Itinerary Summary
Arrive in Munich, then head south to the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles, before working north along the Romantic Road: the Würzburg Residence, the walled medieval town of Rothenburg ob der…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Munich and Marienplatz after dark
09:00
2.5h
S-Bahn from MUC Airport to Munich centre
Take the S1 or S8 from MUC into central Munich in about 40 minutes, paying the airport surcharge on your ticket. Check in near the old town and leave the afternoon free for a first walk.
📍 MUC to Munich
15:00
1.5h
Marienplatz and the New Town Hall at dusk
Walk into Marienplatz as the lights come on and watch the New Town Hall facade in the evening glow. The glockenspiel plays at 11:00 and 12:00, and again at 17:00 in summer.
📍 Marienplatz, Munich
18:30
2h
Dinner at a Munich beer hall
Dine at a Munich beer hall on Haxe, dumplings and a Helles, sharing a long table with locals. Most halls keep serving until 23:00; arrive before 19:00 to find a seat without a reservation.
📍 Munich old town
💡 Pro Tip: Munich Airport (MUC) connects by S1 or S8 S-Bahn in about 40 minutes; an airport surcharge applies on top of the normal fare. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the Germany visa section before booking. Germany is UTC+1, or UTC+2 in summer. This route ends in Frankfurt, so book an open-jaw flight if you want to avoid a return leg by train.
Days 2-6 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$52035%
Boutique hotels in castle towns, 5 nights
Food & DiningUS$30020%
Beer gardens, Apfelwein taverns and Black Forest cake
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book Neuschwanstein Castle tickets?+
Book timed tickets through the official Bavarian palace website as soon as your dates are fixed, because summer slots sell out. Hohenschwangau needs a separate ticket. Arrive early for the shuttle bus or walk up, and keep your ticket time in mind when planning the journey from Füssen.
Do I need a car for the Romantic Road and castle route?+
A car is the easiest way to link Neuschwanstein, Würzburg, Rothenburg and Heidelberg, but trains reach each town with one or two changes. The seasonal Romantic Road bus covers some stretches. Parking near the castles fills early, and some old-town centres are pedestrian-only.
What is the best season for Neuschwanstein and Rothenburg ob der Tauber?+
April to June and September to October bring mild weather, open castle gardens and fewer tour buses than midsummer. July and August are peak season. Winter is quiet and snowy, but some castle rooms and garden features close, and daylight is short.
What does this six-day castle road trip cost per person?+
Budget roughly $1,200-1,790 (about EUR 1,040-1,560) per person excluding international flights. That covers mid-range hotels, train fares or car rental with fuel, and castle entries. Add tolls, parking and any guided interior tours before you compare options.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 6 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,200–1,790 (≈ €1,040–1,560), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: Film Locations
Budget Spreadsheet
Download the customizable budget template for this itinerary.
Unlock Budget DownloadPrint / Save as PDF
Open a print-ready version, then choose Save as PDF in the print dialog.
Unlock Print / PDFYou May Also Like
- Scenic Rail Journeys: the Romantic Road & DB Lines in 7 DaysGermany · 7 days · Comfort · approx. $1,350–1,940 (≈ €1,170–1,690), excl. int'l flights
- Germany Classic Highlights: Berlin, the Rhine Valley & Bavarian Castles in 12 DaysGermany · 12 days · Comfort · approx. $1,940–2,690 (≈ €1,690–2,340), excl. int'l flights
- Munich City Deep-Dive in 5 DaysGermany · 5 days · Comfort · approx. $1,050–1,500 (≈ €910–1,300), excl. int'l flights