Amsterdam to Cochem
Netherlands, Germany Bike + Boat Tours
Bike & Boat in Holland & Germany!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8–10 days
- Prices from€1728 Rates
Overview
European biking and boating do not get any better than this!
Featuring Holland - the land of canals, windmills, and bikes - and Germany - the land of mighty rivers - this bike and barge tour highlights the river life through the ages as you follow the mighty Rhine, the pulsing economic vein of Europe.
Around every bend, legends and history spring to life. Medieval villages, rural farms, and perfectly tended gardens all exist alongside sparkling modern cities.
You enjoy easy cycling on flat and lovely riverside bike paths, connecting the present to the past, from the Romans to the Industrial Revolution, from World War II to the German reunification.
On the Princesse Royal and Magnifique III, this will be an 8-day tour, and, on the Iris, you will have 10 days to enjoy.
Highlights vary by boat, so please look at the day-to-day itinerary for your preferred vessel.
Highlights
- National Park de Hoge Veluwe
- Arnhem and Remagen
- The 13th-century Doornenburg Castle
- The sparkling city of Düsseldorf
- Cologne Cathedral
- West Germany’s former Capital city, Bonn
- The castle of burg Eltz
- Romantic Rhine Valley
See all of our Bike & Barge tours!
Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam - Wijk bij Duurstede
Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede - Wageningen | Wageningen - Arnhem| Arnhem - Rees, 21 or 27 mi. (35 or 44 km)
Day 3: Rees - Wesel | Wesel - Duisburg | Duisburg - Düsseldorf, 24 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Düsseldorf - Zons - Cologne, 17 or 33 mi. (28 or 54 km)
Day 5: Cologne - Bonn, 23 mi. (38 km)
Day 6: Bonn - Remagen | Remagen - Koblenz, 27 mi. (44 km)
Day 7: Koblenz - Alken | Alken - Moselkern - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Departure from Cochem following breakfast, by 9:30amAll distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change sometimes without prior notice. Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal, or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.
Sections in italics are covered while boarded on ship.
Day 1: Amsterdam - Wijk bij Duurstede
The embarkation time in Amsterdam is scheduled for 2 pm, so it is important to arrive on time. Once you have arrived, you will have a welcome meeting with the crew before the barge sets sail. Dinner will be served while you travel along the Amsterdam – Rhine Canal. The destination for tonight is Wijk bij Duurstede, which is one of the oldest settlements in the lowlands. The ship will dock there for the night.Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede - Wageningen | Wageningen - Arnhem| Arnhem - Rees, 21 or 27 mi. (35 or 44 km)
As the ship navigates to Wageningen, you enjoy your breakfast and the views. Once in Wageningen, the cycling itinerary follows a route over the high Veluwe nature reserve, through heathland and forest. The Netherlands is known for being flat but here you will find some slight natural height differences in the landscape, formed in the last Ice Age. In this period the “Hoge Veluwe” area was right on the edge of the ice. The barge awaits in Arnhem. During dinner, the ship will navigate upstream into Germany. The destination for the night is Rees.Day 3: Rees - Wesel | Wesel - Duisburg | Duisburg - Düsseldorf, 24 mi. (40 km)
The barge departs early this morning, destination: Wesel. From here the cycling will focus on the Ruhr area where Germany, and possibly Europe’s largest industries are located. Cities like Essen, Duisburg, Oberhausen, and Dortmund are intertwined together through a maze of highways, railways, and waterways. This region was once very prosperous and therefore a target in 1923, when French and Belgian troops tried to occupy it to enforce Prussia’s WWI reparation payments. From 1944 to 1945 the Ruhr was also a top target for the Allies. After so much conflict and industry, it’s hard to imagine that you can cycle here. The German government put a lot of effort into redeveloping the area after the closure of many factories. It may not always be scenic, but it’s an impressive and evolving post-industrial landscape not to be missed when visiting the Rhine. The ship picks you up at Duisburg and takes you on to Düsseldorf, as you enjoy your dinner on board. In the evening there’s time to visit the Altstadt, where you can try the famous local dark beer, Altbier. You’ll be amazed what an international city Düsseldorf is, with foreigners comprising almost a fifth of the population.Day 4: Düsseldorf - Zons - Cologne, 17 or 33 mi. (28 or 54 km)
Your biking can begin directly from Düsseldorf or you can opt to start biking a bit later in the morning from Zons. Leaving Ruhr behind, the route follows the Rhine closely, arriving in Cologne early enough for some afternoon exploring. Founded by the Romans, Cologne is the oldest of Germany’s larger cities. In 50 AD it was already granted city status as a gift from the Roman empress Agrippina. Later, Cologne became one of the most important centers of the Holy Roman Empire. Its landmark is, of course, the Dom cathedral, located right next to the central station and railway bridge crossing the Rhine. Construction on the cathedral began in 1248 and was finally completed in 1880! The city was almost completely destroyed in the Allied bombings of 1944-1945. The city hall, however, dating from 1330, has been beautifully restored.Day 5: Cologne - Bonn, 23 mi. (38 km)
You cycle close to the river again arriving in Bonn with enough time to explore West Germany’s capital from 1945 until 1990. Berlin was re-established as the capital after Germany’s reunification, but Bonn continues to house six governmental departments. Like Cologne, Bonn was founded by the Romans, around the year 10 BC, as it was a good site to bridge the Rhine. Worth visiting are the old City Hall, the Münster Basilica, and the house where Beethoven was born. After dinner, you can join a city walk through Bonn.Day 6: Bonn - Remagen | Remagen - Koblenz, 27 mi. (44 km)
During breakfast, you sail to Remagen and take some time to explore this town’s rich historical past. Nowadays it’s best known for its once-famous Ludendorff Bridge, the only functional Rhine bridge captured by the Americans in Operation Lumberjack in March 1945. From Remagen, the biking incorporates a more romantic section of the Rhine valley with castle keeps, mansions and the first vineyards at the foothills of central Germany. You pass the beloved bathing resort of Bad Breisig and also Burg Rheineck. This stronghold, set in stunning scenery, dates back to 1100. You stop in Andernach, once a Roman settlement, a wonderful town with many historical sites. The day's destination is Koblenz whose name comes from the Latin confluentes, meaning the merging of two rivers (the Rhine and Moselle). The statue of Emperor Wilhelm of Prussia at the intersection of the two rivers is an impressive landmark. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants in Koblenz.Day 7: Koblenz - Alken | Alken - Moselkern - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
In the morning, the boat crosses the first lock to enter the Moselle! Cyclists disembark in Alken to head to the foot of the hills where the Burg Eltz is hidden. Untouched by wars or fires, you will find this beautiful castle worth the effort of walking to it. The guided tour takes you back through the ages.After, you continue cycling to Cochem, the most visited village on the Moselle River. A bustling and characteristic Mosel town with steep wine-clad mountains, wooded hills, an impressive castle, and a picturesque square with beautiful timber-framed houses and cafes. Time for a Moselle wine and your farewell diner!
Day 8: Departure from Cochem
Today marks the end of your tour. After enjoying a hearty breakfast you’ll say your last goodbyes, and can disembark anytime up until 9.30 a.m.If biking or biking and boating is not your thing, take a look at all our trips in Europe & beyond!
Map
Boats & Bikes
- Magnifique I
Deluxe Class Boat
The totally renovated Magnifique I will join our line-up in 2024, joining her sisters the Magnifique II, III, & IV! Read More
- Magnifique III
Deluxe Class Barge
Following the success of her sister ships, Princesse Royal and the Magnifique II, Magnifique lll was launched in 2018, adding to her owner/captain's portfolio of designing and constructing deluxe ships. The partially covered sundeck with sun loungers and a hot tub provide is the perfect spot for relaxation. The tastefully decorated lounge with large panoramic windows, located on the upper deck is wonderfully inviting and the combined light-filled restaurant, bar, and lounge adds to the ambience. Read More
- Princesse Royal
Deluxe Class Boat
This beautiful vessel features a beautiful salon with a spacious bar, a sun deck equipped with comfortable chairs, and a small whirlpool to relax in at the end of a long day of cycling. Delicious meals are served daily in the restaurant area. Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights on board your selected vessel in a climate-controlled cabin
- Breakfast, packed lunches, & 6 three-course dinners
- Coffee & tea on board
- Complimentary welcome drink
- Tour guide - two guides will be included for 22 guests and over
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Bike rental including helmet, pannier, & water bottle
- Bike Protection
- Some short, guided walking tours
- Maps for cycling itinerary (one set per cabin)
- GPS tracks
- Fees for ferries
- Entrances Museum Remagen
- Entrance Burg Eltz
- Wine tasting at a local winery
- Wifi
- Carbon offset payment
What’s Not Included
- Electric bicycle (available with supplement. See pricing)
- 1 dinner
- Drinks other than those mentioned
- Entrance fees & excursions not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Deluxe Class
Princesse Royal
Amsterdam to Cochem (8 days)
Sunday departure
April 28, 2024Twin $ 2920 £ 1487 $ 2,648 € 1728 Ft 689102 kr 264210 ₪ 7005 ¥ 294290 Mex$ 35335 NZ$ 3248 kr 21080 zł 7533 S$ 2570 kr 20707 CHF 1691 $ 1,914 Premium twin $ 3342 £ 1702 $ 3,031 € 1978 Ft 788798 kr 302435 ₪ 8018 ¥ 336866 Mex$ 40447 NZ$ 3718 kr 24130 zł 8623 S$ 2941 kr 23702 CHF 1936 $ 2,191 Single $ 3748 £ 1909 $ 3,399 € 2218 Ft 884507 kr 339131 ₪ 8991 ¥ 377740 Mex$ 45355 NZ$ 4170 kr 27057 zł 9669 S$ 3298 kr 26578 CHF 2171 $ 2,457 Twin /single use $ 4272 £ 2175 $ 3,874 € 2528 Ft 1008130 kr 386530 ₪ 10248 ¥ 430535 Mex$ 51694 NZ$ 4752 kr 30839 zł 11020 S$ 3759 kr 30293 CHF 2474 $ 2,801 Magnifique I
Amsterdam to Cochem (8 days)
Tuesday departure
June 18, 2024Twin $ 2920 £ 1487 $ 2,648 € 1728 Ft 689102 kr 264210 ₪ 7005 ¥ 294290 Mex$ 35335 NZ$ 3248 kr 21080 zł 7533 S$ 2570 kr 20707 CHF 1691 $ 1,914 Junior Suite $ 3511 £ 1788 $ 3,184 € 2078 Ft 828677 kr 317725 ₪ 8424 ¥ 353897 Mex$ 42492 NZ$ 3906 kr 25349 zł 9058 S$ 3090 kr 24901 CHF 2034 $ 2,302 Twin/single-use (limited availability) $ 4272 £ 2175 $ 3,874 € 2528 Ft 1008130 kr 386530 ₪ 10248 ¥ 430535 Mex$ 51694 NZ$ 4752 kr 30839 zł 11020 S$ 3759 kr 30293 CHF 2474 $ 2,801 Magnifique III
Amsterdam to Cochem (8 days)
Tuesday departure
August 20, 2024Twin $ 2920 £ 1487 $ 2,648 € 1728 Ft 689102 kr 264210 ₪ 7005 ¥ 294290 Mex$ 35335 NZ$ 3248 kr 21080 zł 7533 S$ 2570 kr 20707 CHF 1691 $ 1,914 Upper deck suite $ 3934 £ 2003 $ 3,568 € 2328 Ft 928373 kr 355950 ₪ 9437 ¥ 396474 Mex$ 47604 NZ$ 4376 kr 28399 zł 10148 S$ 3462 kr 27897 CHF 2278 $ 2,579 Single $ 3748 £ 1909 $ 3,399 € 2218 Ft 884507 kr 339131 ₪ 8991 ¥ 377740 Mex$ 45355 NZ$ 4170 kr 27057 zł 9669 S$ 3298 kr 26578 CHF 2171 $ 2,457 Deluxe Class
Princessse Royal
Sunday departure
April 27, 2025Twin $ 3090 £ 1574 $ 2,803 € 1829 Ft 729379 kr 279653 ₪ 7414 ¥ 311491 Mex$ 37400 NZ$ 3438 kr 22312 zł 7973 S$ 2720 kr 21917 CHF 1790 $ 2,026 Premium twin $ 3614 £ 1841 $ 3,278 € 2139 Ft 853003 kr 327052 ₪ 8671 ¥ 364286 Mex$ 43739 NZ$ 4021 kr 26094 zł 9324 S$ 3181 kr 25632 CHF 2093 $ 2,370 Single $ 4155 £ 2116 $ 3,768 € 2459 Ft 980614 kr 375980 ₪ 9968 ¥ 418784 Mex$ 50283 NZ$ 4623 kr 29997 zł 10719 S$ 3657 kr 29466 CHF 2407 $ 2,724 Twin /single use $ 4527 £ 2305 $ 4,105 € 2679 Ft 1068347 kr 409617 ₪ 10860 ¥ 456251 Mex$ 54781 NZ$ 5036 kr 32681 zł 11678 S$ 3984 kr 32103 CHF 2622 $ 2,968 Magnifique I
Tuesday departure
June 3. 2025Twin $ 3090 £ 1574 $ 2,803 € 1829 Ft 729379 kr 279653 ₪ 7414 ¥ 311491 Mex$ 37400 NZ$ 3438 kr 22312 zł 7973 S$ 2720 kr 21917 CHF 1790 $ 2,026 Junior Suite $ 3817 £ 1944 $ 3,462 € 2259 Ft 900857 kr 345400 ₪ 9157 ¥ 384723 Mex$ 46193 NZ$ 4247 kr 27557 zł 9847 S$ 3359 kr 27070 CHF 2211 $ 2,503 Twin/single-use (limited availability) $ 4527 £ 2305 $ 4,105 € 2679 Ft 1068347 kr 409617 ₪ 10860 ¥ 456251 Mex$ 54781 NZ$ 5036 kr 32681 zł 11678 S$ 3984 kr 32103 CHF 2622 $ 2,968 Magnifique III
Tuesday departure
August 19, 2025Twin $ 3090 £ 1574 $ 2,803 € 1829 Ft 729379 kr 279653 ₪ 7414 ¥ 311491 Mex$ 37400 NZ$ 3438 kr 22312 zł 7973 S$ 2720 kr 21917 CHF 1790 $ 2,026 Upper deck suite $ 4155 £ 2116 $ 3,768 € 2459 Ft 980614 kr 375980 ₪ 9968 ¥ 418784 Mex$ 50283 NZ$ 4623 kr 29997 zł 10719 S$ 3657 kr 29466 CHF 2407 $ 2,724 Single $ 4155 £ 2116 $ 3,768 € 2459 Ft 980614 kr 375980 ₪ 9968 ¥ 418784 Mex$ 50283 NZ$ 4623 kr 29997 zł 10719 S$ 3657 kr 29466 CHF 2407 $ 2,724 Extra Options
Electric bike rental $ 257 £ 131 $ 233 € 152 Ft 60615 kr 23241 ₪ 616 ¥ 25887 Mex$ 3108 NZ$ 286 kr 1854 zł 663 S$ 226 kr 1821 CHF 149 $ 168 Electric bike rental $ 272 £ 139 $ 247 € 161 Ft 64205 kr 24617 ₪ 653 ¥ 27419 Mex$ 3292 NZ$ 303 kr 1964 zł 702 S$ 239 kr 1929 CHF 158 $ 178 Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy, guided bike and boat tour with average daily distances between 35 and 45 km.
Airport Info
The closest international airport to your tour start in Amsterdam is Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and to Cochem, at the end of your tour, there are a couple of options. Luxembourg Airport (LUX) is 89 kilometers from Cochem and Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) is 99 kilometers.
Local Travel
Amsterdam:
There is a direct train that leaves 6 times per hour from the airport to Amsterdam Central Station. It takes about 16 minutes. The price for a train ticket Schiphol-Amsterdam Central is approx. € 4,20 per person for a single journey. Walking distance to the barge is about 10 to 15 minutes or you could take a short taxi ride from the station to the mooring location. You could also opt a taxi from the airport to the barge in Amsterdam. This will take about 30 minutes and costs approx. €45
Cochem:
Though Cochem is actually closer to Luxembourg than Frankfurt by about 10 kilometers, travel to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is slightly more convenient in that you can travel by train to the airport. There is a train station on the lower level of the airport. There are no direct routes, and depending on your time of departure, you will have at least one change in Koblenz. Travel time is approx. 2 1/4 hours. Please contact us if you plan on extending your vacation in Germany. We can provide more departure options based on your travel plans.Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and Cochem, as well, has a mild continental climate.
Recommended
Important to note, due to steel construction of the ship, cruising locations, and other factors, Wifi signal speed and strength may not be what you are accustomed to and may not meet your expectations. If you are dependent on a constant, strong, fast, and reliable signal at all times, please consider a personal hot spot. See our FAQ page/ Before Your Trip section for details.
Remarks
On the Princesse Royal and Magnifique I & III, you will be provided with a link for the Ride With GPS app that you can download for free on your mobile phone. This option is in addition to traditional printed route notes and printed maps. Once the app is installed, you can then upload tour maps and daily itineraries directly to your smartphone. You will be able to use voice navigation on all the routes and access your tour content anytime, all from your phone.
Important to know
Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Carbon Offset
Princesse Royal & Magnifique I, & Magnifique III
This tour is carbon neutral. To offset emissions that can't yet be reduced by any other means, carbon credits are purchased through the organization Justdiggit. Their mission is to cool down the planet by regreening Africa through rainwater harvesting, tree restoration, and the development of grass seed banks.
Extra Stay
For those wanting to spend extra time in Amsterdam or Cochem, we suggest Booking.com for researching and reserving your extra nights. You can read a detailed description of the hotels offered including a clear listing of amenities as well as peruse customer reviews and ratings.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Boat Bike Tours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
Photos
Reviews
Deborah B.
2 months agoVerified Reviewer
Bonnie F.
2 months agoVerified Reviewer
Susanne H.
3 months agoVerified Reviewer
Judith B.
3 months agoVerified Reviewer
Frank S.
1 year agoVerified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
Susanne H.
3 months ago
Verified Reviewer
Frank S.
1 year ago
Verified Reviewer