Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle? Here are 10 Ways to Make Sure It’s Worth Your Time

Let me guess—you took one look at the perfect fairytale fantasy that is Neuschwanstein Castle and now you’re wondering if it’s actually worth the effort to get there? I don’t blame you—the journey isn’t exactly straightforward! And is it true that it was built by a mad king? It’s certainly the number one tourist attraction in Bavaria, Germany, so why wouldn’t it be a great idea to visit? Right this way, please…

Welcome to my Neuschwanstein Castle review, where I tell you exactly how to visit with managed expectations, if the interior’s really as boring as they say it is, and where the best Neuschwanstein viewpoints are. I’ll also give you some fascinating facts from its history, because the story behind it and the Disney references are part of the allure. We’ll talk about getting there step-by-step so you can use my experience-based tips to plan your own trip (and learn from my mistakes).  

Read more about Germany.

 

My Neuschwanstein Castle ratings

• Worth the travel time: 8/10 

• Value for money: 10/10 if you walk and don’t take the tour, down to 6/10 if you add other expenses

• Infrastructure and parking: 7/10 – Parking’s organized but expensive, and everything runs on cash and chaos.

• Interior tour: 4/10 

• Scenery & photo opportunities: 9/10 (no photos allowed inside)

• Crowds: 3/10 

• Historical interest: 8/10 

• Overall: 85%

Here’s how to visit Neuschwanstein Castle so you’re not disappointed: 
 

 

1. Expect a long journey: Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle (is it too far?)

Getting to Neuschwanstein can be a several-hour ordeal

The first reason some people aren’t crazy about visiting Neuschwanstein is the location of it—of course, the scenery is really beautiful, nobody’s denying that, but if you’re just hopping around Germany’s highlights, you may find that getting to and from Neuschwanstein eats up a good chunk of your precious travel day. 

How long does it take to get to Neuschwanstein?

Everyone who visits Neuschwanstein passes through Hohenschwangau, a small town under the hill that serves as a gateway. It’s a 90-minute drive from Munich, or only 60 minutes from Innsbruck in Austria.  

After that, you still need to park and make your way up to the castle itself, which ends up taking an hour no matter if you’re walking or taking the horse carriage or bus. 

The alternative to driving is taking the train to Füssen, which takes 2 hours from Munich, and then finding a bus or taking a taxi from there to Hohenschwangau (10 minutes). And then you still need to walk, horse, or bus to the castle.

I get it—if you’re just going to Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich and then flying back home, long transportation times are a huge consideration. 

Pro tip: I strongly encourage anyone to spend a full week in Bavaria alone, because there is so much to see and do there. And if you do, Neuschwanstein will be the perfect day trip. 

 

 

3 ways to reach the castle from Hohenswchwangau

Let’s just stick to the plan and say you’re driving, because that’s how I always travel. Once in Hohenschwangen, you have to park your car at one of the 4 clearly-marked parking lots in town (it’s EUR 12 for 6 hours in 2025) and choose one of three options to get up to the castle:

• Walking up the trail: 2 km (1.3 mi), takes 30–40 minutes, steep, nice views (free). 

• Horse carriage: Board at Hotel Müller, leaves when full, takes 20 minutes, drops you off about a 10-minute uphill walk from the castle entrance, price going uphill: EUR 8, going downhill costs EUR 4 (have cash and pay the carriage driver directly).

• Shuttle bus: Board at the lower end of Parking area 4, leaves every 20 minutes or so, takes 15 minutes, stops at Mary’s Bridge which is a 15-minute steep downhill walk to the castle, price is EUR 3.50 one way or EUR 5 return (cash only, pay at the station or driver directly).

My recommendation

I recommend taking a walk, especially if you’re not in a hurry. It’s only 2 km (1.3 mi) long and took me 30 minutes, but I will warn you that it's uphill the entire way and rather steep. I’m allergic to both horses (officially) and buses (unofficially), so hiking was the only way up for me, and I’m glad I did it. That said, the trail isn’t that spectacular, so if you’re limited by time or your stamina, let them take you there instead.  

Pro tip: No matter how you plan to get up to the castle, make sure to plan on arriving in Hohenschwangau with plenty of time to spare ahead of your guided tour time slot—at least 1 hour in advance, though even that might be cutting it close. Horses and buses depart as they please, and you may need to wait for the next departure or for the next available spot (no reservations are possible). If you’re walking, you won’t be as limited, just remember the place is very busy, and if you miss your tour time slot, it’s no interior tour for you. 

 

2. Set your expectations straight for inside Neuschwanstein Castle

To maintain a good impression of Neuschwanstein Castle, I recommend not going inside
 

You know the saying “It’s what’s on the inside that counts”? Well, Neuschwanstein is all about looking good from the outside. Basically, the perfect analogy of every wannabe Instagram influencer.

As impressive and photogenic as the exterior is, you should bear in mind that Neuschwanstein Castle was never completed and therefore wasn’t properly furnished (more about the reasons behind this below). 

So, without trying to put the gal down, it must be said that the interiors are not nearly as beautiful as the outside view. 

This is not to say you shouldn’t go inside, just to warn you not to have high expectations. The guided tour is the only way to see the rooms. 

Is the Neuschwanstein guided tour worth it?

Obviously, if you’re coming all this way, you’re likely to take a chance and see the interiors as well. But if you end up deeming Neuschwanstein worth a visit, it will NOT be because of the guided tour of the rooms. There are only 12 completed rooms, which are minimalist at best—the Throne Room with no throne speaks for itself. 

The tour takes only 30 minutes and you get rushed up a bunch of stairs to the 3^rd and 4^th floors and through 14 rooms that leave a lot to the imagination. The guide repeated the history of the castle that I already knew and then talked about a bunch of stories from Ludwig II’s life, so at least that kept me awake. 

The verdict: Yes, I still think you should go inside Neuschwanstein Castle if you’re there already, but no, I don’t think you’re missing a whole lot if you don’t. The main draw here are the views and exterior and maybe the history, not the inside. 

Also note that taking photos inside the castle is prohibited.

 

3. Beware that Neuschwanstein tickets get sold out a month in advance

Neuschwanstein gets something like 6,000 visitors every day in high season, which means you need to plan if you want to go on the time-slotted guided tour, which is the only way to see the castle interior. It also means you’ll feel a little like herded sheep before and during the tour, but hey, that comes with tourist hotspot territory.

Buy your tickets 2–4 weeks in advance—if you’re going on a weekend between June and September, the further in advance you need to get them. If you’re flexible and don’t want to visit on a weekend, you can get away with a week or two. 

 

This lady works at the ticket office, so you better buy your tickets in advance!
 

Years ago, I was excited about my first Neuschwanstein visit, bought our tickets in advance and all that. But then the very unpleasant lady at the ticket office told us they were bought for the wrong date. Okay, just a small glitch I told myself, there will be no problem changing the tickets for today's date—I knew for a fact they still had available spots (this was during covid times). 

Well, the lady pulled a face not unsimilar to the one in my meme above, so what do you think happened? No tour for Jan. Neuschwanstein experience ruined by crabby ticket lady and my unwillingness to pay for another two tickets. 

My Neuschwanstein visit finally came full circle last year when I was able to face my fears of said ticket lady (and had a friend visiting that wanted to see the castle). This time I triple-checked and had a valid ticket for the correct date. 

 

4. Learn that Neuschwanstein’s history was extremely short before it became a tourist attraction

Just like in a fairytale!
 

One of the reasons Neuschwanstein is worth visiting in my opinion is the history behind it. It’s not like any other castle and despite appearances, isn’t even really that old. Neuschwanstein Castle was built as a slightly delusional retreat of King Ludwig II. He is mostly known as the “mad king” or more euphemistic “fairy tale king”. Either way, Ludwig suffered from depression and paranoia, and being an eccentric figure with a mighty imagination, his political career wasn’t one of the best. He ascended to the Bavarian throne at the age of 18, but actually only reigned for two years due to his, um, unfavorable personality traits. So, it was in this magical place that he (at least in his thoughts) could be a true king figure.

On the other hand…good for us, right? The place where Ludwig wanted to make his own personal fairytale a reality is where we, the tourists, now all flock to. He would have been proud!

Despite the medieval look, the construction began in 1869. It was in those times that society was enchanted by the medieval stories, castles, and motifs, so it was only natural that Ludwig wanted to build the castle in neo-Gothic style. He was also an avid patron of art and a good friend of German composer Richard Wagner, so there is a great deal of pictures and decorations inspired by his operas as well.

 

5. Find out why Neuschwanstein was never finished and appreciate the irony

It may not look like it, but Neuschwanstein Castle is not finished
 

 The original grand scheme for Neuschwanstein included over 200 rooms, of which only 14 were ever finished and somewhat furnished. Well, they say dream big, but one should do the math first, Ludwig. 

Anyhow, Ludwig never really enjoyed the castle to the fullest. His unfortunate death came in 1886, when he was living in the few completed rooms.

His death was just as interesting as his whole life… to this day, it’s not clear whether it was suicide, murder, or just a fatal accident. Officially, he drowned in the lake during a walk with his psychiatrist. But he was a good swimmer, the water was shallow, and there was no water in his lungs, so… 

 

 

Just a few weeks after his suspicious demise, the castle opened its gates to visitors. They did spend another 6 years wrapping up the build but only focused on the minimum required so that it could serve as a tourist attraction. Nobody was ever willing to throw another pile of money at finishing it completely.  for another six years.

 

6. Imagine Neuschwanstein as the ultimate fairy-tale castle, futuristic inventions and all

The Castle of Paradox
 

I think the real reason they call it the ”Castle of Paradox” is because everyone here looks incredibly happy to be here, despite the tourist traffic

 

Neuschwanstein has many names, but “Castle of Pradox” is the most interesting. Think about it. Ludwig had the castle built long after the heyday of castles with no practical reason (one could say against all reason). But not only did he want it to be grandiose, it was also supposed to be functional. According to his original plans, there was cutting-edge technology included in the project.

You might ask yourself what cutting-edge technology was in the 19th century. Really, basically everything that separates us from the Dark Ages. Central heating, flushing toilets, running water (even hot water), telephones, elevators, and so on. It was supposed to be fairytale, medieval-like grand castle, but with the comfort of the newest inventions (now you see the paradox).

 

7. The Castle itself is not that tall

Neuschwanstein is less than 20% the height of the Eiffel Tower. You’d have to stack five Neuschwansteins on top of each other just to get close to the same height!

It does look truly majestic, towering over the valley; however, remember it’s getting a good boost from the hill it’s sitting on. Neuschwanstein is not as tall as you’d think. The highest tower of the castle is only 65 m (213 ft) tall—that’s on par with any decent-sized European church, or less than a quarter of the Eiffel Tower.

Also, considering how huge castle complexes are in the Czech Republic, I expected Neuschwanstein to be much bigger overall. From my perspective, it felt more like a dollhouse when I saw it for the first time.

 

8. Compare Neuschwanstein to Disney’s Cinderella Castle 

Disneyland
 

The resemblance between Neuschwanstein and Disney's Cinderella Castle is obvious. No wonder it is rumored that Walt Disney was inspired by Neuschwanstein. And probably not only once. While some refer to Neuschwanstein as the real-life Cinderella castle, others say it was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle. Whatever the case (I admit my princess castle knowledge is lacking), the fact is you would hardly find a more fairytale-like castle than this.

Fun fact: Disney isn’t the only famous figure linked to Neuschwanstein—Hitler had a connection too, though it’s a lot less whimsical. During WWII, the Nazis used the castle to hide thousands of stolen artworks from across Europe. 

Speaking of which, there’s another Hitler hotspot not that far away: 

 

 

9. Mary’s Bridge really is the best spot to take a photo of Neuschwanstein

Me at a much calmer viewpoint higher up on the trail; a hundred people trying to get that shot of Neuschwanstein Castle on the famous Mary’s Bridge

 

The most famous and arguably best spot to get that view of Neuschwanstein isMarienbrücke aka Mary’s Bridge. You can walk up the hiking trail to some other viewpoints like I did, but honestly the bridge deserves the hype, and you can just end your viewpoint attempts there if you’re short on time. 

That said, expect the crowds and the waiting times on the bridge. I finally got my photo of the castle after standing in line for a good half an hour. 

 

Neuschwanstein Castle on the way up
 

Pro tip: The shuttle bus from Hohenschwangau to the castle drops you off at Mary’s Bridge. If you’re planning on getting the coveted photo before your scheduled castle guided tour, give yourself plenty of extra time for waiting around Mary’s Bridge + the 15-minute hike to the castle from the bridge. It’s all downhill, but it’s steep!  

I'm actually pretty good at finding cool places for perfect photos, but I didn’t need to do much here as the views from Mary’s Bridge are about as good as you’ll find.  

Fun fact: The name Marienbrücke means Mary’s bridge.  Most people think it’s named after Virgin Mary, however, that’s not the case. In fact, it’s named after King Ludwig’s mother, Queen Marie of Prussia.

You’ll also get cool close-up views of the castle as you walk down the trail from the bridge to the castle entrance. 

 

Is this the perfect view of Neuschwanstein? 

 

Bonus Neuschwanstein viewpoints

If you want to see more views of the castle, don’t stop at the bridge and continue further up on the hiking trail. You will find more viewpoints along the road, higher on the cliffs. 

It’s quite challenging, so be sure to have the right shoes for the dirt path. On the other hand, most people will be waiting in line on the bridge, while you take perfect pictures of Neuschwanstein Castle with the mountains in the background and the gorge in front and no crowds to elbow out of your way.

 

10. Know when the best time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle is (month and time)

I personally think there’s no bad time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, and it is open year-round. Taking in the astonishing views of the valley has its charm in every season. 

The summer months, however, are the peak season, so it might be a good idea to exclude them. During July and August, it gets very crowded… 6,000 people a day crowded. 

For less tourist crowd mayhem and cooler weather (great for the walk up the steep hill!), spring or fall will be much more pleasant. And if you’re looking for a winter wonderland, well, I haven’t been to Neuschwanstein in December or January yet, but I can imagine the vibe would be incredible, especially in the snow (the hike… not so much). 

As for the best time of the day, I would highly recommend the early morning. You can enjoy the scenery and take a few photos and then go on the tour before it gets too crowded.

Pro tip: If you didn’t buy a ticket in advance and still want to try your luck getting a ticket on the day of your visit, be first in line at the ticket office in Hohenschwangau at 8 am. They sometimes have extras. That’s your only (though small) chance. I wouldn’t try this strategy in the summer. 

Neuschwanstein opening hours 2025:

• Summer season (April 1 to October 15): 9 am to 6 pm

• Winter season (October 16 to March 31): 10 am to 4 pm

• Closed on December 24, December 25, December 31, and January 1.

2025 ticket prices:

• EUR 21 for the guided tour + EUR 2.50 service fee if bought online

• Children under 7 are free (but still need a ticket!)

Don’t forget to book a comfy hotel well in advance. You can use my affiliate link— It won't cost you anything and it will help me to continually improve this blog. Maybe my article about how to avoid rookie mistakes while booking a hotel could come to use.  

 

Neuschwanstein Castle from different angles
 

 

Final thoughts and tips before visiting Neuschwanstein Castle

• Allow lots of time. Getting there takes longer than you think—you first need to make your way to Hohenschwangau and then you still have to conquer the hill. 

• Drive if you can. From Munich, the drive is 90 minutes. If you take the train, you’re looking at 2.5 hours minimum. And then you still have to hike. 

• Be ready to walk. Even if you skip the hiking trails, you’ll need to walk 15 minutes from where the horse/shuttle bus drops you off, and it’s steep.

• Plan ahead and buy online. Tickets sell out weeks in advance, especially for weekends in the summer.

• Know the history. It’s not a medieval fortress—it’s a 19th-century cosplay project by a mad king. Knowing this makes any Neuschwanstein visit infinitely more intriguing. 

• Manage your expectations. The inside of the castle is sort of empty—you’ll want to focus on the views and exterior if you want to leave happy.

• Bring cash. The horse carriages and buses don’t take cards.

• Avoid midday madness. Arrive in the morning if you can for fewer tourists and better light at Mary’s Bridge.

• Stay overnight and see more! Morning visits equal crowds and then you still have the afternoon to see nearby attractions like Hohenschwangau Castle and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings. Traveling 3 hours there and back in one day doesn’t really make sense and turning this into a full-day trip will make it feel much more worthwhile. 

And, for Pete’s sake, check and double-check the date and time on your tour tickets! 

 

Where to stay near Neuschwanstein

Hyperion Hotel Garmisch–Partenkirchen
 

Arriving early is easier said than done if you’re coming to Neuschwanstein from Munich or Innsbruck. Being at the castle for a morning time slot would have you leaving your hotel in the city at an ungodly hour of the night. 

Travel smarter and stay near Neuschwanstein. Here are my top hotel choices: 

If I were you, I would choose a hotel in Garmisch–Partenkirchen, a town about 60 km from Neuschwanstein Castle. I recommend the Hyperion Hotel Garmisch–Partenkirchen, which offers a large pool, nice modern rooms and a breakfast buffet with a great selection. 

Alternatively, Berchtesgaden is a tourist destination in its own right (Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest is just one place you should visit from there). Just FYI, this city is geared towards the well-off crowd, with hotels prices around USD 235 per night. You can check out the hotels in the region here. 

Enjoy sunbathing on the riverbank at Hotel Grünberger in Berchtesgaden
 

Hotel Grünberger lies on the riverbank in Berchtesgaden and offers Alpen-style rooms, sauna and an indoor pool. There is a sunbathing area by the river in front of the hotel, so if you want to get a nice suntan, this is a perfect fit.   

 

The Eagle’s Nest should be on your Germany highlights list (ideally with the hike, too)

 

 

Bonus: How to pronounce Neuschwanstein Castle?

Knowing how to pronounce the names of these two castles should grant you some sort of language certificate @ Hohenschwangau (the yellow, older castle where Ludwig grew up), Neuschwanstein (the white one Ludwig wanted to build for himself)

Before you visit Neuschwanstein Castle, here’s a quick German crash course so you know how to pronounce the name when you’re asking for directions: 

Neuschwanstein wasn’t the original name. While Ludwig II was alive, it was called Neue Burg Hohenschwangau—literally "New Castle Hohenschwangau."

• Neue = new

• Burg = castle (though you’ll often see Schloss for fancier places)

• Hohenschwangau = the nearby town and site of the older castle across the gorge where Ludwig grew up (Tip: an interesting visit as well!)

After Ludwig’s death, the name Neuschwanstein caught on:

• neu = new

• schwan = swan

• stein = stone

I agree “New Swan Stone” doesn’t make much sense—but it’s probably a nod to Wagner’s Swan Knight. More about Wagner’s friendship with Ludwig II below. 

As for pronunciation:
noy·shwun·shtine. Done. You're fluent now.
 

 

You might also be interested in reading:

• One Week in Bavaria Itinerary—An Ultimate Guide

• 1 Day in Dresden: A Detailed Itinerary

• 5 Reasons Why You Have to Visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest

 

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