Neuschwanstein Castle - Experience with Radius Tour or other options

I haven't taken a Radius tour, so I can't comment. But because the state of Bavaria and the Wittelsbach foundation are the entities that run the actual castle tours, all Radius can reasonably offer is transportation and getting your tickets for you. Traveling to Fuessen from Munich by public transportation is fairy straight forward. And in mid-October, you'll have no trouble getting tickets by yourself.

During a busy time of year, Radius might offer some services of value, but during a relative lull like October.

I did a Radius tour to Dachau and felt it was worth the money to have a very knowledgeable English speaking guide. That's not necessary for Neuschwanstein, as they have their own English tours. Going by public transportation shouldn't be difficult. I would check to see what times the English tours are given and plan accordingly.

I arranged for a Radius Tour in 2014 even though I have traveled extensively in Germany. It was nice to be with a group and meet new people and the tour guide is able to give you little bits of information about things all along the way and before your tour. The tour of the castle itself is done by their tour guides but the Radius guide does everything else. If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the transportation then I would highly suggest it. The tour guide gets you on the correct train, gets you on the correct bus from Fussen to the castle, and then gives you all your opens to get to the castle and back to the bus. It can be done on your own but for the few extra dollars you pay to have a guide, go with a group, and not have to worry about travel, it is worth it.

Getting to the castle with public transportation is so easy, it's hard for me to rationalize spending more for someone to take me there. And, if you go there by yourself, you have the freedom to see other things in the area without having to do what the group does.

I'm a group tour guy. Much prefer being taken somewhere -- with conversation, information, jokes, etc. from the tour guide -- than having to figure out on my own the train schedule or renting a car and reading maps. I've done Evan Evans a few times in London, Rabies and Highland Express in Edinburgh, and in July I was in Munich six nights and did five Radius tours, including Neuschwanstein. The tour of the castle is about 30 minutes of a nine hour day. The guide fills in the rest with history, background, answers to questions, etc. And we did not have to stay in line. He pointed out twice the long line of people as we drove past them to the starting point. I also did the walking tour of Munich, the beer dinner, the day trip to Nuremburg and the half-day to Dachau (and had time when back in Munich to tour the Dokumentation Center...an excellent if sobering day). Hope you get lucky and get the tall guide from Scotland! Enjoy!

Much prefer being taken somewhere [at a price] than having to figure
out on my own the train schedule ...

To paraphrase Biggs Cunningham, "The only substitute for cubic planning is cubic money".

How hard is it to go to the Bahn website, put in Munich Hbf to Hohenschwangau and the date and find a schedule? The 9:53 from the Hbf gets to Füssen at 11:55 and the bus from in front of the station leaves at 12:10, getting to the Hohenschwangau bus stop at 12:18, and you can use a Bayern-Ticket on any day. It's a 5 minute walk around the corner to the ticket kiosk. If you are worried about the line, for 1,80€ you can reserve your castle tour online at www.hohenschwangau.de.

In four times that I have been through Hohenschwangau in the last 15 years, there has usually been only a few minutes line for Neuschwanstein. I was there once during Oktoberfest and the Neuschwanstein line was out the door, but the reservation pickup line was non-existent.

For a single person, getting there on the train with a reserved tour time costs just under 25€ (23€ for a single Bayern-Ticket plus 1,80€ for the reservation), vs 42€ for the tour. For two people with reserved tours, it's 31,60€ by yourselves, 84€ with a tour.

For those for whom planning is no problem, for an extra 2,70€ on weekdays for an inner zone single trip ticket, you can take the 8:53 RE from the Hbf to Pasing, from which you leave at 9:00, when the Bayern-Ticket is valid and get to Hohenschwangau an hour earlier. (No need to get off at Pasing, just change tickets.) And, unless you are staying within walking distance of the Hbf, you would need that single trip ticket to get to the Radius meeting point anyway.

BTW, I've been to Dachau, and taking the S2 to Dachau station and the bus to the Memorial on your own is definitely worth the savings vs an outside tour. The guide who led the Memorial's own tour was excellent, and she gave us a lot of information in 2½ hours, more than I could absorb. I can't imagine how the expensive outside tour could add anything of significance.

As others have said...this trip is SO incredibly simple. Buy a super cheap Bayern Ticket and ride the train to Fussen, change to a bus to the castles. The buses are clearly marked, and if you think you might not be able to find the bus just follow the crowds.

When you get to the castle (you'd better have reservations) you'll only be allowed inside according to the time on your ticket. And you'll only be allowed inside with an official castle tour guide. No other guides can take you inside (not even Radius).

The exception to the do-it-on-you-own travel arrangement might be a tour with Mike's Bikes who will take you on a private bus and then you'll go on a bike tour around the area before going to the castle. After the castle tour you'll load back up on the bus and head back to Munich.

The visit to the castle is easy and no tour is needed. In Italy I did a tour because it was a different event. The castle while nice is something I can say I saw but do not need to see it again.

Not sure of the ages of you and your group, but we did the Mike's Bikes Bus bavaria which included some biking there, lunch and alpine slide and we loved it!!! Especially good with kids!

Kim

Ron,

I've taken the Radius Tour to Neuschwanstein and quite enjoyed it. Although the trip is still on public transport, it was nice to travel with a small group. The guide provided a history of the castle and Ludwig during the trip, and it was nice to have a background before seeing the Castle. I wouldn't hesitate to do the same tour again.