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How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle
By Car
Füssen is easily accessible by train and car. It is well-connected to major cities in Germany, such as Munich and Stuttgart, via the A7 Autobahn (highway). The drive through the Bavarian countryside is picturesque, so be sure to enjoy the scenic route. You will want to take the A7 highway (direction Ulm-Kempten-Füssen) until the end. From Füssen, first, follow the road B17 to Schwangau, then signs to Hohenschwangau. Of course, using a GPS is also going to be extremely helpful. The village of Hohenschwangau has only private parking facilities. And suppose you’re taking the train (DB Bahn). In that case, you must take the train to Füssen, then the bus to Neuschwanstein (stop “Hohenschwangau Neuschwanstein castles, Schwangau”).
Parking at Neuschwanstein Castle:
Once you arrive in the vicinity of Neuschwanstein Castle, you’ll find parking options in the village of Hohenschwangau. There are designated parking lots available, including P4 and P5. These parking lots are well-signposted, making them easy to locate. Please note that parking can be limited during the peak tourist seasons, so it’s advisable to arrive early in the day to secure a spot. The path to the castle starts in the village of Hohenschwangau, and this is also your last opportunity to park. (insert a map) Parking is straightforward and allows you to walk around a little bit through the village of Hohenschwangau.
Shuttle Bus to the Castle or Horse-Drawn Carriage
After parking, you have the option to take a shuttle bus (Königliche Kristall-Therme shuttle) or a lovely horse-drawn carriage to the castle’s entrance. The shuttle service is convenient and efficient, allowing you to avoid the uphill walk. The departure point for the shuttle bus is located at the parking lot P4. Because of the space limitations, the buses cannot be driven right up to the castle but go via Bleckenaustraße to the Jugend lookout point (Marienbrücke) above the castle. From here there is a downhill walk of about 500 meters or 10-15 minutes to the castle entrance. The price is 3 euros uphill, 2 euros downhill and 3.50 euros for a return trip. Tickets can be purchased on the bus.
Horse-drawn carriages offer a scenic ride to the castle entrance. You will immediately see them in front of Hotel Müller, where you can also grab a delicious cup of hot cocoa or coffee. And just like the shuttle bus, because of space limitations, the carriages cannot go right up to the castle. From the carriage turning area beneath the castle, it is an uphill walk of about 450 metres or 10-15 minutes to the castle entrance. The tickets can be bought from the carriage driver and cost 8 euros uphill and 4 euros downhill. Reservations are unfortunately not possible.
By Foot
By foot, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to walk from the ticket center to the castle. It’s around 1.5 km on a steep uphill road. I must say, it was a great exercise. I was definitely sore the next day.
Train to Füssen
From Munich, you can catch a regional train (RE) or an interCity Express (ICE) train to Füssen, Germany. The journey provides breathtaking views of the Bavarian landscape along the way. Information on train routes can easily be found on www.bahn.com.
Bus to Hohenschwangau
Upon arriving at Füssen’s train station, you can hop on a bus that will take you to the village of Hohenschwangau, where both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles are located. The bus ride is short, and the bus stop is conveniently situated near the station.
Editor: Hi! I’m Allie, and welcome to my travel blog. Born and raised in Texas and moved to Germany 8 years ago on a quest for self-discovery. Follow me on this great adventure as I’ll be your trusted travel guide, sharing my experiences, insights, and tips from my journeys around the globe.