Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle? Here’s How to Get the Most from the Experience
Neuschwanstein Castle is one of Germany’s best-loved tourist attractions, with more than 1.5 million people visiting each year. There’s plenty of reason for that—between the breathtaking views and the incredible history—but visits to Ludwig II’s most famous palace can get complicated.
At All Things Garmisch, our Neuschwanstein Castle tour is among our most popular trips, and many cite the palace as their most memorable experience in Bavaria. In our almost 15 years of running this tour, we’ve learned quite a bit about the best ways to get there, what to expect, what to bring, and so much more. So if you’re planning on visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, here are our best tips.
What Makes Neuschwanstein Worth Visiting?
Before we explain some of the logistical challenges of visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, it’s worth answering: Why is it worth visiting in the first place?
For starters, the views of the castle—and from it—are some of the most breathtaking in all of Bavaria. The massive palace, perched atop a crag with a backdrop of mountains, green trees, and lakes (depending on which direction you’re facing) is a scene straight from a fantasy story. Indeed, the castle is even reported to have inspired Walt Disney, forming the basis for the company logo and castles featured in various movies.
If that isn’t enough, the inside features even more grandeur, with detailed frescos, intricate woodwork, and vibrant colors everywhere you look.
Lastly, if you’re looking for something more than just aesthetics, history nerds will love the tales of this castle and the man who dreamed it up: Ludwig II. While some will overlook Neuschwanstein Castle’s history as Ludwig never actually lived there, the stories of its conception, of Ludwig II and his mysterious life, and of his eventual capture and death are all captivating and do a lot to provide a cultural backdrop for this castle and Bavaria as a whole.
When Should You Go to Neuschwanstein Castle?
Many tourists will ask when the best time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle is, and the answer is truly that any time of year has its charms.
- Spring – After the snow melts, the fields in the surrounding countryside fill with flowers. Farmers let them grow out to produce better hay for the cows and that makes for an incredible backdrop. Crowds are typically reduced and Mary’s Bridge opens back up (more on that in a minute).
- Summer – Bavaria comes alive in summer with green and beauty. The lakes are warm and regular festivals are occurring around Bavaria, giving a wonderful cultural backdrop to the experience. Sit in a nearby beer garden and enjoy the fresh air and view of the castle.
- Fall – Fall colors are a delight throughout the Alps, and around Neuschwanstein—particularly the view from Mary’s Bridge—you’ll see a tapestry of reds, browns, and yellows. Oktoberfest occurs during this season as well, providing even more opportunities to enjoy Bavarian culture (and beer!).
- Winter – While the chill may intimidate some, winter really is a perfect backdrop for Neuschwanstein and for the mysterious, tragic story of Ludwig II’s life. The castle glistens in the snow, and when you’re finished with your tour, a hot mulled wine awaits in the markets and quaint Bavarian towns.
As you can see, Neuschwanstein is a palace experience for all seasons. But what time of day is best for visiting Neuschwanstein?
Well, while crowds are thinner in the spring, Neuschwanstein is virtually always busy. We recommend going as early in the morning as possible if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, and there’s plenty of opportunity to get in and get out before the busiest times—around 10 a.m. or so onward.
We don’t recommend going during these peak times, but sometimes it simply can’t be avoided. If you must go in the middle of the day, budget plenty of time to move through lines and book your tickets far in advance.
As a last option to avoid crowds, the evening can be a good time to visit. The last tour of the castle interior is around 5 p.m. (depending on the time of year), and you’ll get to experience views of the castle around sunset or dusk.
How to Get to Neuschwanstein
Getting to the castle is a challenge unto itself. In fact, we’ve written an entire blog post on the topic, and we highly recommend reading through it before planning your trip.
To sum up, though:
- The train journey to Neuschwanstein will typically be done from either Munich or Garmisch to Füssen. The train from either location will take around 2 hours, and then you will take a bus or taxi from Füssen to Hohenschwangau. Overall, the train is a lovely experience, but will take more time and give you a bit less control over when you arrive.
- Driving is also an option. Roads throughout Bavaria are well-maintained, even during the winter, but if traveling in winter months be sure your rental car is equipped with snow tires rather than all-weather tires. Parking within Hohenschwangau will run around 12–15 Euros in 2025.
- Booking a day tour leaves a lot of the headaches of actually reaching the castle in the hands of an experienced guide. Yes, of course we’re biased, but it truly is the most stress-free way to get there!
Best Views of Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein Castle is known for its breathtaking appearance, and getting the best views of the palace is an important part of the experience.
Mary’s Bridge
The most iconic view of Neuschwanstein is from Mary’s Bridge, or Marienbrücke. The area gets very crowded, but it provides a beautiful panoramic view of the castle in context with the surrounding plains, trees, and some craggy mountains.
However, the bridge closes during the winter. Many tourists don’t realize it and are disappointed when they can’t get their perfect photo from the bridge. If a photo from here is important to you, make sure you’re visiting at the right time of year.
Near the Castle
Spots along the journey to actually reach the castle provide some good views. Nearby parking lots offer good low angles of the castle, while the road to the front entrance also provides an impressive look of Neuschwanstein looming before you as you come around the bend.
An Underrated Spot
You weren’t planting to go the whole day without grabbing a pint of Bavarian beer, were you?
The village of Hohenschwangau has some great spots to visit, and one underrated spot for a castle view is Schwangau Castle Brewery. It’s a lovely spot to hang out and it has a great view of the surrounding countryside, mountains, and Neuschwanstein in an alpine backdrop.
Other Key Tips for Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle
Over the years, we’ve learned quite a bit about visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, both during our experience as tour guides and from the experiences guests have had. Some of the tips we’ve picked up don’t fit cleanly into the categories above—but they’re still essential.
Here are some important things to keep in mind as you plan your visit.
Budget Your Time
Visiting Neuschwanstein can take a considerable amount of time, and your best bet for not missing out is to aim for early arrival at every stage.
If you’re traveling from cities like Munich or Garmisch, book train times that will still leave you plenty of buffer to reach the palace and go through any lines.
Speaking of lines, there is a security checkpoint at the gate which you need to be at before your ticketed time. We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes ahead of your actual tour time to ensure you get in and have a chance to use the free restrooms that are there.
Once past the security checkpoint, there’s a heated space where you can relax until your tour time.
Be Ready to Walk
Neuschwanstein can be somewhat of a physical challenge, and we find people often aren’t well prepared.
Getting to the castle itself is not easy, as it’s located on the side of a mountain. The horse carriage will only bring you part of the way, and while there is also a bus that can take you to the back of the castle, you’ll still have a good walk ahead of you.
Within the castle, more walking awaits. The full tour will take you up and down 200+ stairs that can be quite steep and narrow at times.
So wear your walking shoes and be ready for some physical activity.
Dress for the Weather
No matter what season you’re visiting Neuschwanstein, it’s crucial to plan for the weather. Check the forecasts on the day you’ll be visiting and bring what you need. Remember: there’s a high likelihood that you’ll spend a fair bit of time outside, especially if you’re making the walk up from Hohenschwangau to Neuschwanstein.
The clothing you’ll need depends on the season, of course. During the winter, mountainous areas are generally even colder than you expect, particularly with the biting winds. Rainy days can be unpleasant if you don’t have the right gear, but the brooding scenery is still worth it.
We highly recommend layering up during any season that isn’t summer—but of course it all depends on your own personal tolerance for cold, wind, rain, or sun, respectively.
Be Mindful About Photos
Lastly, we also like to remind people to be respectful of the rules in various areas in and around the castle, and to be mindful of those around them.
Outside of the castle, photo opportunities abound—but that means lots of other people will want to take pictures as well, particularly in scenic spots. Get your photos as quickly as you can, then step out of the way to make sure you got the shot you were hoping for.
Inside the castle, photos are not permitted. While some visitors may be annoyed by this, the rules are the rules, and we encourage all of our guests to abide by them.
Looking for a Fairy Tale Experience? Book a Tour with All Things Garmisch
Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular destinations in the world, and certainly one of Germany’s best-loved gems. Between the nonstop panoramic and an awe-inspiring palace with a unique story, it’s not something to be missed when you visit Bavaria.
Planning the logistics can be a challenge, however—so to get the most from your fairy tale experience, we strongly recommend booking a tour. Whether you’re traveling from Munich or Garmisch, our knowledgeable and experienced tour guides can get you in and out, share stories and historical facts, and even combine your tour with visits to sites like Linderhof Palace and Oberammergau.
Book the tour today or reach out to build a custom itinerary for your trip.
