Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the world’s most famous and iconic castles. Once you see it in person, you understand why it inspired so many stories and fairy tales. So here’s the ultimate Neuschwanstein Castle travel blog.

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Most people visit Neuschwanstein Castle as a day trip from Munich, but there’s enough to do here for it to rank as one of the best weekend getaways from Munich. This will give you time to explore the castle grounds, and you’ll enjoy an evening and morning without the day trip crowds.

Here’s the ultimate Neuschwanstein Castle travel blog!

When To Go

June – August is the peak travel season, so be prepared for high prices and crowds. Book your accommodation and tours as early as possible to save money and ensure availability. Summer has warm daytime temperatures in the 80s, but the evenings are cooler, so bring a light jacket.

September and October are shoulder months. Temperatures will be pleasant during the day and cool in the mornings and evenings. The crowds will have thinned, and the castle’s village will be celebrating Oktoberfest. Plus, the fall foliage will be beautiful in the Bavarian countryside.

November – March is the off-season when you can have the castle practically to yourself. Snow is common from November – March, so bring your warmest layers and sturdiest boots. Many tour companies, shops, and restaurants in the village close or have limited hours during these months. The castle is open, but many parts of the grounds (including the Marienbrücke bridge) are closed because of ice.

April and May are shoulder months when wildflowers and warmer temperatures attract visitors again. Daytime highs range from the 40s – 70s, so you’ll want layers. Rain is common during these months, so always have a rain jacket.

Getting Around

The easiest way to get to Neuschwanstein Castle is by driving. If you bring your own car, you’ll need to pay for parking. If you’re visiting Neuschwanstein on a self-guided trip, you can rent a car or schedule a taxi or shuttle ride from Munich.

If you want to do a group tour of Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich, check out these day trip options:

There are three ways to get around Neuschwanstein Castle in the Spring, Summer, and Fall: horse-drawn carriages, walking, and shuttle buses. If the winter, you have to walk everywhere. So be prepared for a solid hour-long walk uphill to the castle from where you’ll park in the village.

I recommend avoiding horse-drawn carriages. They’re the most expensive mode of transportation, require cash, have long lines, and aren’t a very ethical choice for the animals.

You should take the shuttle bus (you can pay with a card or cash at a booth in the village) to the top of the castle and then walk down back to the town.

What To Do

I recommend arriving as early as possible to maximize your time and beat some of the crowds.

Walk across the Marienbrücke bridge (away from the castle) and hike the trail to at least the first viewpoint.

Tour the inside of the castle. You’ll need to buy a timed entry ticket, and I recommend getting this ticket as far in advance as possible to get the time you want. To be honest, I was underwhelmed by the interior of the castle. You can’t take pictures and can only visit a few rooms. If I had it to do over, I’d have spent more time outside the castle exploring the grounds.

Hike one of the trails around the castle.

Shop in the town.

Walk up to Hohenschwangau Castle to escape some of the crowds and enjoy incredible views of Neuschwanstein Castle.

Take a paddle boat out on Lake Alpsee.

Have breakfast or dinner at a local restaurant (you’ll save A LOT of time and money by having a picnic or quick lunch).

Tour the Museum of the Bavarian Kings.

Where To Eat

The town at the base of Neuschwanstein Castle (where you’ll park) has many restaurants ranging from cheap, quick eats to fine dining. There are also food stands near the castle’s entrance and along the walking path between the castle and the town.

If you want a sit-down meal, I recommend breakfast or dinner to avoid the lunch crowds. And for lunch, I recommend grabbing food from a take-out stand and having a picnic next to the lake, castle, or one of the many viewpoints.

Where To Stay

Neuschwanstein Castle has one on-site hotel, the AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa. This historic hotel will let you enjoy (and view) Neuschwanstein Castle differently than most people experience. But it books up FAST, so make your reservations as early as possible.

The nearby town of Fuessen also has fabulous hotels for a getaway to Neuschwanstein Castle!

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This Neuschwanstein Castle travel blog is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this Neuschwanstein Castle travel blog are entirely my own. Some of the links in this Neuschwanstein Castle travel blog are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this Neuschwanstein Castle travel blog.