WorldofLauraJane

My trip to Munich was for one main purpose which was to visit Neuschwanstein Castle which has been a bucket list trip for a long time. To visit this beautiful castle I opted to book an organised trip that went from Munich via the Viator website using Mentor Reisen. I chose to book a trip which also took in Linderhof Palace as well as a drive through the village of Oberammergau at a reasonable price of £58 which didn’t include entrance tickets for Neuschwanstein or Linderhof but these were available to buy on the coach from the guide at an extra cost. Pick up was located at Karlsplatz which was only a short walk from the hotel I was staying where we then took a 75 minute drive to Linderhof Palace located 97km from Munich.

Upon arrival at Linderhof Palace you are unable to gain a first glance of the palace from the car park where the coach will drop you off. Once dropped off we took a walk from the car park through some trees past a gift shop as well as a beautiful lake to then be met by Linderhof Palace and Gardens. Tickets can be bought for entrance to the palace either online or from the ticket centre near the car park, I would recommend pre booking tickets if you are planning to go not on an organised trip. Tickets are €10 for a guided tour of the palace, entrance to the palace is only possible on a guided tour and there is no pictures or filming allowed in the palace. On the guided tour of the palace which takes approximately 25 minutes you will be able to see the hall of mirrors, bed chamber, dining room as well as the different coloured rooms such as lilac, pink, blue and yellow. There is no tickets required to walk around the English style gardens of Linderhof which has elements of renaissance and baroque gardens. Linderhof Palace was built from 1872 to 1878, designed to be a rococo style villa and is the smallest of three palaces built by King Ludwig ll as well as the only palace he lived to see completed as he lived in it for the majority of his time from 1876. 

If you are wishing to visit Linderhof Palace alone you are able to get a train from Munich to Oberammergau and then a bus to Linderhof. 

After spending some time at the beautiful Linderhof Palace and Gardens it was time to take the 105 minute drive to Neuschwanstein Castle 109km away with a drive through the village of Oberammergau. This charming village is known for its woodcarvings which are available to buy from some of the unique stores in the village. As your driving through you are able to see paintings covering the half timber buildings which are known as luftlmateri. As you are approaching Neuschwanstein castle you will be able to catch a first glimpse of it in the hills as you will also see people paragliding nearby. 

Neuschwanstein Castle is famously known as the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. As one of the palaces of King Ludwig II it was opened to the public in 1886 which was seven weeks after his death. It was built to allow him to withdraw himself from public life as building began in 1868 and completed in 1892, he sadly only ever saw this as a building site. Those who are wishing to venture inside the castle will need a ticket which I would advise pre booking which is able to be done online, tickets are €23.50. The ticket centre is located a 30-40 minutes walk from the castle, there are also no photo’s or filming allowed in the castle. As one of the most popular castles in Europe it does get very busy at the castle and the surrounding areas. There is a steep 1.5km uphill pathway to the castle which starts from in the village of Hohenschwangau but this is not an option I would recommend taking as its strenuous especially on a hot day. I opted to get the shuttle bus from Alpsee parking which takes you to near Marienbrucke (Mary’s bridge) above the castle. Tickets for the bus are €3.50 one way or €5 round trip. The shuttle will run approximately every 20 minutes depending on weather conditions such as no services in ice or snow. For spectacular views of the castle make sure to visit Marienbrucke which is a iron bridge that was named after King Ludwig II Mum, this bridge was originally a wooden structure that was built as a viewpoint as well as a crossing for hikers and hunters. As you explore the area of the castle you are able to find a souvenir shop as well as a kiosk to buy snacks and drinks which is where I chose to purchase a large cheese pretzel. From within the castle grounds you are able to enjoy spectacular views of the nearby area and lakes. In the village of Hohenschwangau you will find hotels, restaurants as well as souvenir shops. 

Neuschwanstein Castle is somewhere that I would highly recommend everyone to visit at some point in their lifetime. The views of the castle and the surrounding areas are breathtaking where no pictures would be able to give it any justice of its beauty. 

Located not too far from Neuschwanstein Castle is Hohenschwangau Castle which is above the car park where you are likely to be dropped off via coach. Hohenschwangau was where King Ludwig II would spend many of his summers after it was acquired by his father King Maximilian ll in 1832. This was not a castle I managed to explore or find out anymore about due to time restraints but tickets to visit inside the castle are €26. 

If you are wishing to visit Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich alone then you are able to get a train to Fussen and then a bus. 

Both Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace were added to UNESCO World Heritage in July 2025.