Fairytale Castle Tour: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau

Escape the crowds and experience the magic of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles on a private tour from Munich. Discover the fairy tale beauty and immerse yourself in the magnificence of the castles and grounds. Your expert guide will ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience.

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Theresienwiese - After pick-up at your Munich hotel, settle in our new luxurious/comfortable Mercedes- or VW Minivan. We’ll pass the place where King Ludwig I (Ludwig II’s Grandfather), celebrated his wedding more than 200 years ago, which we know today as the Oktoberfest!
  • Starnberger See - 20 min later we reach the impressive Lake Starnberg, also known as the “Dukes lake”. Magnificent villas stretch along the lakeshore, including the summer residences of Sissi, the pretty but unfortunate Empress of Austria. See the spot in the lake where King Ludwig II mysteriously died on June 13, 1886. Learn about the strange relationship between Ludwig and Sissi, and why he didn’t want to marry Sissis younger sister. The only island of the lake (“Roseninsel”) which was in royal possession, too, was the meeting place of Ludwig and Sissi several times…
  • Hohenschwangau - After another hour drive through the beautiful rural Bavarian countryside we approach the range of the Alps and can see the towers of Neuschwanstein at an altitude of about 1000m/3000ft. Soon we will reach the little village of Hohenschwangau which is the starting point for both castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. From your guide you will receive the skip-the-line tickets for NEUSCHWANSTEIN castle and a very detailed map of the surrounding area. He will give you tips on how to spend your stay in the best possible way (e.g. visiting the viewpoint Queen Mary’s bridge, using the shuttle buses or horse-drawn carriages, and where it is best to eat or shop). If you would also like to visit HOHENSCHWANGAU Castle, you will receive information from us immediately after your booking on how to purchase skip-the-line tickets online.
  • Schloss Neuschwanstein - The famous Fairytale Castle NEUSCHWANSTEiN is one of the most popular landmarks of Germany. It captivates visitors from all over the world with its dreamy beauty, inspired by characters from Wagner’s epic operas. You have the option to walk up to the castle, take the shuttle-bus (not during snow and ice) or the horse-drawn carriage –> details see “Additional Info”. The guided tour in Neuschwanstein castle takes approx. 35 min, afterwards you’ll walk for another 15 min through many more rooms by yourself. About the particularities of these rooms you will be well informed by your guide.
  • Marienbrücke - Queen Mary’s bridge (“Marienbrücke”) - THE TOP VIEWPOINT - built in 1866 by King Ludwig II - one of the most famous in the world! It can be easily reached by a shuttle bus (€ 4.00 p.p.) from the parking lot or on a nice 40-minute uphill hike. From the bridge you’ll reach the castle entrance within a 20-minute walk downhill and pass one more magnificent viewpoint! PLEASE NOTE: For departures after 8 a.m., there may be waiting times for both the shuttle bus and access to the bridge! But not far away we can show you another spectacular viewpoint without waiting. In snow and ice, the bridge is not accessible and Neuschwanstein Castle can only be reached on foot or by horse-drawn hybrid carriage.
  • Schloss Hohenschwangau - Just as worth seeing is Hohenschwangau castle, the neo-gothic summer residence of Ludwig II’s father, King Maximilian II. with Ludwig’s spectacular children’s room. For the 45 min guided tour Skip-the-line-tickets can be booked, too - we will inform you after your booking exactly how to do this. (Skip-the-line entrance fee (2024) € 23.50 per person 18 years or older, reduction for children).
  • Pöllat Waterfall - Enjoy views of the spectacular Pöllat waterfall from the Neuschwanstein Castle Courtyard and from the view point Marienbrücke “Queen Mary’s Bridge” (for departures after 8 a.m. waiting times are possible; in case of snow and ice, the bridge is closed). The Pöllat is a 10 km long wild river and rises not far from Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps.
  • Altstadt von Fuessen - (OPTIONAL - Please note that Füssen can only be visited if you book the 11-hour tour length (“XXL-Time credit”) - you will have 25 minutes less time at the other attractions, or if you book the 9.5-hour tour length in exchange for another 25-minute attraction) *

The extremely charming medieval town can look back on a 2,000-year history. As the favourite seat of the Habsburg Emperor Maximilian I, Füssen experienced its first heyday at the beginning of the 16th century; the ‘High Castle’ - one of the best preserved medieval castles in Bavaria - was already decorated in 1499 with unusually rich architectural and illusion paintings. Let yourself be enchanted by the well-preserved city wall, crooked houses and the Italian-looking former monastery complex with its magnificent baroque church during a walk through narrow streets. Enjoy a refreshment in one of the numerous street cafés or the numerous shopping facilities.

  • Mount Tegelberg - (OPTIONAL - If you like to do one of theses attractions, please note the following: 1)It is imperative to inform us about it (e.g. when booking in the field “Special Requirements”) 2) You will have about 60 minutes less time for the other sights, or you will have to do without them in some cases. 3) For the bike tour you are not insured through our company or through the bike rental company) * Keen of further activities?
    On request you can take a private bike ride through the picturesque Bavarian countryside. During an approx. one-hour roundtrip, you can see mountain lakes and a medieval town (perhaps bring your swimsuites). Rental bikes from 20.00 € p.p.
    OR take a cable car ride on one of the Alpine peaks (from 28.50 € up and down).
  • Plansee - For a while we pass Austrian territory on our approx. 50 minutes way to Linderhof palace on a breathtaking drive along the mountain lake Plansee. Depending on the traffic situation or - in winter - if there is a risk of avalanches, we drive a similarly scenic route on the Bavarian side.
  • Schloss Linderhof - (OPTIONAL) - If you have booked the 11 hrs tour, OR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO HOHENSCHWANGAU CASTLE, we would highly recommend the visit of Linderhof Palace, King Ludwig’s smallest but most intimate castle located in a in a secluded Alpine valley with breathtaking french baroque design, spectacular Bavarian trick paintings and the famous “Magic Table” (“Tischlein-deck-Dich”). Let yourself also be enchanted by the baroque palace park, which merges into a landscape park, and where you can admire even more fairytale buildings. * Entrance fee (2024): € 10.00 per adult / Children under 18 are free of charge! *

Please note: The Venus Grotto, located in the gardens of Linderhof, is expected to be closed until 2025 due to restoration work!

  • Oberammergau - Shortly after visiting Linderhof we reach the world-famous Passion Play Village OBERAMMERGAU, where you should accompany your guide on a 20-minute guided tour. Marvel at the partly over 250-year-old murals (“Lüftlmalereien”) as well as the impressive Passion Play Theatre. Take advantage of your subsequent free time to stroll in the historic center, where you will find shops with a huge range of the famous wood carvings, including numerous nativity sets and other enchanting Christmas items.
  • Alpine Coaster - (OPTIONAL - If you like to visit this attraction, please note the following: 1) It is imperative to inform us immediately (e.g. when booking in the field “Special Requirements”)! 2) You will have about 45 minutes less time for the other sights 3) The coaster cannot be reserved; to avoid waiting times, we have to go there first and put Neuschwanstein Castle at the end of the tour. * A cosy chairlift takes you through the magnificent alpine world to a cosy mountain restaurant and to the start of the adventurous ALPINE COASTER at 1,270 m (4.170 ft) altitude: With the 1st world’s longest weatherproof toboggan run with magnetic brakes, you can reach the valley at a length of 2,600 meters (1,6 miles) with breathtaking views and adventurous curves. *
    Open daily with suitable weather from approx. April - October … Prices (2024): Adults: € 16.50/Children 8-15 years: € 12.00 *
  • Ettal Abbey - If you want to see (and understand) another baroque masterpiece concerning church decorations, inserted in a 12-wall domed mediaval hall from the 14th century, you should follow your guide in the Ettal Benedictine monastery near a little passo, just a 5 minutes’ drive away from Oberammergau.
    In the monastery shop you can buy the excellent home-brewed Ettal monastery beer or liqueur.
  • Pilgrimage Church of Wies - Another unforgetable stop will be at one of the overwhelming baroque churches. Your guide will provide you with all the worth knowing information, for example about the very popular Wies-Church, or – what we not recommend less – one of the other churches on the way, which are still “secret tips”, quiet and peaceful far away from the tourist masses. Please note: If we drive over the Lake Plansee route to Linderhof palace or Oberammergau, the Wieskirche cannot be visited, but an equal beautiful baroque church.
What's Included
  • Drive in new and luxurious Mercedes- or VW Minivan (a/c) - only your group participates!
  • Skip-the-Line Ticket Neuschwanstein Castle, even for bookings at short notice
  • No hidden costs!
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Munich (outside of Munich additional costs may apply)
  • Licensed, friendly and passionate Guide
  • Bottled water
What's Not Included
  • Skip-the-Line Hohenschwangau Castle: Adult €23.50 Youth (7-17 years) €13.50 Child (0-6 years): €2.50
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

NEUSCHWANSTEiN, a renowned Fairytale Castle, is Germany’s second most popular tourist spot, attracting 1.5M people annually with its enchanting beauty, influenced by characters from Wagner’s grand operas. However, this popularity has its drawbacks, as the site sees up to 8,000 visitors each day throughout the year.

This excursion provides an exclusive chance to experience the serene allure of both NEUSCHWANSTEiN and HOHENSCHWANGAU without the crowds. Submerge yourself in the grandeur of these castles and their surroundings and let the fairy tale unfold before your eyes!

Your well-informed guide will ensure you have time to appreciate numerous other landmarks, being present and responsive to your inquiries and requirements at all times.

WHY CHOOSE US:

• Rest easy knowing your day is in the hands of a warm and professional tour guide
• Anticipate an unmatched trip package
• Benefit from the perfect balance of leisurely travel and optimizing your valuable holiday time

  • Are you able to walk slightly uphill from the car park to Neuschwanstein castle - approx. 1,5 km/1mile in an hour’s time? If not, we have to calculate additional (waiting-) time for the horse-hybrid carriage or the Shuttle bus (not operating during snow and ice) – Anyway, an approx. 450 meters/0.28 miles uphill walk (up to 15 % slope) or an approx. 500 meters/0.3 miles downhill walk (up to 19 % gradient) from the respective terminal to the entrance of the castle have to be managed in any case! We can accompany you so that you can reach your castle tour in time.
  • In Neuschwanstein Castle itself, a total of 346 stairs (up and down) have to be mastered. If you have a corresponding medical certificate about walking disability or mobility restriction or similar –> please inform us IMMEDIATELY after your booking! <– we can request an exclusive lift service only for you with a maximum of one accompanying person, accompanied by the castle staff. The elevator service is at no extra cost, but (due to fire regulations) the number of tours with this service is very limited and must be reconfirmed by the castle authority.
  • To Hohenschwangau castle there is a carriage service (not in winter season) almost from door-to-door. You have to climb stairs up to the 3rd floor and back (no elevator).
  • In Linderhof castle you have to walk only approx. two times 10 minutes (relatively flat) and in the 30 minutes tour of the castle you have to climb stairs to the first floor.
  • Each castle can be reached also with strollers, but they are not allowed during the tour of the interiors.
  • If you want to reach Neuschwanstein castle by the “breathtaking” hike through the spectacular Gorge (approx. 45 to 60 minutes) on a well-developed path (not suitable for strollers, 1/4 of the distance are stairs), suitable footwear is required (for example hiking boots). In case of unsuitable weather or during maintenance work, the path through the gorge remains closed!
  • Image credit #2 (Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castle) © Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (neuschwanstein(dot)de)#3 (Neuschwanstein castle) © Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (neuschwanstein(dot)de), Photographer: Anton Brandl), #4 (Neuschwanstein throne room) © Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (neuschwanstein(dot)de) #all others: Sightseeing Bavaria Exclusive
Location
Theresienwiese
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(79 Ratings)
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Anurag_s
Aug 12, 2024
An unforgettable experience. Day beautifully spent - A memorable trip all thanks to Karl. He was very understanding and tried to fit in all our interests in the best possible way. Showed us a hidden gem enroute ( a beautiful cathedral with wooden statues and interior which looked like marble). His choice of restaurants was amazing and he also had a decent knowledge about the history of the places. The stop at Plansee was worth a visit.
Review provided by Viator
William_s
Jul 30, 2024
Great Guide for a Tailored Experience - First, Stefan, our guide, was fantastic and had a positive impact on our overall experience. We were picked up promptly from the hotel. Stefan was so knowledgeable about the culture and history of the region that the drive from Munich to the castles was entertaining in itself. We also got great tips about our overall trip that we learned a few things that helped us along the way. For anyone traveling with kids, he was great with the kids and kept them engaged along the way, remaining flexible to take us to the alpine coaster which everyone really enjoyed. If you want to do Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau (or Linderhof), this is the tour to take. It's tailored to your interests and will learn a lot more than going alone or in a large group.
Review provided by Viator
Vanessamh4665jw
Jun 30, 2024
Convenient - Very convenient pick up from hotel to the castle and drop off. Guide was courteous and on time. It’s a long day so recommend this over trying to figure this out yourself especially with kids
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Khang_t
Jun 23, 2024
Great tour. - We had a great day with Stefan. He was very knowledgeable and pleasant. The castle was beautiful. We highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
John_s
Jun 18, 2024
Would do it all over again! - What an excellent tour. Stefan had everything planned out according to the selections we had made for this tour. It was all timed perfectly. We got to see and go through 3 castles and all the surrounding area. We made a stop in Oberammergau and visited one of the wood carvers and saw some of the most amazing carvings. Stefan even put us in the perfect restaurant for lunch that had fantastic food. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone. We had 8 members of our family on this tour and everyone couldn't be more pleased.
Review provided by Viator
Redia_friendia
May 25, 2024
It was simply amazing. - I went there on a day trip from Munich. I took a bus from Fussen station to the base of the castle. From there I took a horse-drawn carriage to right in front of the castle. It was a truly beautiful castle. I'm sure people all over the world have seen photos of the long view from Marienbrücke, but when I actually went there and saw the real thing from that scary high suspension bridge, I felt that it was amazing in a way that couldn't be compared to the photos.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kittenlover2015
May 21, 2024
2 castles in one day - We left from Munich. Stopped first at Linderhof castle. Then went on to Cinderella’s castle. It was a full day of sightseeing and driving. Maria was our driver. She did a great job of accommodation and it was a pleasure to be with her. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O3053iqrachelh
May 13, 2024
A flexible tour experience. - My husband and I took this tour as part of our Honeymoon trip, and we had a fantastic experience! Stefan was great! He was very informative about the history of Bavaria, the sights we were seeing, and local trivia. I would highly recommend doing a private tour to see Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau as you will be able to take in the sights at your own pace (and not having to worry about purchasing the ticket to Neuschwanstein yourself is an added perk). If you want to go into Hoenschwangau and/or Linderhof you will need to purchase tickets. Tickets to Hoenschwangau need to be purchased in advance, but you can wait to purchase Linderhof tickets till the day of at the ticket office of the palace if you decide you want to see it. We went to all three palaces, and I am glad we did as we got to see three very different structures. Alongside the three palaces, we were able to see the lake where Ludwig II and his psychiatrist were found dead, Oberammergau, and Ettal Abbey. The views of the Alps were stunning, and we were able to enjoy them peacefully. This tour was a fantastic end to our Honeymoon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Liliana_b
Apr 20, 2024
Best private tour! - We have an excellent guide, Thomas, who was very attentive to our needs. We had elderlies in our group and he made sure the experience was smooth. Stefan, also was very helpful and he has made sure our parents could take the lift ride in the castle (we informed him ahead that our parents had difficulties walking). Definitely the best!
Review provided by Viator
Shannon_b
Dec 25, 2023
Fantastic day! - This was a wonderful tour! Throughout the drive, Stefan shared the history of the castles and surrounding areas making the actual castle tours more meaningful. The van was very comfortable and timing of the stops was just right, including the lunch reservations. Starting early (7:30am) did get us ahead of the crowds at Neuschwanstein as stated - definitely glad we followed this recommendation. The walk up the road to Neuschwanstein was a bit of a workout but pretty cool - Stefan provided detailed information about the walk and accessing the castle entrance which made the experience stress free. We also toured Linderhof Palace - I loved it! We visited the quaint village of Oberammergau, where I bought a few wood carved items in a local shop, plus Ettal Abbey, and a few other quick stops along the way. Overall, we truly enjoyed the day and would absolutely recommend it. Thank you Stefan for a fantastic day!
Review provided by Viator
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