3-Day Bavaria Tour: Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Castles

Three castles, a UNESCO church, and two countries in one private tour

A 3-day private tour from Munich through Bavaria and Austria, visiting all three of King Ludwig II's castles (Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, and Herrenchiemsee) plus the UNESCO-listed Wieskirche and the medieval center of Innsbruck. You travel by private air-conditioned minivan with a guide, stay two nights in included hotel accommodation, and enter each castle with tickets provided. The tour begins and ends in Munich.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Munich to Innsbruck via Herrenchiemsee

• Meet tour director in Munich
• Drive to Lake Chiemsee
• Boat to Herrenchiemsee Island
• Guided tour of Herrenchiemsee Palace
• Drive to Innsbruck, Austria
• Walk through Innsbruck medieval lanes
• See Golden Roof and Baroque Church
• Visit Hofburg Palace

Day 2: Innsbruck to Füssen via Oberammergau and Linderhof

• Morning photos in Innsbruck
• Drive to Oberammergau village
• Explore Oberammergau wood carvings and paintings
• Drive to Linderhof Palace
• Tour Linderhof Palace and gardens
• Drive to Füssen

Day 3: Neuschwanstein Castle and Wieskirche visit

• Drive to Füssen
• Take shuttle to Mary’s Bridge
• Walk to Neuschwanstein Castle
• Horse carriage to Hohenschwangau village
• Visit Wieskirche Church
• Drive back to Munich hotel

The experience

Day one takes you from Munich to Lake Chiemsee, where a boat carries you to Herrenchiemsee Island to tour Ludwig's largest castle and its Ludwig museum. From there you drive into Austria, following the Inn valley to Innsbruck, where you walk the medieval lanes past the Golden Roof, the Baroque Cathedral, and the Hofburg Palace built by Empress Maria Theresia. You stay overnight in Innsbruck at a three-star hotel.

Day two heads back into Germany through Oberammergau, the village where the Passion Play has run since 1634 and where locals are known for wood carving and painted house facades. Then you reach Linderhof Palace, where Ludwig II lived for more than eight years. You have time to explore the formal gardens and the Moorish Kiosk before driving to Füssen for your second night.

Day three starts with a shuttle to Mary's Bridge for photographs of Neuschwanstein Castle, the most visited castle in southern Germany and the inspiration for Disney's castle design. You walk up to the castle for the tour, then take a horse carriage down to Hohenschwangau village. Before returning to Munich, you stop at the Wieskirche, one of southern Germany's most important pilgrimage sites and a UNESCO World Heritage church set in open countryside.

What’s included

• Your private air-conditioned minivan and driver/guide for all three days.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Munich.
• two nights of accommodation in three-star hotels (one in Innsbruck, one in Füssen).
• entrance tickets to Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace, and Herrenchiemsee.
• the boat to Herrenchiemsee Island.
• and the shuttle to Mary's Bridge at Neuschwanstein.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by European Castles Tours

Is this one for you?The tour runs on a fixed three-day schedule with set overnight stops, so all the major castles and sites fit into one continuous journey without you arranging separate transport or accommodation. An English-speaking guide means you get the history and context at each stop without needing to read ahead or navigate on your own.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years); Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's inside Herrenchiemsee Castle that makes it worth the boat ride?

Herrenchiemsee is Ludwig II's largest castle, built on an island in Lake Chiemsee. The guided tour takes you through the palace itself, and there's also a Ludwig museum on the island dedicated to the king's life and legacy.

Can I actually go inside Neuschwanstein Castle, or just see it from outside?

Neuschwanstein Castle is included in your tour and you receive entry to walk through it. The tour also includes a shuttle to Mary's Bridge for photographs before you walk up to the castle entrance.

Is Linderhof Palace worth a stop, or is it just filler between the bigger castles?

Linderhof Palace is where Ludwig II actually lived for more than eight years, making it his most personal residence. You have time to explore the formal gardens and the Moorish Kiosk on the grounds, giving you a different side of the king's world than the grand show castles.

What exactly is the Wieskirche, and why does it matter?

The Wieskirche, or Church in the Meadow, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important pilgrimage churches in southern Germany. It's a Baroque church set in open countryside, and the tour includes a stop there before returning to Munich on the final day.

Do I need to speak German, or is the guide in English?

Your guide speaks English throughout the tour, so you can follow the commentary and ask questions as you move through each site.