Half day tour private from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

This was definately not a tour, but a very expensive taxi service. Yes, they picked us up at our Munich hotel and dropped us at a return train station. Yes, they had prearranged a castle and train ticket. BUT, there was no info provided. We were dropped at the castle and left to fend for self, with a ticket and little else. No history, no narration, no guide. We paid for a private guide expecting the typical Viator level or service and expertise. We were very disappointed. Meanwhile another guide was carefully leading his private tour around the grounds, explaining every detail, answering questions. What info we received we overheard from him. Even the group tour guides were accompanying their groups and narrating the experience. Viator you are better than this experience.

Not an enjoyable experience. I saved on my phone the message I got from the driver that he called me because we were late. The delivery of my answer was "not delivered" as I was in customs & No service. We were a1/2 hour late. I called Viator as soon as possible & grabbed a cab. Lucky the cab driver spoke English as Viator driver seemed to not speak English. The cab driver said Viator's driver wanted us to meet him at a McDonalds. Not knowing the area I said yes--it was a remote area well out of Munich & cab fare was $50 Euro plus tip. The cab driver then informed us that the Viator driver wanted us to take the train back from the Castle tour. I have never been to Germany & do not know how to navigate the train. I immediately said NO -unacceptable. After the 2 drivers talking, the cab driver told the Viator driver that this was not good business. We left with the Viator driver unsure of what would happen to us. We had to agree to one castle only in order for the Viator driver to take us to the Neuschwannstein Castle. The Viator driver then sent his father & friend to pick us up & go back to Munich inn older van with paint supplies in the back. Definitely this tour was not worth the money.

My trip to Munich was to purely visit Castle Neuschwanstein which I've always wanted to visit. I booked a coach tour online months beforehand with Gray Line Tours. It cost about 49 euros and was exceptional value. I got on the coach at 8am and was returned to Munich for 6.30pm. First stop was Linderhof. I'd never heard of the place but thoroughly enjoyed the included tour. Next stop was the village of Oberammergau with the Passion Play theatre and kitschy gift shops. Yes, I bought an obligatory Bavarian tea towel and Neuschwanstein castle fridge magnet!! There was 6 foot of snow piled up everywhere and it was freezing!! Next stop was the village of Hohenschwangau and I got off the coach with my included timed ticked for Neuschwanstein castle. The tour guide on the coach said that it would take 20 to 40 minutes to walk up the hill and once the tour was completed to return to the coach immediately so we could return to Munich. Well I'm not fit, at all. Omg it took me over an hour to get up that damned mountain!! I used my ticket to enter the barriers at the right time. There's a big monitor saying which timed tickets can be admitted. I was in a gang of maybe 40 people of many nationalities and the first part of the tour was to walk up what seemed to be a million circular stairs in a tower. Ready to die at this point, I decided to go with the throng listening to my earpiece thingy about the castle and the life of Ludwig II of Bavaria. The castle tour was rushed, it was dark and not as good as on the telly. There was an amazing view from the top of the castle (after yet more circular stairs) but we weren't allowed to take photos. When the guided tour was over, I followed the exit signs via the kitchens which was probably the best bit for me. It was an amazing kitchen with huge copper pans and hardly anyone about hustling or bustling. I was back on the coach after a 20 minute sprint down the mountain!! Overall, the Gray Line tour was good value and I'm really glad I went. Not so impressed with the inside of Neuschwanstein. The guided tour was far too rushed and manic.