Hi! I hope to travel to the Germany/Austria/Czech Republic in September. I am travelling solo, I am a 32 year old male with interests in history, architecture, photography, sports, and hiking. My rough itinerary is to land in Munich, then travel to Berchtesgaden, Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, Nuremberg, Wurzburg, and Frankfort. While in Munich, I am debating how to best make a side trip to visit King Ludwig's castles (Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof). I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice?

From what I have researched, it seems using public transportation is impractical, so it seems trains are ruled out. Going as part of a tour group doesn't really appeal to me, as I don't like being rushed through places, so I don't really want to try that. So my final conclusion was to try and rent a car. My question is, is it realistic to be able to visit all 3 castles in one day and return to Munich? Or am I trying to do to much? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

Given you don't like rushing and do like hiking, I'd suggest an overnight in Fuessen. We arrived mid morning by train from Munich, left our backpacks in the lockers and took the bus to Tegelberg (nearly everyone else hops on the castles bus) which leave direct from the train station. It's a nice bus ride, takes you to the cablecar station, great view of Neuschwanstein going up. Lunch at Tegelberg restaurant, then took the hike from there to the castle, lovely views, about 2 hour walk to 'the' bridge overlooking the castle (that's where you'll find the crowds), then a stroll to castle. We didn't tour the castle, but I guess if you've prebooked you'd need to be more mindful of the time than we were. We just enjoyed the scenic setting, the lovely town, the river, the lake, gorgeous pedestrian zone in town. So worth more than a rushed daytrip which seems to be what most people allocate, I'm just suggesting a nicer alternative.
(BTW The trains are very convenient, the Bavaria ticket very economical.)

Driving time from München to Hohenschwangau is 1:30 without traffic, with the usual traffic maybe 1:45.

For Neuschwanstein (which I would recommend to visit first) you may need 2 hours, including buying tickets and some waiting in line. From Neuschwanstein to Hohenschwangau it is just a few minutes and one hour will be enough for this.

Driving time to Linderhof is almost an hour and you need another hour for the castle and a little more than an hour to drive back to München.

So, total time would be 8 hours, if you include some buffers and time for lunch, 10 hours maximum.

Why are you leaving out the largest and most elaborately-decorated build of all, the palace at Herrenchiemsee?

https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-dest...avaria-Germany

Linderhof has beautiful gardens

If I were you I would bag Neuschwanstein (the one Disney copied) and instead visit Herrenchiesee (between Salzburg and Munich) which we found to be much more interesting.

The only historical castle is Hohenschwangau.

Neuschwanstein was built from 1869 to 1890 (completed in a simpler version than planned), Herrenchiemsee from 1878 to 1886 (not completed), Linderhof from 1870 to 1886 (completed).

All three are not authentic in style but they imitate historical styles (historism).

King Ludwig II. had the financial means to build these castles because he had received a handsome amount of money from Prussia as a compensation for his willigness to accept the the promotion of the Prussian King to Emperor.

I would stay overnight in Fussen.

Then you will have ample time and as mentioned see Herrenchiemsee Castle also.

I had a private guide to get me from point A to pint B , and he also toured me through the Castles.

That way I did not have to be in any castle tour.

Also some of the upper levels at Neuschwanstein are not open to the public, but my guide took me to the upper level turrets for a short photo op.!!

Terrific views.

Also walk across Mary's Bridge and take pictures back to the Castle.

Percy:

Herrenchiemsee is located near Prien which is on the way from Munich to Salzburg. I was just there two weeks ago.

Fussen is southwest of Munich.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Yes, I was mostly trying to just visit Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof in one trip. Then, when I left Munich to Berchtesgaden I was thinking about trying to visit Herrenchiemsee on the way.

I was hoping to do some day hikes at Berchtesgaden and see the Konigsee, so my thought was to focus on the castles at Hohenschwangau and Linderhof, and then do the hiking at Berchtesgaden. I'm not sure yet, and I may change my mind as Adelaidan's idea sounds very appealing also.

Given that Linderhof's last tour starts at 5:20pm, I believe, it seems I may have enough time to see the 3 Ludwigs in one day. I saw your reply Traveller 1959...does this look realistic?

7:00 Leave Munich
9:00 Arrive at Neuschwanstein
10:00 Tour Neuschwanstein
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Tour Hohenschwangau
3:00 Leave Hohenschwangau
4:00 Arrive at Linderhof
4:30 Tour Linderhof

Thanks!

Oh yes, I forgot. Percy, do you recommend your guide? If so, do you have his website handy? Thanks!

Yes weekender, depending on which way he drives he can see all three castles.

He has to go out of the way a bit , but what's an extra good hour drive.

Thanks weekender , I did not explain myself well enough I guess !

jjbombro:
Sorry I do not have his website,I usually get a card from each guide I ever have , but a few have slipped by.

I wanted to get to the very top for a picture from the turret by it was not open to the public.

My German guide said something in German to the Security Guard, he then unlocked a huge door and in we went.. Wow!!

I stayed at Hotel Mueller in Fussen and was lucky enough to get the centre room over the entrance with the balcony.

Here look at picture #2 in the first row.
I was on the top floor in the middle and had the whole balcony, where all those red flowers are...lucky!!

https://www.google.ca/search?q=Hotel...rTIo624NFjM%3A


Good Luck and safe driving .

>
7:00 Leave Munich
9:00 Arrive at Neuschwanstein
10:00 Tour Neuschwanstein
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Tour Hohenschwangau
3:00 Leave Hohenschwangau
4:00 Arrive at Linderhof
4:30 Tour Linderhof
<

This can work, provided you have booked your Neuschwanstein ticket in advance. Take the way throu Tyrol to Linderhof (Reutte-Plansee), it's a 0:45 min ride.

Your itinerary includes lots of time buffers, so it is more than realistic. If you leave München at 7:00, you will have some time at Neuschwanstein which you may use for a walk or seeing the lake or having a coffee...

Prebook your ticket with a specific timewindow. You find everything you need here:

http://www.neuschwanstein.de/englisch/tourist/index.htm

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate it!