King Ludwig II's castles at a glance
King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845 to 1886) is linked to three palaces and one mountain lodge: Neuschwanstein near Füssen, Linderhof in the Graswang valley, the New Palace on Herrenchiemsee island and the King's House on the Schachen. Together they form one World Heritage Site. The childhood home of Ludwig, Hohenschwangau Castle, stands right below Neuschwanstein but is not part of the listing.
On 12 July 2025 the UNESCO World Heritage Committee listed "The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee" in Paris. The four components cover 75.875 hectares in total, with a buffer zone of 10,616 hectares. UNESCO dates the group from 1868 to 1886.
The castles compared
Adult prices in 2026. Tickets for Neuschwanstein have a fixed entry time, and online tickets carry a €2.50 fee per person.
| Neuschwanstein | Linderhof | Herrenchiemsee | Schachen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Near Füssen, Ostallgäu | Graswang valley near Ettal | Herreninsel in Lake Chiemsee | Mountain, only on foot |
| Adult price 2026 | €21 | €11, Venus Grotto €9, both €18 (summer) | €14 for the island ticket | €6, cash only |
| Children and young people | Free up to 18, free ticket needed | Free up to 18 | Free up to 18 | Free up to 18 |
| Tour length | About 30 minutes | About 25 minutes, grotto about 15 | About 40 minutes | Hourly guided tours |
| Season | All year, closed 24, 25, 31 Dec and 1 Jan | Palace all year, grotto and park buildings summer only | All year, water features early May to 3 October | 29 May to 27 September 2026, closed since 28 September |
| Time needed | Half a day with the walk up | Half a day, the grounds are large | About an hour to get to the palace, including the boat | 6 to 7 hours up and down on foot |
Hohenschwangau Castle is separate: €23.50 for adults in 2026, a tour of about 45 minutes. Details are on the Hohenschwangau page.
Our picks: two castles in one day
Neuschwanstein and Linderhof from Munich, with and without tickets.
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.
Neuschwanstein and Linderhof with tickets, small group
A day trip by coach with at most 28 people, with the entry tickets for both castles included, plus snacks and drinks on board. Lunch is extra.
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Neuschwanstein and Linderhof day trip by coach
The most-reviewed day trip from Munich. The from-price covers the coach and guide; the castle tickets are included only if you choose the option with tickets.
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Coach tour with Oberammergau or alpine coaster
A long day by coach that adds Oberammergau or an alpine coaster. Check on the tour page whether the castle entry is included in your option.
Check availability →Tours to the royal castles
Day trips from Munich to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, with tickets where included. Live prices and availability.
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The four castles in short
What makes each one different.
Neuschwanstein
Ludwig's "New Castle" above the Pöllat gorge, begun in 1869 and never finished. It is the busiest of the four: the Bavarian Palace Administration counted 1,082,816 visitors in 2024. Only 14 rooms are shown, on a 30-minute tour.
Tickets →Linderhof
The smaller palace in the Graswang valley, with a large park. About 350,000 people come each year. The Venus Grotto reopened on 11 April 2025 after a restoration of around €58.9 million and is open in summer only.
Linderhof →Herrenchiemsee
The New Palace on the Herreninsel in Lake Chiemsee. You reach it by boat from Prien/Stock or Gstadt/Bernau. The island ticket includes the palace, the King Ludwig II Museum and the museum in the former Augustinian monastery.
Schachen
A small royal lodge at over 1,800 metres. You can only walk to it, and the round trip takes 6 to 7 hours. In 2026 it was open from 29 May to 27 September.
The 14-day ticket and how far it goes
The Bavarian Palace Administration does not sell a ticket that covers only the Ludwig castles. Its multi-day ticket is the closest option.
Prices in 2026
The 14-day ticket costs €40 for one person and €80 for a family or partners (two adults with children under 18). The annual card costs €55 or €100.
Where it works
It is valid at more than 40 state sights, including Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Herrenchiemsee and the Schachen. It is not valid at Hohenschwangau Castle, which belongs to the Wittelsbach Compensation Fund.
Neuschwanstein still needs a time slot
Even with the pass you must book a timed ticket for Neuschwanstein. In the online shop choose the free ticket for holders of a multi-day ticket or annual card. Only the €2.50 fee applies. Show the pass at the entrance.
Ticket guide →Does it pay off?
Single adult tickets in summer add up to €53 for Neuschwanstein (€21), Linderhof with Venus Grotto (€18) and Herrenchiemsee (€14), before fees and the boat. Add the Schachen and it is €59. Two castles usually do not justify the pass.
How to plan the route
The castles lie in different parts of Upper Bavaria, so treat each as its own day.
Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau
These two share a village and a ticket centre. The King's Ticket for both costs €43.50 in 2026 (plus a €5 online fee), and the combined visit takes 3 to 4 hours according to the Ticket Center.
Getting there →Linderhof
By car via the A 95 and B 2 to Oberau, then the B 23 towards Ettal and the St 2060 into the Graswang valley. By public transport you go via Oberammergau by train and bus.
Herrenchiemsee
By train to Prien am Chiemsee, then the Chiemsee railway in summer or a bus in winter to the harbour. The boat to the island costs €11.50 return for adults in 2026.
Seasons
In summer all four are in operation. In winter, Neuschwanstein and the palaces at Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee stay open, but Linderhof's grotto and park buildings, the water features and the Schachen are closed.
Best time to visit →Hohenschwangau: where Ludwig grew up
The best starting point for the story of the king.
Hohenschwangau was first mentioned in the 12th century as Burg Schwanstein. Crown Prince Maximilian, later King Maximilian II, bought the ruin in 1832 and had it rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style between 1833 and 1837. It became the summer and hunting residence of the royal family, with over 90 wall paintings. Ludwig II grew up there and learned the legends and history from those paintings.
From Hohenschwangau you can see Neuschwanstein on its ridge. Both castles are served by the same Ticket Center in the village.
King Ludwig II castles: frequently asked questions
How many castles did King Ludwig II build?
The UNESCO listing covers Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, the New Palace on Herrenchiemsee and the King's House on the Schachen. Hohenschwangau was his childhood home, rebuilt under his father.
Is there one ticket for all Ludwig castles?
No. The multi-day ticket of the Bavarian Palace Administration (€40 for 14 days in 2026) is the closest option. It covers the four UNESCO castles but not Hohenschwangau.
Do I still need a time slot with the 14-day ticket?
Yes, for Neuschwanstein. You book a free timed ticket in the online shop and pay only the €2.50 fee.
Which castle is the best for a winter trip?
Neuschwanstein is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm from 16 October 2026. The Linderhof palace stays open in winter, but the grotto and the park buildings are closed.
When did the castles become World Heritage?
The UNESCO committee listed them on 12 July 2025, at its 47th session in Paris.