Suppose you’re planning a trip to Munich and fancy whisking yourself away to a world of fairytale castles and breathtaking Bavarian landscapes. In that case, a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace should be at the top of your bucket list. 

These architectural marvels, both commissioned by the eccentric King Ludwig II of Bavaria, offer a glimpse into a fantastical world that inspired Walt Disney himself.

I embarked on this magical journey during my last European summer trip. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my experience and provide all the practical information you’ll need for your own Bavarian castle adventure.

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Why Visit Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, let’s quickly cover why these two UNESCO World Heritage sites are worth your time:

• Neuschwanstein Castle: The quintessential fairytale castle that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, perched dramatically on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau.
• Linderhof Palace: The smallest of Ludwig II’s three palaces, but perhaps the most opulent and the only one he lived to see completed.
• Bavarian Alps: The journey itself treats you to spectacular alpine scenery that perfectly frames these architectural masterpieces.
• Cultural Significance: Both sites offer fascinating insights into the life and vision of Bavaria’s “Fairytale King” Ludwig II.

Booking Your Tour: Options and Recommendations

There are several ways to visit these Bavarian gems from Munich, but I found that going with an organised day trip was the most hassle-free option. Here’s why:

1. Convenience: Public transport to these locations is possible but complicated, often requiring multiple connections.
2. Time Efficiency: A guided tour maximises your day, hitting both locations without wasting time on logistics.
3. Expert Commentary: Many tours provide background information that enriches your understanding.
4. Skip-the-Line Options: Some tours help you avoid the notoriously long queues at Neuschwanstein.

Tour Operators I Recommend

1. Viator – The tour I personally took was booked through them, linked here, and it was exceptionally well organised.
2. Trip.com – Another reputable operator with excellent reviews and similar tour options.

My Personal Experience: A Day in Bavaria’s Fairytale World

Setting Off from Munich

Our adventure began bright and early at 9:00 AM in central Munich.

Pro Tip: Arrive at least 15 minutes early to ensure you don’t miss the departure. The tour operators are quite strict about departure times! I also didn’t realise that we had to bring cash with us to give them for the castle entry, so I had to go to an ATM after I arrived.

As we pulled away from Munich’s city centre, our guide pointed out various landmarks. The drive through the Bavarian countryside was a treat in itself – rolling hills and charming villages, creating the perfect backdrop for our fairytale adventure.

First Stop: Linderhof Palace

After about a 90-minute drive, we arrived at our first destination: Linderhof Palace.

What to Expect at Linderhof:

• Guided Interior Tour: Unlike Neuschwanstein, Linderhof offers guided tours led by palace staff. Our tour lasted about 30 minutes and was conducted in English.
• Opulent Interiors: I was gobsmacked by the lavish gold ornamentation adorning nearly every surface. It particularly reminded me of the Palace of Versailles in France, which makes sense as Ludwig II was fascinated by the French King Louis XIV.
• Beautiful Gardens: Despite the light rain, exploring the manicured French gardens was a delight. The photos don’t quite do it justice.

Photography Note: No photos are permitted inside the palace, so you’ll need to rely on your memory (or official guidebooks) to remember the splendour. However, the gardens offer plenty of photo opportunities!

We had about 90 minutes at Linderhof in total, which felt adequate for both the interior tour and garden exploration. Before departing, I had time to grab a quick coffee.

Scenic Drive Through Oberammergau

Between our castle visits, we enjoyed a lovely 15-minute sightseeing drive through Oberammergau, famous for its beautifully painted houses (Lüftlmalerei). The colourful façades depicting scenes from fairy tales and religious stories were visible from the windows of our coach.

Main Event: Neuschwanstein Castle

Around midday, we arrived at the highlight of our tour: the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle. As we approached, even through the misty rain, the castle emerged like a mirage from the clouds, a truly magical moment that no photo can fully capture.

Our guide gave us clear instructions about our four-hour stay:

1. Eat lunch & explore the town
2. Options for reaching the castle (shuttle bus, horse carriage, or hiking)
3. Our time for the castle entrance/tour
4. Meeting point and time for departure

Getting to the Castle: From the parking area, you have three options to reach the castle:

• Shuttle Bus: Roughly €3 one way
• Horse-Drawn Carriage: Roughly €7 one way
• Hiking: Free, about 40 minutes uphill on a paved road
  • I chose this option and walked up with a new friend I had made that day. It was nice to chat & see the greenery and little waterfalls along the way. 
  • We also chose to walk down this path, but it was a bit slippery at points.

My Experience Inside Neuschwanstein:

The castle interior can only be visited as part of a guided tour, which for our group meant an audio guide tour. We were given audio devices in our preferred languages at our designated time slot. 

The contrast with Linderhof was striking – where Linderhof was intimate and excessively ornate, Neuschwanstein featured larger, more theatrical spaces inspired by Wagner’s operas.

Again, photography is strictly prohibited inside, and the tour lasted approximately 35 minutes.

The Famous Marienbrücke View:

Before the tour, I made the short hike to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge), which offers the classic postcard view of Neuschwanstein. Despite the rain and considerable crowds, this view was absolutely worth it. The bridge was busy but manageable, and people were courteous about taking turns for photos.

Weather Note: The misty rain actually created an ethereal atmosphere around the castle. Don’t let less-than-perfect weather deter you – just think of it more like a spooky scene from a Disney movie.

Practical Information and Tips

What to Bring

Based on my experience, I recommend packing:

• Comfortable walking shoes (essential for the uphill walks)
• Weather-appropriate clothing (layers are best)
• Rain gear (even in summer, as I discovered!)
• Water bottle and snacks (10.5 hours is a long day, and food can be expensive at tourist areas)
• Camera (not to be used inside the castles)
• Cash for entrance fees (Though cards are accepted at most places, on my tour we had to pay our guide in cash for the entry ticket purchase at the start of the tour)

Is the Tour Worth It for Families?

Absolutely! Despite the walking involved, I saw many families with children who seemed captivated by the “real-life fairytale castles”. However, I’d recommend options like using the shuttle, or the horse and carriage to make the journey easier for little legs.

Similarly, some older people on my tour struggled with the walk in the rain as it was a bit slippery. Their families were there to help them, but in hindsight, they may have preferred the shuttle also.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

My day trip to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, despite the rain, remains one of the highlights of my European travels. There’s something undeniably magical about these castles that transports you to another time and place.

If you’re debating whether to include this excursion in your Munich itinerary, my advice is an emphatic “yes!” Just be prepared for a long day (approximately 10.5 hours), some walking, and potentially variable weather conditions. The memories and photographs you’ll take home are absolutely worth it.

If you are wanting to book, the exact one I went on can be found here.

Have you visited these Bavarian treasures? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

Check out my other day trip guides below!

• Day Trip from Paris: Claude Monet’s Giverny Paradise