How can we visit both castles in one day? What is the best way to get there from Munich by train?

You really can't get to either by train. There are trains to Garmisch and busses to both, but schedules aren't good for both in one day.
You might be better looking for a package day tour from Munich to do both -- which will also set up your times to visit, which is good. Otherwise you really need to drive.

You can take a train to Fuessen and take a bus or a taxi for that matter from there. You can also get public transport from Oberammergau.
A lot of people feel it is easier just to drive to the castles from Munich.

Here's a link with info about public transport to Neuschwanstein from Fuessen:
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/Dumm...e/id-1880.html

If you have a car, your can make a nice "circle tour". Drive from Munich on the autobahn to the Kloster Ettal exit. From there head toward Oberammergau. Before you get to O., take the turnoff to Linderhof. Then, from Linderhof take the back road toward Reutte and on to Fuessen. Afewr Fuessen head north toward Steingaden. In Steingaden take the road east toward Murnau, where you again can catch the autobahn north to Munich.

About 10km outsdide of Steingaden is the turnoff to the Wieskirche (church in the maedow).Abbey-size, it is a beautiful example of Baavarian baroque, sitting literally in a maedow, with mountains as backfrop.

You can make the trip in one day, but it won't give you much time to visit the two castles (Linderhof is actually more like a palace).

Also, check the web if Linderhof is open.I believe I read somewhere that it is curtrently closed for renovationms.

You could do both by public transport in one day but a long hard day. Leave early by hourly trains to Fussen, three miles from Neuschwanstein, trek up to the castle from the bus stop, then time yourself to take an RKO bus to Oberammergau, a few hours, then a short bus to Linderhof and train back to Munich from Oberammergau. Note of Neuschwanstein - long lines can form even in winter - was there one November and waited over an hour - lines can be much longer. Maybe you can reserve now days or else arrive real early if want to go on to Linderhof same day. Mini-buses link Fussen's train station to 'Mad Ludwig's' Neuschwanstein castle, an Ersatz medieval castle built from scratch by the mad Bavarian prince around 1870. The other castle next to Neuschwanstein is an authentic medieval castle but not as nearly as interesting as bizarre Neuschwanstein - kitschy but one of the most wondrous things I've seen in Europe. Rather than trying to do Linderhof in the same day - do something few castle visitors seem to do, trek into the lovely hills and woods abutting the castle and look around Fussen itself, a nice small town with a large waterfall right in it.

If you drive and make an early start, you can easily visit Linderhof, Neuschwanstein, and Hohenschwangau in a long day.

In June of 2002, we visited Linderhof and Neuschwanstein quite comfortably after a 9:30 AM start from Munich. We made stops at a couple of villages and antique shops and had a long lunch by the Plansee along the way. We did not return to Munich, but stayed in Hohenschwangau village that night.

Is there another castle that is very close to Neuschwanstein?
Thanks

Yes,as stated above.There is another beautiful castle within site of Neuschwanstein.

Mike
We were there last October and purchased tickets for a bus tour
that stopped at both castles'
There is a very helpful American lady that works in the small ticket office located next to the last track in the train station. She can sell you all the train/bus/tram tickets you need.
If you do buy a bus ticket for the day trip be sure you are there well before the departure time to get the best seats. We were able to get the forward most seats on the upper level with a panorama view. Excellent for taking photos.

Mike
We were there last October and purchased tickets for a bus tour
that stopped at both castles.
There is a very helpful American lady that works in the small ticket office located next to the last track in the train station. She can sell you all the train/bus/tram tickets you need.
If you do buy a bus ticket for the day trip be sure you are there well before the departure time to get the best seats. We were able to get the forward most seats on the upper level with a panorama view. Excellent for taking photos.

mike--Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles are within spittin' distance of one another. It's easy to see both in the same morning or afternoon. You get tickets at the same ticket center in the village of Hohenschwangau. Or you can buy tickets in advance online.

Has anyone been short-changed at Hohenschangau recently by having to use an audio phone instead of getting an English language guided tour, like you get at Neuschwantstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee?

It used to be a great guided tour (once in November, we had to use the audio phones, which is semi-excusable, given it was low season), but in August??

On Sunday, they were giving German tours, but not in English? It's just not the same....

Yes, I'd second the idea of a round trip by car. Set off from Munich early following signs for Garmische-Partenkirchen, take the Kloster-Ettal exit and at Ettal turn L for Linderhof (R goes to Oberammagau). After Linderhof carry on past Reutte and criss-cross the Austrian/German border to Fussen. From Fussen go to Hohenschwangau which is the jumping-off place for Neuschwanstein. On your way back to Munich you might fit in the Weiskirche or Oberammagau or (further north) have dinner overlooking Ammersee or Starnberger See. We did a similar loop the other way round and dined overlooking Tegernsee - a magic night!