Hello! My friend and I are planning a day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein castle in the date range of Sept 20-22 this year. Does anyone have any experience with also doing the summer toboggan (sommerrodelbahn) nearby? How did you get from one location to the other? We will not have a rental car and are in our mid-20's, so walking distances are not a big concern. Thank you!
Posted by
Vermont
37 posts
What attracts you to visit Neuschwanstein? We have traveled the world and Neuschwanstein ranks at the top of our list” never again!” list. Overtouristed, junk for sale, etc. For us it felt like a waste of time.
Posted by
OP
Ann Arbor
15 posts
Okay, that's good to know. It's been on our list because it's an iconic castle that my mom also visited back in high school and really enjoyed. It seemed like it would be fun to hike around and then maybe tour the other one (Hohenschwangau) to have more of the actual history. I also really liked that it was a spot that had both a castle and a sommerrodelbahn and was also accessible from Munich.
Posted by
North Carolina
31 posts
Hi, Olivia!
In addition to Neuschwanstein, there is a lot about the area around it that is worth seeing. See my post below.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/germany-a58da20c-c0e2-41f7-947d-292a6287c394
Also, I’ve not done the Rodelbahn near the royal castles, but I’ve done others. They are a lot of fun. Use your first run to gauge the track and learn where you need to break and where you can let her rip on your subsequent runs.
Neuschwanstein gets a lot of boos on this forum. Sometimes I worry that people are trying to shame folks for wanting to visit Germany‘s most popular castle. But it’s not popular for nothing. Nevertheless, since you are visiting as a day trip, your time is especially precious. So plan well. It’s a lot of work to get to Neuschwanstein, get in, and do the tour. The tour is only 30 minutes. Most of the castle interior is incomplete. So some people feel that the effort (and cost) are not worth it. You might decide that hiking **around * —not in—Neuschwanstein, with a visit to Hohenschwangau, Füssen, and riding the Rodelbahn would be time better spent. Of all the things you could do in a few hours around the Royal castles, think about which things make you feel the most excited. And if finally getting inside Ludwig II‘s fairy tale castle is one of those things, then do it.
Have a ball!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19463 posts
Overtouristed
As Yogi Berra said, "no one goes there anymore, it's too crowded."
As long as you aren't misled as to what it really is. It isn't a medieval castle. It was built in the late 1800s, same time as the Eifel tower (I understand no one goes there anymore, either). But it is a beautiful edifice and an interesting look into the life of an eccentric king. I've been there three times.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9569 posts
Sometimes, we just come up with a travel goal and that is what is important. If this is your goal, go for it. I remember how important some experiences have been to me in the past, even if they weren't to others.
I'm afraid I'm in the camp was that very disappointed with my experience there, but that doesn't mean that you will be as well.
My advice that I give to others that ask about Munich is go to Nymphenburg Castle in Munich instead. Far more authentic, far more interesting, and just a 10 minute tram ride from Central Station. I think the effort involved in getting to Neuschwanstein by public transport is part of the reason for the disappointment that some people experience.
If you are looking for a day trip that is interesting, easy to do on Public Transport, and includes a summer luge, then I would suggest Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Easy to get to by train from Munich. Once there you have Partnach Gorge which is an interesting hike and the summer luge is right near the trail head at the Ski Stadium. Just take the bus from the train station. Also nearby is the Zugspitze , the highest peak in Germany. Enjoy walking through the pedestrian area in G-P or just take any of the nearby mountain cable cars up for a hike.
Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you will have a great time in Bavaria.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6523 posts
To return to the question that was actually asked.... Yes, you can walk to the Tegelberg sommerrodelbahn. From the N'stein ticket center it is a bit over half an hour to walk. You can look at the route on Google Maps. Or you could take a taxi from the ticket centre area. You could also ask at the ticket center if the bus to Fussen stops at the Tegelberg stop. You'll likely want to ride those toboggans at least twice.
If you want to visit N'stein, dont let the naysayers stop you. I had to escort friends and relatives there several times when we lived nearby, and they enjoyed it, especially when combined with Hohenschwangau. Have a great time!