5 Ways How To Get From Munich To Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany)

Are you wondering about ways how to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany? Visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle has been a childhood dream of mine. I was so ecstatic that it came to fruition during my visit to Munich, Germany.

The Neuschwanstein Castle is truly an iconic symbol not only of Bavaria but also of the whole country of Germany. This popular tourist attraction welcomes visitors from Munich on a daily basis. 

You can reach Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by train, car, bus, tour and private transfer. The road distance between Munich and Neuschwanstein Castle is 128.5 kilometres or 79.84 miles while the direct distance is 110 kilometers or 68 miles. It takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes to travel this distance by car. 

Going to the Neuschwanstein Castle is like stepping into a page of a fairytale book! Good thing this destination is just a short ride away from Munich. Let’s look at all the public and private transportation options that are available.

How to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

OPTION 1: How to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by Train

• Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 3 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £26

Getting on a train is the most common way to reach the Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich. 

You can take the train from Munich but it will not take you straight to the Neuschwanstein Castle. After the train ride, take a bus in order to reach the castle.

Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) and Deutsche Bahn are two train companies that travel from Munich to Füssen. Here is a snapshot of the daily train schedules for this route:

Train from Munich to Füssen

	DEPARTURE	ARRIVAL	DURATION	FARE
Earliest and cheapest trip	9:41 am	11:41 am	2 hours	£23
Fastest trip	8:20 pm	10:18 pm	1 hour 58 minutes	£24
Latest trip	11:20 pm	5:41 am	6 hours 21 minutes	£25

The train departs from Munich Hbf Station and stops at Füssen Station. Most trips are direct, but some will require you to make one to up to three transfers. If you want the most efficient train travel, be mindful when you check the schedule.

You can book your train ticket in advance at Omio. The site will show you all the deals of the moment, including the fastest and cheapest times to help you decide which works best for you.

From Füssen, you have to take a bus and stop at Hohenschwangau Neuschwanstein Castles, Schwangau. The ride will only be short, as Füssen and the Neuschwanstein Castle are just 3.7 kilometers or 2.29 miles away from each other. This journey costs about £3 and lasts for about 5 minutes. 

OPTION 2: How to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by Car

• Travel Duration: about 1 hour and 48 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £87.33

If you wish to drive on your own from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, you can do so. If this is your first time driving in Germany, make sure that you do ample research before committing to driving here. 

Driving your own transport is recommended for those who wish to go beyond Neuschwanstein Castle. This enables you to easily stop at key areas and stay there as long as you wish. Plus, the drive is scenic, so you are sure to have a leisurely drive!

If you need to rent a car for this trip, I suggest you book one in advance through Discover Cars. Their site will give you all the best deals from all the available leading rental car companies so you’re assured of great discounts and a wide array of vehicles to choose from. 

To drive from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, you can follow these instructions:

1. From Munich, head southwest on the A96 Autobahn (München-Lindau) towards Lindau.
2. Continue on the A96 for approximately 110 kilometers or 68 miles until you reach the exit for the B17 towards Füssen.
3. Take the exit onto the B17, following the signs for Füssen.
4. Stay on the B17 for about 19 kilometers or 12 miles until you reach the town of Schwangau.
5. In Schwangau, follow the signs that point you to the Neuschwanstein Castle.

For updates on road closures, weather and traffic conditions, it is wise to recheck the route on the day of your departure. With regards to parking, it can get very tricky when it’s peak tourist season so keep this in mind before renting a car. If ever you secure a spot in Hohenschwangau, the cost starts at £6 per day.

OPTION 3: How to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by Bus

• Travel Duration: about 2 hours and 25 minutes
• Travel Fare: from £14.99

It is possible to do bus transport when you’re coming from Munich to the Neuschwanstein Castle, but it will require you to ride at least two buses. This option is an economical way to travel between the two destinations.

To do so, catch a bus either at Munich ZOB (the central bus station) or at Munich Hauptbahnhof (the main train station.) This is also where you will purchase bus tickets if you did not book online in advance.

The bus will take you to Füssen. FlixBus, ADAC Postbus, and Regionalverkehr Oberbayern service this route. This is a sample timetable courtesy of Flixbus:

Bus from Munich to Füssen

DEPARTURE	ARRIVAL	DURATION	FARE
8:30 am	10:50 am	2 hours 20 minutes	£11.99
8:30 am	11:05 am	2 hours 35 minutes	£11.99
12:15 pm	3:05 pm	2 hours 50 minutes	£11.99

The bus ride is relatively short, and the bus is equipped with Wifi and charging outlets for your convenience. You can stop at either Füssen Pulvertum or Füssen Kemptener Str. 

From here, you have to ride another bus which will take you to the Neuschwanstein Castle. Stop at Hohenschwangau Neuschwanstein Castles, Schwangau which is only about 5 minutes away from Füssen. This leg costs about £3.

OPTION 4: How to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by Tour

• Travel Duration: about 10 hours
• Travel Fare: from £58.91

If you want value for money and utmost convenience, consider joining a tour of the Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich with Get Your Guide. All their tours can be booked in advance online, with lots of variations to check out.

Take this Neuschwanstein Castle tour from Munich as an example. Allot one full day for this activity because there is so much to explore in this part of Germany. You will be riding a train and then a van, passing through charming Füssen and admiring the majestic Bavarian landscapes.

Your professional tour guide will tell you tales that surround this 19th-century castle, including how it has served as an inspiration for the own castle of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. If allowed, you can take a dip at the lake or just choose to immerse in the mesmerising surroundings. 

If you want a Neuschwanstein Castle private tour for your traveling party, it is also possible with Get Your Guide. The cost for a package starts at £980.60 for a group of 7, and this rate includes convenient hotel pickup and dropoff, an experienced tour guide, private transportation in the form of a Volkswagen minivan, and drinking mineral water.

Here are the different packages which you can choose from:

1. Classic Tour package (Linderhof Palace, Oberammergau and Ettal Abbey)
2. Adrenaline Kick Package (Burgenwelten Ehrenberg castle and suspension bridge)
3. 3-Castle Package (Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and the Linderhof Palace)

OPTION 5: How to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle by Private Transfer

• Travel Duration: varies
• Travel Fare: from £515.91 for a group of 7

If you wish to have a vehicle to yourself but are not willing to drive, you can opt for a private transfer instead. This enables you to take full control of your itinerary, including the stops you wish to take along the way.

There are lots of transport companies in Munich that offer private transfers. This one from Viator is good for a group of 7 traveling to see the Neuschwanstein Castle. 

As you explore the castle on your own, the driver will wait for you for up to four hours. This is honestly enough time for you to roam around and have a good feel of the place.

Enjoy an air-conditioned ride equipped with free Wifi and with fees and taxes included. Bear in mind that this does not include the entrance fee to the Neuschwanstein Castle.

If you are alone or just a small group of 3, there are other companies offering a less expensive alternative. Unitransfers, for example, can offer you a Mini economy for the price of £219.34. The vehicle can fit up to 3 passengers, so if you are travelling on your own or as a couple on vacation, this offer is perfect.

More About the Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

• Day 12 of my two-week backpacking itinerary around Europe is dedicated to exploring Neuschwanstein Castle! Visiting this impressive castle is a great way to end your trip. I personally added this to my itinerary because it has been my childhood dream to see the Neuschwanstein Castle in person.

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