Andree

Trying to find the best way to get from Salzburg to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. I have a road map but don't know if I should go through Germany or Austria (towards Innsbruck and up into Germany). I would rather not take the autobahn. I only have one day to get there and back to Salzburg. Is this feasible? How long would it take? Thanks,

curmudgeon

You might want to look for one of the web mapping sights (maybe michelin or rand-mcnally for Europe?). I don't think it is feasible to go there and back in one day. We took the route via Innsbruck, and I hazily remember something like 5-6 hours of driving plus stops. An alternative would be to go to Chiemsee (another of Ludwigs projects); it is much closer to Salzburg and quite fun to visit (though much more "palace" than "castle&quot.

Andree

Not what I wanted to hear, but thanks anyway!

Vickitty

We did the other way -Neuschwanstein to Salzburg, but we did it by Autobahns, through Munich. Going that way, I think it would have only been an hour and a half or so, except that we had to put up with snow and an accident. So it would be feasible to do it in one day, but I don't know if you're going to be able to do it and avoid the Autobahns.

Clea

Andree;

Even taking the autobahn through Germany it will take around 2 - 3 hours and Chiemsee is not realy thay much closer. It takes only 45 mins to get from Chiemsee to Neu Schwanstein if you cross over into Austria near Garmish. Either way that will make for a long day but doable. It seems like a lot of driving to see one castle when there are 4 of them you could be visiting.

Clea

Ingo

It is not doable to get there and back PLUS visiting the castle w/o taking the Autobahn IMO.

Go through Germany (towards Munich) but leave the Autobahn at the exit Holzkirchen. From there via Bad Tölz and Peissenberg to Füssen. Should take not more than 3 hours.

If there is enough time left in the afternoon you can drive back via Reutte and Lermoos (both Austria) and Garmisch (Germany) - Autobahn to Sindelsdorf - and further the known route from the morning to Salzburg. Maybe 30 minutes longer.

Andree

Thank you all for your encouraging comments! The driving time doesn`t bother me; I`m used to it coming from Canada. I wanted to avoid the autobahn to enjoy the mountains. It`s my first time to Europe and I have never seen a castle in my life. Neuschwanstein is the "storybook" castle and I thought that being so close, I couldn't miss it. My first idea was to visit Grossglockner area, but when I realized that the castle was "close", I got my heart set on it...We have the Rocky Mountains which I have seen many times, but there are no real castles in Canada...Is it worth the drive? What would you do?

Singletail

There is a "castle" in Salzburg but you are correct, it isn't quite the same as Neuschwanstein and if your heart is set on seeing it, and you don't mind the driving time then go for it.
What makes you think you won't "see the mountains" from the autobahn? Or do you really mean you won't get to drive on twisty, mountain-type roads?

Andree

I`m under the impression that the autobahn through Germany from Salzburg is on flat land, wrong? I do prefer minor roads, but willing to compromise for the castle! I`m driving back to Vienna the next day...I`m starting to think that I`ll see Austria through the windshield of a car...!

Andree

Vickitty:

You mean 1.5 hours from the Castle to Salzburg with the autobahn through Munich??

Vickitty

We went from Neuschwanstein to Salzburg by taking the Autobahn to Munich, the Autobahn around Munich and then southeast to Salzburg. That time was a rough estimate, thinking of ideal situations. It ended up taking us 3-4 hours, but there was a foot of snow around Neuschwanstein and we got stopped in wall to wall traffic at Chiemsee for an hour or so. Based on the miles the GPS in the car reported, though, it would normally have taken significantly less time than this. Sorry I don't have the exact time!

Vickitty

Oh, and once getting close to Salzburg, the Autobahn had very pretty views of the mountains, but the rest of it was much flatter.

Andree

Vickitty

Thank you very much for your info. It scares me a bit to have to go through Munich, but it seems to be the fastest way. At least, I won't have to deal with snow! Many tx.

TuckH

This from viamichelin.com following the route suggested by Ingo above:

"127 mi in 02h42 including 55 mi in 00h48 on expressways"

Andree

Thank you very much TuckH. I'll check it out. Doesn't sound like I can make under 2 hours.

mikemo

I thought Neuschwanstein castle a huge disappointment: what you see from the ground does not begin to compare to the aerial photos.
Frankly, I would skip the trip, unless you're doing a helo tour.
M

Andree

Mikemo:

I'm surprised (and concerned!) to hear this...What is so disappointing? Outside? Inside? Why? Please explain!

rex

Inside is most UNDERwhelming; it is essentially devoid of ANY furnishing. Read up on it. It was essentially never occupied, and in at least one sense, never even finished. Outside it is still cool, but I agree that the view you get, standing on your feet, unless you are wearing stilts that take you up to about 500 feet tall, will NOT mtch any of the thousands of photographs you have seen.

The other problem with your day tripping plan is that by failing to get there before, say ... 8:45 am, you will face all those terrible lines.

Not a much shorter drive, but Linderhof is the "other" Mad Ludwig castle, and a far better reason to spend so much time in a car.

Personally, I would urge a day up where "the hills are alive" around the Salzkammergut, with a mid-day stop in St. Wolfgang.

Best wishes,

Rex

TuckH

Why not consider the Ludwig castle scenically situated on an island in the Chiemsee, and very much closer to Salzburg?

"Herrenchiemsee" on Herreninsel...do a search here and you'll find many enthusiastic posts.

Andree

What a downer ... I was so However, I think you guys might be right. If I had 2-3 weeks ahead of me, I would definitely do it. I think I'll stick with my original plans (Grossglockner and area). I will be staying in Fuschl, which is next door to St.Wolfgang as recommended by Rex and will look up the other castles. Many thanks for your insight.