How to visit Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter

Last updated on June 6th, 2026

Visiting Germany‘s Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter? We’re sharing what to expect, plus if it’s worth it.

With over 1.4 million visitors per year, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most iconic sights in Germany. And it’s easy to see why! This picture-perfect castle, tucked into the Bavarian Alps, is straight out of a fairytale. So much so, that it even inspired Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle!

But you may be wondering, is it worth visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter? We visited Neuschwanstein in late December and had the same question ourselves. And in this guide we’re sharing everything you need to know to visit Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter. Including what is accessible, tour information, and more!

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About Neuschwanstein Castle

For years, Bavaria was ruled by the Wittelsbach dynasty, and in 1864 Ludwig II became king. However, he was a reluctant king. Instead of focusing on state affairs he was much more interested in art and architectural projects. He spent the majority of his private royal revenues on lavish palaces, with one of his most famous projects being the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Construction of the Neuschwanstein Castle began in 1869 and was intended to be an escape and private residence for King Ludwig II. However, it was never fully completed. Ludwig moved in as construction was ongoing, but he began to run out of money and died in 1886, after only living in it for a total of 172 days. It was then opened to the public shortly after in order to recoup the debt of the construction.

Is Neuschwanstein Castle open in the winter?

Yes! The inside of Neuschwanstein Castle is open year round except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

During the winter season (October 26-March 22), the inside of the castle is open for tours from 10 AM-4 PM, while the ticket counter is open from 8 AM-3:30 PM.

How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter

Neuschwanstein Castle is located in Schwangau, which is just minutes from Füssen in Southern Germany. Since it is so popular, there are multiple ways you can get there!

Bus from Füssen

To get to Schwangau by bus, you can take the RVA 73 in the direction of Steingaden/Garmisch-Partenkirchen or RVA 78 in the Schwangau direction. Both of these buses leave from the Füssen train station. You can use the DB website or Google Maps to help plan your trip and see departure times. It is only a 15 minute ride from Füssen to Schwangau. And once you arrive, you’ll be dropped off near the museum and ticket office.

However, keep in mind holidays if you plan to take the bus. We visited during the week between Christmas and New Years and the bus schedule was reduced, so we had to take a taxi instead.

Taxi from Füssen

There are no Ubers or Lyfts in Füssen, but you can take a taxi to Neuschwanstein Castle. It’s easy to get a taxi from the Füssen train station and to get back, you can hail a taxi that has just dropped someone off at the Neuschwanstein Castle. But if you’d prefer to book a taxi in advance, Taxi Krüger and Taxi Cadvar are both options!

Note: The taxi will drop you off in the valley near the ticket office, as only the buses and horse drawn carriages can go up the road to the castles.

Drive

If you have a rental car, you can drive to Schwangau. You won’t be able to drive right up to the castles, but there are 4 parking lots near the ticket center where you can park. Cars can park for 12 EUR for 6 hours, plus an additional Euro every hour after that. There is also RV and motorcycle parking, which has different fees.

Walk from Füssen

If you’re up for a good walk, it is also possible to walk to Schwangau from Füssen. This 20 km trail (12.6 miles) will take you to both castles and two lakes, Schwansee and Alpsee.

Visiting from Munich? This day trip tour from Munich will take you to Neuschwanstein, plus give you the chance to bike around the area and swim in a lake! Use our code APLUSK10 for 10% off!

Getting around Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter

Once you’re in Schwangau, near Neuschwanstein Castle, it’s very easy and enjoyable to get around. There are multiple ways to get between Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, and Alpsee.

Walk

Our favorite way to get from Schwangau to Neuschwanstein Castle was walking! The uphill walk is very well signed so you won’t get lost, but it will take about 40 minutes. There are lots of trails in the forest, including to get to Marienbrücke, which is a very popular viewpoint of the majestic castle.

Bus

From the ticket station you can take a bus up to Neuschwanstein Castle. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station ticket office or you can buy directly from the bus driver (cash only). Tickets for adults cost 3 EUR, less for those ages 7-12, and free for ages 6 and younger.

The bus does not have designated departure times. It runs about every 20 minutes and the ride is about 15 minutes. Below is a rundown of the bus hours by season:

Summer Hours
The first ascent (up to Neuschwanstein Castle) is at 8:00 AM
Last ascent (up to Neuschwanstein Castle) is at 5:30 PM
Last descent (from Neuschwanstein Castle) is at 6:45 PM

Winter Hours
The first ascent (up to Neuschwanstein Castle) is at 9:00 AM
Last ascent (up to Neuschwanstein Castle) is at 3:30 PM
Last descent (from Neuschwanstein Castle) is at 5:00 PM

If visiting around the holidays, know that the bus schedule is more limited. We wanted to go up to Marienbrucke as early as possible to beat crowds, but the shuttle doesn’t start running until 9 AM in the winter. It is also weather dependent. If there is too much snow on the road, the bus service will not run.

Horse drawn carriage

A fun way to get up to the castle is to ride a horse drawn carriage! The carriages leave from the valley across from Hotel Müller and will drop you off just below Neuschwanstein Castle. They run all year round and do not operate on a schedule, only on demand.

It costs 8 EUR for the trip up and 4 EUR for a ride down. You do not need a tour ticket (for the inside of Neuschwanstein Castle) to ride either the bus and horse drawn carriage. These methods are open to those who just want to view the outside of the castle!

A+K Tip: Keep in mind that during the holiday season, the wait time for buses and horse drawn carriages can be long. Make sure to account for some extra time if you’re relying on one of those transportation methods before your tour. If you’re late for your tour, they will not let you in!

Pros and cons of visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter

Before we share exactly what you can (and cannot) do in Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter, here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of visiting this time of year, to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Pros

Less crowds than the summer

Summer is the busiest time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. And while winter will still bring decent crowds, it won’t be as chaotic as the summer. For us, we loved this aspect!

Easier to get tour tickets

With less crowds, it is easier to get tour tickets. We still recommend getting them in advance, even though you may have less competition.

The chance to see snow

Neuschwanstein Castle is magical on its own, but blanketed in snow? It is a straight winter wonderland! However, it doesn’t always have snow in the winter.

During our visit in late December it was not snowy. This worked out in our favor to visit the iconic Marienbrücke, but it didn’t give us that winter wonderland experience. So don’t totally expect to see snow, but be prepared just in case!

Cons

Possible closures, like Marienbrücke

With possible icy and snowy conditions, closures can occur at Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter. Specifically, the closure of Marienbrücke, which some consider a must-visit. We’ll share more about this bridge in a minute, plus how to check its status!

Cold temperatures

Since you’re in the Bavarian Alps, it will be cold in the winter. Temperatures range from -6ºC (21ºF) to 8ºC (46ºF). We were pretty cold while exploring Neuschwanstein Castle, so make sure to bundle up! And thankfully there are places to get a hot drink!

Less daylight

Another con to visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter is the limited daylight. In December, the sun doesn’t rise until 7:45 AM or 8 AM and sets around 4:30 PM. So make sure to get an earlier start so you have enough daylight.

Things to do at Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter

Marienbrücke (if open)

When visiting Neuschwanstein Castle you must visit Marienbrücke! Well, that is, if it’s open.

This bridge, also known as Mary’s Bridge, over the Pöllat Gorge provides the most iconic view of the castle. A bridge of some sort has been in place since 1845, when King Maximillian II ordered a bridge to be built.

When you Google Neuschwanstein Castle, the view from this bridge is likely the first photo that will come up. The only problem is that in the winter it can close due to icy conditions. We got lucky that during our visit in December the bridge was open. Before you go, you can check the condition of the bridge on this website (under “current information”).

To get to Marienbrücke from the Schwangau valley, you can walk up this trail in the woods, which has a decent incline. Or you can take the bus! We highly recommend hiking up so that you can be up there before the bus starts running. Marienbrücke can get very busy! We hiked up around 8 AM and had the bridge to ourselves for a few minutes. But shortly after, big groups arrived and the bridge was packed!

Is there an alternative if Marienbrücke is closed? Unfortunately if Marienbrücke is closed there is not a legal or safe alternative that will give you the same view.

Schwangau Overlook

Another overlook to check out is the Schwangau Overlook which gives you panoramic views of the mountains, Alpsee, and Hohenschwangau. If you visit Marienbrücke, you’ll pass this overlook on your walk down to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Walk around the exterior of Neuschwanstein Castle

You’ll need to book a tour to see the inside of Neuschwanstein Castle, but the outside is free to visit and admire!

After seeing the castle from a distance at Marienbrücke, it was really interesting to see it up close. We really enjoyed picking out the little details in the walls and decorations. One of our favorite details are the intricate faces under the balcony windows on the west facing wall. It almost looks fake because of how perfectly built it was!

Make sure to check out this overlook, which faces the front of the castle. The front of the castle has a much different design (and colors!) than the rest of the castle.

And if you find yourself getting hungry or need a coffee or hot chocolate, there is a snack shack and a restaurant. And if you want to pick up a souvenir, there is also a souvenir stand nearby.

Tour the interior of Neuschwanstein Castle

The inside of the Neuschwanstein Castle can only be visited through a guided tour. These tours last 30 minutes and are provided in German and English, plus audio tours in 17 other languages.

What you’ll see on the tour

On the tour you’ll be taken through 14 different rooms in the castle. On the 3rd and 4th floors is where you’ll view the apartments and state rooms of King Ludwig II. Other rooms include a grotto, dressing room, conservatory, and a study. The 2nd floor was never finished and today houses tourist services, like a shop and cafeteria.

How to book tour tickets

It is highly recommended to purchase your Neuschwanstein Castle tickets online as soon as possible. This is one of the most popular attractions in all of Germany so tickets do sell out.

You can also purchase tickets at the ticket center, but only for the day of, if there are any available (there likely will be limited amounts, even in the winter).

Important things to know for your tour

When you purchase tickets for a tour, it is for a specific time. Make sure to give yourself enough time to get up to Neuschwanstein Castle. You will want to check in for your tour at the castle gates a few minutes early. When you check in there will likely be a security check, so account for that as well. Do NOT be late or you will not be allowed on the tour and will need to purchase new tickets for another time, if they’re available.

Another very important thing to know is that you are not allowed to take photos or videos inside the castle.

Visit Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle | Things do to in Füssen, Germany

The other famous castle in Schwangau is the Hohenschwangau Castle. This castle has been mentioned in records since the 12th Century, changing owners over time and being partially destroyed during different wars.

In 1832, King Maximilian II, father of King Ludwig II, acquired the ruin and had the castle rebuilt. So while the current version wasn’t built by King Ludwig II, he spent much of his childhood living in it.

While you can tour both Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, we had heard that the inside of Hohenschwangau is more interesting, since it was actually lived in for years, including by King Ludwig II. So we opted to tour Hohenschwangau Castle instead!

And we are really glad we did! The inside was beautiful and we learned some very interesting stories about the royal family. One bonus of this tour, versus Neuschwanstein Castle, is that it’s a bit longer, at 45 minutes. So we felt like we got our money’s worth!

See Alpsee

Alpsee | Things do to in Füssen, Germany

After exploring the castles, you must check out Alpsee, a nearby alpine lake. This lake has a stunning mountain backdrop, plus clear turquoise waters. To experience it, you can either walk the Alpsee Loop around the lake or just view it from the east end of the lake, by the Museum of Bavarian Kings. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic!

There is also a boathouse on the lake where you can rent a small boat. However, it is only open from May to October so you won’t be able to enjoy it if visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter, but if visiting in the summer it’s something to look into!

Museum of the Bavarian Kings

Right next to Alpsee is the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, a small museum that shares more of the history of the Wittelsbach dynasty.

When purchasing your tickets for the castle tours, you can also get a combo ticket that includes the museum. If you have a full day to spend in this area, it’s a worthy add on!

Grab a bite to eat

You’ll likely get hungry hiking and exploring the castles. The best option near Neuschwanstein Castle is Schwangau Castle Brewery, however, it is a bit of a walk from the main tourist area itself.

If you want something closer, Ludwigs Stüberl, Kainz Restaurant, and Schloss Bräustüberl Hohenschwangau are all options right by the Neuschwanstein ticket center. They tend to be a bit overpriced and not as high quality though. So if you don’t want to make the trek to Schwangau Castle Brewery, we’d recommend packing a picnic and having dinner when you get back to Füssen!

Explore Füssen

While most visitors are drawn to the area by the castles, you’d be really missing out if you didn’t explore Füssen as well! This medieval town is lined with cobblestone streets and colorful buildings, while set in a magnificent mountain backdrop. There are so many fun things to do in Füssen, whether you just have an afternoon or a full day!

Linderhof Palace

To see another one of Luwig’s palaces, take the short trip to the Linderhof Palace. The Linderhof Palace is the only one of King Ludwig II’s three palaces that was completed and lived in by the King most of the time.

Linderhof Palace’s architecture was heavily inspired by French architecture, like Versailles, and it is not only one of the most popular historical sites to see in Southern Germany, but is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visits to the palace are only possible through a guided tour and tickets can be bought online or at the castle box office.

For an epic day of exploring castles you can combine a tour of Linderhof Palace with Neuschwanstein with this full day tour.

Want to save some money on this tour or experience? Join Tripadvisor Rewards to earn 5% Trip Cash on any hotel or experience booking made in their app, which can be applied to future in-app bookings!

Is it worth visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter?

It’s time to answer the burning question…is Neuschwanstein Castle worth visiting in the winter?

For us, it ended up being totally worth it! But had Marienbrücke not been open, I do think we would’ve felt like we didn’t get the full experience. With that said, it really depends on what you want to get out of the experience.

Is your top priority seeing the view from Marienbrücke? If so, we’d suggest visiting during the spring through fall when you are almost guaranteed a chance to walk on the bridge.

Is your top priority experiencing the history and viewing the interior? Then we’d say it’s 100% worth visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter! You will still get to see the castle from the outside, go on a tour of the inside, and experience Alpsee and Hohenschwangau.

Tips for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter

Plan ahead

If visiting in the winter you might have some leeway with tour tickets, but still buy them ahead of time. In the summer, purchase tickets as soon as possible.

Arrive early

When visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter, you’ll have less daylight to work with. Getting an early start (by 8 AM) is key to beating the crowds at Marienbrücke and other popular areas, as well as having enough time to explore.

Pack warm clothing

As mentioned, it will likely be pretty cold in the winter. Be sure to wear warm clothing and layers!

If you plan to walk up to the castles you’ll likely work up a sweat, so you’ll want to be able to remove a layer and put it back on when you cool down. Even though there was no snow it was still very cold on our visit, especially with the wind.

Wear good shoes

You may walk a lot during your day at Neuschwanstein Castle, so make sure to wear good shoes! Not only will you want shoes with good grip, but also enough warmth. During our time in Germany in the winter, Adam wore Columbia Men’s Bugaboot III Snow Boots and Kathryn wore Columbia Women’s Ice Maiden II Snow Boots.

Make sure to have cash

It’s always a good idea to carry some cash while exploring Germany. Especially for using public toilets. The toilets at the Neuschwanstein Castle are free, but in Schwangau by the Bavarian Kings Museum, you do have to pay.