After Oktoberfest, visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle is near the top of every traveler’s bucket list for Germany – and with good reason!
This picturesque landmark is the perfect day trip from Munich. Located near the town of Füssen in Bavaria, the Neuschwanstein Castle (or Schloss Neuschwanstein in German) is a two and a half hour journey from Munich’s main train station (München Hauptbahnhof).
Planning the trip on your own would include booking train tickets to Füssen, catching the bus to Neuschwanstein and buying a ticket to tour the castle. Because of the popularity of Neuschwanstein Castle, especially during peak travel months (April to October), it’s highly recommended that you book your tour tickets in advance.
Or you could book one ticket and have someone else take care of everything for you – which is exactly what I did!
I stumbled upon Radius Tours via Rick Steves’ Pocket Munich & Salzburg (second edition). Radius offers tours of Neuschwanstein Castle in English and Spanish. The entire tour takes roughly 9 hours and 30 minutes. Meals are not included, but time to eat is built into the tour.
Their tour package of Neuschwanstein Castle includes your transportation to and from Munich and a guided tour of the landmark’s history and infamous founder, Ludwig II for €55. For an additional €14, you can purchase the ticket needed to tour the interior of Neuschwanstein Castle.
You can purchase your ticket online or in-person. Radius Tours is conveniently located inside the München Hauptbahnhof just across from platforms 32-34.
When you check in for your tour, you’ll be given a ticket/voucher from Radius Tours. Your guide will take care of all travel documents (train, bus and castle entrance tickets) for the entire group, so there’s no need to hang onto several tickets.
Review: Radius Tours’ Neuschwanstein Castle.
The day trip was well-organized and included approximately 20 travelers with one guide. We arrived in the village of Hohenschwangau after a short bus ride from the train station in Füssen (Catching a bus to and from Füssen can be challenging during peak tourist seasons, which is why Radius rents their own bus). Before the 30 minute walk to Neuschwanstein Castle, there’s a quick break for lunch.
One of the benefits of taking a tour rather than exploring on your own is that you get a taste for the history and culture of the area. Radius’ guide gives essential information about the castles and town of Hohenschwangau on the walk. While the walk is uphill, it’s taken at an easy pace on a paved road and is suitable for travelers of all ages and physical capabilities. While not included with Radius’ tour, the guides do give tour attendees information on how to take public transportation to and from Neuschwanstein Castle in case they’re not physically able to complete the journey.
The tour of Neuschwanstein Castle’s interior is relatively short (15-20 minutes) as Ludwig II died before the castle’s construction was finished. It is a bit lacking in substance, which makes Radius’ guided tour all the more worthwhile. Instead, the interior tour focuses on the artwork and furniture inside the castle. Pictures are not allowed inside Neuschwanstein Castle and there are restrictions on bringing in backpacks, etc.
After the tour of Neuschwanstein Castle’s interior (or if you decided to skip it), there’s free time to walk around the castle.
Radius’ guide gives you information on the best places to photograph Neuschwanstein Castle, including how to access the Marienbrücke, the bridge over the Pollät gorge, which is where you’ll need to go for the quintessential Instagram shot.
You’re responsible for getting back down to the town of Hohenschwangau by a designated time. While the journey is downhill, if you choose to take the rock road by the Marienbrücke, you’ll need either tennis shoes or hiking boots. You can also head back to the castle and walk down the paved road you came up. Either way, give yourself 20 minutes to get back to Hohenschwangau.
There’s time at the end of the tour for a quick bite to eat in either Hohenschwangau or at the train station in Füssen.
Like all things in Germany, if they say they are leaving at 9:30 am, they really mean it. Not 9:31 am, 9:30 am. Don’t count on trains, planes, buses or tours waiting for you if you get caught up exploring.
One of the best things about taking a guided tours is that they are responsible for all the travel details. On our train ride home, our original train was supposed to go straight to Munich. However, when we boarded the route had changed and we needed to switch trains near Munich. I wouldn’t have known to change trains and would have wound up….not in Munich.
The tour was well worth the travel to and from Munich and offers once-in-a-lifetime views. It’s a relaxing day, but also a tiring one. Most of the tour attendees napped on the train ride back to Munich.
Rating: Must Do! 5 out of 5 Stars!
A few tips for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle (on a tour or on your own):
- Wearing appropriate shoes and comfortable clothes is a must!
- Bring snacks and plenty of water
A few extra things about Radius Tours:
- They only operate in Munich.
- They have been around since 1988.
- Let me emphasize one more time that Rick Steves – yes the Rick Steves – recommends them (specifically their tour of Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich).
If you don’t believe me, check out other traveler’s Yelp reviews of Radius Tours.
There are many myths about the ‘Fairy Tale King’ Ludwig II of Bavaria: about his madness, his extravagant lifestyle, and his death. Figuratively speaking, our Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich takes you back in time. But there is more to the castle than just history. The impressive building makes you feel like being inside a fairy tale, with righteous kings, wise queens, and beautiful princesses seemingly just around the next corner. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Neuschwanstein Castle was the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.
-Radius Tours
Disclaimer: This is the easiest way to tour Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich, not the cheapest. Traveling on group tours has its pros (organized for you) and cons (you’re tied to someone else’s agenda).