Neuschwanstein Castle is located close to Schwangau and Füssen in the Allgäu region.
The journey to the castle begins in the village of Hohenschwangau, which also serves as the final parking spot before reaching the castle.
By Car or Coach: To reach Neuschwanstein Castle by car or coach:
- You can take the A7 motorway (Ulm-Kempten-Füssen direction) to the end. From Füssen, proceed on the B17 road towards Schwangau and follow the signs to Hohenschwangau.
- Alternatively, take the A7 motorway to the Kempten exit, then continue on the B12 road to Marktoberdorf. Follow the B16 road to Roßhaupten, then OAL I to Buching, and finally, take the B17 road to Schwangau and Hohenschwangau.
Note that Hohenschwangau village offers only private parking facilities.
By Public Transport: For those preferring public transport:
- Take a train (visit www.bahn.com) to Füssen, followed by a bus to Neuschwanstein (bus stop “Hohenschwangau Neuschwanstein Castles, Schwangau”).
- Bus route and timetable information is available at www.rvo-bus.de.
Additionally, look for long-distance bus services that provide connections to Neuschwanstein.
How to get from Hohenschwangau (car park) to Neuschwanstein Castle
Please be mindful that neither cars nor bicycles are permitted on the road to Neuschwanstein Castle (Neuschwansteinstraße). This road is accessible only with permission from the administrative office of Neuschwanstein Castle. Cyclists are advised to use the designated cycle path, which diverges from Neuschwansteinstraße after approximately 100 meters.
On Foot: The walk from the ticket center to the castle is a steep uphill journey of about 1.5 km, typically taking 30-40 minutes.
By Horse-Drawn Carriage: Carriages set off from Hotel Müller on Alpseestraße, Hohenschwangau. Due to space restrictions, carriages stop at a designated area beneath the castle, leaving a 450-meter uphill walk (about 10-15 minutes) to the castle entrance.
- Prices: Uphill trip €8 / Downhill trip €4 (as of 1 August 2022)
- Tickets are purchasable directly from the carriage drivers.
- Carriage services operate year-round, adjusting to demand without a fixed schedule.
- Reservations are not available.
- For the latest information, visit the Ticket Center’s website at www.hohenschwangau.de.
- Note: Carriage services are provided by independent companies, not by the Bavarian Palace Administration.
By Shuttle Bus: Buses leave from parking P4 (below Hohenschwangau Palace). Due to spatial constraints, buses don’t reach the castle but travel via Bleckenaustraße to the Jugend lookout point (Marienbrücke) above the castle. From there, it’s a 500-meter downhill walk (10-15 minutes, gradient of 12-19%) to the castle entrance.
- Prices: Uphill trip €3 / Downhill trip €2 / Return trip €3.50 (as of May 2023)
- Buses operate all year, shuttling between Schlosshotel Lisl and Neuschwanstein Castle based on demand, without a fixed schedule.
- Tickets are available on the bus.
- Reservations are not possible.
- Services may be suspended in snowy or icy conditions.
- For the latest details, visit the Ticket Center’s website at www.hohenschwangau.de.
- Note: The bus service is run by independent companies, not by the Bavarian Palace Administration.
