Munich to Neuschwanstein in a nutshell
Neuschwanstein lies near Füssen in the Ostallgäu, at the southern end of the railway line from Munich. The regional train RB 68 runs from Munich Hauptbahnhof via Buchloe to Füssen, operated by the Bayerische Regiobahn. Allow roughly 2 to 2.5 hours for the train. Official timetable details were not available when we checked, so look up your exact connection on bahn.de or brb.de.
From Füssen station, bus 73 or 78 takes about 15 minutes to the stop "Hohenschwangau Alpseestraße". The village is about 4 to 5 km from the station. From there the castle is another 1.5 km uphill. Private cars cannot drive up to the castle at all.
Four ways to get from Munich to the castle
Which one fits depends on your group size, your budget and how much planning you want to do.
| Option | Time | Cost (2026) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train and bus | About 2 to 2.5 h to Füssen, plus 15 min bus | Bayern-Ticket from €34, bus extra if not covered | No parking stress. Check for construction before you go. |
| Car | About 1 h 43 min, depending on traffic | Parking €12 for 6 hours, up to €16 a day | Parking only in Hohenschwangau. The B 17 is closed in Schwangau until about 18 December 2026. |
| Day tour by coach | 8 to 9.5 hours in total | – | Check whether the castle ticket is included. |
| Combined tour with Linderhof | 10 to 10.5 hours in total | – | A long day, but one booking covers both castles. |
How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle by public transport
Take the RB 68 from Munich Hauptbahnhof. Trains to the Allgäu depart from platforms 27 to 36. The line also stops in Geltendorf, Kaufering, Buchloe, Kaufbeuren, Marktoberdorf and Seeg. A second line, the RB 77, connects Augsburg and Füssen.
In Füssen, walk to the bus stop and take line 73 or 78 towards Schwangau. Get off at "Hohenschwangau Alpseestraße". The official ticket office, the Ticket Center, is on Alpseestraße 12. A taxi from Füssen station to Hohenschwangau takes around 8 minutes. Bus 78 also runs to the Tegelberg cable car, and line 73 continues towards the Wieskirche.
The ticket operator advises being in Hohenschwangau one and a half to two hours before your entry time. That time covers the walk up and a buffer for queues at the bus or carriage. If you arrive late for your entry time, the ticket expires without a refund.
Our picks: let someone else organise it
A train trip with ticket, the classic coach tour and a guided day by train.
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.
Half-day trip by train with castle ticket
A guided trip from Munich main station with the train ticket and the Neuschwanstein entry ticket included. Shuttle bus and carriage up to the castle are not.
Check availability →
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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Guided day trip by train
A guided day out by regional train and bus. The castle entry is not included; the operator collects it on the morning of the tour.
Check availability →Day tours from Munich to Neuschwanstein
Coach tours and combined trips with Linderhof, with live prices, availability and what each ticket includes.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Tickets and fares for the trip
Prices as of 2026 for adults. Rail tariffs change every December, so check before you travel.
Bayern-Ticket
€34 for one person in 2nd class, then €10 for each extra passenger, up to five people: €44 for two, €54 for three, €64 for four, €74 for five. It is valid on weekdays from 9 am and all day at weekends and on public holidays. It does not apply to ICE or IC trains. Up to three children aged 6 to 14 travel free with it.
Deutschlandticket
A monthly subscription that costs €63 in 2026 and €66.80 from 1 January 2027. It is not transferable and can be cancelled monthly. For a single day trip the Bayern-Ticket is cheaper, so the Deutschlandticket only pays off if you travel a lot in Germany.
Bus 73 and 78
A single ride costs €3, a day ticket €8.90 for adults and €14 for a family. Guests with a Füssen Card or KönigsCard ride the line free of charge. The Bayern-Ticket is valid on most regional buses in Bavaria, but ask the driver about this specific bus.
Not valid on the shuttle
The castle shuttle to the Marienbrücke does not accept the Bayern-Ticket, the Deutschlandticket, the KönigsCard or the SchwangauCard. You pay on the bus.
Rail works and disruptions in 2026
The line to Füssen had a difficult 2026. The Bayerische Regiobahn ran with reduced speeds and a revised timetable from 7 February to 31 October 2026, and a new timetable follows afterwards. In September 2026 a derailment near Leuterschach closed the section between Marktoberdorf and Füssen for several days. Replacement buses ran between Munich and Buchloe in early October, and some trains were cancelled until 25 October.
Before you set off, check the live status on bahn.de or brb.de, and plan a spare hour. Keep your ticket confirmation on your phone, as entry times cannot be changed. Weekend direct trains are mentioned on some websites, but we could not confirm them from official sources.
By car: route, parking and the B 17 closure
From Munich the route is about 124 km via the A 96 and the B 17. The operator itself recommends the A 7 to the end of the motorway at Füssen, then the B 16 and the B 17 towards Schwangau and Hohenschwangau. From the Füssen exit it is about 7 km to Hohenschwangau.
The B 17 through Schwangau has been fully closed since 15 September 2026, expected until about 18 December 2026. The castles stay accessible via a diversion through Hohenschwangau, but allow extra time.
Cars park on four paid lots, P1 to P4, in Hohenschwangau. The fee is €12 for six hours, €1 for each extra hour and €16 at most per day. Fees can change. A motorhome may only use P2 (€16 for six hours, up to €20), a motorbike also P2 (€5 a day), and coaches P1 or P4 (€35 a day). P4 is closest to the museum, the Alpsee and the shuttle. Stopping on the road or in front of the Ticket Center is not allowed.
From the village up to the castle
Three ways to cover the last 1.5 km, all starting in Hohenschwangau.
On foot
30 to 40 minutes uphill from the Ticket Center on a steep road. Free, and no queue.
Shuttle bus
From the valley station at car park P4 to a stop above the castle: €3.50 up, €5 return, cash only. The ride takes 10 to 15 minutes. Then it is 5 minutes to the Marienbrücke and about 15 minutes steeply downhill to the castle. In summer the first bus up leaves at 8 am and the last at 5:30 pm, the last bus down at 6:45 pm. In winter it runs only on roads free of snow and ice, from 9 am to 5 pm, and not on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
Horse carriage
From opposite Hotel Müller to a stop below the castle: €8 up, €4 down, about 20 minutes, paid to the driver. The last 10 minutes to the gate are on foot. There is no timetable, with a carriage about every 30 minutes.
Neuschwanstein tickets
Prices, online fee and what to do if your slot is sold out.
Marienbrücke
Where the shuttle drops you, and how to get from there to the castle.
Where to stay
Sleep in Hohenschwangau or Füssen and skip the early train.
Best time to visit
Opening hours by season and how to avoid the busiest times.
Getting to Neuschwanstein: frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Munich to Neuschwanstein by train?
Roughly 2 to 2.5 hours to Füssen, then about 15 minutes by bus to Hohenschwangau and 30 to 40 minutes on foot or by shuttle or carriage. A full day trip door to door takes most of a day.
Do I need to change trains?
The RB 68 runs from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Füssen via Buchloe. Some connections may involve a change. Check your exact route on bahn.de.
Can I drive to the castle?
No. You can drive to Hohenschwangau and park on P1 to P4, then walk, take the shuttle or a carriage. The road to the castle is closed to cars and bicycles.
Is the Bayern-Ticket worth it for one person?
At €34 for one person it is a good deal for a return day trip, especially with a group: five people pay €74 together. The Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month in 2026 and only makes sense if you use it all month.
Is the road to Hohenschwangau open?
Yes, but the B 17 through Schwangau is closed until about 18 December 2026. Follow the diversion through Hohenschwangau and allow extra time.
Is a day tour easier than going alone?
A tour takes 8 to 9.5 hours and removes the planning. You still need a ticket with a fixed entry time, so check whether it is included.