From Munich: Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Castle Full-Day Trip
★ 4.6 · 16,984 reviews
- 10 to 10.5 hours, Neuschwanstein and Linderhof in one day
- Air-conditioned bus from Karlsplatz
- Bestseller
- Free cancellation
Two palaces, one day
A Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour puts two of King Ludwig II’s palaces into one long day: the Royal Villa at Linderhof first, then Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein in the afternoon. The listing costs $85 per person, runs 10 to 10.5 hours by air-conditioned bus from Karlsplatz and carries 16,984 reviews at 4.6. Below: what you see at each palace, what the price covers, and when one castle makes the better day.

Quick answer
The short answer. Book the Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour if you want both palaces and a 10-hour day does not put you off: $85, a guide on the bus, Linderhof in the morning and Neuschwanstein after lunch. Castle tickets come only with the option that includes them. If you would rather go inside Neuschwanstein with a guide, the van day at $140 does that for a group of up to 8.
How the day works
Two palaces, one village seen from the window and about two hours on the road each way.
This is the Munich to Bavaria fairytale castles day trip in its fullest form: two of King Ludwig II’s palaces, one guide and one bus. You board at Karlsplatz 21 in central Munich and head south. Linderhof comes first. The listing calls it «The ‘Royal Villa’ of Ludwig II» and promises time to explore the palace and its grounds with your guide.
From Linderhof the road runs through Oberammergau. The bus does not stop there, and the listing says so twice, so do not plan anything in the village. The afternoon belongs to Hohenschwangau, the village below Neuschwanstein with Ludwig’s childhood home. You buy lunch there yourself, and the climb to Neuschwanstein starts there too. The whole Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour takes 10 to 10.5 hours, with about two hours on the bus each way.
Reviewers describe a full day rather than a rushed one. Isabelle from Luxembourg: «I wish we had a little more time at the first of the stops, but we still saw a lot in one day.»
Stop by stop
How the listing describes each stop of the Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour.
Both starting options meet at this address. You travel in an air-conditioned bus with a live guide; an audio guide is offered as well.
The Royal Villa of King Ludwig II and its grounds, explored with your guide. A one-hour guided visit inside is listed as optional, at an extra fee.
Seen from the window only. In the listing’s own words: «There will be no stop in Oberammergau.»
Ludwig’s childhood home and the lunch stop. Lunch is not included, so bring money for it.
The bridge is marked optional on the itinerary. In winter, the listing says, its opening depends on weather conditions and the castle administration.
A 30-minute guided visit inside, optional and at an extra fee. Expect a steep walk up from the ticket center and many steps inside.
About two hours on the bus to the city, at the end of a 10 to 10.5-hour day.
Along the way
Four frames from the stops of a Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour, in the order of the day.
A tall fountain jet, white terraced stairs with statues, red flower beds and a small round temple at the top of the green slope.
White walls and slate-grey towers on a cliff above the forest, with lakes and open farmland stretching away under heavy cloud.
A pale gable with two painted figures between slim green-roofed towers, framed by a stone arch, with visitors leaning on the balustrade below.
Crenellated yellow towers and a flag on the roof, with bare trees in front: Ludwig’s childhood home, at the lunch stop.
The first palace
What the listing promises at Linderhof, and what reviewers say about the time there.
On the full-day option you explore Linderhof Palace and its grounds with your guide. The Linderhof Palace tour inside runs one hour on the itinerary and is optional, at an extra fee, so check whether your option covers it before you go.
Reviewers split the two palaces neatly. Nathan from Canada: «Linderhof is more impressive inside and Neuschwanstein is more impressive outside.» If that sounds like your kind of day, the hour inside Linderhof is the one to keep.
The stop is not long. Jeffrey Brian from the United States: «The tour needed to spend one hour more at Linderhof Palace because there was no time to go to the Venus Grotto or walk the gardens.» If the gardens matter to you as much as the rooms, know that the morning is tight.
Every trip, current fare
The Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour next to three other days with King Ludwig II’s palaces. Lunch is not included on any of them.
| Trip | Price | Price is for | Length | What the price covers | Where it starts | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linderhof and Neuschwanstein | $85 | per person | 10 to 10.5 hours | Air-conditioned bus and live guide. Castle tickets only on the option with tickets. Lunch not included. | Karlsplatz 21 | 4.6 · 16,984 |
| Neuschwanstein and Füssen, our top pick | $89 | per person | 10 hours | Train or bus with a guide, walking tour of the castle grounds. Castle ticket paid on the morning of the tour. Lunch not included. | Dachauer Str. 4 | 4.7 · 4,387 |
| Neuschwanstein by van, up to 8 | $140 | per person | 10 hours | Van, guide and a guided visit inside the castle. Castle tickets paid in cash to the guide. Lunch not included. | Pickup included on the van day | 4.9 · 1,371 |
| Herrenchiemsee, the island palace | $66 | per person | 9.5 hours | Train with a guide, a 40-minute guided palace visit. Boat and palace entry paid separately before the tour. | Dachauer Str. 4 | 4.9 · 150 |
The price
What the $85 pays for, next to the one-castle days.
At $85 per person, the two-palace day costs $4 less than our top pick, the $89 Neuschwanstein day by train or bus with Füssen and a walking tour of the castle grounds. As a Munich castles tour, it is the one on this site that reaches two of the king’s palaces in a day. The difference is the shape of the day: the top pick stays around one castle, while the Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour splits the day between two.
Neither includes castle tickets as standard. On the two-palace day you choose an option with castle tickets or without them; without them, tickets are sold on the bus, by debit or credit card only. On the top pick, the castle ticket is paid on the morning of the tour.
Day trips on this site start from $66 per person, for the Herrenchiemsee palace and boat day. The aquarium ticket, the hop-on hop-off bus, the bike ride and the three guided visits to the Dachau Memorial Site cost $22 to $59.
Who it suits
The Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour suits some travellers better than a one-castle day. Four honest tests.
Pick the Neuschwanstein and Linderhof tour if you want both palaces in one day and are happy to keep moving. Malinda from the United States: «The whole trip, though filled with exercise, was comfortable…»
Our top pick, at $89, keeps the day around Neuschwanstein: Füssen, a guided walk of the castle grounds and views of the Marienbrücke and Hohenschwangau. It lists the walk up as about 20 minutes.
The van day, at $140, includes a guided visit of the castle, pickup and a group of up to 8. The guide books the castle tickets; you pay for them in cash.
The two-palace listing also has a later departure without Linderhof. Helen from the United Kingdom took it: «Did the slightly later starting tour so just the castles and a lovely amount of time to explore the bridge, scenery and lake.»
Before you book
Two minutes on the listing saves a hard afternoon on the Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour.
Options come with or without castle tickets. Without them, tickets are sold on the bus, and only debit and credit cards are accepted.
One option is a later Neuschwanstein departure without Linderhof Palace. If you want both palaces, read the option name.
About 30 to 40 minutes from the ticket center, around 1 mile (1.5 km) on a steep uphill road. Nathan from Canada: «I took the shuttle bus up so had time to see the Marienbrüke but those who walked up didn’t.»
There are many steps inside Neuschwanstein. Jeffrey Brian from the United States: «This trip requires an extreme amount of walking…»
Lunch in Hohenschwangau is not included. Bring cash or a card for it.
The listing offers free cancellation. Check the deadline before you book.
Our verdict
Book the Linderhof and Neuschwanstein castles tour if you want both of the king’s palaces and one long day is all you have. For $85 you get the bus, a guide, Linderhof in the morning and Neuschwanstein in the afternoon, and 16,984 reviewers rate it 4.6.
If Neuschwanstein alone is enough, our top pick at $89 gives it the whole day. If you want the inside of the castle with a guide, take the van at $140.
Book direct
The two-palace day first, then three other days with the king’s palaces: our top pick, the van day and the island palace of Herrenchiemsee. All four are priced per person.
★ 4.6 · 16,984 reviews
★ 4.7 · 4,387 reviews
★ 4.9 · 1,371 reviews
★ 4.9 · 150 reviews
Common questions
Yes. The Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour does both in 10 to 10.5 hours: Linderhof Palace first, then Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. Check the option you book: one option is a later departure without Linderhof Palace.
Only on the option with castle tickets. On the option without them, you can buy tickets on the bus, by debit or credit card only. On our top pick the castle ticket is paid on the morning of the tour, and on the van day you pay the guide in cash.
If you choose to. The itinerary lists a one-hour guided visit at Linderhof and a 30-minute one inside Neuschwanstein, both optional and at an extra fee.
The two-palace listing puts it at about 30 to 40 minutes from the ticket center, around 1 mile (1.5 km) on a steep uphill road, with many steps inside the castle. Our top pick lists an uphill walk of about 20 minutes.
10 to 10.5 hours, with about two hours on the bus each way. The bus leaves from Karlsplatz 21 in central Munich.
No. Lunch is in Hohenschwangau, at your own cost. None of the castle days on this site include lunch.
Go deeper
Three ways to see the king’s castle from Munich, side by side: coach, van, or with Linderhof.
A day at NeuschwansteinHow the long day south runs: departure, the climb to the castle and the way back.
HerrenchiemseeThe palace on the island in the lake, reached by boat.
Into the AlpsWhich outings reach the mountains: lakes, castles and Alpine roads.
Which one to pickChoosing by time, budget and interest: castles, cities, lakes or history.