How to visit Neuschwanstein castle without a ticket
Key facts about visiting Neuschwanstein Castle without a ticket:
Interior tour:
A ticket is required for access to the interior of Neuschwanstein Castle.
Tickets are currently fully booked months in advance.
Ticket purchase:
Tickets can be purchased on the official website www.neuschwanstein.de or via providers such as getyourguide.
Access without a ticket:
Before Covid, access to the inner courtyard of the castle was possible without a ticket. Now even the inner courtyard is not accessible without a ticket.
Viewpoints:
The castle is visible from many sides, including from the parking lot. A free postcard view is possible from the bridge called Marienbrücke.
Photos and videos:
No photography or video recording is permitted inside the castle. Outdoor recordings for private purposes are permitted. Drones are not permitted due to the proximity to the nature reserve.
Route from the parking lot to the castle:
On foot:
1.5 km, approx. 40 minutes.
By horse-drawn carriage:
Departure from Hotel Müller, approx. 400 m on foot from the turning chamber to the castle entrance. Cost: Ascent 7 euros, descent 3.50 euros.
By shuttle bus:
Departure from P4 (Alpsee), costs vary depending on the journey. Buses leave from near the Marienbrücke bridge.
Conclusion: Neuschwanstein Castle is worth a visit both with and without a ticket. A ticket gives you access to the interior, but even without a ticket there are impressive views and photo opportunities.
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How to visit Neuschwanstein Castle without a ticket
If you want to see the inside of Neuschwanstein Castle, you will definitely need a ticket. You can’t enter the castle without a ticket.
This was already the case before Covid and with Covid even more attention is being paid to it. Due to the hygiene measures, only 10% of the possible number of visitors can visit Neuschwanstein Castle with a ticket.
Spontaneous trips to the castle for a short detour? Forget it! Tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle are currently fully booked for months.
Neuschwanstein tickets and transfer from Munich
Neuschwanstein tickets are in great demand. The castle is internationally famous and all tourists want to see Neuschwanstein at least once.
You can buy tickets directly at www.neuschwanstein.de. This is the official website of the castle administration. Here you will also find all the latest information about your visit.
Or you can take a look at providers such as getyourguide. There you will always find interesting offers for guided visits. Sometimes even including transfers from Munich, for example.
Neuschwanstein Castle without a ticket is possible
Neuschwanstein Castle is located on a hilltop and the ascent is quite strenuous. You need to know that there are no tickets directly at Neuschwanstein Castle. So if you have tickets, pick them up at the ticket office below. You can’t buy tickets at the castle itself.
Before Corona, you could enter the inner courtyard of Neuschwanstein Castle without a ticket. This is where ticket holders meet and wait for the guided tours.
With Corona, it is no longer possible to visit Neuschwanstein Castle without a ticket.
Even the inner courtyard is now off-limits without a ticket.
The good thing, however, is that Neuschwanstein Castle is clearly visible from many sides. So you can already see it from the parking lot.
Free postcard view of Neuschwanstein Castle from the Marienbrücke bridge
For a better view, you can see Neuschwanstein Castle from the Marienbrücke bridge without a ticket. To do this, walk up to the castle like the ticket holders and then walk even further. The Marienbrücke is signposted.
On the way to the bridge, you have a wonderful view of the area around Neuschwanstein Castle, the beautiful lakes and you can even see Hohenschwangau Castle. Yes, there is a second castle here.
From the Marienbrücke you can see Neuschwanstein Castle without a ticket and without spending any money.
You just have to walk a little uphill.
Don’t worry, there is also a bus from the ticket office in the valley to above the Marienbrücke. It couldn’t be easier to see Neuschwanstein Castle without a ticket.
Tours around Neuschwanstein
How to visit Neuschwanstein Castle with a ticket
If you are lucky enough to be able to buy one of the coveted tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle, there are a few things you should pay attention to – in addition to the many hygiene requirements.
Neuschwanstein Castle is breathtaking - with and without a ticket
Is it allowed to take photos of Neuschwanstein Castle?
Unfortunately, photography and video recordings are not permitted in the castle.
For photo and film shoots, you need a written photo permit or film permit, which may be subject to a charge.
Outdoor shots for private purposes are permitted free of charge.
Drones are not permitted, as Neuschwanstein Castle borders directly on the Ammergebirge nature reserve.
No matter how you visit Neuschwanstein Castle: it’s worth it!
Neuschwanstein Castle is a unique building! And the many international tourists visit the castle for a reason. The lavish splendor and the sometimes adventurous constructions in Neuschwanstein Castle are definitely worth the visit.
Of course, you can see more with a ticket. But Neuschwanstein Castle is also worth a visit without a ticket. Just for the great postcard motif from the Marienbrücke.
You can find all other official information and current guidelines relating to the COVID-19 situation at neuschwanstein.de
How long does it take to get from the parking lot to Neuschwanstein Castle?
Footpath
The castle is located 1.5 km above the parking lot, walking time approx. 40 minutes.
By horse-drawn carriage
- Departure from Hotel Müller (Alpseestraße) in Hohenschwangau.
- Due to the limited space available, the carriages cannot drive directly to the castle.
- From the horse-drawn carriage turnaround under the castle, it is approx. 400 m uphill or a 5-10 minute walk to the castle entrance.
- Tickets are available directly from the coachman (cost: uphill ride 8 euros / downhill ride 4 euros).
With the shuttle bus
- The buses depart from P4 (Alpsee), but waiting times are to be expected in high season.
- Tickets are available on the bus.
- The buses operate all year round and run as required, i.e. without a fixed timetable. The last bus leaves at 6.45 p.m. in summer and at 4.45 p.m. in winter (the bus does not run in icy and snowy conditions).
- The buses do not go all the way to the castle, but take guests to the Marienbrücke, from where they can enjoy a magnificent view of the castle.
Prices per person for the bus:
- Uphill: € 3,00
- Downhill: € 2,00
- Roundtrip: € 3,50
Prices per child for the bus:
- 0 – 6 years: free of charge
- 7 – 12 years:
Uphill: € 1,50
Downhill: € 1,00
Roundtrip: € 2,00
The shuttle-bus has no fixed departure times. The bus operates about every 20 minutes.
In the summer season:
- First departure uphill: at 8.00 am
- Last departure uphill: at 5.30 pm
- Last transfer downhill: at 6.45 pm
In the winter season (in suitable weather conditions – no ice and no snow):
- First departure uphill: at 9.00 am
- Last departure uphill: at 3.30 pm
- Last transfer downhill: at 5.00 pm