Neuschwanstein Castle – Your Excursion to the Fairy Tale Castle from Munich

No castle in the world has become as much of a symbol of Bavaria as Schloss Neuschwanstein. The fairytale structure built by King Ludwig II sits high above the Alpsee in the Allgäu region, attracting around 1.4 to 1.5 million visitors from all over the world every year. Since 2025, it has officially held the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An excursion to Neuschwanstein from Munich is one of the most beautiful day trips Bavaria has to offer – and anyone choosing a hotel near Munich as a starting point is perfectly positioned. From our Hotel am Schlosspark zum Kurfürst in Oberschleißheim, you can reach Neuschwanstein in about one and a half to two hours – perfect as a base camp for your Neuschwanstein excursion.

To help you plan your visit optimally, we have compiled all the important information on opening hours, tickets, arrival, and insider tips for you. Neuschwanstein is an absolute highlight, especially for families, couples, and culture enthusiasts. We recommend planning at least one full day – or even better, two, if you also want to explore Schloss Hohenschwangau, the Alpsee, and the Tegelbergbahn.

History and Significance of the World-Famous Fairytale Castle

Schloss Neuschwanstein is not a naturally evolved medieval structure, but an ambitious dream castle from the 19th century. King Ludwig II of Bavaria had it built starting in 1869 as a personal retreat and a tribute to the operas of Richard Wagner. The king himself barely experienced its completion – he died in 1886 under mysterious circumstances that remain unresolved to this day in Lake Starnberg. Ludwig II spent just 172 days in the chambers of his dream castle.

What he planned as a private retreat was made accessible to the public immediately after his death and quickly became one of the most visited castles in the world. Walt Disney was inspired by Neuschwanstein for his famous Sleeping Beauty Castle, which still graces the logo of Disney productions to this day. With its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2025, Neuschwanstein has officially received the status of a globally significant cultural site.

What to Expect When Visiting Schloss Neuschwanstein?

The interior tour is only possible as part of a guided tour. The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes and takes you through the most magnificent rooms of the castle. You will see, among other things:

• The Throne Hall – a Byzantine-style state room that was never used as an actual throne hall
• The Bedroom of Ludwig II – elaborately carved woodwork that reflects Ludwig's enthusiasm for Wagner
• The Singers' Hall – an imposing festival hall, inspired by the Wartburg model from Thuringia
• The Kitchen – featuring heating and water supply systems that were state-of-the-art for that time

The guided tours take place daily in German and English, with other languages available via audio guide. You cannot tour the castle on your own outside of the guided tour. Plan at least 3 to 4 hours for the entire visit, including the walk up, queuing, and the Marienbrücke.

The Marienbrücke – The Best Viewpoint of Neuschwanstein

No visit to Neuschwanstein is complete without the walk to the Marienbrücke. This suspension bridge spans the Pöllat Gorge at a height of 92 meters and offers the world-famous view directly of the castle's west facade – the exact motif seen on countless postcards and guidebooks. The walk from the ticket office to the Marienbrücke takes about 30 to 40 minutes uphill. In winter, the bridge is occasionally closed for safety reasons – so it is best to check the official website in advance.

Tip: Come early in the morning! Shortly after opening, the Marienbrücke is much quieter, the light for photos is better, and the queues at the ticket office are shorter. In midsummer, waiting times at noon can exceed an hour.

Opening Hours and Tickets for Schloss Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein is one of the most visited sights in Germany – and therefore also one of the busiest. Booking tickets in advance is strongly recommended, especially from April to October. Those arriving without a reservation risk failing to get in due to daily capacity limits.

• Opening hours (April–October): daily 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last admission 5:00 PM)
• Opening hours (November–March): daily 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (last admission 3:00 PM)
• Closed: December 24, December 25, January 1
• Ticket prices adults: approx. 15 € (standard tour)
• Children under 18 years: free (for school classes: registration required)
• Combination ticket with Schloss Hohenschwangau: approx. 25 € – worth it!
• Online reservation fee: an additional 2.50 € per ticket

It is best to book tickets directly through the official ticket portal of the Bavarian Palace Administration. There, you can set the date and time of your tour in advance – a real time advantage compared to visitors without a reservation.

Getting to Schloss Neuschwanstein – By Car and Public Transport

Arrival by car

From Munich, it is best to take the A95 towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen, then continue on the B17 to Füssen. The total distance is about 120 kilometers, and the driving time is 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. In Hohenschwangau, there are paid parking spaces (approx. 8–10 € per day) not far from the ticket office. In summer, arriving before 9:00 AM is recommended, as the parking spaces fill up quickly.

Arrival by train and bus

From Munich Central Station, take the regional train (Bayernticket can be used) directly to Füssen – the travel time is about 2 hours. In Füssen, take the local bus line 73 or 78 to Hohenschwangau (travel time approx. 10 minutes). From there, you walk to the ticket booth at the castle. Alternatively, there are horse-drawn carriages and shuttle buses going uphill.

Arrival from our hotel in Oberschleißheim

From the Hotel am Schlosspark zum Kurfürst in Oberschleißheim, you can start your excursion in a relaxed manner: the “Lustheim” bus stop is only about 150 meters away. Take the bus 292 to the Oberschleißheim S-Bahn station, and from there take the S1 to Munich Central Station (approx. 25 minutes). From the Central Station, trains to Füssen run regularly – travel time is about 2 hours.

Alternatively, arriving by car is recommended: via the A99 → A96 → B17 towards Füssen, you can reach Schloss Neuschwanstein in approx. 1.5 to 2 hours. Paid parking is available on-site in Hohenschwangau – in peak season, it is advisable to start early.

With our Hotel am Schlosspark zum Kurfürst in Oberschleißheim, you have the ideal starting point for your Neuschwanstein excursion. Free parking, EV charging stations, and the quiet location by the palace park ensure that you can relax and rest after an eventful day of excursions.