Does anyone have experience with driving versus taking an organized tour to Neuschwanstein from Munich. The organized tour lasts 10 hours, somewhat ardurous. Please advise if renting a car with three other people cuts down the time of travel or is there just too many hoop[s to jump through making an organized tour which starts at 8AM easier? Thank you, Jack Glasser, at [email protected]

A car would give you maximum flexibility. Have you considered traveling there and back by rail?

Driving a rental would be a great way to do it. The roads are good and well-marked (though it wouldn't hurt to get a GPS from the rental agency), and being on your own lets you stop in some other places... the Hohenschwangau and Linderhof castles; the incredibly ornate abbeys at Wieskirche and Ettal; and the beautiful alpine scenery, especially just across the border in Austria.

Drive! It gives you the most opportunity for serendipity!

There are tons of other charming places between Munich and Fussen that you can do with a car (time permitting). First, if you drive make reservations for the castle tour and get ther well ahead of your tour time because you have to park at the bottom of the hill and walk, take a horse-drawn carriage or bus up the hill. If you miss your tour you areout of luck.

Other places to visit are Ettal Monastary, Linderhof, Oberammergau and Wiesekirche. Because of these other charmers a lot of people overnight in Fussen or Schwangau.

I liked the bus tour. I enjoy hearing the words of the tour guide, meeting other people, and not worry about roads, parking, car rental counters, etc.

My SO, on the other hand, likes the freedom and flexibility of driving.

Which best describes you and your group?

There are hourly train connections from Munich to Füssen. If you plan to add a drive around the region, rent a car. If you only plan to see the two castles (Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau) and the town of Füssen - a good program for a day already - just take the train and don´t bother with driving.

We drove, stayed the Night in Reutte (Gasthof zum Schluxen) and arrived first thing in the morning in mid-October. It was pretty empty when we arrived. We saw Hohenschwangau first then took the bus up to Neuschwanstein. We hiked up to Mary's bridge (Marienbrucke) and a little past in the fog then back down to see the castle. It cleared up by the time we were done with the tour so went back up to Mary's bridge to see the view. By the time we left, the buses had arrived and the crowds and lines were big.

We then headed to the Ehrenburg ruins and climbed around. We had intended to try the luge/sled rides but they had closed a week before our visit.