Bayern ticket to Neuschwanstein

The Bayern-Ticket cannot be used for travel before 9 AM on a workday, but if you go on a weekend it's valid from midnight (morning). However, that does not mean that you can't start your travel at 8:27 on a work day, but you will need additional ticket coverage until 9 AM.

From where are you leaving at 0827? The Bahn schedule shows a regional train leaving the Hbf at 8:53 in May and getting to Muenchen Pasing at 8:59. It leaves Pasing at 9:00 so you can use the Bayern-Ticket from the time you leave Pasing for the rest of the day. An MVV ticket from anywhere in the inner zone of Munich to Pasing is a one-zone ticket for 2,80€/adult. That means you could use the MVV ticket for any means of transport (S-/U-Bahn, streetcar, or bus to get from a hotel in the inner zone to the Hbf plus the train to Pasing. At Pasing you don't have to change trains or anything, just change tickets.

we are leaving from munich... but can we take a train after 9 am so that we can use the ticket for a return ticket?

Also is it best to reserve a ticket on-line for Neuschwanstein? It is in German and difficult for me to do, but everything I have read says you should book at least 2 days ahead.

thank you!

we take a train after 9 am so that we can use the ticket for a return
ticket?

You don't have to use a train that leaves after 9 am to use the Bayern-Ticket for the return trip. The Bayern-Ticket is usable all day long (after 9 AM) for your choice of regional trains in Bavaria, so you can use the ticket to come back to Munich.

is it best to reserve a ticket on-line for Neuschwanstein?

You don't reserve a ticket, but you can purchase it online. There is no advantage to doing so.

everything I have read says you should book at least 2 days ahead.

Everything you have read is wrong. Where did you read that? Maybe you should ignore them and start asking questions here. You can purchase a Bayern-Ticket right up to the time of travel at an automat (I've done that dozens of times) or for 2€ more (for personal service) at a ticket counter. If you want to purchase a Bayern-Ticket in advance to save time in the morning, make sure you select the correct date, because a Bayern-Ticket is only valid for the date printed on the ticket.

Update: OK, Sorry. I thought you were still talking about rail tickets to Neuschwanstein.

everything I have read says you should book at least 2 days ahead.

Not should, must. According to the webpage for Neuschwanstein tickets, "Reservations are possible up to 2 days before your desired visit to the castle. Reservations for the same day are not possible". (Note: the German language side says "reservations are possible up to at the lastest 2 days in advance until 3 PM German time)

If you are arriving on the train, make sure you arrive sufficiently before the time of your reserved tour. If you are arriving by car, you will need to allow more time to account for traffic or wrong turns.

Use the Bahn website and put in to: Hohenschwangau Neuschwanstein Castle. That will give you the time that you will be dropped off at the bus stop about 50 yds from the ticket kiosk. If you have a tour reservation, you pick up your ticket at the kiosk about an hour before your tour, to account for the time it will take you to walk up the hill to the castle.

Should you book a reservation for Neuschwanstein in advance ? Yes, unless you don't mind taking a 2+ hour train trip only to find that all castle tickets are sold out for the day. I believe the website can be accessed in English (look for Union Jack symbol or "English")
We found the area to be incredibly tourist-crowded on a weekend in March, with long lines for shuttle buses. But the town of Fussen was charming.

Try as I might, I can't seem to find a train that leaves Munich at 8:27 heading to, or connecting to Fuessen.

Yes, if it is valid, you use it for the return. I guess, even if it is invalid, and you are caught and fined plus charged the one way fare, it would still be valid for the return.

Of course, if you are going on a Saturday or Sunday or German holiday, you can travel any time that day.

I was referring to purchasing the Neuschwanstein Castle tour tickets at least 2 days in advance

Thank you... a little more looking and I found the English version.

I was wrong the train leaves at 0840. It should all work out. Thanks!

I was wrong the train leaves at 0840. It should all work out. Thanks!

I was wrong the train leaves at 0840. It should all work out.

There is no train leaving Munich Hbf at 8:40 in that direction except Sunday. Your Bayern Ticket is valid for that train. However, if you travel on a workday, follow the advice given by @Lee in the second contribution to this thread and take the 8:57 train. Please note: there is a transfer at Buchloe to the train bound to Füssen (Munich Hbf. dep. 8:57 - Buchloe arr. 9:39, dep. 9:47, same platform).

You didn't give a date. Something is happening in April. I think it might be related to the building of the new tunnel through Munich. The "8:53" train from the Hbf originates in Pasing at 9:00 instead, and they are showing taking the 8:41 S-Bahn to Pasing to get on it. After April everything seems back to normal.

So if you are going in April, the same principle applies. In addition to the Bayern-Ticket, buy a one-zone MVV ticket. That will cover your travel from anywhere in the inner zone by any conveyance of the MVV to Pasing. From Pasing the Bayern-Ticket covers you travel by regional train, most buses, and all conveyances of the MVV for the rest of the day.

nope going in June Thank!

Just FYI, your Bayern pass also gets you the shuttle bus from Fussen train station to the castles area and back.
We went Munich to Fussen last week and many of the trips were scheduled with a bus portion (track work ??)

many of the trips were scheduled with a bus portion (track work ??)

Right - till 23 April. Current time tables are here: https://bauinfos.deutschebahn.com/bayern/abschnitt/Muenchen_Hbf/Buchloe (scroll down to the last PDF link).