The visit to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles is the most popular organised day trip from Munich. Offered by various tour companies, the „castle tour“ takes visitors to two of the top sights in Bavaria as well as (depending on the tour you book) to the village of Oberammergau. All of these places are within a roughly 2-hour drive from Munich. A day trip will really take all day, typically departing from central Munich before 9 AM and returning at some point after 6 PM.
In case you are wondering whether you should book this tour, read on for some insights into what you can expect to see and do during this tour. I am also comparing the different options you have for visiting the castles – i.e., by tour, train or car.
Why should you trust me? Because I’m one of the tour guides leading the castle tour.
What Castles Does the Tour Go to?
The tour typically goes to two famous Bavarian castles: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof.
Both were built by Bavarian King Ludwig II in the second half of the 19th century. Ludwig II ascended to the throne in 1864 at the ripe old age of 18 years, after the sudden death of his father, King Maximilian II.
As ever, history is very complex. In highly simplified terms, Ludwig lost a lot of power after Bavaria lost a war against Prussia in 1866. His disappointment about this situation, in combination with his admiration of all things medieval, led him to retreat to the mountains more and more. He increasingly threw himself into the construction of a series of castles across the foothills of the Alps.
What is Neuschwanstein?
Neuschwanstein castle is one of Germany’s and Europe’s top tourist attraction. In the summer, it sees 6,000 or more visitors per day. The castle sits on a rocky outcrop above the village of Hohenschwangau, surrounded by mountains. It is very, very scenic.
Just across the valley is the Hohenschwangau castle, where Ludwig mostly lived as a child. He knew the area well, also because his mother, Queen Marie, took him and his brother Otto hiking in the mountains. Marie was an accomplished hiker and mountain climber at a time when not a lot of people went hiking at all and it would have been considered very strange for a royal – especially a woman! – to be out on foot.
Ludwig envisioned Neuschwanstein as a medieval knight’s castle; however, one that would have all the mod-cons. For instance, the first-ever Bavarian telephone was installed in the castle!
All in all, Ludwig spent 172 nights at Neuschwanstein, which he was planning as his very private, very remote retreat. No outsider was to ever set foot in the castles – and certainly no tourists.
After Ludwig’s death in 1886, construction was stopped. Large parts of the castle therefore remain unfinished and closed to the public. The castle was opened to visitors shortly after Ludwig’s passing.
For further information, see my article Neuschwanstein Castle Travel Guide.
What is Linderhof?
The palace of Linderhof is about a 60-minute drive from Neuschwanstein. It goes back to a royal hunting lodge that Ludwig’s father Maximilian II built.
Ludwig, inspired by the French court, initially sought to build a replica of the Versailles palace. Alas, he had to accept that an Alpine valley was not the best place for a sprawling palace. So he settled for a royal villa with Versaille-style elements in the Baroque-Rokoko style instead.
Linderhof is the only one of his castles that was finished. Ludwig spent much more time here than at Neuschwanstein. It eventually became his primary residence and is considered his favorite castle.
Visiting the Castles‘ Interior
The interior of both castles can only be accessed on a guided tour. You cannot explore the interior on your own. The tours are quite short: roughly 30 minutes for Neuschwanstein and roughly 25 minutes for Linderhof.
Tours guided by humans are delivered in German and English. In Linderhof, you can get a booklet with translations into other languages. In Neuschwanstein, other languages are delivered via a handheld audio guide.
Tours in both castles take a lot of people and start every five minutes. So don’t show up expecting solitude, or time to linger and reminisce!
Before or after your tour, respectively if you don’t want to visit the interior, there is plenty to do. In Linderhof, you can visit the gardens (open in the summer). Neuschwanstein doesn’t have gardens, but you can walk to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge), a bridge over a gorge that gives you a great view of the castle. The bridge and path are also open in the summer only.
Both sites have toilets, gift shops and a café. At Neuschwanstein, the castle toilets are inside the castle, so you need a ticket to access them.
Accessibility Concerns
Linderhof and Neuschwanstein were built when Ludwig was a fit young king in his 30s. He did not have tourists with mobility issues in mind when he designed the sites.
At Linderhof, you have to complete a short uphill walk from the parking lot to the ticket office, followed by a walk of 8-10 minutes to the palace itself. Inside, you have to go up one flight of stairs, and back down again at the end of the tour.
At Neuschwanstein, you have to walk uphill for 30-45 minutes to reach the castle entrance. There are horse carriages and shuttle buses (extra charge), but neither of them will drop you off at the entrance.
Once inside the castle, lots of steps await (around 165 up first, around 180 down later). Then it’s another 20+ minutes back downhill to the village.
If that is an issue for you, you might want to consider staying in the village and visiting the Museum of the Bavarian Kings or walking along the lake instead.
Of the two, I would say Linderhof is the physically less demanding site.
In both places, paths can be icy and slippery in the winter, especially when there is snow on the ground.
Wheelchair Users
Yes, it is possible to visit the castles with a wheelchair. Please view the information for Neuschwanstein and for Linderhof.
However, you cannot rock up spontaneously. All wheelchair visits must be registered with the castle at least three weeks in advance. This is because a staff member must be with you at all times.
Even in a wheelchair, you cannot drive a car/taxi to the castle entrance.
Are Entrance Tickets Included in the Day Trip?
Depends. The higher the tour price, the more likely it is that your tickets are included. On private tours, they will typically be included. But do check carefully.
What If Tickets Are Not Included?
If tickets are not included, you can buy them from your tour operator during the booking process or as you are on your way to the castles.
In fact, buy them only from your tour operator! Don’t buy your own tickets online and then join a tour. You don’t know when your tour will arrive at the castle, but your ticket will be issued for a very specific starting time. If you arrive at the wrong time, you will lose your ticket. No refund, no rebooking.
All the tour companies have a sufficient number of tickets reserved. After you leave Munich, your guide will collect payment from you, and then hand you your tickets as you arrive at the sites.
Must I Buy Tickets?
No, of course not. There is no obligation to buy a ticket at all.
A Typical Neuschwanstein Day Trip Itinerary (Coach)
Typically, the tour to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof will go something like this:
- departure from Munich
- commentary from your guide along the way about the programme and the area
- guide collects payment for tickets while on the road (if you want to visit the castles‘ interior)
- upon arrival at Linderhof, the entire group (including people who don’t want to enter the site) walks to the ticket office
- your guide collects the tickets and then announces the departure time for your group
- you go on your castle tour or explore the gardens and gift shop on your own
- at the designated time, the bus departs from Linderhof
- drive through the village of Oberammergau, where your guide will point out the fresco-style paintings
- upon arrival at Hohenschwangau, your guide will collect the Neuschwanstein castle tickets and announce the departure time to the entire group
- there will be time for lunch (own expense) – Hohenschwangau has several local restaurants as well as food trucks/kiosks selling fast food (no buffet restaurants, McDonald’s or Starbucks)
- you typically make your own way up to the castle (or do whatever else you want to do)
- after the castle visit, drive back to Munich
Some tours might go to Neuschwanstein first.
Tour Language
Unless stated otherwise, expect all live commentary on the bus to be in English. This is simply the lingua franca and the majority of tourists come from English-speaking countries. Your guide will likely speak other languages as well, but s/he cannot share all information in multiple languages.
Busses may have an audio system where recorded commentary is playing in other languages (subject to availability). This commentary is not a live translation of what the guide might be talking about.
Special Tours
VIP/Premium Tour
The VIP or Premium tour is quite a bit more expensive and essentially runs the same itinerary as above. However, there are far fewer people on the bus. Drinks and snacks are included. The bus stops in Oberammergau for you to walk around and possibly do some souvenir shopping. Your guide can recommend the best shops.
Tours to Hohenschwangau Only
Certain tours skip Linderhof and only spend time in the village of Hohenschwangau. Besides Neuschwanstein, they may include a visit to Hohenschwangau castle, which belonged to Ludwig’s parents (by guided tour only, ca. 45 minutes). These tours typically depart from Munich a bit later and spend less total time on the road. So you may find the pace more relaxed.
A Tour Guide’s Pro Tips
- Arrive at the tour departure point early. If the company is operating multiple buses to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, the first one will leave once it’s full. This will make things a little more relaxed during the day.
- Sit on the lower deck of the bus if you are prone to motion sickness.
- Bring a sandwich or snacks and skip a sit-down lunch if you would like to make the most of your time in the village of Hohenschwangau.
- Do not underestimate how busy the place will be. Visitor numbers have really shot up in recent years. Especially in the summer, Neuschwanstein will be buzzing with people. This may cause long lines for everything.
- Give Linderhof a chance, too. This castle is totally different from Neuschwanstein, but no less impressive.
- If you have mobility issues, do consider staying in the village and enjoying the sights from there.
Pros and Cons for Visiting the Castles …
… by Coach
Most castles tours use coaches. A coach tour gives you a comfortable ride, a guide, a guaranteed ticket even if you book last-minute. Coaches typically have a toilet on board and beverages (free or for a small charge).
The downside is that the groups can be large (70+ people per coach) and that your time at the sites will be limited. E.g., Linderhof has a beautiful park that you won’t really be able to explore. You will not have time for the venus grotto, either.
During the tour, due to time constraints, you might feel rushed and yes, you will be spending a lot of time on the bus. Also, departure times will not be flexible. If you are late, in the worst case, the bus will not wait for you.
Alternative: Get a private tour and discuss before booking just how much time you want to spend in each place. Or, even better, spend a night in the area. See my guide on How to Visit Romantic Road and Neuschwanstein On Your Own for details.
… by Train
Some operators run day trips by train. These tours, which also guarantee admission, only visit Neuschwanstein – there is no train between Linderhof and Neuschwanstein. You might therefore have more time to spend in the village of Hohenschwangau, where you can explore Hohenschwangau castle (by guided tour, ca. 45 minutes), the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, or lake Alpsee. Do check the tour itinerary for details.
You can also take the train to visit Neuschwanstein on your own. The train ride from Munich to Füssen is about 2-2.5 hours. From the station, you will have to catch a bus to Hohenschwangau in order to get to Neuschwanstein. See my guide on How to Visit Romantic Road and Neuschwanstein On Your Own for details.
… by Private Tour
The most convenient way to visit the castles is by means of a private tour, where you have your own vehicle and guide. It might leave more room for personal exploration, either in the village or along the way. It’s also the priciest option. If you have the money, go for it.
… by Self-Drive
Yes, you can drive yourself. But should you?
I would say if you are doing a road trip of Germany and you want to spend some time in the foothills of the Alps, then yes. Just make sure to plan ahead, book your tickets and accommodation in advance, etc. See my guide on How to Visit Romantic Road and Neuschwanstein On Your Own for details.
However, if you are looking to rent a car in Munich for the day just to go to the castles, I would say spare yourself the hassle. Neuschwanstein is always busy. Especially in the high season, it gets extremely busy. Parking is a nightmare, as can be finding your way around. Plus, you need to book your tickets well in advance.
Just get a tour. It will make your life so much easier.
Common Complaints About the Castle Tour
If you take a tour, anywhere, there is always a risk that you will end up disappointed. So let’s look at a few possible complaints concerning the day trip to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof from Munich.
„Too much driving“
Oh, absolutely. You will spend a lot of time on the bus during the castle tour. That is due to where Linderhof and Neuschwanstein are located relative to Munich. Please check a map.
Approximate driving times are:
- Munich to Linderhof resp. Neuschwanstein: 1.5-2 hours
- Linderhof to Neuschwanstein: 80 minutes
So you’re looking at five hours or more of driving on your day tour. Especially the return to Munich could take longer if traffic is heavy.
If you don’t like the prospect, go it alone and spend the night in the area. See my guide on How to Visit Romantic Road and Neuschwanstein On Your Own for details and a suggested itinerary.
„XYZ was closed/not operating“
This is really a complaint about the site, not the tour. Your tour company does not own the site and therefore has no sway over what areas and facilities will be accessible and what services will be operating. For instance, in the winter, the Linderhof gardens and grotto are closed. So is Mary’s Bridge – for safety reasons. The Neuschwanstein shuttle bus may not be operating, either. That’s just the way it is.
If a particular aspect of the tour is of utmost importance to you, contact the tour operator before booking to enquire if they will be available. (If using Viator, GetYourGuide or another booking platform, you will find the name of the operator somewhere in the tour description.)
But remember – anything can be closed at any time for any reason. Of course the bridge will be closed if there are safety concerns, even if the weather is perfect. This is not the tour company’s fault.
„Guided tours are too short“
That is something I personally agree with. I think the guided tours in the castles are much too short, and take far too many people. But again, that is not the tour company’s fault. The Bavarian Castle Administration, which manages Linderhof and Neuschwanstein, made that decision.
If you want to see the interior of the castles, you will have to live with that.
„Too crowded“
True again. But what do you expect? You are at one of Germany’s top tourist destinations. For a less crowded royal experience closer to Munich, go to the Schleißheim palace.
„Too expensive“
Value for money is a very personal concept. But let’s remember a few things.
On a tour, you are paying for comfort and convenience. The tour company is a business, not a charity. It has expenses, too: for the driver, the guide, the vehicle, the staff doing the behind-the-scenes organising, the parking, gas, marketing etc. (Booking platforms such as Get Your Guide, Viator etc., typically charge at least 25 % commission.) And last but not least, you are going on a non-essential trip to a high-demand tourist location. Why would anyone give the trip away below cost?
Consider what „value“ means to you, and whether you think the tour price is well spent. If not, find something else to do – there are loads of cheaper options in and around Munich. Check my list of 15 Great Day Trips from Munich for inspiration.
„Tour company overcharges for entry tickets“
True, if you buy your entry tickets from your tour guide, you will pay more than at the ticket office. If you individually buy your tickets online, you will also pay more than at the ticket office – because a booking fee of €2.50 is applied to each ticket. Your tour company also charges its own processing fee. But at least you are guaranteed a ticket even in high season if you book on short notice.
Again, it’s the price you pay for convenience.
If you don’t want to pay the surcharge, you have two options. One, don’t go into the castles. Two, try your own luck at the ticket window. Your tour guide will be unhappy and you may end up with no ticket (extremely likely in high season), but if you’re lucky, you will pay less. Though one might argue that saving something like €8 for Neuschwanstein isn’t going to make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.
Happy travels!
Visit Information for Neuschwanstein and Linderhof
Before visiting, make sure you read up on opening hours, guided tours etc.
- Opening Hours & Guided Tours Neuschwanstein
- Admission & Tickets Neuschwanstein
- Opening Hours and Guided Tours Linderhof
- Admission Fees Linderhof
- Further Properties of the Bavarian Castle Administration
More Neuschwanstein Resources
- Neuschwanstein Castle Travel Guide
- Best Photo Spots
- All About Mary’s Bridge
- Neuschwanstein Tickets
- 10 Mistakes to Avoid
- Is Neuschwanstein Worth it? Honest Review
- FAQs for First-Time Visitors
- How to Visit Romantic Road and Neuschwanstein On Your Own