Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau Castle tours & travel iten. advice please.

"1. I see the train has many diff times avail for us - with 1-5 "changes". Why doesn't the site show where the changes are, what time etc?" If you're using the Deutsche Bahn website, you'll see a little gray arrow icon on the left next to each train. Click on that and it will expand the view, showing when and where to change trains.

Ah! Brilliant - Thank you Tom!!

There are lockers in the station at Füssen (see my webpage). In addition, the people at the tourist office, right as you get off the bus in Hohenschwangau, told me that visitors can stash their luggage behind the desk. They also said that there are lockers, Garderobe, at the castle tour start points, but I haven't confirmed that. Anyway, you might not want to carry a heavy backpack up the hill to Neuschwanstein. There are hourly trains from Munich to Füssen in about two hours. Some are direct (no change); others have one change, usually in Buchloe, occasionally Kaufbeuren. One of the changes shown is probably to the bus in Füssen. "When the site refers to students - does that include college students?" I would imagine so, since students are half price and children under 18 are free. There wouldn't be many high school students over 18.

To add... 5. In Fussen, there are a number of B&B type places, small hotels, that may have Family rooms that can accomodate more people, though they sometimes have limits as to the number, sometimes 4, sometimes 5, sometimes flexible on ages for very small children. You really need to just review websites or contact the tourism office, then explain your situation to the owner. If he is not able to accomodate, then he may have a suggestion of another place. Given the ages you imply, you may need a Double and a Triple. 6. Student usually refers to College age, unless a fee is charged for teenagers, then it applies to HS students as well. They do need a School ID, or in some cases you can use an International Student ID.

Besides the listing of accommodations on Hohenschwangau.de, you can find accommodations at www.fuessen.de. I think you can get an English display. From what I have seen, you will probably have trouble finding something in you price range for the places right around the castle, and maybe even for the whole Füssen area. You might try Pfronten (www.pfronten.de). It's about ½ from Füssen by regularly scheduled bus (which is also covered by the Bayern-Ticket).

OK, I think that finding a hotel is more trouble than it is worth for right now. We can just take the evening train back out the same day. I have been reading the archives and I think we will go back this summer to Tegelberg - it sounds like there are some great activities there also. I paid for my bahnhof ticket online and printed out my pdf version of my ticket on my printer. Do I have to validate it or cut it out and stamp it in the machine? I think I am good to go now - except I forgot to ask for recommendations for a place to eat an early dinner - any suggestions for a good place to eat? One of the posts I read stated that there was a cafe in one of the castles - anyone try that one? Thanks again, you all are so easy on this obnoxious newbee! I appreciate it very much. I had a GREAT time in Prague thanks to you all - I also learned that it is not good enough to make it to the train station - you have to make sure that you are on the right side of the train track!
And wow! Those trains do not stop even long enough for you to find a seat - they are very punctual.

Eating: There is a cafe (and a gift shop) at the bottom of the hill up to Neuschwanstein. Havent eaten there, just had time for a Coke

There is a horse drawn cart to the castles. It parks in front of Hotel Müller (white building just up the road from the ticket kiosk). The trip up to Neuschwanstein cost €6 per person. Down is €3 pP. To Hohenschwangau is €4 up, €2 down, pP. Hohenschwangau is so close that if you just walk up on the high side of Hotel Müller, it's not worth the horse cart. The bus to Marienbrücke, from in front of Hotel Lisl, is €1,80 up, €1,00 down, €2,60 RT, pP Did you buy a P-P ticket or are you using a Bayern-Tcket? The Bayern-Ticket is only valid for a certain date, which you specified and should be printed on it. No need to stamp it. However, one per person should sign ( in blockprint) their name on the ticket, and be with it at all times. A P-P, regional ticket is an open ticket, valid any time. Also no need (or place) to stamp it. The trains from Munich to Füssen are regional trains, without reservable seats. The conductor will come by and punch your ticket on the train. In Munich, many transit tickets, particularly the ones sold at U-Bahn and tram stations, have to be stamped. There will be arrows at one end with the words, " Hier entwerten". There are a number of restaurants at the base of the hill. Two times I've had a simple lunch at Hotel Müller. It was good. I'm not sure, they might be a little pricey for dinner. As you walk down the road from Müller towards the Hohenschwangau bus stop, there as a little restaurant just about even with the TI office, across the street from it. I had lunch there last year, two Weißwurst and a pretzel for €4,20

I thought the castle cafe and of course the restaurants linning the road to the castles were super expensive. You'll find a better deal in the town of Fuessen. Guess it depends how hungry you are. As for the walking up/down. It took us about half an hour (I think) in October and that was with a super cranky 7 yo. complaining the whole way. The buses up/down can be over crowded, so you may have to wait for the next bus. If you're looking at saving time to either walk to take the bus, it just depends on how crowded it is. Lastly, if you have reserved tickets for the tours, you have enough time to see both castles. I would still make sure there's a later train just in case you miss the 17:05. I agree with the other person you who said you'll need two rooms for your group.

"is there a hotel near the castle that is under or somewhere near 80E? " €80 for all five of you? That's unrealistic. €80 pP? €400 for five? That's awful expensive. Aggenstein, in Pfronten, has a triple and doubles for €29,50 pP with breakfast. Gästehaus Löwen, in Pfronten, has a quad with room for a crib, but I don't but I don't know if he could substitute a rollaway. Also a triple and doubles. Looks like all rooms are €25 pP. Language could be a problem. He's Bosnian and speaks pretty good German, but he never spoke English while I was there. Gästehaus Richter in Oberammergau, has a triple and doubles for €35 pP with breakfast. Frau Richter speaks good English. There is a bus leaving Füssen Bahnhof at 17:15, stopping at Hohenschwangau at 17:23, and arriving in Oberammergau at 18:37. The Bayern-Ticket that got you out to Füssen and by bus to Hohenschwangau works for that bus too. You could spend the night in Oberammergau and return to Munich by train. Maybe see Linderhof the next day.