Linderhof Palace: Day Trips and Tours from Munich

Step into a fairytale on a day tour to Linderhof Palace from Munich. This palace is one of the numerous fantastical castles built by Ludwig II, the former king of Bavaria.

Ludwig II was known as the “Mad King,” as well as the “Fairytale King” for his eccentricity and vision for a romanticized life.

Discover his penchant for beauty, fantasy and mystery on the grounds of Linderhof Palace, the only castle he saw to completion before his death.

Here's your guide to Linderhof Palace, one of the most intriguing day trips from Munich.

How do you get to Linderhof Palace from Munich?

Linderhof Palace is located just under 100 kilometers south of Munich in Germany.

From Munich to Linderhof Palace by car

It’s possible to rent a car in Munich and drive to Linderhof Palace. The drive will take approximately over an hour via the A95.

From Munich to Linderhof Palace by public transport

For a cheaper trip, you can take a train from Munich to the Oberammergau station. From there, you can take bus 9622 to Linderhof Castle. The entire trip takes approximately 2 hours.

Guided tour to Linderhof Palace from Munich

On a guided tour to Linderhof Palace from Munich, your transport will be organized for you.

Join a large group tour to travel via coach or bus with a well-informed guide. Alternatively, you can take a private tour for pickup from and drop-off at your accommodation.

How much is the entrance ticket to Linderhof Palace

The cost of entrance tickets to Linderhof Palace depends on which sections of the palace you will visit. All sections are open in summer and only the palace is open in winter. Admission is free for children below aged 18.

• Palace and park buildings: €10
• Park buildings only: €5
• Royal house only: €2
• Palace only (winter): €9

What is the typical itinerary of a Linderhof Palace tour?

On a tour to Linderhof Palace from Munich, you will typically start the day by meeting your tour guide at a predetermined meeting place in the city.

From there, you will journey via coach or bus through Bavaria. A private tour may pick you up from your accommodation.

Most guided tour options to Linderhof Palace include tours of Neuschwanstein Castle as well. Both formed part of King Ludwig II’s fantastical architectural projects. However, Linderhof Palace was the only castle he lived to see to completion.

Depending on your tour, you may either start at Linderhof Palace or Neuschwanstein Castle. Linderhof Palace was opened in 1886 and was influenced by a multitude of styles you can discover on a guided tour.

Discover the opulent interiors of Linderhof Palace, from the Hall of Mirrors to the Dining Room, which were decorated in ornamental Rococo style. Gain a glimpse into Ludwig II’s life in his spacious and luxurious bedroom.

You can also traverse the expansive park grounds of Linderhof Palace. With decorative gardens, terraces and water features, the park is a beauty to behold. It’s also home to numerous interesting buildings, from the Moroccan House to the Moorish Kiosk.

Located under an hour away from Linderhof Palace is Neuschwanstein Castle, another of Ludwig II’s fantastical buildings that was built in honor of the composer Richard Wagner. Take a guided tour here for further insight into the king’s way of life.

Near Neuschwanstein Castle is Hohenschwangau Castle, which you can also visit on some day tour options. This castle was where Ludwig II grew up and where his interest in legends and tales was inspired.

On a day trip to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle, you can also stop at the picturesque town of Oberammergau. This small town is famous for its woodcarvers and Passion Plays that have been running for centuries. Here, you can shop and take photos.

On a private tour, you may have the option of visiting more of Bavaria’s scenery, and stopping to have a traditional Bavarian lunch.

At the end of your approximately 10-hour day trip, you will return to your original meeting place or accommodation after a breathtaking excursion exploring Bavaria’s fairytale castles and the history behind them.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Linderhof Palace?

Most day trips to Linderhof Palace from Munich include a stop at Neuschwanstein Castle, another of Ludwig II’s iconic castles. Depending on the tour option, you may be able to choose to tour just one or both of the castles.

Day trip to Linderhof Palace plus Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich

On a day trip to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich, you have the opportunity to enter the vision of Ludwig II and discover his magical architectural style.

Meet your guide at a predetermined meeting point in Munich before traveling via comfortable bus or coach to this part of Bavaria.

You’ll have the opportunity to experience guided tours of both Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle, and your guide will share the stories behind the architecture and inspiration of these buildings.

The day trip can last approximately 10 hours in total, including the return to your original meeting point at the end of the day.

Day trip to Linderhof Palace plus Neuschwanstein Castle and Oberammergau from Munich

Expand your journey to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle with a stop at Oberammergau. On this day trip, you will travel via coach and explore more of Bavaria with time spent in the small town.

At Oberammergau, you’ll have free time to shop, take photos and familiarize yourself with the history and heritage of the town — known for its famous Passion Plays, woodcarving and wall art.

Private tour to Linderhof Palace plus Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich

For a more intimate experience, you can take a private tour to Linderhof Palace from Munich that also includes a tour of Neuschwanstein Castle, among other locations.

On a private tour, you will have the option of being picked up from and dropped off at your accommodation in Munich in a comfortable vehicle for just your group.

Some private tour options are customizable, and may also include stops at places like Oberammergau, Ettal Monastery or Hohenschwangau Castle. Others may include a traditional Bavarian lunch.

How much does a day trip to Linderhof Palace from Munich cost?

A day trip to Linderhof Palace from Munich, including a stop at Neuschwanstein Castle, starts at approximately €60 per person.

For a day trip to Linderhof Palace that includes stops at Neuschwanstein Castle and Oberammergau, you can also expect to pay around €60 per person.

A private tour to Linderhof Palace with customizable stops and transfers can start at €220 per person for a group of six.

For a private castle tour that includes stops at Linderhof Palace, Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle, prices start at approximately €970 per person for a maximum group of three.

What will you see and do on a Linderhof Palace tour?

Linderhof Palace is filled with breathtaking sights, both within the palace itself and on the park grounds.

Discover Ludwig II’s vision on a tour of the palace, and gain greater insight into his life on excursions to other famous locations in the Bavarian Alps.

Linderhof Palace interiors

While the Linderhof Palace was the smallest castle built by Ludwig II, it was reportedly his favorite. And it’s easy to see why — the palace is an amalgamation of different opulent styles, and no doubt served as a luxurious retreat for the famously reclusive king.

Inside the palace are numerous rooms, each as ornamental as the next. The Hall of Mirrors is a spectacle of light and reflection, while the king’s bedroom is one of the largest rooms in the palace, decorated in golden ornamentation and a bed fashioned in the king’s symbolic blue color.

Stop by the Dining Room to see a table that can be lowered one floor below to the basement using a crank mechanism. It was designed to allow the solitary king to dine in private reverie.

Linderhof park

The park of Linderhof Palace is as opulent and breathtaking as the palace itself. Decorated in terraces, gardens and buildings, its design was influenced by multiple different regions and eras.

The gardens and park are approximately 60 hectares in size, and include a swan pond, cascades, a fountain and a 300-year-old lime tree that allegedly gave the palace its name.

The waterworks are not operational during the winter months, but in the summer months, there are water games at the fountain every half hour.

Numerous buildings dot the park, including a Moroccan House, Music Pavilion, Moorish Kiosk, and Temple of Venus. There are also informational boards located throughout the park that shed light on the many unfinished projects Ludwig II envisioned.

Some buildings here were inspired by Wagner’s operas, including the Hunding Hut from the opera “The Valkyrie,” and the Hermitage of Gurnemanz, from the opera “Parsifal.”

The Royal Lodge was once used as hunting lodgings by the king’s father, Maximilian II. Today, it’s home to an exhibit on the ground floor that explains the history of the building.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Over 40 kilometers away from Linderhof Palace is Neuschwanstein Castle, one of King Ludwig’s most famous buildings and the inspiration for the castle in “Sleeping Beauty.” To reach the castle, you will have to walk 30 minutes up a steep hill.

Neuschwanstein Castle was opened in 1884 in honor of Wagner, one of Germany’s famous composers whom Ludwig supported. It reflects many of the tales that influenced Wagner’s works through wall paintings.

The castle was contradictory in its build, as while it reflected a more medieval style, it also had modern technology, including telephone connections.

Ludwig II never lived to see the completion of his castle, as he was deposed, declared insane and soon drowned in a lake under controversial circumstances.

Hohenschwangau Castle

On some tour options, you will have the opportunity of visiting a third castle, Hohenschwangau Castle.

Located just a 2-minute drive away from Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau was the castle Ludwig II grew up in, and it was rebuilt by his father to be in a romantic style.

Hohenschwangau Castle was highly influential in the young king’s life for its depictions of legends and tales. It also contained a mural of the swan knight Lohengrin, to whom Ludwig II related.

Oberammergau

Located a 15-minute drive away from Linderhof Palace, Oberammergau is a small, picturesque town with a tradition that dates back to the 17th century.

Every 10 years for the past centuries, this town has put on a Passion Play depicting the Passion of Jesus Christ that attracts visitors from around the world.

While the Passion Play is one of its most famed attractions, the town is also known for its woodcarving and traditional house wall paintings known as Lüftlmalerei.

When is Linderhof Palace open?

Depending on the season, Linderhof Palace is open every day at the following times:

• April to 15 October: 9 AM to 6 PM
• 16 October to March: 10 AM to 4:30 PM

Some park buildings are subject to different opening times. During winter, all park buildings except the royal house are closed.

All buildings are closed on Jan. 1, Dec. 24-25, Dec. 31, and Shrove Tuesday (between February and March).

When is the best time to visit Linderhof Palace?

The best time to visit Linderhof Palace is between the spring and autumn (April-October). This is when temperatures are at their most pleasurable, as Bavaria is one of the coldest places in Germany.

This is also when all buildings are open, and there are longer visiting hours and water games to enjoy on the grounds.

Travel tips before you go

• If you want to see the interiors of Linderhof Palace, make sure to book a guided tour, as they are only accessible through a tour.
• Be sure to pack a camera to capture not only the stunning Linderhof Palace but the magnificent surrounding Bavarian Alps.
• While you are not allowed to take photographs inside the palace, you are permitted to photograph and film the outdoor grounds for personal purposes.
• Wear comfortable shoes for walking, and dress warmly and appropriately if visiting in winter months, as the grounds can be covered in frost and ice.