Ludwigsburg to Mainz
Germany Bike + Boat Tours
Cruise, Cycle, and Savor Your Way from Ludwigsburg to Mainz
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Tour Type
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Skill Level
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Length8 days
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Prices from€2795 Rates
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Overview
This bike and boat tour in Germany aboard the Merlijn needs no introduction. There is just something about the Merlijn, aka, The Magic of the Water.
Along the way, you will bike through some of the most romantic cities along the Neckar and Rhine Rivers, along with lovely small German towns and villages.
There is an opportunity to stop and enjoy the culinary culture of the region and taste some local wines. Occasionally, you come upon a road with a slight climb to a fortress well worth the effort as the views are the reward!
Highlights
- Mainz with its history, attractive town squares, impressive churches, and half-timbered houses
- The historic center of Heidelberg
- Vineyards and wine tasting in Nierstein
- The picturesque village of Marbach
All of our bike & barge tours in Germany can be found here
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Stuttgart, check-in at 3:30 pm | Stuttgart - Overnight dock
Day 2: Overnight dock - Heilbronn, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km)
Day 3: Heilbronn - Eberbach, 28 to 31 mi. (45 to 50 km) or extend to 40 to 44 mi. (65 to 70 km)
Day 4: Eberbach - Heidelberg, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km)
Day 5: Heidelberg, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Day 6: Heidelberg - Worms - Nierstein, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Day 7: Nierstein - Mainz, 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km) or extend to 31 to 34 mi. (50 to 55 km)
Day 8: Mainz | Departure following breakfast, by 9 amAll distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to weather, last-minute mooring changes, and restructuring of locks or bridges. The owner/captain of the Merlijn reserves the right to change the schedule and/or program. If part of the route is not navigable, the captain is entitled to change the schedule for safety reasons.
Day 1: Stuttgart - Overnight dock
Check-in on board begins at 3:30 pm. After official embarkation, as you enjoy a complimentary beverage, you will enjoy meeting the crew, learning about the Merlijn and the tour, and being informed regarding the safety during your tour. After that, the boat will cruise the Neckar downstream, passing through locks and dock overnight nearby.Day 2: Overnight dock - Heilbronn, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km)
After breakfast, Merlijn continues its journey down the Neckar River. Upon docking in Heilbronn, embark on your first bike tour along the river, passing picturesque towns like Besigheim and Lauffen. Enjoy stunning views and stop at a local bakery for a taste of delicious German pastries. After the ride, enjoy a gourmet dinner onboard. Later, take time to explore Heilbronn’s rich history and modern cultural vibe.Day 3: Heilbronn - Eberbach, 28 to 31 mi. (45 to 50 km) or extend to 40 to 44 mi. (65 to 70 km)
Wave goodbye to Heilbronn as Merlijn heads downstream. After docking, your next bike tour begins, taking you to Bad Wimpfen, a charming hilltop town with a beautifully restored tower (open for visits). Choose to ride further towards Eberbach or return to the ship for a relaxing evening. Eberbach is a quiet, picturesque town perfect for an overnight stop.Day 4: Eberbach - Heidelberg, 22 to 25 mi. (35 to 40 km)
Today’s bike route offers scenic views along the Neckar River, with a possible stop to visit a nearby castle. Castles are often perched on hills, offering a rewarding climb and a glimpse into Germany’s medieval history. After cycling, relax on board as we cruise toward Heidelberg.Day 5: Heidelberg, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
Explore the enchanting city of Heidelberg, a perfect blend of history, culture, and modern charm. Spend the day discovering its attractions or join a guided bike tour through the surrounding countryside. In the evening, venture into the city to enjoy dinner at one of Heidelberg’s many renowned restaurants, offering local specialties and international cuisine.Day 6: Heidelberg - Worms - Nierstein, 25 to 28 mi. (40 to 45 km)
The day begins with a cruising breakfast. Today you'll cycle through the Lampertheim nature reserve, exploring scenic trails and forests. Once in Worms, take time to explore the town before returning to Merlijn. After dinner, relax as we cruise along the Rhine River, arriving in Nierstein. In the evening, enjoy a wine-tasting experience at a local vineyard.Day 7: Nierstein - Mainz, 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km) or extend to 31 to 34 mi. (50 to 55 km)
On your final cycling day, ride from Nierstein to Mainz, crossing the river by ferry. Once in Mainz, enjoy a walking tour or take the extended cycling route to explore even more of this beautiful region. Afterward, return to Merlijn for a farewell dinner, sharing memories with your fellow cyclists as you soak in the cozy atmosphere onboard.Day 8: Mainz | Departure following breakfast by 9 am
All good things must come to an end. Check-out after breakfast and either extend your stay in Mainz or onward travel home.Be sure to check out all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bicycle tours, specials, & news.
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Map
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Boats & Bikes
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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
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights on board the Merlijn
- Complimentary arrival drink
- Daily cleaning of your cabin
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers
- 7 breakfast buffets, 6 packed lunches, & 6 three-course dinners
- Coffee, tea, & iced water
- Assorted bottled soft drinks, wide selection of wines, and various beers during open bar
- Tour guide
- Tour information meeting daily
- Standard rental bike with waterproof pannier, water bottle, towel, & universal helmet
- Canal, bridge & harbor fees
- Mountain tour & wine tasting
- WiFi (signal strength and speed varies due to steel construction of ship. See the ‘Recommended’ section)
What’s Not Included
- 1 Dinner
- Drinks other than those mentioned
- Arrival/Departure Transportation
- Excursions, other than those mentioned
- City maps (though a few are available on board)
- Bike maps
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Questions about dates or pricing? We’re here to help! Call 800-951-4384 to talk to a Tour Specialist now.
Tour package:
Oct 8- Tour package 2025 Oct 8 from € 27952025 departures: Oct 8
2025 October Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Double occupancy cabin € 2795 Single occupancy cabin On request Bike rental Price Standard touring bike Included Electric bike € 180
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
- Tour package 2025 Oct 8 from € 2795
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Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This guided bike and boat tour is rated easy to moderate. Cycling takes place on good asphalted bike paths and country roads. Daily biking distances range from 16 to 35 miles. The routes follow the flow of the rivers and are therefore mainly flat with only a few small climbs.
Airport Info
We recommend that you fly to Frankfurt International Airport (FRA). Frankfurt is well connected by train to both Ludwigsburg and Mainz.
Local Travel
Frankfurt am Main Airport long-distance station (German: Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof) is the railway station served by long-distance trains, mostly ICE services running on the Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line. The long-distance train station is operated by German Rail (Deutsche Bahn). Information on schedules and fares is available on the website. Travel time from the airport to Ludwigsburg is approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes with one or two transfers depending on the type of train and departure time. To return to the airport from Mainz, it is only about a 30-minute train ride with 0 transfers.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. The climate in the Rhine and Neckar river regions of Germany is generally temperate with warm summers and cool winters. The overall climate is mild and comfortable, making it an ideal destination for your bike and boat adventure.
Day of Rest
You may remain on board on any given day to relax, enjoy the boat, the deck, and the passing 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.
Remarks
The cycling itinerary offered on the Merlijn has been designed and is guided by an expert guide. During the trip, the guide will adjust the plans when necessary based on the ability of the group. You are given an overview of the itinerary each day.
If you would like to cycle on your own, this may be possible. The guide and/or captain can inform you where to find the ship at the end of the day, or what time to be at a location to board. There are several maps available on board for you to use.
GPS tracks and written turn-by-turn route descriptions are not available.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.Extra Stay
Want to extend your stay in Germany? We advise 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, customer reviews, and ratings.
Tour Operator
Tripsite
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