Photo: Wilfredor · CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Füssen
Neuschwanstein, mountain lakes and a painted old town at the foot of the Alps.
A small painted old town on the river Lech at the foot of the Alps, a short bus ride from the fairy-tale castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau and their mountain lakes. Many people come as a long day trip from Munich: about two hours by regional train to Füssen, then a local bus to the castles (check).
Places to see
- Neuschwanstein CastleSight · A white castle of towers and turrets on a crag above a gorge, with the Alps behind and…≈ A$37
Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge)Viewpoint · A narrow iron footbridge high over a waterfall in the Pöllat gorge, with the classic…Free
AlpseeWalk · A clear green mountain lake right below Hohenschwangau Castle, with a mostly flat path of…Free
When to go
- Jan2° / -7°Some rainQuiet
- Feb4° / -6°Some rainQuiet
- Mar8° / -2°Some rainQuiet
- Apr13° / 2°Some rainBusy
- May17° / 6°Often wetBusy
- Jun21° / 10°Often wetVery busy
- Jul23° / 12°Often wetVery busy
- Aug22° / 11°Often wetVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Füssen old town. The painted streets, the castle and abbey above the river, and the station: where the hostel, guesthouses and supermarkets are.
Hopfen am See and the lakes. Lakeside villages a short bus ride north, with guesthouses and swimming in summer.
Flying in
Munich (MUC): S-Bahn to Munich Hauptbahnhof, then a regional train to Füssen, about 3 h 10 min, ≈ A$61. A Bavaria day ticket (Bayern-Ticket) usually covers it and is cheaper for groups (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Füssen; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$5. Füssen's old town and the Lech Falls are walkable. Buses run from the station to the castles at Hohenschwangau in about 10 minutes; it's also a flat 4 km walk or bike ride (check).
Bayern-Ticket (Bavaria day ticket) (≈ A$56, 1 day, regional trains and buses in Bavaria): Worth it for a day trip from Munich, and cheaper per head for groups of up to five (check).
Tourist tax
Füssen's guest tax (Kurbeitrag): usually about €2.50–3.30 a person a night, paid at your stay; it comes with a guest card that usually includes local buses (check).
