Marienbrücke at a glance
The Marienbrücke spans the Pöllat gorge above Neuschwanstein. It is 35 metres long and hangs 90 metres above the gorge, with the Pöllat waterfall of about 30 metres falling below. The first bridge was a wooden one built under Maximilian II in the 1840s. The iron bridge dates from 1866 and is named after Queen Marie.
The bridge is a separate structure and only a viewpoint. The way into the castle does not lead across it, so a closed bridge does not affect the castle tours. You also do not need a castle ticket to reach the bridge and the viewpoints around it.
How to get to the Marienbrücke
The shuttle bus stops above the castle, not at it. That is the detail most visitors miss.
| Route | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle from car park P4 | 10 to 15 min ride, then 5 min walk | €3.50 up, €5 return | Paid at the bus ticket desk or to the driver, no cards |
| On foot from P4 | About 45 min uphill | – | Uphill from the car park |
| From the castle | About 15 min | – | Steep path, not suited to people with walking difficulties |
The shuttle bus runs from the Alpsee car park P4 to a stop called Jugend, above the castle. From there it is five minutes to the bridge and about 600 metres, a steep 15 minutes, down to the castle. The bus does not go to the castle gate. Children aged 7 to 12 pay €2 up, €2 down or €3 return, and children up to 6 travel free.
Our picks: castle visits that include the shuttle
Two include the shuttle bus to the Marienbrücke when it runs; the walk from Füssen does not.
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 →
Guided walk from Füssen to the castle
A guided hike from Füssen station to Neuschwanstein, about three hours. The castle entry and the bus back to Füssen are not included.
Check availability →Neuschwanstein tours with the bridge viewpoint
Day trips and guided tours to Neuschwanstein with live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Shuttle times and who can use it
No timetable is published. The bus runs about every 20 minutes and you queue.
Summer
First trip up at 8 am, last trip up at 5:30 pm, last trip down at 6:45 pm.
Winter
First trip up at 9 am, last up at 3:30 pm, last down at 5 pm. It runs only when the road is free of snow and ice.
Days without service
No shuttle on 24, 25 and 31 December and on 1 January. Dogs and pets are not carried, and there are no reservations.
Passes do not apply
The KönigsCard, the SchwangauCard, the Bayern-Ticket and the Deutschlandticket are not valid on the shuttle. Pay the fare in cash.
Getting there →Is the Marienbrücke open? Winter and closures
As of October 2026 the bridge is open. In winter, entry can be temporarily impossible for safety reasons when there is ice and snow. This is decided day by day. The operator posts the current status each day under its announcements on the Hohenschwangau site, so check on the morning you go.
There are no fixed winter closing dates. You may read on other sites that the bridge is always closed from November to March. That is not what the official information says. In 2024 to 2026 we found no long closure, only weather-related closures on single days.
The shuttle in winter depends on the road conditions as well. If the bridge is closed, walking up still gets you to the castle: the castle tours go on as normal.
Does it cost anything?
No entry fee is listed on the official pages for the bridge. We did not find a statement that says outright that it is free, so we do not claim that. What you will pay for is getting there: the shuttle, parking at P1 to P4 in Hohenschwangau, or nothing if you walk up.
Past renovations and closures
The bridge has been closed for long periods before, so you may still find older articles describing it as shut.
- August 2015 to 4 August 2016: closed for renovation, at a cost of about €650,000 according to press reports.
- February 2021 to summer 2022: closed after conspicuous rock anchors were found. The renovation started on 16 May 2022 and the bridge reopened at the end of July 2022.
We found no permanent closure for 2024 to 2026.
A simple route for the day
If you have a castle ticket, this order avoids doubling back.
1. Shuttle up
Take the shuttle from P4 to the stop above the castle, well before your entry time.
2. Bridge first
Walk five minutes to the Marienbrücke and take your photos.
3. Walk down
Follow the steep path for about 15 minutes to the castle and enter on your slot.
Ticket guide →4. Descend to the village
After the tour walk back down the road, or queue for the carriage. Then add the lake if time allows.
Alpsee →One caution: the Pöllat gorge hiking path is listed as closed on the Tegelbergbahn website (6 October 2026). Check before you plan a hike through the gorge.
Nearby
Other places within reach of the bridge.
Marienbrücke: frequently asked questions
Is the Marienbrücke open?
In October 2026 it is open. In winter it can close on individual days because of ice and snow. The castle tours are not affected.
Where does the shuttle stop?
Above the castle, at a stop near the bridge. From there it is a five-minute walk to the bridge and a steep walk of about 15 minutes down to the castle.
How long is the walk from the village?
From car park P4 allow about 45 minutes uphill to the bridge. The castle itself is 30 to 40 minutes uphill from the Ticket Center.
Do I need a ticket for the bridge?
No ticket is needed to reach the bridge and viewpoints. No entry fee is listed on the official pages. Only the castle interior needs a timed ticket.
Has the bridge been closed before?
Yes. It was closed from August 2015 to August 2016, and again from February 2021 to the end of July 2022.