Neuschwanstein & Linderhof: Day Trip from Munich by Coach

Summary

Fairytale castles, painted villages and alpine air from Munich

You’ll wander palace gardens at Linderhof, see Oberammergau’s storybook murals from your coach seat, and take in Neuschwanstein Castle’s towers from Marienbrücke—all with an easy start in Munich and help from your local guide. Expect laughter on the bus and maybe a new favorite Bavarian dish.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly missed the coach because I got distracted by a pretzel stand at Munich’s central station—classic me. But I made it, and we rolled out of the city just as the morning light started to spill through the bus windows. Our guide, Markus, had this dry sense of humor that kept everyone awake. He pointed out bits of Munich history as we left, but honestly I was already watching for those first hints of mountains on the horizon. The air felt different—sharper somehow—even inside the bus.

Linderhof Palace was our first stop. Smaller than I pictured but so ornate it almost didn’t look real. There was this faint smell of wet grass and coffee drifting from somewhere (maybe the little café near the entrance?). I wandered around the grounds for a while instead of joining the inside tour right away—couldn’t resist those fountains and statues with their mossy edges. Some older locals strolled past me, nodding politely; one lady smiled when she saw me trying to pronounce “Schloss” under my breath (I probably butchered it). The group met up again by the gift shop, and someone had already bought a snow globe—no judgment.

We took a quick spin through Oberammergau after that. The houses there are painted with these wild fairytale murals—I’d seen photos but they’re way more vivid in person. Markus told us about how every ten years they put on this Passion Play that draws people from all over Europe. It was quiet in town that day except for a couple of kids racing their bikes past our bus window.

Neuschwanstein Castle is… well, it’s surreal even before you get close. We had enough time to grab lunch (I went for käsespätzle—cheesy noodles, total comfort food) before heading up toward Marienbrücke for that famous view. There’s something about standing there with your jacket zipped up against the wind, looking out over those blue-green hills and thinking about Ludwig II dreaming all this up. The castle tour itself was a bit rushed but still worth it just to see those impossibly detailed rooms. On the way back down, my legs were jelly but in a good way—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Linderhof and Neuschwanstein Castles

• Meet in Munich city center
• Drive towards highway and see Munich sights
• Visit Linderhof Castle with guided tour or walk
• Buy souvenirs at Linderhof
• Bus ride to Oberammergau, see Lüftlmalerei
• Arrive at Neuschwanstein Castle area
• Have lunch in Hohenschwangau
• Visit Neuschwanstein Castle and Marienbrücke viewpoint

Top questions

How long is the day trip to Neuschwanstein & Linderhof from Munich?

The tour lasts one full day, starting around 8:45 am in central Munich and returning in the evening.

Is lunch included on this Neuschwanstein Castle day trip?

No, lunch is not included but there is time to buy food at Hohenschwangau near Neuschwanstein Castle.

Are entrance tickets to both castles included?

No, entrance tickets must be purchased separately from the guide on the coach (card payment only).

Is there hotel pickup for this tour?

No hotel pickup; you meet at a central location in Munich before departure.

Can I visit both Linderhof & Neuschwanstein castles inside?

Yes, you can choose to visit one or both castles with guided tours if you buy tickets through your guide.

Is there an option for audio guides at Neuschwanstein Castle?

Yes, audio guides are available at Neuschwanstein Castle in several languages.

How do you get up to Neuschwanstein Castle?

You can walk uphill or pay extra for a horse-drawn carriage or shuttle bus closer to the castle entrance.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The main tour commentary is live in English; audio guides are available in other languages at Neuschwanstein.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transport by air-conditioned coach from central Munich, sightseeing through Oberammergau village by bus, an English-speaking live guide throughout, optional skip-the-line ticket sales for castle entry (card payment only), plus headphones onboard if available—and plenty of time to explore each stop at your own pace before heading back to Munich together.