The road is almost completely hidden among 2.2 kilometres of forest – with little unobstructed view of the neighbouring valleys. There is simply not enough space between the slope and the abyss for a second lane. Anyone who has taken a seat in one of the shuttle buses in the valley to cover the difference in altitude of just over 200 metres from Hohenschwangau to Neuschwanstein Royal Castle will want to experience what is perhaps the most beautiful castle in the world.

Romance, mysterious tales, and an enigmatic king with a dream of building a magical fairytale castle all lie at the heart of Neuschwanstein's story. Visitors can travel to this tourist hot spot on foot, by carriage or in one of the two Citaro K shuttle buses purchased by the Bavaria-based foundation Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds. Around 380,000 passengers travel on board the short form of the classic Citaro city bus every year, with 60,000 visitors making the trip in August alone.

Going for the short option for the two buses was definitely the right decision here. “Not because of capacity”, as bus driver Michael Mikyta tells us. "We could also get articulated buses full of passengers along here. However, the route up is narrow, winding, and in some places, very complex." Exactly the kind of route where the compact Citaro K really comes into its own.

This is due to the castle's location on a rocky outcrop, which is difficult to access. When King Ludwig II began building Neuschwanstein in 1868, he also had a special road built to speed up the construction work. His ambitious goal: to finish building the castle in just three years. However, construction took a whole 24 years – and wasn't completed until eight years after his death. Today, the former ‘construction site access road’ is used exclusively for shuttle traffic. Passenger cars, pedestrians and cyclists are strictly prohibited.

The Citaro Ks are replaced by new vehicles every three years. Although they'll only have had around 70,000 kilometres on the clock, they'll have really been put through their paces. The route goes either steeply uphill or steeply downhill, and so demands maximum performance from components such as the engine, transmission and brakes. Add to this the immense time pressure that this shuttle service is under.

“We've had the Citaro K built with a third door so that visitors can get in and out more quickly", says Günther Fleischmann, who has been driving shuttle buses here for over 24 years. "We work seven days a week and everyone wants to get to the top quickly. Since access to the castle is only permitted as part of a scheduled guided tour, punctuality is essential."

The route to Neuschwanstein Castle passes below Hohenschwangau Castle, which was built by King Ludwig II’s father. The Citaro K's journey takes just under seven minutes – its destination is the mountain station at the "Jugend" viewpoint, not far from Marienbrücke and just above Neuschwanstein itself. From here, visitors enjoy a fantastic view of the structure. The architecture is fascinating, consisting of a fusion of different architectural eras, and with its white veneered façade and more than 20 towers and turrets, it's plain to see why people from the world over flock to see this unique structure.

The shuttle service is used by people from many walks of life, from celebrities to backpackers wanting to tick off Germany's most treasured castle on their way around the world. “Previous passengers of mine have included Roger Whittaker, the punk rock bank Die Toten Hosen, and football stars like Pierre Littbarski”, says Günther.

As the bus sets off, everyone on board falls quiet. The steep, narrow road and the rising anticipation as they draw ever nearer to the castle leave the passengers breathless. Those who are drawn to Neuschwanstein Castle are left forever spellbound.