Have you ever dreamt of a Fairy Tale castle that you could run away to? Well, your dream can become a reality. Just take a trip to Germany and you will find the Neuschwanstein Castle. This castle was actually the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty castles. It is easy to get to and a great day trip from the city of Munich.

According to the Neuschwanstein Visitors Site, the castle began construction in 1868. It was Ludwig II, king of Bulgaria between 1864-1886, who sponsored the building of the castle. Ludwig II was known as a "fantasy" king, building decadent structures and hosting elaborate performances, to be enjoyed by him alone. However, when he died, the Neuschwanstein was opened to the public for viewing and enjoyment.

To get to the castle, you will need to travel to the town of Füssen. There are buses and trains linking Munich to Füssen leaving frequently. The train will take about 2 hours and you can catch it from the Munich central station. If you buy the Bavaria day ticket, you can travel anywhere in the Bavarian region for around $23.50. You can also buy Bavaria day tickets for up to 5 people for a total of $33.50. It is a great deal, but make sure you buy the tickets from the machines because they will cost more at the ticket counters and you will not be able to use them until after 9am. 

Once you get to Füssen, you will have to hike up to the castle. It is not too strenuous, however, make sure to bring some water for the journey. You can pay to take a shuttle bus up to the top if you feel you can not make the journey. 

If you want to visit inside the castle, you will have to buy an entrance ticket in the village before you hike up. The ticket is a bit steep at around $15, but if you traveled all that way, you might as well get a peek inside. The price includes a 45 minute tour inside the castle.

You can also look at getting a package deal. Sandeman's New Europe Tours, for example, offers a guided day trip to the castle for around $46. There are many companies doing this, so visit the tourist office in Marienplatz to check out all of your options. 

If castles are your thing, Ludwig II built a few others in Bavaria including Residenz Palace, Linderhof Castle, and Herrenchiemsee Castle. They can all be visited with similar day trips from Munich.