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Two palaces, one day

Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour

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.

A tall fountain jet in front of the white terraces and the small round temple above them at Linderhof

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.

The Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour at a glance

Price
$85per person
Length
10 to 10.5 hoursabout two hours on the bus each way
Reviews
16,984rated 4.6
Meeting point
Karlsplatz 21both starting options use it
Transport
Air-conditioned buswith a live guide
First stop
Linderhof Palacethe Royal Villa of Ludwig II
On the way
Oberammergau, from the busno stop there
Afternoon
Hohenschwangau and Neuschwansteinlunch at your own cost
Castle tickets
Depends on the optionwith or without tickets
Guide
Live guide on the busaudio guide also offered
Cancellation
Free cancellationcheck the deadline on the listing

How the day works

Linderhof in the morning, Neuschwanstein after lunch

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

Each stop, in the order of the day

How the listing describes each stop of the Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour.

  • Karlsplatz 21, Munich

    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.

  • Linderhof Palace

    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.

  • Oberammergau, from the bus

    Seen from the window only. In the listing’s own words: «There will be no stop in Oberammergau.»

  • Hohenschwangau

    Ludwig’s childhood home and the lunch stop. Lunch is not included, so bring money for it.

  • Marienbrücke

    The bridge is marked optional on the itinerary. In winter, the listing says, its opening depends on weather conditions and the castle administration.

  • Neuschwanstein Castle

    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.

  • Back to Munich

    About two hours on the bus to the city, at the end of a 10 to 10.5-hour day.

Along the way

Linderhof, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, frame by frame

Four frames from the stops of a Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour, in the order of the day.

A tall fountain jet in front of the white terraces and the small round temple above them at Linderhof

Linderhof, the morning stop

A tall fountain jet, white terraced stairs with statues, red flower beds and a small round temple at the top of the green slope.

Neuschwanstein on its rock above dark forest, with lakes and flat green country behind it

Neuschwanstein on its rock

White walls and slate-grey towers on a cliff above the forest, with lakes and open farmland stretching away under heavy cloud.

The inner courtyard of Neuschwanstein seen through a stone arch, with visitors at the balustrade

The courtyard, through an arch

A pale gable with two painted figures between slim green-roofed towers, framed by a stone arch, with visitors leaning on the balustrade below.

The yellow walls and crenellated towers of Hohenschwangau castle on its hill

Hohenschwangau, the yellow castle

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

Linderhof: what the morning stop gives you

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

What each castle day costs and what the price covers

The Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour next to three other days with King Ludwig II’s palaces. Lunch is not included on any of them.

TripPricePrice is forLengthWhat the price coversWhere it startsRating
Linderhof and Neuschwanstein$85per person10 to 10.5 hoursAir-conditioned bus and live guide. Castle tickets only on the option with tickets. Lunch not included.Karlsplatz 214.6 · 16,984
Neuschwanstein and Füssen, our top pick$89per person10 hoursTrain 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. 44.7 · 4,387
Neuschwanstein by van, up to 8$140per person10 hoursVan, guide and a guided visit inside the castle. Castle tickets paid in cash to the guide. Lunch not included.Pickup included on the van day4.9 · 1,371
Herrenchiemsee, the island palace$66per person9.5 hoursTrain with a guide, a 40-minute guided palace visit. Boat and palace entry paid separately before the tour.Dachauer Str. 44.9 · 150

The price

Two palaces for less than our top pick

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

One castle or two: which day fits you

The Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour suits some travellers better than a one-castle day. Four honest tests.

  • Both palaces, one booking

    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…»

  • Neuschwanstein at an easier pace

    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.

  • Inside Neuschwanstein with a guide

    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.

  • Neuschwanstein only, with a later start

    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

Six things to check before you pay

Two minutes on the listing saves a hard afternoon on the Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour.

  • Tickets or no tickets

    Options come with or without castle tickets. Without them, tickets are sold on the bus, and only debit and credit cards are accepted.

  • Linderhof on your option

    One option is a later Neuschwanstein departure without Linderhof Palace. If you want both palaces, read the option name.

  • The walk up

    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.»

  • Steps and shoes

    There are many steps inside Neuschwanstein. Jeffrey Brian from the United States: «This trip requires an extreme amount of walking…»

  • Money for lunch

    Lunch in Hohenschwangau is not included. Bring cash or a card for it.

  • Cancellation

    The listing offers free cancellation. Check the deadline before you book.

Our verdict

Our verdict on two palaces in a day

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

Book the Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour

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.

From Munich: Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Castle Full-Day Trip
Bestseller16,984 reviews
10 - 10.5 h

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
From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip
Our top pick4,387 reviews
10 h

From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip

★ 4.7 · 4,387 reviews

  • Ten hours, 2-hour train or bus ride
  • Guided walk around castle grounds
  • Bestseller
  • Free cancellation
$89$8.90 / hour
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From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip by Van
Likely to sell out1,371 reviews
10 h

From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip by Van

★ 4.9 · 1,371 reviews

  • Ten hours, Limited to 8 participants
  • Pickup included
  • Likely to sell out
  • Free cancellation
$140$14.00 / hour
Check availability→
From Munich: Herrenchiemsee Palace and Boat Trip Day-Tour
Bestseller9.5 h
9.5 h

From Munich: Herrenchiemsee Palace and Boat Trip Day-Tour

★ 4.9 · 150 reviews

  • 9.5 hours, Train from Munich with guide
  • 40-minute guided palace tour
  • Bestseller
  • Free cancellation
$66$6.95 / hour
Check availability→

Common questions

Linderhof Neuschwanstein castles tour: questions, answered

Can you see Neuschwanstein and Linderhof in one day?

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.

Are castle tickets included in the tour?

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.

Do you go inside the castles?

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.

How long is the walk up to Neuschwanstein?

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.

How long does the day take?

10 to 10.5 hours, with about two hours on the bus each way. The bus leaves from Karlsplatz 21 in central Munich.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is in Hohenschwangau, at your own cost. None of the castle days on this site include lunch.

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