Neuschwanstein Itinerary Travel Guide Blog

Neuschwanstein Castle Itinerary: A Day Trip Travel Guide Blog

by Emily | posted in: Germany | 0

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Here’s everything you need to know when planning the Neuschwanstein castle itinerary, including the transport arrangement, travel information, and tips. A perfect day trip from Munich.

Neuschwanstein Castle (in German: Schloss Neuschwanstein) had been on my travel bucket list for a while. Located in Bavaria Alps, the beautiful Schloss Neuschwanstein is glittering like a fairytale where Disney dreams come true. Probably one of the most beautiful castles in the world.

Planning a day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular things to do for visitors when visiting Munich. There are a few important things you need to know before visiting Neuschwanstein Castle. I’ve put together this handy Neuschwanstein travel guide to visiting this beautiful castle in Bavaria.

Read on for a detailed Schloss Neuschwanstein itinerary – travel guide blog to make this most beautiful castle visit for yourself. My travel itinerary included!

Neuschwanstein Castle Travel Tips: What You Need To Know

When planning for the Neuschwanstein itinerary, the journey from Munich to Neuschwanstein is relatively simple and straightforward. But there are a few travel tips you need to know before visiting the castle to ease your planning.

Neuschwanstein Travel Guide Blog - What You Need To Know

How to Get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich?

There are a few options available for travelers; tour arrangement, self-driving, or public transport.

By Tour – The most convenient way to tour Neuschwanstein from Munich is to book a tour. It is the best option for visitors traveling with kids or having older members of your party. You can just lay back and relax for the whole trip.

Check out the prices for the different tour options available to Neuschwanstein:

By Self Driving – The most convenient option if you are traveling to Neuschwanstein Castle by self-driving. Follow the well signed and head to Hohenschwangau. There is a big car park area to park your car and the parking ticket costs €6.50 for one day.

Neuschwanstein Travel Tips: Sometimes it’s hard to decide which car rental company provided the best service. I prefer to compare various car rental companies at RentalCars.com for the best price guarantee.

By Public Transport (Train + Bus) – The cheapest option but required a one-time transfer at Füssen. Firstly, you need to get to Füssen from Munich HBF by train, and then take a bus from Füssen to Schwangau, the village at the foot of Neuschwanstein Castle. The whole journey takes about 3 hours, so it is recommended to start your trip early.

Money-saving Tips: We highly advise you to purchase a Bayern ticket for this day trip because it will cover you on the train rides to/from Munich and Füssen, as well as the bus ride to Neuschwanstein. This will save you lots of money, especially if you’re traveling in a group.

How To Travel to Neuschwanstein Castle Using Bayern Ticket

The best transport pass to get to Neuschwanstein Castle is Bayern Pass especially for the travel party up to 5. It covers all the public transports to Neuschwanstein Castle for the whole day. You can purchase your Bayern pass here or at a Deutschebahn kiosk, located at most train stations. Take note this will not cover the shuttle at Neuschwanstein.

Here is the step-by-step guide on how to travel to Neuschwanstein Castle using Bayern Ticket:

Getting to Neuschwanstein by Train — View when getting to Neuschwanstein by Train

Step 1: Get to Füssen from Munich HBF by train. For hassle-free, we recommended catching the direct trains depart to Füssen from Munich HBF. The first direct train leave at 9:52, followed by 11:52, and every two hours. Bayern Ticket is covered for this train route but it is only valid after 9:00 during the weekday. No time limitation for the weekend and travelers can start using the Bayern ticket after midnight.

Munich to Fussen train timetable

Bus from Füssen to Neuschwanstein — Board the 78 bus or 78 bus from Füssen to Neuschwanstein

Step 2: Hop on the bus from Füssen to Schwangau. The 73 bus (direction Steingaden / Garmisch-Partenkirchen) or 78 bus (direction Schwangau), getting off at Hohenschwangau.

Step 3: Buy the castle ticket at the ticket office. Once at Hohenschwangau, proceed to the Ticket Office to get tickets if you intend to tour the inside of Neuschwanstein. The line can be very long in peak season. It’s highly advised to reserve your castle ticket as it can be sold out.

Step 4: Get to Neuschwanstein. You are opted to Neuschwanstein either continue by foot, shuttle bus, or horse carriage. Horse carriage rides cost €6 for uphill and €3 for downhill. Shuttle buses cost €1,80 for uphill, €1 for downhill and €2,60 roundtrip.

That’s it. A few simple steps can get you to Neuschwanstein castle by public transport easily.

What Ticket To Buy To Visit Neuschwanstein Castle?

There is no ticket required if you only want to stroll around the castle and garden area. But if you want to see the inside of the castle, you need to buy tickets if you want to visit the inside of the different castles and museums.

Prices are around €13 for each castle (and €11 for the museum). There is a combo ticket for both castles on one day for around €25 with only €1 saving.

How To Buy the Castle Ticket?

The castle tickets can be bought online or at the Ticket Center for that day.

I strongly advise you to reserve a ticket in advance with a small additional fee. The ticket might be sold out in the ticket office especially during peak season. So get there early if visiting inside of Neuschwanstein castle is a must-do for your Neuschwanstein castle itinerary. Click here to reserve (at least two days in advance).

Besides, take note that you must pick up the official castle ticket at Ticket Center Hohenschwangau. There are separate windows for travelers to pick up the ticket. Most importantly, the line for picking up the ticket is much shorter than the line for purchasing tickets.

Friendly reminder: You cannot buy tickets at the castle, so before hiking up (or driving up) to the castle, make sure you have your tickets.

Where To Stay

Most of the travelers choose to stay in Munich and take a day trip to Neuschwanstein by train. But the traveling time and the journey can be very tiring. If you prefer laid-back travel, I recommend basing yourself in one of the smaller towns near the castles.

Füssen is a popular place to stay. There are regular buses between Fussen and Hohenschwangau, making it a perfect base for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle.

Here is our recommendation if you plan to stay at Fussen when planning for your Neuschwanstein itinerary:

Hotel Sonne is a very stylish and cozy hotel for a comfortable stay in Füssen. Excellent breakfast buffet with lots of variety. Pet friendly.
Best Western Plus Hotel Füssen is another popular pick for travelers when looking for where to stay in Füssen. Great hotel with excellent location with a five-minute walk to downtown shops and restaurants. Best value stay.

Schloss Neuschwanstein Itinerary

View on Hohenschwangau Castle from Hohenschwangau

Here’s my full itinerary to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich in a day.

Neuschwanstein Castle itinerary (by public transport from Munich):

Catch the 9:52 am train bound for Füssen from Munich Hauptbahnhof.
From Füssen, take either the 73 or 78 bus to Schwangau.
Once arrived Hohenschwangau, go to the ticket office located beside the bus stop.
Hike up to the castle by foot, shuttle bus, or horse carriage.
Take the Castle Tour.
Admire the Castle Building.
Take the iconic photo of Neuschwanstein at Marienbrücke.
Back to Munich.

Note: On weekends and holidays, you might even catch the 7:52 am train to make sure you get there before all the crowds arrive.

Hike Up To the Castle Entrance

After picking up the castle ticket, we choose to hike up to the Neuschwanstein Castle. It was an uphill hike but very easy with a good walking path. The journey took us about 60 minutes but we enjoyed walking around while enjoying the stunning surroundings. Just remember your ticketed tour time and don’t miss it!

You can choose to take the shuttle bus which costs you less than €2 for one way. The boarding location is just behind the Ticket Center which takes you up the nearby castle entrance.

Visit the Castle

The Neuschwanstein Castle Tour only took us roughly 35 minutes. A guide will take your group through the castle where you will learn about the history of the Neuschwanstein and King Ludwig II. The tour is a little lacking when it comes to being informative and exciting. But it is still good to see the inside of this gorgeous castle and admire the Bavarian charm built by the mysterious king.

Take note that no photos are allowed inside the castle.

Some might ask, are the tours inside the castles worth it? Although outside of the Neuschwanstein Castles is the most impressive part. But I still recommended visitors to take the castle tour, especially first-time visitors. Are you going along the journey to take a look outside of the castle?

Admire the Castle Building

Exterior View of Neuschwanstein Castle (Side)

After your castle tour, you can explore the area around the castle. We enjoyed our time wandering around and taking countless photos of the castle building.

From there, we slowly headed to Marienbrücke.

Take the iconic photo of Neuschwanstein at Marienbrücke

Neuschwanstein Castle View from Marienbrücke

Don’t forget to head to the Marienbrücke when visiting Neuschwanstein. This is the place to take that iconic photo of Neuschwanstein. It is about a 10-minute hike from the castle entrance. Depending on your schedule, you can get to Marienbrücke before or after the castle tour.

Marienbrücke probably is the most crowded location, and you will know why. The view of the castle is splendid. Here is the best view even on a foggy day during our visit.

Take note that the bridge will be closed at times for maintenance and bad weather (such as snowfall during the winter months).

Beautiful Bavaria View from Marienbrücke

Back to Munich

After you’re done taking a million photos, slowly head back to the Schwangau. Along the path, there are many souvenirs and food stalls. You might get the ice cream or Quarkbällchen for a snack. At the end of the day, take public transport and back to Munich.

Make sure to board the regional train back to Munich which is covered by Bayern Pass. The last train departs from Fussen is 6:06 pm. That’s the end of the one-day Neuschwanstein itinerary.

Neuschwanstein Castle Travel Tips

Before we end our travel post, let’s re-cap again on the Neuschwanstein Travel Tips:

We recommended booking your castle ticket ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Plan ahead of your tour times which work with your transportation schedule.
Make sure to pick up your castle ticket at least 1 hour before your preferred tour time.
Make sure to arrive at the ticket center to pick up your tickets at least 1 hour before your preferred tour time.
Advice to reach the castle entrance at least 5 to 10 minutes earlier before the tour started.
No photos are allowed inside the castles.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Don’t miss the last regional train back to Munich, which leaves at 6:06 pm.

Overview: A Day Trip Neuschwanstein Castle Itinerary

All in all, a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is a must-do for most people visiting Bavaria. The day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich is long and tiring. But, it is worth it. So, if you are planning to make the day trip to Neuschwanstein from Munich, plan accordingly.

Lastly, I hope you enjoyed this thorough Neuschwanstein Castle itinerary travel guide. Enjoy your trip!

Neuschwanstein Castle Itinerary FAQ

What is the best time to visit Schloss Neuschwanstein?

To avoid crowds, it is best to visit Schloss Neuschwanstein as early as possible. We advise taking the earliest train from Munich.

How Far is Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich?

The distance from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle is about 120km (75 miles). It takes about 110 minutes by car and 180 minutes by using public transport including the transfer time.

How To get to Neuschwanstein by public transport?

Firstly, take a train ride from Munich HBF to Füssen (2 hours), then a short bus ride (10 minutes) from Füssen to the base of the castles.

Any direct train from Munich to Neuschwanstein?

There’s no direct train from Munich to Neuschwanstein and it required a one-time transfer at Füssen.

Can I buy Neuschwanstein tickets in advance?

Without booking a tour, it’s not possible to BUY Neuschwanstein tickets in advance, but you can reserve them for a small fee (and pay at the ticket office when you arrive). You can reserve tickets up to 2 days before your visit here.

Can I use the Bayern Ticket from Munich to Neuschwanstein?

Bayern Ticket is covered for the train journey from Munich HBF to Fussen. But make sure you are using regional trains only.

Should I visit both Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles or only Neuschwanstein?

This is totally up to you. For me, I only visited the Neuschwanstein castle as it is the more impressive of the two, both inside and outside.

Related Travel Blog:

Where To Stay in Amsterdam: Best Areas and Hotels

by Emily | posted in: Netherlands | 0

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Looking for where to stay in Amsterdam? To make your decision easier, we took the long list and narrowed it down to the best pick of the best areas and hotels in Amsterdam.

Visiting Amsterdam is one of the most incredible experiences. The city is the perfect combination of history and modern culture, with its charming brick buildings, open skyline, history museum, and beautiful waterway canals.

Amsterdam is a mega compact city and can be divided into smaller areas and neighborhoods. There is no shortage of accommodation in the city, ranging from luxury hotels, mid-range to budget, and extending to youth hostels. Depending on your budget, finding where to stay in Amsterdam can be stressful.

While most of the attractions are located in and around the city center, travelers can get around the city on foot, or by public transport such as metros, trams, and buses. This means that you’ll never be too far away from the action, even if you decide to stay in one of the city’s quieter areas.

In this article, we’ve handpicked at least five distinctively different neighborhoods in Amsterdam to help you choose which is the best area to stay in Amsterdam based on your interests.

Quick Guide: Where To Stay in Amsterdam

Where to stay in Amsterdam? The top 5 best places to stay in Amsterdam are Centrum, Canal Belt / Nine Streets, Jordaan, Oud Zuid, and De Pijp.

We spent time putting together this comprehensive guide to make it easier for you to find the best area to stay in Amsterdam. Whether you are looking for a budget hotel or luxury hotel, or if you are traveling as a family, we get you covered.

Below are our top 5 picks for places to stay in Amsterdam, organized by areas, and following budget range:

Centrum – The best area to stay for first-time travelers as it holds all the main attractions, restaurants, and cool cafes.
Canal Belt / Nine Streets – A UNESCO-protected area with unique boutique hotels. The most scenic places to stay in the city.
Jordaan – The best place to stay in Amsterdam if you want to be located in a charming, romantic neighborhood.
Oud Zuid – Best place for the budget traveler to stay in Amsterdam with lower accommodation prices.
De Pijp – Also known as the Latin Quarter, De Pijp has a very local vibe with a picturesque urban layout.

Pro Tips: Already have a hotel booked? To search for the best accommodations at the best prices, I suggest checking out Booking.com with the best price always.

Centrum

Centrum is the most popular area to stay in Amsterdam for travelers. It is the oldest part of the city and you will find some of Amsterdam’s historical sites, major attractions, and landmarks, as well as a lively nightlife. No trip to Amsterdam is complete without spending time here!

Staying in Centrum means being close to everything you’ll want to see. It will be easy to walk almost anywhere in Amsterdam and a large number of hotels to choose from.

Where To Stay in Amsterdam - Monet Garden Hotel — Canal View Room – Monet Garden Hotel

Luxury: Hotel TwentySeven – A member of the chain Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Located on Dam Square, this fantastic hotel with the best location you can get in the city. Extremely comfortable rooms with amazing features such as the hot tub in every bathroom and some rooms offer terraces with unbeatable views over Amsterdam.

High-Range: Monet Garden Hotel – Great location in the heart of the city, within walking distance to most of the city sights and central station. Good size room with coffee and tea facilities. The canal view rooms are definitely worth every penny. Bike rental is available right down the sidewalk.

Mid-Range – Hotel V Nesplein – A perfect boutique hotel in the heart of the city. Centraal Station, Dam Square, Jordaan, and the Anne Frank House are all within walking distance. Modernized and stylish rooms, friendly and helpful staff.

Budget – WestCord City Centre Hotel – It has an excellent location, with about a 7-mins walk to the city center and about 5-mins to Dam Square. Staffs are excellent, polite, and always helpful. Nicely decorated and clean rooms and great value for money.

Canal Belt / Nine Streets

Strolling along the canal ring is the best thing to do in Amsterdam. The canal rings are a posh area lined with picturesque canal houses with cobblestoned streets.

Canal Belt is a UNESCO-protected area and the most scenic place in Amsterdam, spanning the canals at the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht. If you love designing hotels, boutique shops, and cafés, stay in the Canal Belt / Nine Streets area.

t hotel Amsterdam — The ‘t Hotel, Amsterdam

Luxury – Ambassade Hotel – One of the popular stays in Amsterdam. Rooms are elegantly decorated and most offer views of the canal. Easy walking distance to the center city area, restaurants, shopping, and local attractions. An excellent hotel for an authentic stay in the city.

Mid-Range – The ‘t Hotel – A charming boutique hotel with all the rooms decorated individually. The location is perfect, right between Jordaan and the old center. It is situated on a quiet canal and within walking distance of the main sites in the city.

Mid-Range – Hotel Sebastians – A historic canal house that offers boutique-style rooms. The location is superb and near the center of Amsterdam but still in a very quiet environment and a lovely neighborhood. You can walk easily to Dam, Central Station, Museumplein and make lovely walks along the canals.

Jordaan

For couples, the best area to stay in Amsterdam is Jordaan. Being on the canal, this is also one of our favorite areas of Amsterdam. It sits just to the west of the canal ring, and the areas are clean and charming with the traditional village-like vibe.

Jordaan is a quaint and authentic part of Amsterdam and has plenty to see and do. Art galleries, the local music scene, unusual restaurants, and vintage stores all add to the area’s appeal.

High-Range – Canal House the Tannery Amsterdam – Convenient location in one of Amsterdam´s cutest neighborhoods. The rooms are spacious and have a nice window with a beautiful canal view.

High-Range – Mr. Jordaan – An exceptional hotel with fantastic decoration, which perfectly mixes of old and classic and also modern accents. Amazing location in Jordaan neighborhood, very close to Anne Frank House museum.

Best Stay in Amsterdam - Hotel Mercier — Hotel Mercier

Mid-Range – Hotel Mercier – A Nice stylish Hotel with a two-bedroom loft, making it a great choice for families. A classic and yet modern room. Location right near the canals and the beautiful old streets. A popular pick for where to stay in Amsterdam.

Budget: Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel – Small and cozy family hotel in the heart of Amsterdam. This quaint hotel offers a wide range of room types with antique furniture, from single rooms to family suites. The location is conveniently located in Jordaan right on the Prinsengracht canal. Reasonable price and great value for money.

Oud Zuid

One of the top areas to stay if you are looking for where to stay in Amsterdam on a budget. It can be considered as one of the cheaper places to stay near the city center, with lower accommodation prices than other parts of the city center.

The location is close to major attractions and conveniently located near the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.

Luxury – Conservatorium Hotel – Located in the heart of Amsterdam’s famous museum district Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are right on your doorstep. A historical gorgeous building with impressive contemporary design and modern art pieces. One of the best places to stay in Amsterdam.

Mid-Range – Hotel City Garden – The location was excellent, right at Vondel Park and close to museums and shopping districts. this hotel makes a great pick for travelers and families who look for a budget stay in Amsterdam without paying a huge price. A popular pick in Oud Zuid, Amsterdam.

Budget – Hotel Washington – A budget hotel offers typical Amsterdam-styled rooms. It has a charming backyard garden with bicycle rental is available. Easy to get public transportation, and breakfast is included in the price.

De Pijp

Located in the South of the city, De Pijp is a cool area to stay in Amsterdam. Also known as the Latin Quarter, De Pijp has a very local vibe with a picturesque urban layout and is home to some of the hippest shops and restaurants in Amsterdam.

The location is slightly far from the city center but travelers can experience a bit of local life in this area.

Where To Stay in Amsterdam - Hotel Okura — Hotel Okura

Luxury – Pestana Amsterdam Riverside – A luxury 5-star hotel situated in a monumental building, the former Town Hall and Archive of the Amstel Community. Spacious, sparkly clean, and comfortable rooms. Located away from the heart of the city, but still well connected to the city 5-minute uber ride into town.

Luxury – Hotel Okura – Another luxurious 5-star superior hotel located in the trendy district De Pijp. It is a high-rise hotel that overlooks the Amsterdam skyline and offers unparalleled views of the city. The rooms are extremely clean and comfortable. The service was good and the staff are attentive. A refreshing experience where your stay feels sincerely valued.

The Arcade Hotel Amsterdam — The Arcade Hotel

Mid-Range – The Arcade Hotel – Probably one of the coolest Hotels in Amsterdam. The hotel is designed with the concept of Arcade classics making the experience even better. Great location, comfortable rooms, friendly staff, everything you need for a great stay in De Pijp neighborhood.

Budget – easyHotel Amsterdam City Centre South – Located at the heart of the De Pijp neighborhood and near the metro station. A basic hotel with clean and comfortable rooms, allowing for a good rest. Good value for money.

Final Tips for Where to Stay in Amsterdam

How Much Does it cost to stay in Amsterdam?

On average you will pay between €100 and €250 per night for a room for two for mid-range travelers. Luxury rooms can cost €400 and more. While budget travelers can find €30 per night in a hostel.

When is the peak season for Amsterdam?

The highest demand for hotel rooms is from April through October.

Where to stay in Amsterdam on a budget?

Oud Zuid is the best area to stay in Amsterdam on a tight travel budget. It is a major tourist area yet with lower accommodation prices than other parts of the city center.

Where is the best area to stay for first-time travelers?

Centrum is the most popular area and best place to stay in Amsterdam for first-time travelers. It is close to everything you’ll want to see with a large number of hotels to choose from.

Overview: Best Hotel To Stay in Amsterdam

All in all, we love Amsterdam and think its architecture and water canals make it one of the dreamiest cities in the world. We hope this guide helps you plan your trip much easier. That’s it! Enjoy your trip to Amsterdam.

>Friendly reminder: April and May is the peak season for Amsterdam. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment.

Here are more helpful guides to help you plan your trip to Amsterdam and nearby:

Blog Full