Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau Castle Private Skip-the-Crowds Tour from Munich
Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau Castle Private Skip-the-Crowds Tour from Munich
The famous Fairytale Castle NEUSCHWANSTEiN is the 2nd most visited attraction in Germany. It captivates 1.5M visitors with its dreamy beauty, inspired by characters from Wagner's epic operas. Unfortunately this means that up to 8,000 visitors/day crowd the place all year long.This tour gives you the unique opportunity to avoid these crowds and enjoy the calm magic also at HOHENSCHWANGAU in peace.
Immerse yourself in the magnificence of the castles and grounds: Let the fairy tale come to life around you!Our expert guide will give you space to enjoy numerous other sights as well while being at your disposal and alert to your needs & questions at all times.WHY WITH US:• Know that your day is planned and conducted by a friendly & professional tour guide• Look forward to an unique excursion package• Enjoy the perfect symbiosis of traveling in relaxed comfort and fully leveraging your precious vacation time
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Oktoberfest
After pick-up at your Munich hotel, settle in our new luxurious/comfortable Mercedes- or VW Minivan. We'll pass the place where King Ludwig I (Ludwig II's Grandfather), celebrated his wedding more than 200 years ago, which we know today as the Oktoberfest!
Starnberger See
20 min later we reach the impressive Lake Starnberg, also known as the “Dukes lake” and the summer residences of Sissi, the pretty but unfortunate Empress of Austria. Your driver-guide will tell you about the strange relationship between her and Ludwig II, and why he didn't want to marry Sissis younger sister. After a short stroll to the beach we can see the only island of the lake (which was in royal possession, too) and the place where he died under mysterious circumstances.
20 minutesHohenschwangau
After another hour drive through the rural Bavarian countryside we approach the range of the Alps and can see the towers of Neuschwanstein at an altitude of about 1000m/3000ft. Soon we will reach the little village of Hohenschwangau. which is the starting point for both castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. From your guide you will receive the tickets for Neuschwanstein and a very detailed map of the surrounding area.
5 minutesSchloss Neuschwanstein
The famous Fairytale Castle NEUSCHWANSTEiN is one of the most popular landmarks of Germany. It captivates visitors from all over the world with its dreamy beauty, inspired by characters from Wagner's epic operas. You have the option to walk up to the castle, take the shuttle-bus (not in winter, extra cost) or the horse-drawn carriage (extra cost). The guided tours in Neuschwanstein castle take approx. 35 min, afterwards you'll walk for another 15 min through many more rooms by yourself. About the particularities of these rooms you will be well informed by your guide.
2 hours 30 minutesQueen Mary's Bridge (Marienbrucke)
Mary's bridge ("Marienbrücke") - THE TOP VIEWPOINT - built in 1866 by King Ludwig II is one of the most famous in the world! It can be easily reached by a shuttle bus (€ 3.00 p.p.) from the parking lot or on a nice 40-minute uphill hike. From the bridge you'll reach the castle entrance within a 20-minute walk downhill and pass one more magnificent viewpoint! PLEASE NOTE: For departures after 8 a.m., there may be waiting times for both the shuttle bus and access to the bridge! But not far away you can reach another spectacular viewpoint without waiting. In snow and ice, both viewpoints are not accessible and Neuschwanstein Castle can only be reached on foot or by horse-drawn hybrid carriage.
25 minutesSchloss Hohenschwangau
Just as worth seeing is Hohenschwangau castle, the neo-gothic summer residence of Ludwig II's father, King Maximilian II. with Ludwig's spectacular children's room. For the 45 min guided tour a Skip-the-line-ticket can be booked, too. (Skip-the-line entrance fee (2023) € 23.50 per person 18 years or older, reduction for children).
50 minutesPöllat Waterfall
Enjoy views of the spectacular Pöllat waterfall from the view point Marienbrücke "Mary's Bridge" (waiting times possible, in case of snow and ice, the bridge is closed) and from the Neuschwanstein Castle Courtyard. The Pöllat is a 10 km long wild river and rises not far from Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps.
5 minutesPlansee
For a while we pass Austrian territory on our approx. 50 minutes way to Linderhof palace on a breathtaking drive along the mountain lake Plansee. Depending on the traffic situation or - in winter - if there is a risk of avalanches, we drive a similarly scenic route on the Bavarian side.
20 minutesSchloss Linderhof
PLEASE NOTE: The Venus Grotto, located in the gardens of Linderhof, IS CLOSED due to restoration works until further notice!
1 hour 10 minutesOberammergau
Shortly after visiting Linderhof we reach the world-famous Passion Play Village OBERAMMERGAU, where you should accompany your guide on a 20-minute guided tour. Marvel at the partly over 200-year-old wall paintings as well as the Passion Play Theatre. Take advantage of your subsequent free time to stroll in the historic center, where you will find a huge range of the famous wood carvings, including numerous cribs and other enchanting Christmas items.
45 minutesAlpine Coaster
Open daily with suitable weather from April - October ... Prices (2023): Adults: € 15.50/Children 8-15 years: € 12.00 *****
1 hourEttal Abbey
From there it will take another hour back to Munich.
20 minutesPilgrimage Church of Wies
Another unforgetable stop will be at one of the overwhelming baroque churches. Your guide will provide you with all the worth knowing information, for example about the very popular Wies-Church, or – what we not recommend less – one of the other churches on the way, which are still "secret tips", quiet and peaceful far away from the tourist masses. Please note: If we drive over the Lake Plansee route to Linderhof palace or Oberammergau, the Wieskirche cannot be visited, but an equal beautiful baroque church.
20 minutesMount Tegelberg
Or enjoy some rides on a nearby summer toboggan run (€ 5.00) per ride) or take a cable car/chair lift on one of the Alpine peaks (from 15.00 € up and down).
1 hour 15 minutesIncluded
- Skip-the-Line Ticket Neuschwanstein Castle, even for bookings at short notice
- Drive in new and luxurious/comfortable Mercedes- or VW Minivan (a/c)
- Licensed, friendly and passionate Guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Munich (outside of Munich additional costs may apply)
- Bottled water
- No hidden costs!
- Entry/Admission - Schloss Neuschwanstein
Not Included
- Skip-the-Line Hohenschwangau Castle: Adult €23.50 Youth (7-17 years) €13.50 Child (0-6 years): €2.50
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Good to Know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infant seats available
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Are you able to walk slightly uphill from the car park to Neuschwanstein castle - approx. 1,5 km/1mile in an hour's time? If not, we have to calculate additional (waiting-) time for the horse-hybrid carriage or the Shuttle bus (not operating during snow and ice) – Anyway, an approx. 450 meters/0.28 miles uphill walk (up to 15 % slope) or an approx. 500 meters/0.3 miles downhill walk (up to 19 % gradient) from the respective terminal to the entrance of the castle have to be managed in any case! We can accompany you so that you can reach your castle tour in time.
- In Neuschwanstein Castle itself, a total of 346 stairs (up and down) have to be mastered. If you have a corresponding medical certificate about walking disability or mobility restriction or similar --> please inform us IMMEDIATELY after your booking! <-- we can request an exclusive lift service only for you with a maximum of one accompanying person, accompanied by the castle staff. The elevator service is at no extra cost, but (due to fire regulations) the number of tours with this service is very limited and must be reconfirmed by the castle authority.
- To Hohenschwangau castle there is a carriage service (not in winter season) almost from door-to-door. You have to climb stairs up to the 3rd floor and back (no elevator).
- In Linderhof castle you have to walk only approx. two times 10 minutes (relatively flat) and in the 30 minutes tour of the castle you have to climb stairs to the first floor.
- Each castle can be reached also with strollers, but they are not allowed during the tour of the interiors.
- If you want to reach Neuschwanstein castle by the "breathtaking" hike through the spectacular Gorge (approx. 45 to 60 minutes) on a well-developed path (not suitable for strollers, 1/4 of the distance are stairs), suitable footwear is required (for example hiking boots). In case of unsuitable weather or during maintenance work, the path through the gorge remains closed!
- Image credit #2 (Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castle) © Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (neuschwanstein(dot)de)#3 (Neuschwanstein castle) © Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (neuschwanstein(dot)de), Photographer: Anton Brandl), #4 (Neuschwanstein throne room) © Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (neuschwanstein(dot)de) #all others: Sightseeing Bavaria Exclusive
- Most travelers can participate
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- There are no more COVID-19 restrictions (as of January 2, 2023). All our guides are fully vaccinated. --> Travel with us 100% safely in maximum comfort!
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.