Fussen Day trip or worth staying on site?

We stayed in Fussen last year only to go to Neufschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. We were not impressed with the town and wouldn't recommend going there just to see it. The castles were definitely worth seeing.

Hi Steve,

We stayed in Fuessen on two seperate trips. On one trip we visited Neuschwanstein and another Hohenschwangau. We really like Fuessen and would probably have stayed even if we weren't going tot he castles.

Paul

I'm not sure I understand you question. I've been to Fuessen three times (four actually, but that's another story). The last time there I toured Hohenschwangau and had time afterwards to see Fuessen. It was pleasant, maybe not more so than a thousand other alpine towns in the area, but not bad.

So, I would say, whatever fits into your schedule.

A daytrip for touring the castles from Munich can be done, but it makes for sort of a long day. I might also recommend staying the night in Füssen, Reutte, Pinswang, Breitenwang, or other nearby town. The assumption is that you’re going because of the nearby castles. Füssen all by itself wouldn’t be worth a visit from Munich (my opinion).

Thx. Steve

We stayed in Reutte one night before going to Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau.

I wouldn't highly recommend it but it is nice to be able to get to the castles first thing before the lines build up. We got through the two castles and out of the area before the buses of tourists showed up. Other than that there are better places to spend time.

Yes, the only reason we are stopping there is to see the castles. We are coming from Switzerland and thought we would stop there and on our way to Austria. Steve

We stayed at Hotel Mueller which is next to both N and H and loved it. Had a view of Neusch Castle from our window. The hotel arranged for tickets to both castles and transportation was by shuttle or horse carriage to Neusch and you can walk back down if you like--nice walk. We made a side trip to Fuessen and found it to be charmless--no need to go there.

A great tip Susan. I wish I had known this before we went last year. I agonized over which of the two towns Rick recommended to stay in, Fuessen or Reutte. We chose Fuessen (nice town but absolutely nothing to write home about). I would have much rather stayed right by the castles, as that is why we were there in the first place! I think Rick is extremely remiss in not describing the area right around the castles...that there are restaurants and hotels right there, making it unecessary to stay in towns farther away and having to take a bus to the castles.

"there are restaurants and hotels right there, making it unecessary to stay in towns farther away and having to take a bus to the castles. "

Unnecessary as long as you don't mind paying an exorbitant premium for being right there.

I have had lunch at Hotel Mueller twice before touring a castle, and found their meals to be reasonable, but at €65-€85 per person, double occupancy, I think their rooms are too expensive.

Lee, my point was that I didn't even know I had the option to stay at a hotel right by the castles. Having never been there before last summer, I relied on Rick's guide to give me all the possible options. A person can choose to stay there or not, but Rick doesn't tell people it's even an option. That's all I was trying to say.

We stayed at Hotel Mueller two years ago and I don't remember it being ridiculously expensive. The staff was attentive and accomodating and breakfast was very good with the breakfast dining room lit by beautiful crystal chandeliers. We also indulged in a night at Hotel Schonburg Castle on the same trip and it was very worth it. Many times we are looking for a 60 euro night stay so splurging sometimes is sure nice.

Susan(s), I don't think Rick claims to give all of the possible options, just maybe the best ones in his opinion. I would certainly concur that, except for maybe Schlossblick at €62, DZ Ü/F, the rest are a bit too pricey to recommend. Another option which he does not include, a better deal in my opinion, is a cluster of villages about a half hour by bus from Fuessen, called Pfronten. I stayed there last August, at a Gaestehof (a restaurant which also rents a few rooms) for €27, per night, single occupancy, with breakfast (compared to €100 for Mueller). I came over to Fuessen in the morning, not to see a castle, but to take pictures for my webpage, www.germantravel-info.com/fuessen.htm.

Susan,

The problem is that one shouldn't rely soley on Rick Steves for all possible options. If we had done likewise on our trip to Switzerland, we wouldn't have even known Zermatt existed. Ditto for our trip to the Dolomites. He covers one town, Castelrotto, for an entire area. You really need to check other resources in addition to RS.

Paul

"The problem is that one shouldn't rely soley on Rick Steves for all possible options."

Well, that's true. Germany is more than the Rhein/Mosel, Baden-Baden, Bavaria, and Berlin. Bavaria is more than Munich, the castles, the Romantic Road, and Rothenburg.

You should listen to me.

But then his philosophy, with which I agree totally, is that, the more you spend, the bigger the wall you build between you and what you came to see." So his recommendations are consistant with his philosophy.

The problem is that, when most people on this site look for alternatives, they fall into the trap of easy-to-find, more-expensive-than-need-be, accommodations.