohenschwangau is still worth a visit!

I really enjoyed our tour especially because the tour guide spoke personally with us as we were a small group. It was fun to interact and be able to actually ask questions about each room and the history.

Please enjoy the VERY outdated photos from our visit there, I think I need another trip to go back in!

Hotels in the Neuschwanstein and Fussen area

So have I convinced you?!

Do you need to book a day trip to visit to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich?

Or have you been to this beautiful place before? 

Kelly x