Neuschwanstein Castle
 

We will be spending 2 days in Munich with our children, ages 9,11, & 13. I am wondering if we should take up one of our days and see King Ludwig's castles or spend the time wandering around Munich. After Munich we plan to spend a day on the Rhine, seeing the castles from Bacharach to St. Goar. If we should see Ludwig's castles, how do you recommend getting there and should we see both castles? Also, what do you recommend for the Rhine castles? Which one(s) should we tour?

I think all of you would enjoy seeing Newschwanstein, as did our family with children ranging from 8 to 14. We also saw a very interesting museum in Munich, something like Science/Technologie. We spent a night in St. Goar and then took a Rhine cruise from there to somewhere near Heidelburg. We didn't tour any castles, just enjoyed them from the boat.

That was in 1985, so you need some more up-to-date information. I suggest you post this question on the Europe Forum.

I also suggest reposting on the Europe forum
If you have only 2 days in Munich and are going to be moving around a lot afterwards I would probably spend it in the city rather than driving to Fussen.This is especially true if you are flying into Munich and this is your first stop.
However, the Alpine scenery and Neuschwanstein are impressive and different from the castles on the Rhine and your children would enjoy it. If you do go there you would want to have a car.

In Munich your kids will probably really enjoy the Deutsches Museum which is the science/technology museum mentioned by xanthippe.

There is a marionette theater they might also enjoy

You must do both castles.There's a coach with horse you can take to the castle.Very romantic and nice for the kids.The Marksburg is the only castle that was never destroyed and is very interesting.Paul

I think you should definitely make the daytrip to see the castles if you have the time. Not only are the castles themselves interesting and cool for children your age, but the scenery is beyond gorgeous.

We had a car in the area so I can't really give you advice on how to get there other than check out the train schedules and/or bus tours.

Good luck and happy planning!
Tracy

When in St. Goar, the kids (and you, too) will LOVE Rhinfels Castle! It's a huge "ruins" castle that you can really climb around and explore (including some underground tunnels.) When we were there, a school group of kids that looked about 11-12 years old were having a fabulous time. The Ludwig castles are great, but of course "untouchable." You can get up- close and personal with Rhinfels.

(Rick Steves' guidebook has a great little walking tour that gives a good overview of the various sites on the castle grounds.)

The castles are wonderful!! There are four (I think) Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Herrenchimsee (my favorite - sits in the middle of a lake) and there's another closer to Neuschwanstein (Hohensch???) Plus there's another in the city of Munich. So dear, mad Ludwig did build quite a few HUGE castles and went broke doing it.

The kids might like the castle ruins up on the Rhine cause they'll probably have to be on "good behavior" at Ludwig's castles.

I do think they'll have a wonderful time in Munchen though!!

The other csstle next to Neuschwanstein is Hohenschwangau, the boyhood home of Ludwig. It too is very interesting.

Tracy

If you don't have a car, you can also go by train - 2 hours from Munich to Fussen and then a bus for the remaining 5 or so miles to the castles. There is a ticket you can get called the Bayern Ticket or something like that were I like up to 5 people can ride on a single ticket anywhere in Bavaria as long as you are after 9 am or something along those lines - someone on the European board will be able to give you the details on that.

That family ticket is such a great deal -- something like 15 Euro for the whole crew.