Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau Time?

You could do them both in maybe an hour and half each. Factor in that they're about a mile apart and that Hohenschwangau is a good two miles from Fussen and you have your answer. Somebody will be along soon and disagree, the good part is that they'll also know a nifty way to get from Fussen to the castles.

Why not reserve your times in advance online. That way you will know the time and can plan accordingly. Of course that requires that you know what day you will be there.

If you come out on the train from Munich to Fuessen, the bus meets the train and takes about 8 or 9 minutes to get to Hohenschwangau. Both castles are in Hohenschwangau. Neuschwanstein is perhaps a 30 minute walk from the ticket kiosk in Hohenschwangau; Hohenschwangau castle is right there in town. I think normally, if you go into the ticket kiosk wanting to see both castle, they will sell you a ticket to Neuschwanstein, assuming it's not already booked, and a reservation for about an hour later and a ticket for Hohenschwangau about an hour, maybe an hour and a half, after that.

I think if you buy the combined ticket, you will get a time for Hohenschwangau first, and a time for Neuschwanstein two hours later (for example 9 AM and 11 AM). It actually probably took us 1.5 hours to do the first tour, and get down from Hohenschwangau and up to Neuschwanstein. We walked, but you can also pay for a carriage ride to each castle. I think you can buy separate tickets and perhaps schedule the tours a little differently. If I'm remembering correctly, the Neuschwanstein tour took about 45 minutes. If you walk to Marienbrucke after the tour, that will add time. Not sure what else you are planning for the day, but after Neuschwanstein we walked to Tegelberg, had lunch, rode the cable car up and down (with a snack at the top), and my kids rode the luge. We took a bus back to our hotel in Hohenschwangau and arrived about 4:30, I think.

Thanks for all of the great ideas! We are staying in Munich, but we want to get to Fuessen early enough to do the tours and then see the city. The cable car ride sounds great! I appreciate all of the advice.

The page to reserve castle tours is here

We had sausage and beer in between touring the castles, and took the carriage ride up the hill ..... however, we waited for the "next" carriage 20 minutes in June. We were traveling with kids and thought the ride worthwhile. It is quite a walk up the hill. The ticket vendor said 30 minutes- I'd allow more time. Walking down is much easier, You can have a coffee in Neuschwanstein and enjoy the castle a few more minutes.

Consider taking a few more minutes and visiting the Mary's Bridge while there.

I agree with taking a few more minutes and walking over to the Bridge. I took some very nice pictures of the Castle from that vantage point

Just a heads up-August 2009 the side of the castle visible from the bridge was totally covered because of restorations. Still a pretty view in general, but kind of disappointing. I have no idea how long the work will continue.