Koblenz to Heidelberg and Aschaffenburg
Germany Bike + Boat Tours
Cycle the Rhine, Neckar & Main Rivers from Koblenz to Heidelberg via Frankfurt
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Overview
Welcome to the heart of the Rhine region! On this bike and boat tour in Germany, you will navigate the meandering waterways, bike the river paths, and travel through history in a timeless landscape dotted with castles and climbing vineyards.
Much more than a shipping highway, the Rhine River is the pulsing economic vein of Germany and Europe. Around every bend, legends spring to life: the plunging Lorelei cliffs, the deadly Bingen Reef, and the fabled site where Rheingold is buried. At Mainz, you navigate the Main River, entering the Franconian region, with great historic villages and world-famous cities like Frankfurt. You will discover lovely Aschaffenburg, a typical Bavarian town, and a fitting end to your bike and boat tour in Germany.
Highlights
- UNESCO Rhine Gorge cycling with castles and vineyards
- Legendary Loreley Rock
- Heidelberg Castle & Old Town
- Frankfurt am Main riverfront and skyline
- Scenic Rhine wine towns
- Historic cities Mainz & Worms
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Itinerary
Day 1: Koblenz – Boppard – St Goar
Day 2: St. Goar – Mainz, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Mainz – Nierstein – Worms, 29 mi. (46 km)
Day 4: Worms – Heidelberg, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Heidelberg – Mainz, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 6: Mainz – Frankfurt am Main, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 7: Frankfurt am Main – Aschaffenburg, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 8: Aschaffenburg*All distances are approximate. Itinerary is subject to last-minute changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as wind, weather, changes in mooring locations, etc.
Day 1: Koblenz – Boppard – St Goar
Arrival in Koblenz around midday to board the IRIS, with departure shortly after. Arriving the day before is recommended to explore the attractive old town located between the Rhine and Moselle rivers, including an optional cable car ride up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for panoramic views. In the afternoon, the ship sails south, and later guests disembark in Boppard for a short introductory bike ride along the Rhine cycle path to St. Goar. Overnight in St. GoarDay 2: St. Goar – Mainz, 25 mi. (40 km)
The day begins in St. Goar, opposite the legendary Loreley, reached by ferry, bus, and a short walk to a viewpoint overlooking the Rhine’s narrowest and most dramatic stretch. The cycling route then follows the river past castles and vineyards to Rüdesheim am Rhein, a lively wine town with Roman roots, famous for the Drosselgasse and its traditional taverns. Cycling continues to Eltville am Rhein, where the ship is rejoined for an afternoon cruise to Mainz. Overnight in MainzDay 3: Mainz – Nierstein – Worms, 29 mi. (46 km)
While breakfast is served, the ship sails to Nierstein, the starting point for today’s ride along the Rhine to Worms, one of the oldest cities in Northern Europe and the former capital of the Burgundian Kingdom. Highlights include its impressive Romanesque cathedral and its rich Jewish heritage from the Middle Ages, recognized by UNESCO alongside Mainz and Speyer. Overnight in WormsDay 4: Worms – Heidelberg, 22 mi. (35 km)
The route leaves Worms and passes through Mannheim, entering the Neckar Valley and continuing to the charming historic village of Ladenburg. The destination is Heidelberg, famous for its picturesque old town, renowned university, and the dramatic castle overlooking the city from the Königsstuhl, accessible by funicular. Overnight in HeidelbergDay 5: Heidelberg – Mainz, 34 mi. (55 km)
Today’s ride leads away from the rivers and into the countryside, offering a more varied route with gentle hills, forests, meadows, and traditional German villages far from the main tourist paths. The cycling ends in Gernsheim, where the ship is boarded once again for a relaxing cruise back to Mainz. Overnight in MainzDay 6: Mainz – Frankfurt am Main, 25 mi. (40 km)
Cycling continues along well-maintained paths following the Main River toward Frankfurt am Main, one of Germany’s largest and most important cities. Known as a historic trade center and modern financial hub, Frankfurt features a striking skyline shaped by postwar reconstruction and is also home to a renowned riverside museum district and the world-famous Book Fair. Overnight in FrankfurtDay 7: Frankfurt am Main – Aschaffenburg, 34 mi. (55 km)
The day’s ride first reaches the romantic town of Seligenstadt, known for its winding lanes, half-timbered houses, and impressive basilica, followed by a ferry crossing of the Main River and a pass through Hanau, birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. The ship awaits in Aschaffenburg, where the striking Johannisburg Palace dominates the riverbank as one of the finest Renaissance palace complexes in the region. Overnight in AschaffenburgDay 8: Aschaffenburg
The guided tour concludes after breakfast, with time remaining to explore Aschaffenburg independently and leave luggage on board until midday if desired.You can view all of our bike and boat tours or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
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Map
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Boats & Bikes
Accommodations aboard the comfort plus boat, the Iris.
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Iris
Premium Class Barge
In 2005, the Iris was transformed from a cargo ship to a passenger ship. Her owner, Lenny Versteeg, has lovingly updated and maintained her throughout the years. The interior is fresh, tasteful, and comfortable. Read More
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights aboard the Iris
- Daily breakfast
- 6 x packed lunches
- 6 x 3-course dinner on board with a glass of wine/beer
- Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate on board 24/7
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Standard touring bike with helmet, pannier, and waterbottle
- Bike insurance
- Tour guide cycling with the guests (from 18 guests, two guides)
What’s Not Included
- 1 x dinner
- Beverages not mentioned in what’s included
- Entrance fees for museums and monuments
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Twin cabin: $ 2134 £ 1114 $ 2,061 € 1250 Ft 481868 kr 184907 ₪ 4686 ¥ 231396 Mex$ 25890 NZ$ 2499 kr 14408 zł 5379 S$ 1908 kr 13553 CHF 1164 $ 1,511 Single supplement on request
Extra Options
Electric bike: $ 137 £ 71 $ 132 € 80 Ft 30840 kr 11834 ₪ 300 ¥ 14809 Mex$ 1657 NZ$ 160 kr 922 zł 344 S$ 122 kr 867 CHF 74 $ 97
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
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Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy, fully guided bike and barge tour with average daily distances of 22–34 miles (35–55 km). Cycling is primarily on paved bike paths, following sections of the EuroVelo 15 route and avoiding traffic wherever possible.
Airport Info
Closest international airport to Koblenz and Aschaffenburg is Frankfurt International Airport (FRA).
Local Travel
You can take a taxi to the mooring location of the barge at the Peter Altmeier Ufer in Koblenz
Climate
June brings warm, comfortable days around 68–77°F (20–25°C), cooler evenings, long daylight hours, and moderate rainfall mainly in short showers.
Day of Rest
Any day can be used as a day of rest by remaining on board.
Important to know
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that they are in compliance with the country or countries they 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 BikePlanet.
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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Photos
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Reviews
Reviews
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