Hohenschwangau Castle at a glance
Hohenschwangau stands on a hill above the village of the same name, a few minutes from the Ticket Center and the Alpsee. It is first mentioned in the 12th century as Burg Schwanstein and was the seat of the Knights of Schwangau until the 16th century. The Napoleonic wars left it badly damaged.
Crown Prince Maximilian, later King Maximilian II, bought the ruin in 1832 and had it rebuilt in neo-Gothic style between 1833 and 1837. It became the summer and hunting residence of the royal family, and its walls carry more than 90 murals. Ludwig II grew up here and learned many of the legends he later built into Neuschwanstein from these paintings. Unlike Neuschwanstein, the castle belongs to the Wittelsbach Compensation Fund, not to the state.
Is Hohenschwangau worth visiting too?
Short answer: yes, if you have the time and the interest. No, if your day is already tight. Here is how we would decide.
Worth it if you have half a day more
The Ticket Center estimates three to four hours for the King's Ticket, which covers both castles. If you are already in the village, the second tour fits in without another journey.
Worth it for the family story
Neuschwanstein shows Ludwig's dream. Hohenschwangau shows where the dream began: the childhood home, the murals and the family that shaped him. The two tours complement each other.
Castle facts →Skip it if time is short
Neuschwanstein is the one most visitors come for. If you only have a few hours, spend them on its tour, the walk and the Marienbrücke first.
Marienbrücke →Skip the interior if you need step-free access
There is no lift, so the tour is not possible for wheelchair users. The courtyard and garden are open without a ticket, so you can still see the outside.
If you are undecided, look at the courtyard and garden first. They are open without a ticket, and you can decide on the tour afterwards.
Our picks: tours that start in Hohenschwangau
Useful if you are already in the village and have no castle ticket.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Guided visit with reserved castle tickets
Meet in Hohenschwangau. Includes a reserved entry for the official castle tour, an English-speaking guide, and the shuttle bus and carriage when they run. The official ticket alone costs €21 plus €2.50 online.
Check availability →
Castle ticket with guided walk up and shuttle
A guide takes you from Hohenschwangau to the entrance, inside you use an audio guide. The shuttle bus to the Marienbrücke is included when it runs.
Check availability →
Castle ticket with audio guide
A ticket for a fixed entry time with an audio guide, no guide in person. Costs more than the official €21 ticket, but can help when the official shop is sold out. Parking, shuttle and carriage are extra.
Check availability →Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau tours
Day trips from Munich and guided tours that include the royal castles, with live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Hohenschwangau tickets and prices 2026
Prices apply from 1 January 2026. The online shop adds €2.50 per ticket.
| Ticket | Adult | Reduced | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hohenschwangau only | €23.50 | €19.50 | €12 (7 to 17), under 7 free |
| King's Ticket (Neuschwanstein + Hohenschwangau) | €43.50 | €38.50 | €12 (7 to 17) |
| Prince's Ticket (Neuschwanstein + Museum of the Bavarian Kings) | €33.50 | €31.50 | Free |
| Wittelsbach Ticket (Hohenschwangau + museum) | €36 | €31 | €12 |
| Swan Ticket (all three) | €56 | €50 | €12 |
Reduced prices apply to seniors from 65, students, people with a severe disability and holders of an Ostallgäu guest card or the KönigsCard, with proof. Combination tickets are valid for one day and carry a booking fee of €5 for two sites or €7.50 for three. Buying the King's Ticket instead of two single adult tickets saves €1 per adult. Our ticket guide explains the booking steps.
Because Hohenschwangau is private property, the 14-day ticket (€40) and the annual card (€55) of the Bavarian Palace Administration do not cover it. You pay the €23.50 on top.
Visiting Hohenschwangau: timing and logistics
Everything starts at the Ticket Center in the village, and the castle works like Neuschwanstein: guided tours at fixed times only.
Opening hours
28 March to 15 October 2026: daily 9 am to 4:30 pm. From 16 October: daily 10 am to 4 pm. Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. The Ticket Center opens at 8 am.
Best time to visit →The tour
About 45 minutes, in German or English, with audio guides in 12 languages. You see the rooms with a guide only. The ascent inside the castle is about 90 steps up and 90 down.
Getting up the hill
Walking from the Ticket Center takes about 20 to 30 minutes. A horse carriage leaves from in front of the Ticket Center: €5.50 up, €3 down, about 10 minutes, paid to the driver.
Be there early
The official advice is to reach the village at least one hour before your entry time. Late arrivals lose their ticket without a refund.
Getting there →Winter at Hohenschwangau
From 16 October 2026 the opening hours shorten to 10 am to 4 pm. More importantly, the carriage to Hohenschwangau does not run in the winter season. Plan to walk up, with shoes that cope with wet or icy road, and allow a little more time than in summer.
There is no bus to Hohenschwangau castle. The village is reached by bus lines 73 and 78 from Füssen (stop Hohenschwangau, Alpseestraße), then it is on foot or, in season, by carriage.
The Museum of the Bavarian Kings by the Alpsee is closed from 9 to 11 November 2026 for maintenance. During those days the Prince's, Wittelsbach and Swan tickets are not on sale. The museum itself costs €14.50 (reduced €13.50) and has no time slots, so it also works as a place to wait if your tour is a few hours away.
Plan the rest of your day
Hohenschwangau sits in the middle of the area's main sights.
Neuschwanstein tickets
How the timed tickets work, the online fee and what to do if your date is sold out.
Alpsee
The lake below both castles, with a walk of about 5 kilometres and rowing boats in season.
King Ludwig's castles
How Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and the others fit together.
Füssen
The old town with the High Palace, a short bus ride from the castles.
Hohenschwangau Castle: frequently asked questions
How much does Hohenschwangau Castle cost?
In 2026 an adult ticket costs €23.50, reduced €19.50 and children aged 7 to 17 pay €12. Children under 7 go free. Online booking adds €2.50 per ticket.
Is the King's Ticket worth it?
It covers Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau for €43.50 for adults (2026), which is €1 less than two single adult tickets. It is valid for one day, and the Ticket Center plans three to four hours.
How long does the tour take?
The guided tour lasts about 45 minutes. Add the walk or carriage ride up and the time before your entry slot.
Does the annual palace pass cover Hohenschwangau?
No. The Bavarian Palace Administration passes do not apply here because the castle is owned by the Wittelsbach Compensation Fund.
Is there a carriage in winter?
No. From 16 October 2026, the start of the winter opening hours, the carriage to Hohenschwangau Castle does not run.
Can wheelchair users visit?
The interior tour is not possible for wheelchair users because there is no lift. The courtyard and garden are open without a ticket.