Neckar & Rhine Rivers by Bike and Boat
7 nights from €799
4.2
Travel by bicycle and ship: a unique concept, where a bike holiday and a journey on a comfortable ship are combined. Cycling cruises are ideal for those who like to cycle during the day and explore beautiful areas, without giving up a comfortable way of traveling. During this bike and boat tour, you don’t have to pack and unpack your suitcases every day to travel from one beautiful place to the next!
Is the Neckar more picturesque at Marbach, the birthplace of the writer and poet Schiller, or perhaps at the Odenwald, which the river flows through? Maybe you prefer "Father Rhine", which is associated with the famous Nibelungen saga, the Loreley rock, the city of Worms and the numerous museums in Mainz or the famous city of Heidelberg?
After you have returned home, you will enjoy browsing your photos: of course Heidel-berg with its magnificent Castle, the narrow streets of the old town centers of Eberbach and Koblenz, which are just a few of the highlights of this trip along the Rhine and the Neckar. Every photo revives your pleasant memories. What more could you expect from such a wonderful trip?
The quality of cycling tracks is very good: you will mostly cycle on paved tracks along the rivers without any gradients of note. This makes the trip also suitable for relatively unpractised cyclists. You will live and travel onboard the MS Patria, which has been a favorite ship for bike-boat holidays for many years.
This tour operates in two directions: from Bad Wimpfen to Koblenz and from Koblenz to Bad Wimpfen.
Daily Program
Please note that this tour operates in two directions, from Bad Wimpfen to Koblenz or from Koblenz to Bad Wimpfen, depending on departure date. Both itineraries are detailed below.
Koblenz – Bad Wimpfen
May 14, Jul 9, Sep 3, 2022
Day 1: Arrival in Koblenz
Upon arrival in Koblenz, transfer to the harbor of Koblenz, where the captain of the MS Patria and his crew welcome you aboard between 2-4:00pm. Stroll through the old city.
Overnight in Koblenz
Day 2: Koblenz – Boppard – Rudesheim (29 mi/46 km)
You cruise up the Rhine from Koblenz to Boppard. Enjoy the panoramic view of the unforgettable Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there you cycle on the left river bank via castles and burgs alongside the celebrated Rock of Lorelei to the beautiful and famous city of Rüdesheim.
Overnight in Rüdesheim or Bingen
Day 3: Rudesheim – Mainz (20-22 mi/32-35 km)
The many picturesque houses and beautiful landscape along the way from Rüdesheim to Mainz make your bike tour an unforgettable experience. Mainz has numerous churches, museums, and historical monuments, such as the Cathedral or the Electors Palace, one of the most magnificent of the residences on the Middle Rhine. Discover the city on a guided tour.
Overnight in Mainz
Day 4: Mainz – Nierstein (10-16 mi/17-26 km)
You cycle via Laubenheim to Nierstein, the biggest vine-growing community on the river Rhine, where you will enjoy your lunch on board. In the evening you have the chance to join a special excursion. Explore the vineyards with a tractor wagon including a wine-tasting and dinner at the local winegrowers (optional, bookable onboard). Guests who choose to not participate will have dinner on board.
Overnight in Nierstein
Day 5: Nierstein – Mannheim – Heidelberg (16 mi/26 km)
The ship brings you to Mannheim. From there on you will cycle via the Celtic city of Ladenburg, where you reach the Neckar River first, to Heidelberg. This old city draws tourists from all over the world. Visit the castle. If you would like to learn more about Heidelberg, you can book a guided city tour.
Overnight in Heidelberg
Day 6: Heidelberg – Eberbach (21 mi/34 km)
After a bike tour from Heidelberg via Ziegelhausen and through the Odenwald to Neckarsteinach you will reach picturesque Eberbach, a nice old town with narrow streets. A real "Eberbacher" will greet you at the pier in a traditional uniform will take you for a night watch through the romantic old town (excursion, bookable onboard).
Overnight in Eberbach
Day 7: Eberbach – Bad Wimpfen (28 mi/45 km)
The first stop of today’s bike tour is Burg Hornsberg in Neckarzimmern. Bad Wimpfen, the destination of this tour, looks like a dream village of the Middle Ages.
Overnight in Bad Wimpfen
Day 8: Departure from Bad Wimpfen
After breakfast, your disembarkation marks the end of your tour.
Bad Wimpfen – Koblenz
May 21, Jul 16, Sep 10, 2022
Day 1: Arrival in Bad Wimpfen
Upon arriving in Bad Wimpfen, transfer to the harbor. The captain and crew of the MS Patria welcome you aboard between 2-4:00pm. There will be time for an evening stroll through the beautiful old city.
Overnight in Bad Wimpfen
Day 2: Bad Wimpfen – Eberbach (28 mi/45 km)
By bike to Neckarzimmern, from here you can go on foot or by bike to the castle Burg Hornberg, where Götz von Berlichingen once lived. Continue your bike tour to the old picturesque town of Eberbach. A real "Eberbacher" will greet you at the pier in a traditional uniform will take you for a night watch through the romantic old town (optional excursion, bookable on board).
Overnight in Eberbach
Day 3: Eberbach – Heidelberg (21 mi/34 km)
The first destination: Hirschhorn, the "Pearl of the Neckar valley." You cycle through the Odenwald to Neckarsteinach, then via Ziegelhausen to Heidelberg. A walk through town and a visit to the castle are highly recommended. Optional guided city tour (bookable on board).
Overnight in Heidelberg
Day 4: Heidelberg – Mannheim – Nierstein (16 mi/26 km)
You start your bike tour in Heidelberg, cross the Neckar and have a perfect view of Heidelberg and its castle. Further on by bike to Mannheim and leave the valleys of the Neckar behind. The ship is waiting for you in Mannheim and takes you during lunch to Nierstein. In the evening you have the chance to join a very special excursion. Explore the vineyards with a tractor wagon including a wine-tasting and diner at the local winegrowers (optional, bookable onboard). Guests who choose to not participate will have dinner on board.
Overnight in Nierstein
Day 5: Nierstein – Mainz (10-16 mi/17-26 km)
From the biggest vineyard community on the Rhine, you cycle to Mainz. Romance, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque–today you will explore the city of Mainz.
Overnight in Mainz
Day 6: Mainz – Rüdesheim (20-22 mi/32-35 km)
The many picturesque houses and the beautiful landscape along the way from Mainz to Rüdesheim make your bike tour an unforgettable experience. The heart of Rüdesheim's old town is a meeting place for locals and visitors from all over the world.
Overnight in Rüdesheim or Bingen.
Day 7: Rüdesheim – Boppard – Koblenz (28 mi/46 km)
Cycle on the left river bank to Boppard today and enjoy the panoramic view of the unforgettable Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On your way, you will pass castles and burgs alongside the celebrated Rock of Lorelei. In the afternoon, the MS Patria takes you from Boppard to Koblenz where the rivers Rhine and Moselle meet.
Overnight in Koblenz
Day 8: Departure from Koblenz
After breakfast you'll disembark, marking the end of your tour.
The tour operator reserves the right to make changes to routing and program. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal).
Bikes
Bikes available on this tour (not included in tour price, must be reserved at time of booking):
- Unisex bike with step-through frame, 7-speeds, hand brake and pedal brake (limited number of freewheel hub bikes)
- Electrically assisted bikes (limited number, upon request)*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Equipment available:
- Pannier bag
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets:
Helmet rental is not available on this tour. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes or plan to purchase one upon arrival. Helmets are compulsory for children under 15.
Dates
From Koblenz: May 14, Jul 9, Sep 3, 2022. From Bad Wimpfen: May 21, Jul 16, Sep 10, 2022
Low season: May 14, 2022 - May 20, 2022
High season: May 21, 2022 - Sep 17, 2022
Prices
Upper deck
| Per person, double occupancy | € 899 |
| High season surcharge | € 150 |
| Single cabin surcharge (1 person/2-bed cabin) | € 400 |
Bike Rentals
| Standard touring bike, 7-speed with hand brakes | € 75 |
| Electrically assisted bikes | € 165 |
Lower deck
| Per person, double occupancy | € 799 |
| High season surcharge | € 150 |
| Single cabin surcharge (1 person/2-bed cabin) | € 350 |
Bike Rentals
| Standard touring bike, 7-speed with hand brakes | € 75 |
| Electrically assisted bikes | € 165 |
Included services
- 7 nights accommodation in booked cabin category
- Program according to the itinerary
- Full board (x breakfast, 6x light lunch on board (non-cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists, 6x afternoon coffee break, 7x dinner )
- Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels daily possible)
- Daily short cleaning of cabin
- Welcome drink and speech on first evening
- All port and lock dues
- On-board tour guidance (guide does not cycle with you)
- Printed instructions and detailed maps (1 set per cabin); GPS tracks
Please note that special dietary needs can be accommodated upon request. Extra fees may apply. Please inform us when booking your tour.
Surface and terrain
The routes on this tour are primarily on very good bike paths. You also cycle on roads with some or no traffic, side roads and asphalted bike paths along the banks. No noteworthy climbs and short stages make this an excellent tour for beginners.
How to get there
Tour Start and End
Nearest airport: Frankfurt (FRA), Germany
Nearest train station to Koblenz start: Koblenz, Germany
Nearest train station to Bad Wimpfen start: Bad Wimpfen, Germany
Train station at the Frankfurt Airport gives easy rail access to both Koblenz (about 70 minutes) and Bad Wimpfen (about 90 minutes).
Return train journey to either Koblenz or Bad Wimpfen takes about 3.5 hours and costs approximately €45. Private transfer is available with minimum 4 participants. This costs €85 per person and must be reserved in advance (payment is made at time of transfer).
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Reviews
- ★★★★★ Biker couple
Great biking on German Rivers
We had an unexpectedly great time biking along the rivers. We were surprised by the food. The excursions were excellent. We loved being in towns every evening. The best was that we biked almost the whole way. Very good value
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 12
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Domenico
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 9 to 16
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Baba K
Wonderful way to experience the "Romantic Rhine" and Neckar Valleys
We enjoyed being based on this relatively small boat. The staff was friendly and the meals very good. Nice presentations were given in English about each day's route. The cycling was not too difficult, mostly flat and about 45 km max per day. The scenery was beautiful. Villages and towns along the way were charming and interesting. There were so many places to explore some days that it was hard to get back to the boat on time (for dinner). This was only a problem for those of us who like to toodle along and take in all the sights, walk around the towns, etc. As the guide said, "it's not a race" and we took that to heart. It was nice to do the trip slightly off-season, ie early September--the temperature was comfortable and we probably encountered smaller crowds in places like Heidelberg than would be the case in the summer.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 8/31-9/7/17
- How many tours have you completed?
- 7
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
BikeTours.com staff reply from Jim Johnson, Founder and president
Thank you very much for your feedback, which really captured the flavor of what a bike and boat tour is like. I'm a huge Neckar fan, and I'm always pleased when clients come back with good reports.
- ★★★★★ Miles
Wonderful time
Best way to see the little towns and castles of the Rhine valley. Took the time to ride through the old small towns and little cobblestone streets along the way which don't have a ton of tourists. We made a special effort to eat at small, local restaurants in these towns it that was some of the most memorable moments of the trip. We'll be planning another trip for next year we enjoyed this one so much.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Week after Labor Day
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Ginny50
This was an enjoyable bike/boat tour. The crew and staff were very nice. The riding days were usually short and manageable. The rainy weather was an issue which made for slippery riding on cobblestones. Due to the rains the Neckar River was closed and our ship was diverted. The company handled the diversion to the best of their ability and these detoured riding days were okay. We ended up in the town of Speyer, which was our favorite stop of the entire tour. One major complaint was the rooms on the ship were very small. They did state that in the promotional information, but we were not expecting that tiny. Everyone complained about the tiny rooms. We just laughed and dealt with it but it did make for close quarters. If you travel in May bring rain gear!
- What was the date of your tour?
- May/June 2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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