I thought it was funny that the website doesn't show any maps or tell you how to get there using public transportation; please correct me if I am wrong!<BR><BR>Does anyone know how to get to Neuschwanstein via the Pollat Gorge? Munich's 'Mike's Bike Tours of Neuschwantstein' approach the castle this way (www.mikesbiketours.com), and I would like to know more about it, but don't want to take the tour. <BR><BR>I will be travelling by train from Munich. From what I've gathered, there is a bus from Fussen to Schwangau. Is this where the ticket office is located? <BR><BR>I would like to reserve tickets for the castle online ahead of time. We will probably take the 7:51 train (2 hours) from Munich to Fussen. What time should I reserve the tickets for?? I have no idea how long it will take us to get from Fussen, to wait in line to pick up our tickets, and then to walk or take the bus to the castle. I see that the topic of walking to the castle (or not) has been beaten to death!! <BR><BR>We would also like to hike up the Tegelberg mountain near the Marie Bridge for a great view, so we can do this before the tour (if we're early), or after. Is there anywhere to get a lunch at the castle, or should we pack a picnic? Is there a place to buy picnic fare in Fussen or Schwangau?<BR><BR>Sorry for all the questions! Any answers would be appreciated!

It's a quick drive from Fussen to the castles (we drove). If I'm not mistaken, which is quite possible, Tegelberg is the mountain that forms the border between Austria and Germany, that would make it a bit big and a bit too far away to make it feasible. There is a vantage point which you can see the castle- there are signs and transport, so you can hike or ride. There are a lot of restaurants and vendors but they are quite busy and the wait is long even to get a bratwurst. Pollat Gorge runs under "Mary's bridge" which is just a short hike from the castle. If you picnic, there's a small lake at the bottom of Hohenschwangau, either way just reserve your tickets for the afternoon and take your time walking around, there's plenty to keep you busy. Sorry I'm not too much help, have a good trip though!

Thanks for the response. It's probably a lot less complicated than I was thinking! You're probably right that Tegelberg is the mountain that forms the border between Austria and Germany, but the part I am talking about is right near Marie Bridge, so not out of the way at all.<BR><BR>What time of day are the crowds the worst? I'll be there in a few weeks.

You can diminish your wait considerably by getting there when it opens, either 8:30 or 9:00 (or the last English tour is at 4:00). There are “time tickets” that you purchase in an office at the bottom, so you don’t have to wait in line at the castle. <BR><BR>If you are based in Munich and are determined to see Neuschwanstein in a day trip, you can leave Munich at 7:51 and arrive in Fuessen at 9:57 (one change en route), or at 8:51 and arrive at 10:57 (no changes). A local bus will take you from the train station to the castle area.<BR>There are returns from Fuessen at 18:05, arriving with one change at 20:16, or at 19:05 with no changes, arriving in Munich as 21:07. These are examples only (to give you an idea of the times involved), as there are departures in both directions throughout the day.<BR>

Take bus nr 78 from F&uuml;ssen Bahnhof (Haltestelle/bus stop 2) dep 10.05, 10.15 and 11.05 for Hohenschwangau (8 minutes). Ticket from bus driver, probably 1.30 euro one way, 2.40 return. Or walk 2 miles on a path along the road.<BR><BR>Tegelberg is a good hike from Marienbr&uuml;cke. I don´t remember how long time I used to the top some years ago, but Rough Guide says 3 hours. There is a restaurant at the top, and great views (but not to the castle). It is also possible to take the cable car for 9 euro one way, 15 return. <BR><BR>www.hohenschwangau.de<BR>www.tegelbergbahn .de<BR><BR>