Entry to Neuschwanstein Castle is by guided tour only, and tickets sell out weeks in advance. But tour operators have reserved special skip-the-line tickets.
- To skip the explanation and book a Neuschwanstein Castle tour with skip-the-line tickets, head this way.
Getting into Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria is the one that the Disney Castle is allegedly based on. It’s also by far the most popular German castle with visitors, to the point where actually getting inside can be a nightmare.
Entry to this top tier European castle is by guided tour only, and those tours are renowned for selling out.
Do tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle sell out?
To test how rare tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle are, I tried making a dummy booking via the official Hohenschwangau site.
To my surprise, I could book a ticket for this afternoon – but only for the audio guide tour, and only in one time slot. It was 4.40pm or nothing.
There was also one audio guide tour slot available for tomorrow at 5.20pm.
However, the shocking discovery was that these were the only two timed slots for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle for the rest of August.
So, yes, tickets to Neuschwanstein Castle do sell out, and horribly far in advance. This is one of the most iconic European castles, and it is obscenely popular.
How to visit Neuschwanstein Castle when there are no tickets left
If tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle have sold out, then you can still get in. You just have to approach it a different way.
That means getting tickets off the people who have already reserved their slot – the tour operators.
Because the tour operators have already bought their tickets, or made arrangements to reserve spaces on the castle interior tours, they usually have availability when the castle doesn’t.
You’ll just have to accept paying more to sit on a tour bus from Munich and going with a group rather than driving yourself.
Given that it’s usually a two hour drive from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, that’s not a terrible thing. You’ll also get commentary and learn a bit about Bavaria along the way.
How much do Neuschwanstein Castle tours cost?
There are several tour operators that head to Neuschwanstein Castle every day. The primary differences are in where they depart from (some go from Hohenschwangau or Garmische-Partenkirchen rather than Munich) and what they include.
While all include skip-the-line access to Neuschwanstein Castle, not all of them include the ticket price. With the cheaper tours, you’ll have to pay €23.50 once you get to the castle to get inside.
Tours billing themselves as VIP don’t charge extra to go inside the castle, but they cost more up front.
Looking for Neuschwanstein Castle tours from Munich with next day availability, I found options available for from €79. This didn’t include the castle entrance fee.
The VIP option, which also includes entry to Linderhof on the same day, does include the cost of Neuschwanstein tickets in the €166 tour price.
Things to do near Neuschwanstein Castle
- Visit Hohenschwangau Castle. Located in the same village as Neuschwanstein Castle, this yellow hilltop palace was King Ludwig II’s childhood home and offers guided interior tours with paid admission.
- Walk to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge). A short uphill walk from Neuschwanstein Castle leads to this dramatic viewing bridge, which provides one of the best perspectives of the castle and the surrounding Alps.
- Explore Museum of the Bavarian Kings. Situated beside Alpsee in Hohenschwangau, this modern museum explains the history of Bavaria’s royal family, including King Ludwig II.
- Visit Alpsee. Just below the castles, Alpsee is a clear mountain lake with walking paths and paddle boat hire, making it a peaceful stop after touring Neuschwanstein.
- Explore Füssen Old Town. Around 3 miles away, Füssen’s historic centre features colourful buildings, small museums and cafés, and works well as a base for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Neuschwanstein Castle? | Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century hilltop palace in Bavaria commissioned by King Ludwig II, famous for its fairytale appearance and Alpine setting. |
| Do I need to book Neuschwanstein Castle tickets in advance? | Yes. Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially during peak season, as entry times often sell out. |
| How long does a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle take? | The guided interior tour lasts around 30 minutes, but most visitors allow 2 to 3 hours total for the walk up, viewpoints and surrounding area. |
| Can you visit Neuschwanstein Castle without a tour? | No. Interior visits are only possible as part of a guided tour or audio-guided group at a scheduled entry time. |
| Where is Neuschwanstein Castle located? | Neuschwanstein Castle is located near Füssen in southern Bavaria, close to the Austrian border, in the village of Hohenschwangau. |
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