How to Choose the Right Bike Tour

Choosing the right bike tour is about finding a balance between your cycling experience, preferred travel style, fitness level, and the kind of support you want along the way. There is no single ‘best’ bike tour for everyone – it’s about narrowing down your preferences based on destinations, travel partners, cultural interests, and ability.

This guide is designed to help you compare tour types, difficulty levels, and travel styles so that you can plan your perfect cycling holiday.

How to Choose a Bike Tour: Step-by-Step

1. Choose your preferred tour type – Guided, self-guided, bike & boat, or bike & hotel
2. Assess your fitness level and cycling experience – Don’t worry, we have tours to suit all levels and abilities!
3. Choose your preferred bike – Manual, e-bike, mountain bike, road bike, or gravel bike
4. Decide on your travel goals – Landscapes, architecture, history, food & wine tastings, island hopping, etc.

Which Type of Bike Tour is Right for Me?

Guided Bike Tours

Guided bike tours include a professional guide, group support, and a planned daily itinerary. These tours are ideal for travelers who enjoy a social atmosphere, local insight, and having logistics handled from start to finish.

Guided tours are often a good choice for first-time bike tourers.

Self-Guided Bike Tours

Self-guided bike tours allow you to cycle independently at your own pace using GPS routes or maps provided in advance. Accommodations, luggage transfers, and local assistance are arranged for you, so you can focus on riding and exploring.

Self-guided bike tours suit travelers who value flexibility, independence, and privacy without sacrificing reliable support or the ease of a pre-planned route.

Bike & Boat Tours

Bike and boat tours combine daily cycling with overnight accommodation on a comfortable boat. You cycle (usually on guided tours) during the day and return to the boat each evening, with the option to skip the day’s ride and stay on board the boat.

These tours are popular with travelers who want comfort, a social atmosphere, and a relaxed pace.

Bike & Hotel Tours

Bike and hotel tours combine daily cycling with overnight stays in carefully selected hotels or guesthouses. You cycle from one location to the next during the day with your accommodation and luggage transfer arranged in advance.

Most bike and hotel tours are self-guided, although we also offer guided formats. Some tours offer boutique accommodations, including castles, monasteries, or cultural homestays.

Who Are Bike Tours Suitable For?

Bike tours are well suited to:

• Active travelers who enjoy cycling
• Couples and solo travelers
• Small groups and friends traveling together
• Families and multi-generational groups
• Travelers over 50 seeking active travel with comfort and support

Bike tours may not be the best choice for travelers who prefer fully passive holidays or who are uncomfortable with any level of physical activity.

Most of our tours are designed for recreational cyclists and are accessible to all levels, ages, and abilities. However, those who would prefer not to participate in any cycling may prefer a different travel style!

Why Choose a Bike Tour instead of a Walking Tour?

For many people, cycling is simply more fun than walking. There’s a sense of freedom and momentum that comes from riding through changing scenery, coasting downhill, and reaching places that would take much longer on foot.

Bike tours allow travelers to cover more ground each day while still traveling at a relaxed pace. Cycling makes it possible to experience a wider variety of landscapes, towns, and countryside in a single trip rather than focusing on one area at a time. They’re great for photographers wanting to capture a variety of scenes and backdrops!

Compared to walking tours, cycling is often easier on the joints over long distances and allows for greater flexibility during the day. Riders can stop frequently to explore, take breaks, or enjoy local food, while still reaching their next destination without feeling rushed.

Where Should You Take Your First Bike Tour?

The choice is, of course, yours! However, many first-time bike tourers take their first cycling holiday in countries with well-developed cycling infrastructure, clearly marked routes, and relatively gentle terrain.

Destinations with extensive cycle paths, good signage, and strong local support make it easier to focus on enjoying the ride rather than navigating challenges. This is why we recommend guided tours for first-time bike tour travelers.

Countries such as Holland, Austria, and parts of Germany are popular choices for beginners because they offer extensive cycle paths, flat or gently rolling landscapes, and a long tradition of cycling tourism.

For a full list of our beginner-friendly tours, see here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bike Tours

How do I choose the right bike tour?

Choosing the right bike tour depends on your cycling experience, fitness level, preferred travel style, and how much support you want. Terrain, daily distances, and tour type are the most important factors to consider.

What type of bike tour is best for beginners?

Many beginners choose easy guided or self-guided bike tours on flat terrain with shorter daily distances. These tours are designed for recreational cyclists and do not require advanced skills. We recommend guided tours for first-time bike tourers.

What’s the difference between guided and self-guided bike tours?

Guided bike tours include a professional guide, group support, and a fixed itinerary. Self-guided bike tours allow independent riding with accommodations, luggage transfers, and support arranged in advance.

How fit do I need to be to go on a bike tour?

Most bike tours are suitable for recreational cyclists. Fitness requirements depend more on terrain and distance than speed, and many tours offer e-bikes as an option.

Do I need to train to go on a bike tour?

Most people do not need to follow a strict training plan before going on a bike tour. Many tours are designed for recreational cyclists and regular cycling or moderate physical activity is usually enough to prepare. That said, spending some time riding a bike in the weeks leading up to your trip can help build confidence, improve comfort in the saddle, and make the experience more enjoyable.

For tours with longer daily distances, hillier terrain, or consecutive days of riding, a bit of additional preparation can be helpful. Choosing a tour that matches your current fitness level – or opting for an electric bike – is often more important than intensive training.

How far do you cycle each day on a bike tour?

Daily distances typically range from 30 to 60 kilometres (18–37 miles), depending on the route and difficulty level.

Are bike tours suitable for travelers over 50?

Yes! Many bike tours are popular with travelers over 50 because they combine active travel with comfortable accommodations, luggage transfers, and local support.

What is the minimum and maximum age to take a bike tour?

There is no single minimum or maximum age for bike tours. Many tours are suitable for children who are confident cyclists, while others are designed with adults or older travelers in mind. Age suitability depends on the specific tour, terrain, daily distances, and the rider’s experience rather than age alone.

Are bike tours family friendly?

Yes! Many bike tours are family friendly and designed for children and teenagers, especially routes with flat terrain, traffic-free cycle paths, and shorter daily distances. Family-friendly tours typically focus on safety, flexibility, and enjoyable pacing rather than physical challenge. You can find all of our family-friendly bike tours here.

Do children have to ride their own bikes on a bike tour?

Not always. Depending on the destination and the age of the child, options may include child seats, tag-along bikes, trailers, or e-bikes. Availability varies by tour, so it’s important to review the tour details to find an option that suits your family’s needs.

Are bike tours safe?

Bike tours are generally very safe, especially on routes with dedicated cycle paths or quiet roads. Tours include detailed navigation materials and access to local support.

Do I need to bring my own bike?

No. Most bike tours provide well-maintained rental bikes, and e-bikes are often available. Check specific tour details to see if helmets are provided.

Can I go on a bike tour as a solo traveler?

Yes! Both guided and self-guided bike tours are popular with solo travelers, offering social interaction or independent travel with built-in support. We recommend bike and boat tours to solo travelers seeking a sociable travel experience – many of our clients make friends for life on these trips!