King Ludwig castle

This is do-able. In 2003, we had rented a car in Germany and traveled from King Ludwig's castles to Salzburg. If I recall correctly, it was about a 3-4 hour drive and we took the 'scenic' countryside route rather than the autobahn. There is no need to have a car in Salzburg. All sites are within walking distance. Therefore, arrange to pick up your car in Salzburg the morning of your departure. Good Luck

Thanks for your answer,Chuck.
We have decided it may be less driving if we took an early train from Salzburg to Innsbruck (a city which I do not mind seeing),and then from there head to
Bavaria and the romantic road.
If anyone has any views on this I would appreciate the feedback.

Nh

Oh, we will pick up a a car in Innsbruck.

If you don't mind the train, you can travel from Salzburg to Fussen, Germany or to Ruette in Tirol. There is bus service from both towns to the castles. Also, take a look at Rick's info here on his website in the Best Destinations section...I think there is information about spending time at Neuschwanstein. If not or for even more comprehensive information, get a copy of his Europe Through the Back Door guidebook. He has loads of information on what he calls "Castle Day." Everything you would ever need to know....worth getting ahold of even if you rent a car. Renting a car would also allow you to tour the area near the Castles. There are many other sites to see if you want to spend several days in Tirol. Actually, come to think of it, Rick publishes a guidebook entitled Germany and Austria...might be a better choice for you since he covers Salzburg as well as the Castles in that particular guidebook...Innsbruckn is discussed as well.

Thanks Donna. I have been reading Rick and every other travel book I can, and while some questions are answered I also wanted to get the opinion of someone who has actually done Innsbruck to Neuschwanstein. We are just throwing in this part of the trip to Bavaria as we are so close and we have only one day to fit it in.
The buses/trains from Innsbruck to any closer destination in Germany are rather infrequent and
time consuming. I understand that from Innsbruck it takes about 90-120 minutes to reach the castles by
car.

Nadine some friends who live in Garmisch drove me to Neuschwanstein and the drive was just breath taking. I would suggest driving to see all the small towns. I was just amazed going through the mountains then coming upon a valley. Do the drive. Be sure when you get to the castle go on the bridge and look at the yellow castle below.

Hi nadine,
We have driven from Innsbruck (actually Hungerburg) to Neuschwanstein as a day trip. It will take about 2 hours. The scenery on the way is beautiful and it's a very easy drive to make. I don't understand your time frame...where are you staying the night after your visit to Neuschwanstein. If you pick up a car in Innsbruck, where will you return the car? Your talking about a 2 hour train ride from Sal;zburg to Innsbruck, the time it takes to rent a car and drive another 2 hours to Neuschwanstein and then to where? This is important info to have to be able to give good advice.

Paul

Thanks Paul.
Our trip to Neuschwanstein and the surrounding area is a day trip. We are taking the early train from Salzburg to Innsbruck, renting a car in Innsbruck for our drive to Germany and returning to Innsbruck late in the evening to drop off the car and board our train back to Salzburg. All of this is to be done on July 11!

Nadine, that way you're paying for the train ride as well as for your rental car. It's probably the same per day rate if you pick up the car in Salzburg and do the entire drive. It's an easy Autobahn drive from Salzburg to Füssen...

We actually have a railpass which would cover the train which is why we thought to go to Innsbruck
thinking the drive might be easier from there, or at least shorter.

It's a beautiful drive from Innsbruck to Füssen. The route is very popular though and quite jammed in peak seasons (especially on Saturdays). On your way back to could drive via Oberammergau and Garmisch. Actually you might want to spend another day in Innsbruck. Taking the cable car to the top of the Nordkette allows you some spectacular views all the way down into Italy. A great day of hiking with breathtaking views...

Hi Nadine,
I have to agree with the above post. Maybe rent a car in Salzburg instead. It's a very easy drive from Salzburg to Innsbruck. I would agree and take the highway, until you have to get off at either Telfs or Imst to head north to Fussen. That seems like an awfully long day to see Neuschwanstein. You're looking at roughly 8 hours total driving and/or train time, not to mention the crowds at Neuschwanstein. Sorry, that's just my opinion. Just a suggestion...maybe Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee might be a better option. Only an hour or so from Salzburg and plus with the car, a drive through the Berchtesgaden area is beautiful. Maybe take the cruise on the Konigssee and/or a trip on the Jennerbahn cable car. Might be more relaxing.

www.berchtesgaden.com/e/e_index.htm

Just a thought.

Paul

Thanks. You all have been wonderfully helpful.
We could overnight in Innsbruck if we had to, and
I do like Andreas suggestion for activities.
Really its my daughter who wants to see the castle and we don't plan to go inside on a tour.Just see it from the bridge or other stragetic point and leave.
We had hoped that by taking the train to Innsbruck
it would shorten the driving time/distance.
On the map Innbruck is much closer to Fussen than to Salzburg.We will be doing it on a Wednesday so maybe the traffic won't be so bad then. Our train arrives in Innbruck at 8:30 am so we should be on the road to
Fussen by 9:00 am.
We are planning on taking a 9pm train back to Salzburg so that gives us a lot of time.
Thoughts?

Hi again Nadine,
If your getting into Innsbruck at 8:30am and on the road around 9am, you should be ok. The distance from Salzburg to Innsbruck and Innsbruck to Fussen may be different, but time wise, about the same. All highway from Salz. to Inns. not so from Inns. to Fussen. If it's a clear day, also check out the Tegelbergbahn (cable car)and the luge ride (sommerrodelbahn)just a mile up the road from Neuschwanstein. If you are thinking of staying in Innsbruck, I can highly recommend a stay at Gasthof Badl, in Hall in Tirol, 6 miles east of Innsbruck, easy 5 min. from train station. It's mentioned in Rick Steves' Austria/Germany book.

Paul

I would also suggest reserving a tour time prior to departing the states. The lines can be quite long, and if you are going that far you (in my view) MUST take the tour. Yes, it is beautiful from outside, but to really gain the proper perspective, it should be experienced from inside as well.