Neuschwanstein Castle Tours

We did the Mike's Bikes tour in 2018 and it was great. Bus there and back, short and easy bike ride around the lake, walk up to and around the castle, lunch was good, tour guide was good (weather was also good, this was in July). The castle tour was not all that great, if I recall, but that has nothing to do with Mike's Bikes, they don't conduct the castle tour. It was summer, and a Sunday - so it was crowded, and that may have had an effect.

My first suggestion would be to skip Neuschwanstein if you don't appreciate being rushed through places. Whether you go there with a tour group from Munich or on your own, your time inside amounts to 25 minutes.

But since I anticipate this advice will be tossed aside, as it usually is, I'll suggest an alternative plan which includes it and which you can do on your own using the public transport system.

• Lv Munich 8:32, arrive at the Wieskirche 11:07:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g641956-d190838-Reviews-Pilgrimage_Church_of_Wies-Steingaden_Upper_Bavaria_Bavaria.html

If there's a more stunning church in Germany, I'm not aware of it.

• Have lunch at a Gasthof nearby.

• Lv the Wieskirche 13:56 for Neuschwanstein (ar 14:46.)

• Lv Neuschwanstein 16:31 or 17:40. Arrive Munich 19:19 or 20:19

You can do this entire trip for €72 (covers everyone) without a car. Buy a "Regioticket Werdenfelser Land" for 2 adults (€36) at Munich Hbf train station and a second one for 3 adults (€46.) The 2 youngest children travel for free.

https://www.bahn.de/angebot/regio/bayern/regio-ticket-werdenfels

Thank you both.

And Russ, I am still considering not doing this castle visit, but not sure how the group will feel about that yet. I've seen multiple reviews saying it is overrated, but also feel like if I give the group an itinerary and it doesn't include this, I am going to be told to change it! I will have more of a discussion with our group on it, but assume we will end up going anyways, so just preparing. Putting together plans now for the group and get feedback.

It's tough to yank something unless you replace it with something compelling. I'm guessing that Nymphenburg Palace, King Ludwig II's childhood home (and a fine alternative on many levels) might not have caught your group's attention yet. A leisurely 2-3 hours there would probably provide something for everyone. There's a lot to see. And it's only 15-20 minutes from Munich station.

https://www.theworldisabook.com/16991/munich-with-kids-nymphenburg-palace/

https://schloss-nymphenburg.de/englisch/palace/

Not sure what ELSE you have planned during your Munich time. But IMO the best and easiest outing into the Alps from Munich is Mittenwald, 1 hr 50 minutes each way by direct train from Munich Hbf:

https://www.butterandfly.net/wp-content/uploads/Mittenwald-Germany-14.jpg

Day trip guide to Mittenwald

Thanks Russ, Nymphenburg is on my list of possibilities as well. We are also headed to Wengen after Munich so we will have some days in the Alps in Switzerland as well.