The short answer is no. You have to climb 165 steps up and descend 180 steps over five floors and that’s just the inside. Getting to the door of the castle requires a monumental effort as it is on the side of a mountain. So, uphill….. None of it is easy.
But there are always options if there is determination involved. Here are my four suggestions for the handicap wanting to see Neuschwanstein castle:
- Book early. Contact www.neuschwanstein.de
- If you contact the administration at Neuschwanstein two to three months in advance of your visit you can request an elevator assisted tour. This tour will gain you access to the elevator inside the castle which will eliminate the need to climb the stairs. It is a shortened version of the normal tour but still good as you have your own private guide. You will be on a timed entrance so be sure and give yourself plenty of time to get to the entrance. It takes normally 45 minutes to an hour from the bottom so I suggest a minimum of two hours upon arrival to the entrance of the castle exit.
- The hill that you will have to climb to get to the castle exit is where most of your time will be spent. (The tour begins where the normal tour ends at the small door on the side of the castle. Not the stables where the normal tour starts.)
- To offset the climb to the castle you can use their shuttle bus to bring you near to Marienbrücke. These shuttle buses run in the summer months (or when there is no snow/ice) and is the easiest way to offset the climb up to the castle. The shuttle bus picks up near the Jaegerhaus just past the Hotel Müller.
- When you ride the bus to the top do not try and go to Marienbrücke. It is uphill.. Instead make your way to the castle entrance and enjoy the view of Hohenschwangau and the dragon along the way. There will be a small uphill climb to the castle exit so be prepared.
- Don’t go inside. Save your energy and see the castle from Marienbrücke
- Take the shuttle bus up at a leisurely pace. When you arrive, follow the crowd up to the Marienbrücke. It is a steep climb but short. Once there you can make your way onto the bridge and enjoy the view. When you are done, head back down using the shuttle bus.
- IF you are afraid of heights (like me) there is another option. When the shuttle bus drops you off there is a road heading to a small mountain hut called Rohrkopfhütte. If you follow the road towards the hut for 5 minutes and look left you will find a small bench that provides you with a great view of the castle.
- See Hohenschwangau instead.
- It’s a better interior tour anyway. You can book your ticket online and then when you arrive there is a horse carriage that will bring you very close to the entrance of the castle. Only a small hill of 5 minutes to get to the courtyard where the tour begins.
- You will have to climb stairs though. There are 90 uphill and 90 stairs down. It is not a lot and you will be able to take your time but they are there.
- From the courtyard of Hohenschwangau you will have a wonderful view of Neuschwanstein castle before using the horse carriage to get back down.
- Go to Linderhof Palace instead.
- It was Ludwig II’s favorite castle and I bet it will be yours as well.
- Linderhof is nestled in a beautiful garden with plenty to enjoy as you leisurely make your way to the castle entrance. Give yourself plenty of time to stop and smell the flowers, plus – there is a small uphill but very easy.
- If you contact the castle in advance they will give you access to the stair assisted program using small elevators and specialized chairs that will allow you to join the others on a guided tour.
- It was Ludwig II’s favorite castle and I bet it will be yours as well.
Sadly castles were often built in the desire for protection making them hard to get to. But determination and patience will provide everyone with a great time.
No car? No problem. Use SBS – they offer handicap accessible vehicles that will get you to any of the locations above.
– have fun !!!!
– Jake Doherty
www.allthingsgarmisch.com
