Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most stunning castles in the world, located in the heart of Bavaria, Germany, and a few hours from Munich and the border of Austria. I’ve been multiple times, one time while driving the Germany Romantic Road and had a car and the other time without a car while I was traveling long term around the world.
I think I read 100 blogs on how to get to the fairytale Bavarian castle, Neuschwanstein, without a car from Füssen, Germany. For some reason, I could not get the actual answer I needed, so in hopes of making it easier for people in the future, I’ve included the EASIEST ways to get to the castle without a car.
The Easiest Way to Get to Neuschwanstein Castle
Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle without a car
Take a Guided Tour
There are plenty of tours that will pick you up in Munich or Füssen; here’s a highly-rated tour from Munich that takes you to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Castle, for example.
Car
If you have a car, this might be the easiest way to get to the castle. The parking is rather limited, but it is easy to find this way!
Cab or Uber
You can take a cab or Uber to Neuschwanstein, but it will just cost more than public transportation
Bike
I realized this AFTER I took the bus from Fussen, but if you rent a bike and go straight from Fussen to Neuschwanstein, it’s a GORGEOUS ride and so so easy along a beautiful path. I did this the next day and wondered why I didn’t do it before. You can’t take the bike clear up to the castle, but you can take it to the town and lock it up there, which is just as good.
Take the train to Füssen and the bus to Neuschwanstein Castle
This is the route I’m going to be talking about in this post. When I visited the castle the first time, after attending Oktoberfest in Munich, I went directly to Füssen, Germany, on the train. I used Füssen as my home base for visiting the castle. You can definitely do this as a day trip, although it would be a LONG day. I recommend staying there for a night if at all possible, plus it’s beautiful! You can also purchase a Bayern ticket, which is a train ticket that allows you and up to 5 adults to travel together to train all around the regional trains in Bavaria for a day.
But for the purpose of this post, I’m talking about how to visit Neuschwanstein Castle from the town of Füssen without a car using public transport!
While we’re at it, let’s be friends on Instagram and TikTok!
Step 1: Get to Füssen
You’ll first need to start in the town of Füssen. To get to Füssen, you can easily take the train from Munich. The train ride takes about 2 hours from Munich to Füssen. My train tickets cost me one way, approx 12.50 euros. I stayed the night in Füssen and loved it, but you don’t have to. I’d say that most people make a day trip from Munich, but if you have the time, the town of Füssen is super cute, and it’s the start or end of the Romantic Road, depending on which way you’re going!
Step 2: Get to Füssen and find the bus to the castle
Once you get to Füssen and are ready to head to Neuschwanstein Castle, you’ll go to the Füssen train station. Here, you’ll get off the train, then you’ll walk around the train station to the busses at the back of the train station. There are tons of people going the same way, so you should not miss it. The buses run every hour, and the bus takes a little under 30 minutes to get to the castle.
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling with luggage like I did, I would recommend dropping it at your hotel/hostel beforehand because you won’t want to deal with it going to the castle, and I couldn’t find luggage storage at the castle.
Step 3: Take the bus 30 mins to the castle
Get on the bus 78 or 73. If you ask the bus driver, he/she will help you. Most people are doing the same thing as you. Plus you’ll know the stop when you get there because you’ll be able to see the castles. You’ll be heading towards Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein Castles, and Schwangau.
- Bus 73 in the direction to Steingaden / Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Bus 78 in the direction to Schwangau until you reach the stop Hohenschwangau / Alpseestraße.
Step 4: Getting tickets to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles
You can only visit these two castles as part of a guided tour with a specific admission time. The tour of Neuschwanstein Castle is around 30 minutes, and the Hohenschwangau Castle is 40 minutes. I recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance because I got there around noon, and the next trip was at 4:30 p.m. I decided not to do it, but I had heard that the best part of Neuschwanstein is the outside anyway.
Here is where you can buy tickets to both of these castles and the Bavarian Kings Museum! There are some tickets available on-site in the village of Hohenschwangau at their Ticket Center. You can sometimes get same-day tickets and pick up your tickets here.
Step 5: Get to the castle on the hill from the town of Hohenshwangau
Now, you need to actually get to the top of the hill to see the Neuschwanstein Castle. You can either walk up (45 min walk), take a touristy horse-drawn carriage, or take the bus. The line for the bus is sometimes long and costs a few euros round trip uphill and downhill, and you can purchase it at the kiosk by the line for the bus. I took the bus because I was feeling lazy and was glad I did!
Step 6: Marienbrücke Bridge views
Once you reach the top, I recommend going straight to the Marienbrücke Bridge. You’ll see the signs for it at the top. Cross the bridge and walk for about 5 minutes. Soon, you’ll see some steep trails on the left side of the mountain that people may be coming down. If you’re up for it, climb up for the best views of the castle. That’s where I got these!
Note: The last time I went, they built a platform for viewing because this area has been so popular with tourists, so there is no need to worry about where to find this; you’ll follow the crowds, and there is a viewing platform at the top now!
Step 7: Enjoy the castle and head to Hohenschwangau too
Walk around the castle and check out views of the other castle where King Ludwig II grew up, Hohenschwangau. You can hike up to Hohenschwangau and walk around or tour the inside as well!
Step 8: Retrace your steps
Take the bus back to Fussen or Munich!
Hotels Near Neuschwanstein Castle
Hotel Müller
Hotel Müller Hohenschwangau is a more affordable boutique hotel located in the town of Hohenschwangau and is right at the base of the hill where the Neuschwanstein Castle is located. It’s the perfect place to stay if you want to be near the castles. They also have 2 restaurants on the property a bar/lounge, a terrace, and a garden. Plus, the hotel is in a beautiful historic building.
AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for a bit of luxury near the castle, try Ameron Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort. This is a beautiful hotel with a spa and two restaurants, an indoor pool, a bar/lounge, and a fitness center. it’s highly rated and in a beautiful building and location in the mountains!
Hotel Hirsch – Füssen
Hotel Hirsch is a beautiful hotel in the town of Füssen with beautiful rooms and a rooftop terrace. It’s located in the old town of Füssen and is walkable to great restaurants and shopping in the adorable town.
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How far did you have to walk past the bridge to get those amazing shots of the castle?
Only like 5 mins! 🙂
Thank you for sharing! I am going this weekend and will follow these steps.
Can we purchase castle tickets ahead online or do we have to be there early to purchase at the castle?
You can buy them online ahead of time I’m pretty sure!! 🙂
I think you have to buy them online! I didn’t end up getting tickets so I would definitely try and check out their site. Things might have changed.
Just the sort of information I was looking for. You’ve been a great help and inspiration. Thanks for the info and some wonderful pictures to go with it
Hey, this was of great help!
could you tell us how did u rent a bike , if there is a link to website where we can rent a bike would be helpfull.
I’m not 100% sure how to rent a bike, but some of the hostels and hotels provide them for free!
Thanks for the information and prices
Is it necessary to book a seat for the bus? If yes, in which site do you enter to book?
Thank you in advance!!!
I booked the day of, but things might have changed now with COVID! I recommend checking on their website what they recommend. Thanks!
Thanks for this. Do rental bikes come with locks? Are there specific places to leave them in the city? Is the bike likely to be stolen? I ,I’ve in London and bikes get stolen a lot here. Thanks
Hi. Thanks for your article. I have a few questions. #1) Where is this bus/train station that takes me from the train station to the castle ( or bottom of the castle) in 10 min( which I then can take the 30min shuttle ride up to the castle)? I want to stay at a hotel near this station. #2) What’s the name of the hotel that you stayed at ? #3) do you have any other hotel recommendations ? thanks again 🙂
Great article. I’m traveling with 73 yr old husband —limited walking.. If we take the bus/shuttle to the bridge —and we decide to walk to the castle from there —can we then get on the shuttle to get down? What about the other castle —does the shuttle go to it? Is the walk from bridge to castle down hill? Thank you !