I have had some pretty big projects happening the last few months at work and failed to buy tickets in time. I have been twice and don’t need to go a third, but my kids (11 and 14) were looking forward to it. We were planning it as a day drip from Munich. We are short on time and can’t switch days around at this point.
Any alternatives? Perhaps tickets inside Hohenschwangau and then just seeing the outside? Any other recommendations?
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
A much better alternative anyway, IMHO, is Nymphenburg Palace, right in Munich. A few minutes by local transport instead of 5 hours round trip is a good trade-off. And there's much more to see and do at Nymphenburg....
https://www.theworldisabook.com/16991/munich-with-kids-nymphenburg-palace/
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6486 posts
I've done Neuschwanstein with my college aged sons. I felt it was fine, my guys did enjoy it, but more so, Hohenschwangau across the street. That is the castle/palace the family actually lived in. It is decorated and the tour guide was great. We learned a lot about the family and King Ludwig. I've always recommended to folks that they see the exterior of Neuschwanstein and an interior tour of Hohenschwangau.
I second the recommendation to visit Nymphenburg. We loved the Baroque/Rococo palace and the grounds. Its an easy bus ride from historic center of Munich thus a super easy visit.
Posted by
Chicago
78 posts
I plan to visit Neuschwanstein as well but decided against the tour and will just take in the scenery from the outside. Most comments regarding the tour I've read are that it's a let down: don't see too much, too rushed, lots of waiting/queuing for not much. I'd bet your kids would find more enjoyment hiking around the castle.
Posted by
Chicago, IL
52 posts
Last year we had tickets to Hohenschwangau Castle but not Neuschwanstein as the website listed them as sold out. On a whim, we checked with the ticket office on that day and they had some tours open for Neuschwanstein. The tour available was in German, but we were given a recorded English audioguide.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8886 posts
I really like Nymphenberg palace in Munich as well.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
288 posts
Regarding Neuschwanstein, itself, I did the tour and it is nice. However, I appreciated the setting around the castle much more. I am glad I went but I would not go on the tour again and am not sure I would go to Neuschwanstein if I was in the area; I’d probably select another outdoor setting.
Regarding Nyphemburg, it is nice as well. Again, the grounds surrounding the palace surpass the inside, in my opinion. And the palace is only ok when compared to other highly rated palaces such as Versailles, Madrid, etc.
Not trying to stir up. Just stating my opinion. Only worth 2 cents at most. :)
Posted by
Northern California
110 posts
I prefer Ludwig’s linderhof palace - about 45 min from neuschwanstein
https://www.schlosslinderhof.de/englisch/tourist/index.htm
Also I think the outside is the best thing about neuschwanstein - walk to the bridge near the waterfall to view from a distance.
Posted by
NYC area
2981 posts
I’ve toured Neuschwanstein three times in my life. I only repeated the tours as the people I was with had never been.
If they’re really looking forward to it, don’t change your plans. Seeing Neuschwanstein from the outside and touring Hohenschwangau is perfect imo. The Hohenschwangau tour was very good.
As an alternative, Linderhof and the grounds are all that.
Posted by
Vancouver, WA
522 posts
There are some walking/hiking trails in the Neuschwanstein area that are enjoyable; you can get some great views of the palace, too
Posted by
Northern Minnesota
776 posts
After the tour we took the trail over to Reith-Alpe Schwangau for lunch with mostly locals. There's an alpine slide there that the kids might like.
Posted by
NYC area
2981 posts
With kids 11 and 14 they make like the Sommerrodelbahn (luge ride) “next” to Neuschwanstein. There’s the Tegelberg cable car and luge ride.