travel from Munich to Neuschwanstein
Mar 10th, 2009, 01:53 PM
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travel from Munich to Neuschwanstein
My husband and I are planning a trip to Germany for ourselves and our two daughters (ages 6 and 13) in mid-April. We are going to Munich first, and would like to do a day trip down to Neuschwanstein. We are thinking of renting a car and driving down there, rather than taking the train, as the train sounds like it takes longer and might limit our flexibility in getting down there and leaving when we wish. Is it a long drive? Is there a lot of traffic? Is driving in and out of Munich a problem? Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.
Mar 10th, 2009, 02:10 PM
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It's certainly possible to do and is not a long drive. But I advise you to leave very early in the morning so as to try to arrive before the tour bus crowds. Depending on where you are in Munich, the drive could be less than an hour. On your way back, assuming you get there early and have lots of time left, stop in any of the several nice villages along the way for lunch or even an early dinner. Good luck.
Mar 10th, 2009, 02:25 PM
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It's not really a long drive, but I doubt that you can do it in under one hour. 1 1/2 hrs is more reasonable, assuming that your hotel is in central Munich.
If you got there early, I would try to catch one of the sights nearby on your way back to Munich to make the rental worthwhile, e.g. Wieskirche or Ettal monastary. Including Linderhof castle is also a possibility but may be too much castles in one day.
If you got there early, I would try to catch one of the sights nearby on your way back to Munich to make the rental worthwhile, e.g. Wieskirche or Ettal monastary. Including Linderhof castle is also a possibility but may be too much castles in one day.
Mar 10th, 2009, 02:26 PM
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According to the timetables at www.bahn.de, there is train service at least once/hour from Muenchen to Fuessen with bus service from there to Hohenschwangau.
Here is a quote from a site describing how to get to Neuschwanstein: "By Rail: Take the train to the town of Füssen, then bus 9713 to Hohenschwangau. By car: Take the A7 to Füssen, then on to Hohenschwangau where you'll find parking for a 4 euro charge. From Hohenschwangau you can walk to the castle in 30 minutes. You can get within a 5 minute walk on horse-drawn carriage for 5 euros uphill and 2.50 euros on the return downhill. A Bus is also available from Schlosshotel Lisl, Neuschwansteinstraße in Hohenschwangau."
Here is a quote from a site describing how to get to Neuschwanstein: "By Rail: Take the train to the town of Füssen, then bus 9713 to Hohenschwangau. By car: Take the A7 to Füssen, then on to Hohenschwangau where you'll find parking for a 4 euro charge. From Hohenschwangau you can walk to the castle in 30 minutes. You can get within a 5 minute walk on horse-drawn carriage for 5 euros uphill and 2.50 euros on the return downhill. A Bus is also available from Schlosshotel Lisl, Neuschwansteinstraße in Hohenschwangau."
Mar 11th, 2009, 05:33 AM
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It's a wonderful area for driving--lots of nice places to stop and see or just poke around in between Munich and Hohenschwangau. You can make your castle tour reservations in advance online. Just leave enough time to get from the ticket center in Hohenschwangau to the castle(s) in time for your tour(s).
We drove from Munich south to the Ettal/Oberammergau area and on to Linderhof, stopping along the way a couple of times--drove partly on the Autobahn (E533), then shifted to local roads at exit 8 just because we felt like it. Toured Linderhof, then drove into northern Austria and stopped along the Plansee for lunch. Drove into Hohenschwangau and checked into our pension. Our castle reservations were for the next morning, so we stopped at the ticket office. They asked if we wanted to see Neuschwanstein that afternoon instead of the next morning, so we did. Saw Hohenschwangau Castle the next morning, and with the extra time that day we visited the Wieskirche and some other sights in the area.
Drive was easy and interesting--especially once we were off the Autobahn. Stopped in one town with a great antique store, though I don't remember the name of the place. Brief stop at Oberammergau just to see it--I had been there in 1960 with my parents for the Passion Play.
Without stops and staying to the main roads, average drive time from Munich to Hohenschwangau would be around 1-1/4 hours.
We drove from Munich south to the Ettal/Oberammergau area and on to Linderhof, stopping along the way a couple of times--drove partly on the Autobahn (E533), then shifted to local roads at exit 8 just because we felt like it. Toured Linderhof, then drove into northern Austria and stopped along the Plansee for lunch. Drove into Hohenschwangau and checked into our pension. Our castle reservations were for the next morning, so we stopped at the ticket office. They asked if we wanted to see Neuschwanstein that afternoon instead of the next morning, so we did. Saw Hohenschwangau Castle the next morning, and with the extra time that day we visited the Wieskirche and some other sights in the area.
Drive was easy and interesting--especially once we were off the Autobahn. Stopped in one town with a great antique store, though I don't remember the name of the place. Brief stop at Oberammergau just to see it--I had been there in 1960 with my parents for the Passion Play.
Without stops and staying to the main roads, average drive time from Munich to Hohenschwangau would be around 1-1/4 hours.
Mar 14th, 2009, 06:46 PM
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Thank you very much for your comments! Your responses have been so helpful. I think we will go for the car, as it will be nice to have some flexibility. I have some other questions along the same lines.
After our visit in the Munich we are thinking of driving north along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, and then to Nuremberg, where we plan to spend the night and then catch a train the next day to Dresden to visit some friends. I've heard that the traffic on the Romantic Road can be terrible, but the train connections from Munich to Rothenburg and from Rothenburg to Nuremberg seem complicated and difficult to accomplish with two kids and luggage in tow.
Any sense as to how long it would take to drive to Rothenburg from Munich (the websites I've looked at suggest anywhere from two to three and a half hours), assuming we don't make too many stops?
We were thinking we might stop along the way at Dinkelsbuhl, and maybe even blowing off Rothenburg if we are running short on time or if the kids have had enough sightseeing.
Any recommendations would be very much appreciated. Thanks.
After our visit in the Munich we are thinking of driving north along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, and then to Nuremberg, where we plan to spend the night and then catch a train the next day to Dresden to visit some friends. I've heard that the traffic on the Romantic Road can be terrible, but the train connections from Munich to Rothenburg and from Rothenburg to Nuremberg seem complicated and difficult to accomplish with two kids and luggage in tow.
Any sense as to how long it would take to drive to Rothenburg from Munich (the websites I've looked at suggest anywhere from two to three and a half hours), assuming we don't make too many stops?
We were thinking we might stop along the way at Dinkelsbuhl, and maybe even blowing off Rothenburg if we are running short on time or if the kids have had enough sightseeing.
Any recommendations would be very much appreciated. Thanks.
Mar 15th, 2009, 02:26 PM
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Hi SF,
>After our visit in the Munich we are thinking of driving north along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, ..... I've heard that the traffic on the Romantic Road can be terrible,.....<
Traffic anywhere can be terrible.
I think that the "sightseeing" route at www.viamichelin.com would be a pleasant way to get to Rothenburg.
After you get off the A8, you will go to Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuehl.
You might want to stop off at Wurzburg on your way to Nuremberg
Hope this helps.
>After our visit in the Munich we are thinking of driving north along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, ..... I've heard that the traffic on the Romantic Road can be terrible,.....<
Traffic anywhere can be terrible.
I think that the "sightseeing" route at www.viamichelin.com would be a pleasant way to get to Rothenburg.
After you get off the A8, you will go to Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuehl.
You might want to stop off at Wurzburg on your way to Nuremberg
Hope this helps.
Mar 16th, 2009, 04:10 AM
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We drove the Romantic Road from Hohenschwangau to Rothenburg in late June and didn't encounter anything terrible at all. I wouldn't think April would be any sort of a problem unless there was an accident or something.
We stopped in Dinkelsbuehl and liked the town very much. Though there was some sort of large Brazilian drum band and dance group roaming through the town that made it very, very noisy for a couple of hours.
We stayed in a nice castle hotel east of Rothenburg-- http://www.burg-colmberg.de/
We stopped in Dinkelsbuehl and liked the town very much. Though there was some sort of large Brazilian drum band and dance group roaming through the town that made it very, very noisy for a couple of hours.
We stayed in a nice castle hotel east of Rothenburg-- http://www.burg-colmberg.de/
Jan 9th, 2014, 05:48 AM
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I have the same question as SenorFrog...we are considering the drive from the west side of Munich (near Schloss Nymphenburg) to Neuschwanstein in mid March. We are not experienced at driving on snowy or icy roads. Is it safe to assume that the roads are normally kept clear and driveable?
Jan 9th, 2014, 01:23 PM
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While no one can foresee the weather, snowy and icy conditions would not be uncommon in mid March (or even way into April). It would also not uncommon to have 20 degrees (plus and in Celsius) every day you'll be here.
Roads are generally kept clear, but spots of black ice can occur anywhere esp. on bridges and at dawn. If it has snowed a lot, you can expect rests of snow or slush on the roads. Does not keep anyone from driving (with caution, mostly), though.
When renting a car, get it with the winter package added (or included), i.e. winter tires. All you need to drive the roads are winter tires - nothing more, but also nothing less. You won't need chains (unless you were planning to drive into higher elevations on tertiary roads in the Alps).
Roads are generally kept clear, but spots of black ice can occur anywhere esp. on bridges and at dawn. If it has snowed a lot, you can expect rests of snow or slush on the roads. Does not keep anyone from driving (with caution, mostly), though.
When renting a car, get it with the winter package added (or included), i.e. winter tires. All you need to drive the roads are winter tires - nothing more, but also nothing less. You won't need chains (unless you were planning to drive into higher elevations on tertiary roads in the Alps).
Jan 10th, 2014, 04:43 AM
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"I have the same question as SenorFrog...we are considering the drive from the west side of Munich (near Schloss Nymphenburg) to Neuschwanstein in mid March. We are not experienced at driving on snowy or icy roads. Is it safe to assume that the roads are normally kept clear and driveable?"
Whether by car or by train, it's a long trip for a 30 minute tour. You may wish to visit Harburg Castle in the Romantic Road town of Harburg; it re-opens for tours on March 16. Unlike N'stein, Harburg is a genuine castle. It's been around for about 900 years and was never destroyed or even seriously damaged. Harburg itself is a handsome old world town worth seeing. I would plan to take the train to Harburg (about 1.5 hours each way from Munich, 27€ round trip with the Bayern Ticket) and rather than deal with driving concerns, just enjoy the ride.
Harburg Castle: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...a_Bavaria.html
Harburg photo: http://home.arcor.de/oberpfalz-nord/...-s/harburg.jpg
Bayern ticket: http://www.munich-touristinfo.de/Bavaria-Ticket.htm
Two other Romantic Road towns are in Harburg's neighborhood and accessible by train as well - Donauwörth and the old walled town of Nördlingen. In a longer day, you could see two towns easily enough. Donauwörth is a stop on the way to Harburg, Nördlingen a bit beyond Harburg.
Whether by car or by train, it's a long trip for a 30 minute tour. You may wish to visit Harburg Castle in the Romantic Road town of Harburg; it re-opens for tours on March 16. Unlike N'stein, Harburg is a genuine castle. It's been around for about 900 years and was never destroyed or even seriously damaged. Harburg itself is a handsome old world town worth seeing. I would plan to take the train to Harburg (about 1.5 hours each way from Munich, 27€ round trip with the Bayern Ticket) and rather than deal with driving concerns, just enjoy the ride.
Harburg Castle: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...a_Bavaria.html
Harburg photo: http://home.arcor.de/oberpfalz-nord/...-s/harburg.jpg
Bayern ticket: http://www.munich-touristinfo.de/Bavaria-Ticket.htm
Two other Romantic Road towns are in Harburg's neighborhood and accessible by train as well - Donauwörth and the old walled town of Nördlingen. In a longer day, you could see two towns easily enough. Donauwörth is a stop on the way to Harburg, Nördlingen a bit beyond Harburg.
Feb 18th, 2014, 06:19 AM
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Hi All
i just want to add some information to make your trip easy as i was in the area for a coupe of years
so
if you like to go by train directly :
How To Get To Neuschwanstein ( From Munich Main Station ) Ep 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKY4Ymdfuog
How To Get To Neuchwanstein ( Füssen Station ) Ep 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0_WFiXy4U4
and here a list of thinks to do in Hohenschwangau village
For One Day Stay
Neuschwanstein Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle
Bavarian Museum
Marien Bridge
Pöllat Gorge Waterfall
Alpsee Lake
Two Days Stay
Tegelberg Cable Car , Toboggan
Füssen Town (4km)
Kristalltherme Schwangau (2km from the village )
Linderhof Castle (about one hour from the village)
i just want to add some information to make your trip easy as i was in the area for a coupe of years
so
if you like to go by train directly :
How To Get To Neuschwanstein ( From Munich Main Station ) Ep 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKY4Ymdfuog
How To Get To Neuchwanstein ( Füssen Station ) Ep 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0_WFiXy4U4
and here a list of thinks to do in Hohenschwangau village
For One Day Stay
Neuschwanstein Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle
Bavarian Museum
Marien Bridge
Pöllat Gorge Waterfall
Alpsee Lake
Two Days Stay
Tegelberg Cable Car , Toboggan
Füssen Town (4km)
Kristalltherme Schwangau (2km from the village )
Linderhof Castle (about one hour from the village)
