Different Ways and Options to Reach Neuschwanstein Castle

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If you think Neuschwanstein is worth visiting and have already decided when to go, it’s time to start planning the details. One of the most important things to figure out is how to get there. There are a few options to choose from, so let’s go over them now.

If you’re flying in from overseas or a faraway country to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich and Innsbruck are the most practical starting points. Both cities have airports less than 120 kilometers from the castle, and it’s about a two-hour drive to Hohenschwangau, where the castle is.

If you’re wondering where to start your trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, I’d say go with Munich. It has more flight options, plenty of places to stay, and way more to do compared to Innsbruck—though, to be fair, Innsbruck is way more charming. The best part? If you’re driving from Munich, you can skip dealing with Austria’s road rules, which you’d have to figure out if you started in Innsbruck.

If you’re relying on public transportation to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, flying into Munich is more convenient than Innsbruck. Starting in 2023, Flixbus offers a direct bus from Munich to Hohenschwangau, the village near the castle, making the trip easy and stress-free.

A few years ago, Flixbus started offering direct bus services from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, and honestly, it’s made the trip so much easier. Before that, your best bet was either driving yourself or joining a guided tour. Now, it’s way more convenient to visit the castle.

If you’re coming from Munich, you might be wondering, “Do I really need a car for this trip?” With how easy and affordable the bus service is, it might seem like the answer is no. But hold on—it’s not always that simple. The bus schedule could be a dealbreaker. Last I checked, there was just one bus leaving Munich for Hohenschwangau in the morning, around 8 or 9, and only one bus back to Munich in the afternoon, around 5 or 6.

If you’re planning to spend the whole day in Hohenschwangau and at Neuschwanstein Castle, then the bus should work just fine. But if you’re looking for more flexibility, getting a car might be the way to go. With a car, you can also explore other cool spots nearby, like Linderhof Palace, Ettal Abbey, or Oberammergau, after visiting the castle.

Oh, and one more thing—there are other public transport options to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich. But let me tell you, they’re not as quick or convenient as the direct bus. This route involves taking a train to Füssen and then hopping on a bus to Hohenschwangau. I’ll get into more details about that later.

Driving to Neuschwanstein Castle is convenient and lets you control your schedule, but it can be a bit pricey. Whether you’re coming from Innsbruck or Munich, the trip is about 110–120 kilometers and usually takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

If you’re driving, here’s the good news: there are four parking lots in Hohenschwangau where you can park while you visit the castle. Here’s where they are:

  • Lot 1: Near the Apollo duty-free shop
  • Lot 2: Between Schwangauer Road and Coloman Road
  • Lot 3: By the roundabout next to Restaurant Cafe Kainz
  • Lot 4: Near Alpsee

All of these lots have parking for cars, and there’s a fee for all-day parking. However, even though there are plenty of parking spaces, it’s a good idea to arrive early, especially during peak season. This way, you can park closer to the ticket center and skip the long lines when buying tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle.

Here is a tip: Parking Lot 4 is the closest to the ticket center and the shuttle bus and horse carriage departure points for Neuschwanstein Castle. Parking here could make your visit more convenient.

You can learn more about the parking lots in Neuschwanstein Castle here.

If you’d rather not drive, there are a few options. The two most convenient ones are listed below.

  • The first is to take a bus, which is a great choice if you’re planning a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. This is the cheapest option.
  • The second option is a combination of train and bus. This is ideal if you’re planning to stay in Fussen (the town with the nearest train station to Neuschwanstein Castle) or Schwangau for a night or longer.

It’s important to note that both transportation options can be used for a round trip from Munich, depending on your itinerary. For instance, if you plan to visit Neuschwanstein Castle and then explore the town of Fussen, you can take the bus from Munich to Hohenschwangau. After your visit, you can return to Munich from Fussen by train. You can get to Fussen from Hohenschwangau by bus.

Check out the options below to learn more.

If you take the bus to Neuschwanstein Castle, make sure to check the bus schedule. There’s only one bus each way between Munich and Hohenschwangau, so it’s a good idea to book your tickets early. They can sell out fast, especially in peak season.

The direct bus ride from Munich to Hohenschwangau takes about 2 hours. If you’re planning to leave Munich around 8 or 9 in the morning (those were the earliest departures last I checked), make sure your entry/tour ticket for Neuschwanstein Castle isn’t scheduled before 12:00 pm to avoid any timing issues.

Here is the official website of Flixbus where you can book your trips.

The train and bus route from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle has more departure times than the direct bus. While it doesn’t give you as much control as driving, it offers more flexibility for planning your visit. This option is usually more expensive than the Flixbus direct route, so it’s best considered as a backup.

Trains from Munich to Füssen run three times a day, and buses from Füssen to Hohenschwangau (buses 78 and 73) leave once or twice an hour. The train ride takes about two hours, and then it’s a 10-minute bus ride to Hohenschwangau.

Tip: As soon as you step out of the Füssen train station, you’ll find the No. 78 bus parked nearby. This bus is clearly marked for the Hohenschwangau castles.

Ideally, the trip to Neuschwanstein Castle via this route takes about two and a half hours. But with possible scheduling issues, the whole journey might take around three hours. It’s a good idea to leave some extra time when planning your visit.

You can find more information about bus #78 and #73 from dbregiobus-bayern.de. Train tickets are available in bahn.de.

Before buying your bus or train tickets, make sure to check the opening hours of Neuschwanstein Castle to align with your travel schedule. The most accurate and up-to-date info is available on the official Hohenschwangau website.

Tip: Keep in mind that the ticket office typically opens one to two hours before the castle itself. It usually opens at 8:00 am or 8:30 am. I suggest arriving at Hohenschwangau early to visit the ticket office as soon as it opens, helping you avoid long lines. Being first in line is a great strategy to save time when buying tickets. Once you have your tickets, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the castle surroundings.

Important: There’s more to prepare for your trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. Specifically, if you want to learn about the castle’s history and explore its beautiful interiors, it’s important to know the essential tips for buying a ticket to Neuschwanstein Castle as soon as possible. For further planning, check out the breathtaking views of the castle, as well as nearby attractions and charming towns you can visit next to make the most of your day.

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