Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Exclusive Skip-the-Crowds Tour

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Theresienwiese

   All of the sights mentioned here are carefully selected recommendations. Since you have booked this tour as a private tour, we are happy to accommodate additional requests as far as possible. --> Please also note the following point 'Additional Info'! ... but now: look forward to a wonderful tour and rest assured that you are in the best hands of your friendly and professional guide, who will take you on an eventful, informative, yet relaxing trip in our luxurious minivans. 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! (Depending on traffic conditions or your pickup address, we reserve the right to show you a different attraction.)

   Pass by without stopping

2. Starnberger See

   20 min later we reach the impressive Lake Starnberg, also known as the “Dukes lake”. Magnificent villas stretch along the lakeshore, including the summer residences of Sissi, the pretty but unfortunate Empress of Austria. See the spot in the lake where King Ludwig II mysteriously died on June 13, 1886. Learn about the strange relationship between Ludwig and Sissi, and why he didn't want to marry Sissis younger sister. The only island of the lake ("Roseninsel") which was in royal possession, too, was the meeting place of Ludwig and Sissi several times...

   15 minutes here

3. Hohenschwangau

   After another hour drive through the beautiful rural Bavarian countryside we approach the range of the Alps and can see the towers of Neuschwanstein at an altitude of about 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 a very detailed map of the surrounding area. He will give you tips on how to spend your stay in the best possible way, e.g. visiting the viewpoint Queen Mary's bridge, using the shuttle bus or horse-drawn carriages, and where it is best to eat or shop. Just as worth seeing is HOHENSCHWANGAU castle, the neo-gothic summer residence of King Maximilian II. with Ludwig's spectacular children's room. Skip-the-line tickets can be booked for the 45-minute tour – please enter your request under 'Special Requirements' (appears during the booking process), and we’ll let you know exactly how to do it.

   45 minutes here

4. Schloss 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 during snow and ice) or the horse-drawn carriage --> details see "Additional Info". The guided tour in Neuschwanstein castle takes 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.

   150 minutes here · Admission included

5. Queen Mary's bridge ("Marienbrücke") - THE TOP VIEWPOINT - built in 1866 by King Ludwig II - one of the most famous in the world! 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 the access to the bridge! But not far away we can show you another spectacular viewpoint without waiting. In snow and ice, the bridge is not accessible.

   20 minutes here

6. Enjoy views of the spectacular Pöllat waterfall from the Neuschwanstein Castle Courtyard and from the view point Marienbrücke "Queen Mary's Bridge" (for departures after 8 a.m. waiting times are possible; in case of snow and ice, the bridge is closed). The Pöllat is a 10 km long wild river and rises not far from Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps.

   5 minutes here

7. Pilgrimage 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 along the route by Lake Plansee to Linderhof Castle and/or to Oberammergau, we won't visit the Wies Church, but an equally beautiful baroque church.

   20 minutes here

8. For a while we pass Austrian territory on our approx. 50 minutes way to Linderhof palace and/or Oberammergau 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 minutes here

9. Schloss Linderhof

   (ON REQUEST) - If you have booked the 11 hrs tour, OR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO HOHENSCHWANGAU CASTLE, we would highly recommend the visit of Linderhof Palace, King Ludwig's smallest but most intimate castle located in a in a secluded Alpine valley with breathtaking french baroque design, spectacular Bavarian trick paintings and the famous "Magic Table" ("Tischlein-deck-Dich"). Let yourself also be enchanted by the baroque palace park, which merges into a landscape park, and where you can admire even more fairytale buildings, such as the Venus Grotto (closed in winter, see the following agenda item). Entrance to the castle park is free.

   75 minutes here

10. (ON REQUEST): At the time, the Venus Grotto in the castle park of Linderhof was considered one of the largest artificial grottoes in the world and was completed in 1877 after two years of construction. King Ludwig not only created a private opera house in the design of the famous stage set from Wagner's opera Tannhäuser, but also a private swimming pool, since the water of the lake inside the grotto (with waterfall!) could be heated... If you want to visit the grotto, please make sure to pay attention to the following notes • It’s absolutely necessary that you let us know about this request when you make the booking – under "Special Requirements" • You need AT LEAST 55 minutes for the visit to the grotto, which you will miss for other sights (The tour inside the grotto lasts 15 minutes plus 2x 20 minutes of walking --> on a VERY steep path <-- to get there) Entrance to the castle park is free.

    55 minutes here

11. Ettal Abbey

    If you want to see (and understand) another baroque masterpiece concerning church decorations, inserted in a 12-wall domed mediaval hall from the 14th century, you should follow your guide in the Ettal Benedictine monastery near a little passo, just a 5 minutes’ drive away from Oberammergau. In the monastery shop you can buy the excellent home-brewed Ettal monastery beer or liqueur.

    20 minutes here

12. Oberammergau

    Shortly after Linderhof we reach the world-famous Passion Play and woodcarver village OBERAMMERGAU. Marvel at the partly over 250-year-old murals ("Lüftlmalereien") as well as the impressive Passion Play Theatre. In the woodcarving shops you'll find a huge range of carved figures, animals, and other items in all sizes, including numerous nativity sets and other enchanting Christmas items.

    30 minutes here

13. (ON REQUEST) - If you like to visit this attraction, please note the following: 1) It is imperative to inform us immediately (when booking, in the field "Special Requirements") 2) You will have about 45 minutes less time for the other sights 3) The coaster cannot be reserved; to avoid waiting times, we have to go there first and put Neuschwanstein Castle at the end of the tour. 4) If you're not sure whether you want to do this activity, you can (for free) watch other drivers zoom down the final section of the track! ***** A cosy chairlift takes you through the magnificent alpine world to a cosy mountain restaurant and to the start of the adventurous ALPINE COASTER at 1,270 m (4.170 ft) altitude: With the 1st world's longest weatherproof toboggan run with magnetic brakes, you can reach the valley at a length of 2,600 meters (1,6 miles) with breathtaking views and adventurous curves. ***** Open daily with suitable weather from approx. December - October.

    45 minutes here

14. Altstadt von Fuessen

    (ON REQUEST) The extremely charming medieval town can look back on a 2,000-year history. As the favourite seat of the Habsburg Emperor Maximilian I, Füssen experienced its first heyday at the beginning of the 16th century; the 'High Castle' - one of the best preserved medieval castles in Bavaria - was already decorated in 1499 with unusually rich architectural and illusion paintings. Let yourself be enchanted by the well-preserved city wall, crooked houses and the Italian-looking former monastery complex with its magnificent baroque church during a walk through narrow streets. Enjoy a refreshment in one of the numerous street cafés or the numerous shopping facilities.

    30 minutes here

15. (ON REQUEST) - If you like to this activity, please note the following: 1) It is imperative to inform us about it (e.g. when booking in the field "Special Requirements") 2) You will have about 60 minutes less time for the other sights, or you will have to do without them in some cases. 3) You are neither insured through our company or through the bike rental company) ***** Keen of further activities? Why not take a private guided bike ride through the picturesque Bavarian countryside. During an approx. one-hour roundtrip, you can see mountain lakes and a medieval town (perhaps bring your swimsuites). If you bring your own bike, there are no extra costs for this activity, otherwise bikes (including e-bikes) can also be rented.

    75 minutes here

16. Munich

    Relax on the way back to Munich in your comfortable leather seat and let the unforgettable impressions of this eventful tour pass through your mind again – your tour guide will safely take you back to your accommodation or any other address you want in the Munich area.

    5 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Options you can book

• 9.5 Exclusive Private hours!

  Duration: 9 hours 30 minutes: 'SKIP-THE-CROWDS' at 7:00 or 7:30am, Skip-the-Line tickets for Neuschwanstein castle are inclusive! Pickup included

• XXL-Time credit

  Duration: 11 hours: 'SKIP-THE-CROWDS' at 7:00am, inclusive Skip-the-Line tickets for Neuschwanstein! Enjoy this XXL-tour length to see even more! Pickup included

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

de, en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 8 travelers per booking

Operated by

Sightseeing Bavaria Exclusive

Know before you go

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Are you able to walk uphill from the car park to Neuschwanstein castle on a paved road - approx. 1,5 km/1 mile in an hour's time? If not, we have to calculate additional (waiting-) time for the horse-hybrid carriage or the Shuttle bus, since neither can be reserved (the latter is 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.
• In Neuschwanstein Castle itself, a total of 346 stairs (up and down) have to be mastered. For wheelchair users and people with severe walking disabilities who can show a disability ID --> 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. In Hohenschwangau Castle, a total of 180 stairs (up and down) have to be mastered (no elevator). The costs for the horse-drawn carriages are not included in the travel price and can only be paid in cash on site. No advance reservation possible.).
• In Linderhof castle you have to walk only approx. two times 15 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 - CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!) 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!
• Regarding the sights mentioned in the 'Itinerary,' please note the following: 1) The times given are approximate. 2) The travel time required to get to each sight is not included in these times. 3) The program items marked as "ON REQUEST" are not automatically included in the tour. If you would like to visit one or more sights marked "ON REQUEST," please let us know in advance so we can optimize your itinerary accordingly. Naturally, in that case - especially when choosing the shorter (9.5-hour) tour length - you will have less time for the other program items. (If desired, the tour can be extended for an additional fee)
• 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

Photos

Traveler reviews

92 verified traveler reviews for Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Exclusive Skip-the-Crowds Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.