Amsterdam to Cologne
Netherlands, Germany Bike + Boat Tours
Bike & boat along the majestic Rhine and IJssel in through Holland & Germany
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure by bike and boat through eastern Netherlands and western Germany. Pedal along the beautiful river IJssel, exploring charming fishing villages, and soaking in the scenic countryside. Don't forget to grab a tasty coffee at a local bakery – the Dutch sure know how to brew a good cup!
Crossing over to Germany, cycle along the mighty Rhine and enjoy the beautiful scenery and medieval towns along the way. Dive into German culture as you explore lively cities like Düsseldorf and Cologne. Each night your boat will moor in a different village or city allowing you the opportunity to meander and explore the ancient cobblestone streets and alleyways for yourself.
Highlights
- Medieval gems such as Zwolle, Hattem, Deventer, Zutphen, and Doesburg
- Cultural highlights of Germany and the Netherlands
- Diverse landscapes of the Veluwe region
- Regional culinary specialties
- River scenery of Ijssel and Rhine
- Two of Germany's oldest cities, Düsseldorf and Cologne
A full list of our Bike and Barge tours in Holland can be found here.
Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam - Muiden
Day 2: Muiden - Zwolle, 16 to 19 mi. (25 to 30 km)
Day 3: Zwolle - Deventer, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Day 4: Deventer - Doesburg, 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km) or extend to 34 to 37 mi. (55 to 60 km)
Day 5: Doesburg - Wesel, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km) or extend to 34 to 37 mi. (55 to 60 km)
Day 6: Wesel - Düsseldorf, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Day 7: Düsseldorf - Cologne, 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km)
Day 8: Cologne
All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice, due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs, etc.
Day 1: Amsterdam - Muiden
Arrival and check-in begins at 3:30 pm. After settling into your cabin, a welcome drink is served during an introductory tour briefing. Around 4:30 pm, the boat sets off. Enjoy a delicious first dinner on board while the boat cruises to Muiden. This evening you can stroll through this charming Dutch city, the first of many beautiful gems that you will explore this week.
Day 2: Muiden - Zwolle, 16 to 19 mi. (25 to 30 km)
The day begins with a lovely morning cruise. After your first breakfast, you have the opportunity to get to know your rental bike. The first day of cycling is an easy one. Across the water is the eastern part of Flevoland, one of the new Dutch provinces. Your bike tour takes you to the Veluwe, and you will visit Elburg, a charming fishermen’s village. The Veluwe features many different landscapes including woodland, heath, some small lakes and Europe's largest sand drifts. You’ll reach todays destination Zwolle. Zwolle is a Hanseatic medieval city but also a dynamic one; a place for creative students, inventive entrepreneurs. and headstrong freethinkers.
Day 3: Zwolle - Deventer, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Your bike tour leads you along the IJssel river, along the border of the Veluwe, a beautiful heathered landscape. Today's destination is Deventer, a stunning medieval (9th century) Hanseatic City. At night there’s time to explore the city.
Day 4: Deventer - Doesburg, 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km) or extend to 34 to 37 mi. (55 to 60 km)
After a delicious breakfast onboard, the bike tour will start along the sparkling river, described by many a person as the most beautiful river of the Netherlands, and certainly by many Dutch captains. Choosing the shorter option today means that you’ll cruise along with Merlijn for a section of the day, the longer option goes all the way from Deventer to Doesburg. After taking in the beautiful country side of eastern Netherlands, the Merlijn awaits you in Doesburg a lovely small city and one of the seven Hanseatic cities on the river IJssel. An evening stroll is highly recommended.
Day 5: Doesburg - Wesel, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km) or extend to 34 to 37 mi. (55 to 60 km)
This morning, stay in port, or venture out for a sunrise morning walk! For most part of today’s ride you will leave the rivers and cycle through the eastern part of the Netherlands. On the way you’ll visit Doetinchem, the last Dutch city on this tour before entering Germany. Pass by small towns, forests, and traditional agricultural landscape before finally crossing the border to Germany where you'll meet the Rhine river for the first time. The Merlijn awaits you, and you can choose to get on board or continue cycling. At a later point, you'll meet the boat and cruise to today’s destination, Wesel.
Day 6: Wesel - Düsseldorf, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Enjoy another beatuiful day on the Rhine river! The captain will start the engines early for a morning cruise. Take an extra coffee or tea and relax on the terrace and enjoy the passing scenery. The cycle tour will go along the Rhine all the way to Düsseldorf! You’ll cycle in the Ruhr area, where the big industries are located. Cities like Essen, Duisburg, Oberhausen, and Dortmund are all connected with roads, 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. Then it was a top target for the Allies in 1944-1945. After so much conflict and industry, it’s hard to imagine that it's a great place to cycle, but you can but it's actually impressive to see how they developed this former industrial landscape. Tonight you stay in Düsseldorf which has a great “Altstadt” with lots of bars and their own dark beer!
Day 7: Düsseldorf - Cologne, 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km)
Your last cruising breakfast and packing your bike back for the day, you’ll cycle along the mighty father Rhine river to Cologne, founded in Roman times and once a seat of a mighty bishopric. In spite of the great damage it suffered in WWII, it still has the spectacular gothic cathedral, 12 beautiful Romanesque churches, several other historical monuments, and a lively city center. In the evening there will be a farewell dinner.
Day 8: Cologne
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport. If you wish to extend your holiday, Cologne is the city we recommend for an extra day.Looking for a different flavor? Check out our entire list of bike and boat tours or view all our featured bike trips, news, and specials.
Map
Boats & Bikes
- Merlijn
Deluxe Class Barge
"The Divine Miss M" as we lovingly call the Merlijn is a diva, for sure. What can we say? Is it the luxurious cabins with the most comfortable beds you have ever slept in? Is it the lovely dining area with the large windows and skylight that let the air, light, and sun pour in? Or perhaps it is the sun deck, where you can relax with newfound friends, sharing good wine and good conversation. We think you will find it is the entire divine package! Step on board and discover for yourself! Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights on board the Deluxe vessel, the Merlijn
- Climate-controlled cabin
- Complimentary arrival drink
- Tour presentation
- 7 breakfast buffets, packed lunches plus 1 Dutch lunch en route, & 6 three-course gourmet dinners
- Beverages: Coffee, tea & unlimited water plus assorted bottled soft drinks, wide selection of wines, and various beers during open bar
- Tour guide
- Standard rental bike with waterproof pannier, water bottle, towel, & universal helmet
- Harbor, lock, & canal fees
- Ferry fees
- WiFi (Signal strength and speed varies due to steel construction of ship. See the ‘Recommended’ section.)
- Entrance and tour shipyard Meyer
What’s Not Included
- One dinner
- Museum entrance fees and excursions not mentioned as included
- Gratuities
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
June 22, 2025
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
Pricing
2025
Twin/double $ 4303 £ 2185 $ 3,943 € 2545 Ft 1063955 kr 388009 ₪ 10593 ¥ 431976 Mex$ 57256 NZ$ 4734 kr 31231 zł 11366 S$ 3743 kr 29925 CHF 2440 $ 2,823 Twin for single use on request Extra Options
Electric bike rental $ 304 £ 155 $ 279 € 180 Ft 75250 kr 27443 ₪ 749 ¥ 30552 Mex$ 4050 NZ$ 335 kr 2209 zł 804 S$ 265 kr 2116 CHF 173 $ 200 Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy guided bike and boat tour that traverses mainly flat terrain. Daily distances average about 45 km per day.
Airport Info
The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge in Amsterdam is the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). The tour ends one week later in Cologne, to which the closest airport is the Frankfurt International Airport (FRA). If you prefer, you can fly into Frankfurt even if your tour starts in Amsterdam.
Local Travel
For tour starts in 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. €5 per person for a single journey. From the train station, you can take a taxi to the boat. A taxi from the airport to the barge in Amsterdam takes about 30 minutes and costs about €50. If you fly to Frankfurt, you can take the international train to Amsterdam Central Station. Travel time is about 4 hours and a one-way ticket (2nd class) costs around €50.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean and Cologne, as well has a mild continental climate. The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate. See below for Monthly Weather Averages.
Day of Rest
Any day can be designated as a day of rest by simply remaining on board and enjoying the scenery.
Recommended
Due to variations in wifi signal strength and speed, If you are dependent on a constant, strong, fast, and reliable signal at all times, please consider a a personal hot spot.
Important to know
Travel 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.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Merlijn.
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?
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