Tips to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Winter

TL;DR

Every season in Neuschwanstein presents a different challenge because the castle is located on a hill at the border of the Alps in Germany.

I have a post planned for all those visiting in the summer months.

Nonetheless, I came to the conclusion that winter, snow, and ice are reason enough to help you make the most of your winter trip this year with the help of a dedicated guide.

Besides, I thought you would appreciate Neuschwanstein winter snow pictures!

Come Early in the Day

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited landmarks in the world, and therefore it can get busy.

I recommend traveling to the castle in winter early in the morning so that you get in before the bigger tour buses arrive.

It can get almost as busy as in the summer months at Neuschwanstein in winter. It's surreal, and we have done almost all seasons there.

We got to the castle parking lot at 8 am, and then you have to add traveling time up to the castle, which is at least another 30 minutes.

The castle opens at 9 am, and the first people will queue and wait for their turn to get in.

Once they open the gate, the first load of visitors gets to see the castle from the inside.

Take The Horse Carriage Up, Hike or Bus

The castle is a 30-minute steep hike up the hill from the visitor arrival area. It can be a bit exhausting if you are not used to movement and mountains.

That said, it's an easy hike for fit people! Most people in Europe walk up, but you need to be extra careful when it's icy.

We enjoyed our walk-up as the landscape was covered in a fresh blanket of snowfall.

There is a shortcut (20-minute hike) from the P3 parking lot upwards through the forest to the castle, but this passage should be avoided in winter as it is at your own risk. That said, that passage is pretty, but it is also slippery!

You can book a seat in one of the horse carriages, which you will share with other visitors. The earlier you come, the more likely you will get a seat faster. Or else you will have to wait, which can take more than 30 minutes during peak times.

Incidentally, the horse carriage ride isn't too expensive, at just €8 per person upwards and €4 downwards.

The last option, is to take the shuttle bus up and back down. You'll find the shuttle bus station near the information center (in doubt, ask there). The first bus up starts at 9 am. Up they charge € 3.30 per ticket and back down € 3.00.

Book Tickets

You should buy tickets to see the castle online weeks in advance because they are frequently sold out. Even in winter!

Occasionally, they do have a ticket on sale, by luck, for the day that you intend to visit.

You'd see that on their website or in the ticket shop at the arrival point between Hohenschwangau Castle and Neuschwanstein castle.

Yet, the odds are very slim.

A single ticket is €18 per person. They do NOT sell tickets at the castle itself, so don't make the mistake of hiking up and realizing that you don't have a ticket.

You can get combo tickets to visit the neighboring Hohenschwangau castle or a combo ticket to see the two other castles built by the late Bavarian king Ludwig, which includes Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee.

Marienbrücke is Closed

The Marienbrücke (bridge) is located behind the castle hill.

Normally, in the summer months, you can hike up behind the castle to the bridge to take a spectacular picture of the castle.

In winter, the bridge and the full area behind the castle are closed to all visitors.

As an alternative, I recommend taking a picture of the castle from the observation deck.

If you really want to take a picture of the castle from the Marien Bridge, I recommend visiting in the summer months after mid-April/beginning of May.

Book a Room nearby

To get early to the castle, I highly recommend booking a room in one of the hotels near Neuschwanstein castle.

Granted, they are all overpriced, but if you don't have a vehicle to get to the castle before the crowds do, this will be your best option.

The closest hotel to the castle is the Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein. It's just a 2-minute walking distance to the castle.

Check the Weather Forecast

My wife was obsessed with the idea of seeing the castle covered in fresh snowfall, so she followed every weather forecast and even tuned into the Neuschwanstein castle webcam broadcast.

Neuschwanstein is located at an altitude of 3000 feet/ 900 meters above sea level, and that's higher than most major cities nearby.

That means, if it snows, it will snow in Neuschwanstein before it snows in Munich or Innsbruck.

That said, winters can still get mild, and snow can turn into snow rain or, God forbid, cold winter rain. Be prepared and hope that the tickets that you booked for the indoor castle tour are set on a snowy day.

Snow assurance is never a given, but it is most likely snowy in January and February.

Bring Winter Attire

Snow comes with the cold and ice, and that means you should be wearing winter attire that will keep you warm.

If you intend to hike up and down, wear boots that are equipped with a good profile because it gets slippery.

They do maintain the road up (not the forest passages) by spreading salt and gravel and removing access new snow, but it can snow heavily, and it's better to be prepared.

Park at P3

If you are traveling by car to Neuschwanstein, park your vehicle in the P3 parking lot, as it is the closest one to the castle.

All parking lots have a day price of a whopping €12. A year ago, it was €10.

They take only cash, so bring cash along, they don't accept cards or QR payments.

Generally speaking, this region is known to be a cash trap for travelers.

The parking lots open at 8 am and close down at 8 pm, and they are located in a safe area.