Inside Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle's tour covers 14 rooms in the royal apartments and state rooms on the third and fourth floors. You follow a fixed route with castle staff.

The castle's second floor was never finished. The tour ends on the second floor, which now houses a shop and cafeteria. A multimedia room also occupies the second floor.

You can see the castle's historic kitchen on the ground floor after your guided tour. The kitchen had hot and cold running water. A service lift carried meals to the king.

From 16 October to 27 March, Neuschwanstein Castle opens 10:00–16:00 daily; the first tour starts at 10:00 and the last tour of the day finishes at 16:00. The castle closes on 1 January and 24, 25 and 31 December. Guided tours and audio tours both last about 30 minutes on the castle's opening hours page. Choose your language when booking.

Your ticket: one guided tour of about 30 minutes costs adults €21 at the Ticket Center Hohenschwangau on the official price list. Your adult ticket costs €23.50 in the official online ticket shop, including the €2.50 fee.

Neuschwanstein Castle's interior tour follows 14 numbered stops, from the Lower Hall to the Singers' Hall. You start in the Lower Hall and enter the Throne Hall. The Anteroom comes next, followed by the Dining Room and Bedroom.

The Oratory leads on to the Dressing Room and Salon. The Grotto and Conservatory precede the Study. Next come the adjutant's Anteroom and Passage. You finish the room sequence in the Upper Hall and Singers' Hall.

Walking from the Ticket Center Hohenschwangau to Neuschwanstein Castle takes about 30 to 40 minutes on the castle's directions page. The adult shuttle bus fare is €3.50 uphill or €5 return on the Ticket Center's transport page. The shuttle bus from car park P4 takes about 15 minutes. The steep descent from the shuttle bus stop takes about 15 minutes to the castle gate.

The horse carriage takes about 20 minutes from opposite Hotel Müller to the stop below Neuschwanstein Castle. The horse carriage costs €8 uphill and €4 downhill. Your remaining climb to the castle gate takes 10 to 15 minutes. Neither the shuttle bus nor the horse carriage accepts reservations or runs to a timetable.

Count back: your castle tour starts at your printed time; reach Hohenschwangau village at least 1.5 to 2 hours earlier. Allow extra time for transport queues and security checks.

You cannot take photographs or film inside Neuschwanstein Castle, including during the guided tour of about 30 minutes. The castle's visitor information page permits exterior photographs for private use. Keep your camera put away indoors.

The interior pictures on this page are historic photographs and colour prints from Wikimedia Commons. The interior images are in the public domain. The colour prints are by Photochrom Zürich. The exterior photographs are by Diego Delso and Hedwig Storch.

The bridge is about 5 minutes on foot from the upper shuttle bus stop on the Marienbrücke page. In winter, snow and ice stop the shuttle bus and can close the bridge. The castle's guided tours continue when the bridge closes.

Neuschwanstein Castle admits up to 35 people per tour, the limit in the Ticket Center's FAQ. Every child needs a ticket, including babies. Add children when you book your group. Late arrivals cannot join their booked tour.

Handbags and backpacks of regular size are allowed. Bulky luggage and hiking backpacks must stay outside. Leave your stroller in the courtyard room described on the Ticket Center's family page. Child carriers cannot enter the castle.

The castle has narrow, winding stairs and a long indoor walking route. The lift is reserved for wheelchair users and visitors with severe mobility impairments. The Ticket Center's accessibility page limits lift use to one visitor with mobility impairments and one companion per hour.

Request your lift reservation by email from the Ticket Center Hohenschwangau before buying tickets; the service fee is €2.50 per person. A valid disability certificate is required. The lift door is 0.85 metres wide; lift depth is 1.30 metres. The castle's accessibility page requires you to collect reserved tickets at least 1 hour before your tour.