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How to Get From Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle Without a Car (3)

Fairytales are real.

All you need is one look at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, and you’ll fully accept fairies and dragons to wander out from the forest and say hi.

There’s a reason it’s the known inspiration behind Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. You can easily imagine Maleficent twisting herself around the building and breathing hellfire into the forest to thwart Prince Phillip’s advance.

It’s pure magic and one of the many, many reasons I think Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the best day trips from Munich.

I’d go back in a heartbeat again and again!

In fact, I think staying in the town near the castle next time would be something out of my childhood daydreams. Imagine having the forest and castle grounds all to yourself after the daily visitors have left…

To quote our lord and saviour, Lizzie Mcquire: “This is what dreams are made of!”

Want to follow in my footsteps and explore castles in Germany but without the hassle of renting a car and driving on the wrong side of the road?

I’ve got you covered!

Here’s everything you need to know to plan a flawless day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein – no car required!

How to Get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich

Neuschwanstein Castle is located 120 km southwest of Munich, near the charming town of Füssen. If you’re driving, it takes about 2 hours, and public transport doesn’t take much longer (2 hours and 10 minutes), which is why I think it’s worth ditching the fuel guzzler for the day.

That said, you’re going to be doing A LOT of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare yourself for steep inclines.

Ready? Let’s get you on a train to Neuschwanstein Castle!

Option 1: By Train & Bus

The train from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle (plus the local bus ride) is the easiest and cheapest way to reach your destination.

…But it’s a multi-leg journey, so pay attention.

Step 1: Take The Train From Munich to Füssen (2 hours)

Check the daily timetable on the DB website: There is only one direct train every two hours, and you’ll want to take the earliest departure at 9:52 am to have enough time to explore the castle before making your way back to Munich.
Buy the Bayern Ticket: It costs €32 for unlimited regional travel in Bavaria for a day. It will cover you for the two regional trains and the local bus ride to Neuschwanstein. Trust, you’ll save more money than buying each ticket separately. You can buy it online or
Good to Know: The Bayern Ticket is only valid after 9 am on weekdays. On weekends, it’s valid from midnight onwards, which means you can take an earlier train.

Tip: If you’re visiting with friends, the Bayern Ticket is the best deal. It covers train and bus travel for €34 for two people and then only €8 for each additional person (up to five people).

Step 2: Take The Bus From Füssen to Hohenschwangau (10-Minutes)

Take The Bus From Füssen to Hohenschwangau

Exit the Füssen Train Station: You’ll see the local bus stop, and you’ll want to take bus #73 (direction Steingaden / Garmisch-Partenkirchen) or #78 (direction Schwangau). There are going to be plenty of other people heading in the same direction as you, making it super easy to figure out where to go.
Cost: €5 or free if you’ve got your Bayern ticket.

Step 3: Make Your Way to The Castle

Once in the town of Hohenschwangau, you have two options:

Grab a beer and something to eat.
Make your way up to the castle on foot or with public transport.

If you need to get your steps in for the day, it’s a 40-minute uphill walk (not for the faint of heart). Not looking to work up a sweat? I feel you. There are shuttle buses for €3.50 (round trip) or you can live out your best princess life and take a horse-drawn carriage up to the castle for €8.

You’ll find the shuttle bus departure point by walking up the main street from Parkplatz P3 on Google Maps towards Parkplatz P4. You’ll see the ticket office and a line of people waiting to board the next shuttle bus.

shuttle bus location for Neuschwanstein Castle

There is a small snag, though.

Both transport options only take you so far. You’ll still need to walk from the drop-off point, up the hill, to reach the entrance. Now, aren’t you glad you’re wearing comfortable shoes?

…Aaaand you’re done! Welcome to the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle!

IMPORTANT: The last regional train back to Munich leaves at 6:06 pm. You can get ones that leave later, but these aren’t regional trains, and your Bayern ticket won’t get you a free ride.

For the most iconic view of Neuschwanstein Castle, hike to Marienbrücke. It’s the viewpoint you’ve seen all over Instagram, and it’s even more beautiful IRL. You’ll see signs when you get off the shuttle pointing you in the right direction as well as the long line of other travellers heading in the same direction.

Tip: The bridge gets crowded. Go early in the morning or late afternoon for the best photos.

Option 2: Book a Guided Tour to Neuschwanstein Castle

lauren standing in front of Neuschwanstein Castle view point

Don’t want to pleb it out on public transport or shell out Euros for a car? Then, a guided tour to Neuschwanstein from Munich is your best option.

There are plenty of options on GetYourGuide that include pickup and drop off at your hotel, and you’ll get to see a few other castles in Germany, like Linderhof.

So why didn’t I take this option?

I’m honestly not always the biggest fan of guided tours. It really depends on what I want out of the travel experience.

For this day trip to Neuschwanstein, I wanted to spend as much time as possible with the castle. Unfortunately, guided tours have you on a tight schedule (especially the multi-stop ones), and that was a hard pass for me.

But if you want to explore as much of Bavaria as possible and you’re short on time, here are some guided Neuschwanstein day trip tours to check out:

Tip: Book a tour that includes skip-the-line tickets. Neuschwanstein is one of the most visited castles in Europe, and wait times can be up to 2 hours in peak season!

Neuschwanstein Castle Tickets & Entry Tips

While the grounds and viewpoints of Neuschwanstein Castle are free to explore, you’ll need a ticket if you want to go inside the castle.

There is also a limit on tickets each day. I highly recommend buying yours in advance to avoid the long lines in person and disappointment.

…But if you’re only coming for the views and you’ve seen the inside of European castles before and it’s not something you’re impressed with, don’t feel like you need to get a ticket. It’s definitely something more for the history buffs.

The tour is also audio, and you’re shuffled from room to room. It’s nothing groundbreaking or once-in-a-lifetime (in my opinion).

2025 Ticket Prices for Neuschwanstein Castle

Adults: €23.50
Seniors: €22.50
Students: Free with ID

Where to Buy Tickets:

Official website (best option): www.hohenschwangau.de
Ticket centre in Hohenschwangau (but expect long queues)
Included with most guided tours on GetYourGuide

Final Tips for Your Neuschwanstein Day Trip

One more thing I want to add is that Neuschwanstein is totally safe for solo female travellers.

There will always be other people around going in the same direction. That said, don’t wander off with anyone new, especially when you’re hiking to the viewpoint in the forest. Stick to the main path everyone else is on, and you’ll be alright.

With everyone being a traveller, it’s super easy to get photos from strangers (someone is bound to ask you to take their photo anyway).

If you’re not sure how to set up your shots for strangers or how to take photos alone, my solo travel photography guide is your new BFF.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this guide to your Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle day trip! Got any more questions? Hit ya gurl up in the comments below!

How to Get From Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle Without a Car

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