Schloss Neuschwanstein Travel Forum

Hi

My friends and I are planning to go to Neuschwanstein
from Munich in Sept. We have a few Qs:

1) It seems like taking a bus is a faster way than taking a train. Any idea where and what bus can we take?

2) From what I read, it seems that the castle will be rather crowded. Will getting tickets to the castle be a problem? Will the tickets ever run out for the day? Can we buy the tickets first at say Munich?

Thks in advance!

My husband and I took a bus from Munich to the Castle a couple of years ago. It was very good. We got the tickets at the main train/bus station in Munich. The bus made several stops at the major tourist hotels, so we didn't even have to worry about getting a cab to the bus station. The price included the tour bus, tour guide, tickets to two castles (Neuschwantein and Linderhoff) and a stop near Oberammergau. Very good value. Yes, the castle is crowded, but the lines are very well organized. You get a time stamped on your ticket, and you have to be at the castle by that time. You can either take the horse cart up the mountain, or walk. We walked, and it was no probelm, but we're used to walking. It's one mile, straight uphill.

I would highly recommend buying Rick Steve's Travels in Germany travel guide. He is translated into many languages, and his information is extremely helpful.

as far as i know, they have a cut-off time in issuing tickets, and thus for the tours. based on our experience, there was a long queue in getting the tickets when we arrived mid morning but, we were still able to choose our tour schedule for both castles. we opted for a tour conducted in english and there were only very few of us in that group. however, i cannot say if the same is true for tours conducted in german or other languages.

you may visit: www.koenigliches-bayern.de or www.traumschloss.de

Thks for the info!

lsheldon, what is the price for the package (bus+ticket to the castle)?

I think most likely I will look for such a package when I reach Munich rather than booking the ticket through the internet.

Gosh, that was almost three years ago now, and we were paying in Deutchmarks. Now it is the Euro. If I remember correctly, it might have been some where around USD 75 per person. The tour company is Panorama Tours, and they are located at the main train station in Munich. Since it was out first trip, we liked the fact that the tour company arranged for the tickets, transportation and everything. We met some lovely people on the bus, and had a great time. Try looking for Panorama Tours.com. And also, Rick Steves.com, or just key in "Rick Steves" into a search engine. His books and videos were indispensible.

Depending upon which hotel you are staying in, the bus will either pick you up, or you will have to meet it across the street from the main train station in Munich. But that is very easy to get to by taxi, or even by walking. I hope you have a wonderful time!

Just to play devil's advocate. I took the train from Munich to Füssen in late Sept of 2002, it is about a 2 hr trip (one way) and costs around 20Euro (check www.bahn.de for latest prices and times. From the train station you can walk (approx 7 miles), take a taxi or ride a bus to the castles. Either way it is a very scenic trip. I would also recommend staying at one of the many pensions\hotels along the route (http://www.neuschwanstein.net/) for at least a night to fully take in the breathtaking views of the Alps and castles. I am still at awe every time I look at the pictures from there.

As for castle lines, in late Sept it wasn't bad. We got our ticket, took a shuttle up to the castle (about a 20-25 min line for the bus), while waiting for your time slot, tour the outside of the castle of venture over the Marienbruke. Another marvelous view! Ahh...I am so glad I am going back again this year! Let me know if I can help any more.

Cory