The Bavaria Castles and Palaces Pass can save visitors a substantial amount on admission to more than 40 royal castles, palaces, gardens, and historic sites, including Neuschwanstein Castle, the Munich Residenz, and Schloss Nymphenburg.
Visitors to Bavaria in Southern Germany may save on admission fees to top castles and palaces by using special discount season tickets and passes. These savings tickets cover admission to more than 40 castles, palaces, gardens, and lakes in Bavaria managed by the Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung (Bavarian Palace Department). Popular sights covered by the discount ticket are major palace complexes in Munich, the fantasy castles of Mad King Ludwig including the Disney-like Schloss Neuschwanstein, and numerous historic castles, palaces, and parks in smaller Bavarian towns. This season ticket is not widely advertised but is available from any participating venue.
Bavaria Castles and Palaces Pass Explained
The Bavarian castles and palaces season tickets give access to more than 40 properties managed by the Bavarian Administration of State-Owned Palaces, Gardens, and Lakes. The pass comes in two basic versions:
- the annual season ticket (Jahreskarte) gives access to all properties for a full year, while
- the 14-day ticket (Mehrtagesticket) gives admission to all properties for two weeks.
Prices of the Bavaria Castles and Palace Passes in 2026
Both passes come in two versions: the standard single ticket and a partner (or family) ticket for two adults (with own children under 18) traveling together. The current price is €55 for the single annual pass and €40 for the two-week pass. The partner passes are €100 and €80 respectively. Admission to special exhibitions and events may incur an additional fee but is often included. Guided tours are included at sights where taking a tour is compulsory.
The multi-day and annual tickets are great value, especially as pass prices increased far more slowly in recent years than the admission fees at individual sites.
The pass offers particularly good value if you plan to visit Munich’s royal palaces together with at least one of King Ludwig II’s castles such as Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, or Herrenchiemsee.
Most castles and palaces in Bavaria are great family-friendly destinations and low-budget options too, as children under 18 years old usually enjoy free admission to all these sights.
Sights with Free Admission for Bavaria Castles and Palaces Season Tickets
The Bayerischen Schlösserverwaltung manages some of the best-known sightseeing destinations in Bavaria. (Pdf list) Some of the most popular sites with free admission for holders of the Bavarian castles and palaces annual or 14-day tickets are:
- The three fantasy palaces of Mad King Ludwig – the Disney-like Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Schloss Linderhof Palace with gardens near Ettal and Oberammergau, and the Versailles-inspired Schloss Herrenchiemsee Palace on an island in the Chiemsee Lake. To visit Schloss Neuschwanstein with any pass, it is highly advisable to make online time-slot reservations in advance — great value at €2.50. (Other popular sights often allow for reservations for passholders too — always worth making when offered.)
- Munich (München) – the Residence (Residenz) complex with palace, treasury (Schatzkammer), and Cuvilliés Theater, as well as the Schloss Nymphenburg Palace complex with gardens and museums.
- Nuremberg (Nürnberg) – the Kaiserburg imperial castle.
- Schleißheim – three palaces with a magnificent Baroque garden on the outskirts of Munich.
- Walhalla — German Hall of Fame near Regensburg.
- Würzburg – the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage-listed Residenz (Residence) and Festung Marienburg fortress.
Many of these sites are among the top destinations for visitors to Bavaria. Most travelers interested in history or culture will easily find value from the combination ticket passes. It also gives access to many parks and gardens (although admission to most is free for everyone).
Saving with the Bavaria Castles and Palaces Sightseeing Passes
The Bavaria castles season tickets pay off fairly fast when visiting top sightseeing sites in Bavaria. The entry fees for most palaces and castles are generally around €8-10. However, the most popular palaces such as Schloss Neuschwanstein charge €21.
It is easy to break even on the two-week ticket by visiting three palace complexes in Munich alone. The combination ticket for the extensive Schloss Nymphenburg complex is €16 (€20 in summer), the Residenz complex in downtown Munich is €20, and the three palaces at Oberschleißheim are €11.
Day trips from Munich will add further savings while many palaces, castles, and parks in smaller Bavarian towns are also covered.
Buying the Bavaria Castles and Palaces Season Tickets
Buy the Bavaria castle and palace season tickets from any of the participating sights in Bavaria, except at Schachen. Names must be entered on the tickets, and the passes are not transferable. Special exhibitions may carry a surcharge, and no refunds are given when sites are closed.
The ticket covers admission to all sights but does not give any fast-line entrance at popular sights. At Schloss Neuschwanstein, visitors should make online timeslot reservations in advance.
The Bavaria Castles and Palaces season tickets offer visitors to Bavaria great savings over regular admission ticket prices. The Bayern-Ticket is an excellent transportation deal. It covers almost all local trains, trams, buses, and metros in the whole state of Bavaria.
Visit King Ludwig’s Castles and Palaces near Munich
King Ludwig II’s three famous palaces are among Bavaria’s top attractions and popular day trips from Munich. Each offers a very different experience — from the fairy-tale towers of Neuschwanstein to the intimate luxury of Linderhof and the Versailles-inspired grandeur of Herrenchiemsee. Since their inscription as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2025, they have become even more popular day-trip destinations from Munich.
Use the guides below to choose which palace to visit, check tickets and transportation, or book a guided tour from Munich.
→ ⭐ Not sure which castle to visit? Compare King Ludwig’s three palaces here.
Plan Your Visit
- Which of King Ludwig’s Fantasy Castles Should You Visit Near Munich?
- Best Sightseeing Saving Passes in Munich and Bavaria
- Save with the Bayern Ticket on Public Transportation — Buy the Bayern Ticket Online.
- Book Day-Trip Tours from Munich
Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Hohenschwangau
Fairy-tale castles near Füssen with timed-entry tickets that often sell out.
- Tickets for Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau
- Transportation to Schloss Neuschwanstein
- Why Visit Schloss Neuschwanstein?
- Why Visit Schloss Hohenschwangau?
- What to See in Nearby Füssen and Schwangau
- Neuschwanstein Day-Trip Tours
Linderhof Palace and Park
King Ludwig’s only completed palace, famous for its lavish interiors and landscaped gardens.
- Why Visit Schloss Linderhof?
- Linderhof Visitor Guide: Opening Hours, Tickets, and Transportation
- Day-Trip Tours to Linderhof
Schloss Herrenchiemsee
A Versailles-inspired palace on a peaceful island in Lake Chiemsee.
- Herrenchiemsee Visitor Guide: Sights, Opening Hours & Tickets
- Why Visit Schloss Herrenchiemsee?
- Transportation to Schloss Herrenchiemsee
- Book Day-Trips from Munich to Herrenchiemsee