Tips For Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle From A Local (The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Castle)

Every year more than 1 million people visit Neuschwanstein Castle, the famous castle in Germany. It is also known as the “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Castle” or the Disney / Cinderella castle Germany.

Castle Neuschwanstein is situated in the southern part of Bavaria, also called Allgäu, and close to the city of Füssen. It is the castle that inspired Walt Disney to create the Magic Kingdom.

Neuschwanstein is listed on many bucket lists around the world as a must-see. And there is a reason for it. It is special from the outside and the inside as well.

We show you our best tips for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, including tips about what to do after visiting the castle Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castle, which is located next to Neuschwanstein.

There are lots of other interesting things to see and do around Schwangau.

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Tips for the Neuschwanstein Castle:

1. Neuschwanstein Castle Winter

If you do not want to wait hours in a queue to get inside, go there in wintertime or book a guided Neuschwanstein castle tour from Munich. You can also book a skip-the-line package.

It should be a lot less crowded in the off season. I followed my own advice and visited Neuschwanstein and castle Hohenschwangau (which are located close to each other) twice in the winter. Fewer people visited the castle, and we even had the Cafe-Bistro to ourselves.

The café is inside castle Neuschwanstein, and the prices for drinks and food are reasonable and not overpriced.

I liked the atmosphere inside the café. The walls are covered in paintings, and you have a great view of the Hohenschwangau castle, and the Alpsee lake.

2. Watch the video at the end of your visit

It shows you how the castle was built and how it should have looked like. Did you know that it was supposed to have more towers and buildings than it has?

3. Ticket for Neuschwanstein Castle

You get your Neuschwanstein castle tickets only at the ticket center or you book a skip-the-line tour in advance. The current price for visiting the castle Neuschwanstein starts from € 17,50. If you want to see Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle, get the combined ticket, which is currently from € 23. (You’ll find more information and the current prices here)
You are also able to book your ticket online in advance.

On the ticket, you will see the designated time for being at the entrance. Normally, you have plenty of time until you can enter the castle. First, you have to walk up for about 20 minutes.

You can go there by bus or do a carriage ride too, which I don’t recommend. The path is not very long, but it is steep and the horses have to pull a lot of weight.
That’s why – in my opinion – it’s better to walk up to the castle.

4. Neuschwanstein Castle Bridge – Marienbrücke

It is a 15-minute walk from the Neuschwanstein castle to the Marienbrücke bridge. It is a popular spot because you have an amazing view of the castle. If you are there in winter time, it is possible that the bridge is closed.

5. Pöllatschlucht Canyon

If you have time walk down the Pöllatschlucht (canyon). You have some incredible views up to the Marienbrücke bridge and the castle.

Things to See and Do around the castle Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau

6. Füssen (Fussen)

Füssen is the closest city to Neuschwanstein castle and it is great to spend your time walking above the trees at the Baumwipfelpfad. Close to Füssen is also the Lechfall waterfall: 

Füssen itself is a beautiful little city in Bavaria and it is highly recommended to walk around in the old town.

7. Schwangau

In Schwangau at the spa, you can swim and relax in the “Kristalltherme”. Especially at night, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Neuschwanstein castle while you relax in the heated outside pool.

8. Highline179: The longest bridge in the world in Tibetian Style

A 25-minute drive with your car to Austria brings you to the Highline 179 in Reutte, the currently longest bridge in Tibetian style.

9. Schloss Linderhof

Castle Linderhof is about an hour away from Neuschwanstein Castle. It was also built by Ludwig II. and is a beautiful castle situated in a stunning garden.

10. Zugspitze – Germany’s Highest Mountain

Also about an hour’s drive away from Neuschwanstein Castle is the Zugspitze. It is Germany’s highest mountain. Part of the mountain belongs to Germany and to Austria. You can literally jump between two countries on top of the Zugspitze mountain.

You can get up there from the German side close to Garmisch-Partenkirchen or from the Austrian side from Ehrwald. In wintertime,  the Zuspitze is a skiing area, and if you want to experience something unique, you can SLEEP IN AN ICE-HOTEL ON TOP OF GERMANYS HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

FAQs ABOUT CASTLE NEUSCHWANSTEIN

Can you stay at Neuschwanstein Castle?

No, you can’t stay in Neuschwanstein castle or Hohenschwangau Castle, but there is a great hotel right next to the castles, the AMERON Neuschwanstein Hotel.

Best way to visit Neuschwanstein Castle?

It depends on where you’re coming from and where you’re staying. If you fly into Munich or Frankfurt, the best way is to book an organized trip for example via Viator or GetYourGuide. They also have options from Innsbruck or Garmisch and other places as well.

If you come by car, there are parking spaces at Neuschwanstein Castle. Parking costs around 8€ (in some parking spots you have to pay in cash).

How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich?

You can get to Neuschwanstein castle with a Munich to Fussen train (Füssen). There is no direct train from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle. Neuschwanstein Castle is located outside of Füssen, but there are busses going to the castle.

By car, it takes you around two hours from Munich, to drive to the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Where is Neuschwanstein Castle?

Neuschwanstein castle is located in the southern part of Germany, close to the Austrian border. The next city is Füssen. You can reach Neuschwanstein Castle in about 2 hours from Munich airport, or about 4 1/2 to 5 hours from Frankfurt airport.

What is the closest airport to Neuschwanstein Castle?

The closest airports to Neuschwanstein castle are Memmingen (Munich West), Munich, and Innsbruck in Austria.

I hope this article helped you to plan a Neuschwanstein castle day trip. If you have questions feel free to leave a comment below.

This article contains affiliate links. If you book via the link, I will receive a small commission. You don’t have to pay more for it.

zuletzt aktualisiert am February 23, 2023