Neuschwanstein Castle Tickets: What You Need to Know

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Like many iconic palaces and castles across Europe, Neuschwanstein Castle has a ticketing system in place to manage the flow of visitors. This ensures a more enjoyable experience for anyone visiting the castle by maintaining an ideal number of tourists inside the castle.

Neuschwanstein Castle Tickets Key Info

Here are the essential things to keep in mind when buying Neuschwanstein Castle tickets.

  • The only way to visit Neuschwanstein Castle is to join a guided tour. For now, you can still walk up to the main entrance and check out the outdoor areas around the castle.
  • Tickets for guided tours sell out fast, so it’s really important to book in advance. The last time I looked at the castle’s ticketing page, tickets were completely booked for the next month.
  • When you buy a ticket, it comes with a specific entry time. If you book ahead, you can choose a time that works best for you.
  • You can try buying tickets on the day of your visit, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The lines are usually long, and you might not get the time you want.
  • If you’re planning to get tickets from the ticketing center, you need to get there super early. Tickets sell out fast, sometimes by early morning, so the earlier, the better.
  • If you book your tickets online, remember that the email confirmation you receive won’t be accepted at the castle’s main entrance. You’ll still need to pick up your actual ticket from the ticketing center.
  • Don’t stress if your confirmation email doesn’t arrive right away—it can take a day or two. Also, be aware that your tour time might change since the castle administration adjusts schedules to fit in as many visitors as possible.
  • If you reserve tickets online, plan to pick them up from the ticketing center at least an hour to an hour and a half before your scheduled entry time. The ticketing center isn’t right next to the castle, and the walk to the castle can take up to 40 minutes. There are shuttle buses and horse-drawn carriages to make the trip faster, but long lines for these can still cause delays.
  • If you miss your time slot for the guided tour, keep in mind that tickets are non-refundable.
  • When buying tickets, you can also add a visit to Hohenschwangau Castle. In that case, you’ll visit Hohenschwangau first, followed by Neuschwanstein. You can find more details on the castle tours’ ticketing page.

Not sure if a guided tour is worth it? Here’s a summary of what to expect during the Neuschwanstein Castle tour.

You can buy tickets to Neuschwanstein Castle from their official website.

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Different scenes along the way from the ticketing center to Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau, Germany
Different scenes along the way from the ticketing center to Neuschwanstein Castle
Trail signs and the view of Neuschwanstein Castle from the trail, Schwangau, Germany
Trail signs and the view of Neuschwanstein Castle from the trail
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Getting to The Castle from The Ticketing Center

Once you’ve got your tickets from the ticket center, it’s time to head to Neuschwanstein Castle (unless you’re also touring Hohenschwangau Castle). From there, you have three ways to get to the castle: hike, take a horse-drawn carriage, or hop on a shuttle bus.

Quick link: Bus and Horse Carriage prices & schedules

The hike from the Ticket Center in Hohenschwangau to Neuschwanstein Castle takes about 40 minutes. It’s a 1.5-kilometer trail with a 110-meter elevation gain.

The hike isn’t too demanding, and most of the path is shaded by trees, making it a pleasant walk. You don’t need to worry about getting lost—the trail is well-marked, and all the info you need is easy to find.

During peak hours, you can just follow the crowd since they’re probably heading to the castle too. You can grab a map at the tourist information center for directions, but if you forget, don’t stress.

Here’s a map showing the route from the ticket counter to the castle:

Another way to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Hohenschwangau Village is by taking a horse-drawn carriage ride, which adds a bit of “magic” to your visit.

The carriage stop is near Hotel Müller, where carriages are usually waiting for passengers. During peak season, though, you might face a long line. The ride cuts your travel time to the castle to about 20 minutes—half the time it takes to hike. There’s a small fee for the uphill ride, and the downhill ride costs half as much. You can pay the driver directly.

Keep in mind, the carriage doesn’t drop you off right at the castle entrance—you’ll still need to walk a few minutes to get there.

The fastest and easiest way to reach Neuschwanstein Castle from Hohenschwangau Village is by shuttle bus. The bus takes you up to the Jugend Viewpoint, located above the castle. You can catch it at Alpsee P4, where the buses are parked and tickets are sold. You can also pay the driver directly.

Keep in mind, though, that the shuttle doesn’t run during winter if there’s snow. It also doesn’t drop you off at the castle entrance—you’ll still need to walk about 15 minutes to get there.

Neuschwanstein Castle Map

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Map of Schwangau showing the ticketing center and Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau, Germany
Map of Schwangau showing the ticketing center and Neuschwanstein Castle
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More Information

After your tour of Neuschwanstein Castle or visit to the castle grounds, you might not want to head back to your car just yet. There’s more to explore around the castle, like its stunning viewpoints, some of which offer unbeatable views you definitely shouldn’t miss.

After visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, don’t worry about getting bored—there are plenty of other interesting spots nearby, like Alpsee, Hohenschwangau Castle, and more. If you want, you can also check out nearby towns like Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald, and Oberammergau for even more unique experiences.

Lastly, just in case you missed them:

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