Munich Gray Line Castles Tour

Posted by simmonsk204 on 02/16/14 03:28 AM

The Munich City Card indicates holders can obtain a 25% discount off Gray Line day tours, but the site I reviewed may not be current. Does anyone know if this is correct?

Also, the price of this tour does not include admission to the castles but indicates there will be a 21 Euro fee for entries. Does anyone know if Gray Line has a mandatory supplemental charge for admission to the castles, or if it allows travelers to use their own Bavarian Castles Passes?

The Steves Germany guide recommends obtaining a reservation in advance for admission to Neuschwanstein. I assume that Gray Line obtains reservations for their passengers but I am not positive. Does anyone else know?

I wrote to Munich Gray Line with these questions but have not received any response.

Thank you.

Posted by Lee

Lakewood, Colorado

02/16/14 05:37 PM

19274 posts

The Gray Line website (www.grayline.com/tours/munich/neuschwanstein-linderhof-royal-castle-and-oberammergau-tour-from-munich-5868_13/#.UwDxIs7YFWJ) says tickets to both castles (Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, not Hohenschwangau) are 21,50€. It doesn't mention a ticket just for Neuschwanstein. The ticket to Neuschwanstein is 12€ at the counter; Linderhof costs 8,50€ at the counter, so Gray Line is charging 1€ more than you would pay, more considering they get a group rate.

For 1,80€, you can make reservations by phone or email until 3 PM the day before, and pick them up at the reserved ticket counter, which will have a shorter line. I'm not sure you can use the form on the website if you have a Bavarian Castle, Garden, and Lake pass.

Gray Line also throws in Linderhof (1 hr) and Oberammergau (½ hr). Just enough time to check them off your list, but not really enough time to see much. (I spent almost an entire day at Linderhof.)

Gray Line charges $69 (50€) just for transportation. For 23€ (for one person, 27€ for two) you can get a Bayern-Ticket and take the train out on your own (it's easy). The Bayern-Ticket will also cover all you transportation in Munich that day (like getting to the Hbf or main pickup point). For more information on getting to the castles, see my webpage.

Posted by Tom

Danville, VT

02/16/14 09:09 PM

12040 posts

"The Steves Germany guide recommends obtaining a reservation in advance for admission to Neuschwanstein."

What time of year? In my experience bringing visitors from the states to the castles over the past few years, the only time this really saves a lot of waiting is in the summer, and maybe during Oktoberfest.

BTW, there's also a museum on the Bavarian monarchy that has opened relatively recently. Even if you're not particularly interested, a visit here may allow you to fill some of the dead time between your assigned tour of the castles.

Posted by Lee

Lakewood, Colorado

03/05/14 05:18 PM

19274 posts

This year the Bayern-Ticket is 23€ (not 22) for the first person - still 4€ for each extra person up to 4 extra, 5 total. The Bayern-Ticket covers the train to Füssen AND the bus from Füssen Bhf to the Hohenschwangau bus stop (and back if you do it that day).