The Altstadt of Schongau is compact and entirely walkable — from the Marktplatz to the furthest point of the town walls is about 10 minutes on foot. The main sights, including the Ballenhaus, the parish church, and the wall circuit, are all within easy walking distance of each other.
For the wider area, a bicycle is useful. Bike hire is available in town, and the Lechradweg cycling route runs through Schongau, making it straightforward to reach Altenstadt (3 km west) or to follow the river south toward Lechbruck or north toward Landsberg. The route is mostly flat along the river.
Car hire is available in larger towns nearby but not in Schongau itself. A car is useful for reaching Neuschwanstein, Wieskirche, and the surrounding Alpine villages, none of which are convenient by public transport from Schongau.