| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €889 Rates |
| Client Reviews |
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Skill Level
This 8 day self-guided bike and boat tour is rated easy on paved, flat surfaces.
Tour Boats
Day-To-Day Itinerary
Below is itinerary for 2018. There will only be slight variations in 2019.
Mainz to Cologne
Day 1: Mainz
Day 2: Mainz - Rüdesheim, 21 mi. (33 km)
Option excursion: guided city walk around Rüdesheim. Can be reserved on board.
Day 3: Rüdesheim - St. Goar, 19 mi. (31 km)
Day 4: St. Goar - Koblenz, 24 mi. (38 km)
Cableway tickets available on board.
Day 5: Koblenz - Andernach, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 6: Andernach - Bonn, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Bonn - Cologne, 23 mi. (37 km)
Optional excursion: guided city walk of Cologne's old town and the cathedral. Can be reserved on board.
Day 8: Departure
Day 1: Mainz
Embarkation on board the MS Arlene in Mainz 5 pm. Be sure to explore the old town of Mainz with its lovely alleys and public squares!
Day 2: Mainz - Rüdesheim, 21 mi. (33 km)
Today you will experience firsthand why the Rhine River and its surroundings are part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. Beautiful islands, steep slate rocks and vinyards shape the region around Rüdesheim. By bike you will pass Eltville, the Kurfürstliche Burg fortress and the famous landmark, Oestrich-Winkel, a former wine-loading crane from the 18th century. Completed in 1745, it was functioning until 1926. The day's destination is Rüdesheim, the wine making town in the Rhine gorge. Be sure to visit the famous street, Drosselgasse and stop at a cafe for a taste of the world famous Ruedesheimer Riesling.
You can also bok a guided city city tour around Rudesheim, payable on board.
Day 3: Rüdesheim – St. Goar, 19 mi. (31 km)
Following the Rhine through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, you cycle pass romantic castles and ruins, including the Reichenstein and Rheinstein fortresses. The famous Loreley rock will be passed on the way to St. Goar, your destination for today. Legend has it that a beautiful but melancholy siren would sit on the rock and sing as she combed her golden hair, distracting sailors while the strong currents smashed their ships to pieces against the rock. This has been called the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River. From the top of the rock you will have a beautiful view of St. Goar and St. Goarshausen.
Day 4: St. Goar - Koblenz, 24 mi. (38 km)
Boppard and the Marksburg are on the itinerary today as the route leads to Koblenz with its famous “Deutsche Eck” (German corner). Against a backdrop of vineyards, forests, and mountain ranges, the Moselle and Rhine Rivers merge here. From the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, reached by cableway, you can enjoy a fantastic view over the splendid landscape of the Rhine. Koblenz is one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in Germany. Tickets for the cableway are available on board.
Day 5: Koblenz - Andernach, 19 mi. (30 km)
The cycling itinerary today will lead you past Neuwied and the Engers Castle to Andernach, the destination for today. Like Koblenz, Andernach is one of the oldest cities of Germany. Here you will find the famous geyser that shoots 50 to 60 meters and is said to be the highest in the world. In Andernach you can enjoy sights like the Round Tower or visit the wine village Leutesdorf, which can be reached by ferry.
Day 6: Andernach - Bonn, 28 mi. (45 km)
On the way to Bonn it is worthwhile to visit the Drachenburg Castle on the Drachenfels Königswinter or Sea Life, complete with the brand new Octopus Cave. Bonn is the former capital of Germany and the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. You can visit the great composer’s birth place, top-rated museums, and stroll the lovely riverside setting and the old government quarter.
Day 7: Bonn - Cologne, 23 mi. (37 km)
Before you reach Cologne by bike, there is the possibility for a stop at the Isle of Groov situated in the vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb Porz-Zündorf. The "island" is actually a peninsula and popular as a local recreation area with numerous outdoor restaurants as well as a rowing and pedal boat rental station. Final destination city and end of your tour is Cologne, overseen by the towering Cologne Gothic Cathedral. Yet amidst the antiquity, an energetic and youthful spirit shine. Life in Cologne is uncomplicated and vivacious. The breweries with their famous beer “Kölsch” will introduce you to the more relaxed side of the city.
In Cologne you have opportunity to join a walking tour of Cologne’s Old Town and Cathedral to explore the city’s must sees. This excursion is optional and can be reserved on board. Also worthwhile are museums like the Ludwig Museum or the Chocolat Museum at the river Rhine as well as the modern parts of Cologne, which can be found at the port of the Rheinaue wetland with its crane houses.
Day 8: Departure
Cologne to Mainz
Day 1: Cologne, embarkation at 3 pm - 5 pm
Day 2: Cologne - Bonn, 23 mi. (37 km), optional excursion of Cologne's Old Town and Cathedral
Day 3: Bonn - Andernach, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Andernach - Koblenz, 19 mi. (25 km), tickets for cable car available on board
Day 5: Koblenz - St. Goar, 24 mi. (38 km)
Day 6: St. Goar - Rudesheim, 19 mi. (32 km), guided city walk is available
Day 7: Rudesheim - Mainz, 21 mi. (32 km)
Day 8: Mainz
In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages with buses. In extreme situations, the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of both situations. (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered - previously not announced - repair work on locks or bridges or in case of undeserved breakdown of engine or power unit and unexpected changes in itinerary or mooring locations.
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Pricing Information
Travel Details
This tour is run by SE 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.
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Mainz to Cologne Boats + Barges
MS Arlene II France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary Comfort Plus Class Boat The MS Arlene II, formerly the Arlene, was upgraded before the 2018 season. All cabins on the vessel are outside featuring en-suite facilities with shower and hair dryer, TV, safe, and individually controlled air-conditioning.
MS Arkona Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia Comfort Plus Class Boat The MS Arkona is new to our program and was refurbished in the winter of 2017/2018. Both the upper and the main deck hold comfortable cabins of 11 m² which are modernly and tastefully furnished. All cabins feature hotel-style beds, en-suite facilities with shower and hair dryer, TV, safe and individually controlled air conditioning.
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Customer Feedback
Louise M. 2 months ago
We loved our bike and barge tour from Mainz to Cologne. The food was great, the scenery amazing! Biking is the perfect way to appreciate the environment in a relaxed way and truly immerse yourself in the experience. Two suggestions - have the tour briefings in the evening between Entree and Main course (it was a pain having to wait til 9am in the morning when we are early risers) and have branded reusable water bottles that can be filled up at water stations each day (instead of contributing to plastic bottle waste). Thank you.
Boat: MS Arlene II
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JoAnn G. 8 months ago
The Rhine Valley is a wonder to bike and very enjoyable.
Boat: MS Arlene II
Reply
Gayla 1 week ago
Both great suggestions and easily doable. Thank you.
Reply
Linda S. 11 months ago
The most memorable part of the trip - this is in reference to Cologne to Mainz trip on the MS Andante Sept 16-23, was the scenery and the visits to the small towns along the way. It would have been more enjoyable if we had been able to go through some of the small towns along the way instead of just going by them as we followed the route along the river. The guide did mention some things to see along the way for some of the routes we followed. Some detours and construction was not mentioned or alternate routes given along the way. Tips for others if someone is sick on board there should perhaps be some guidelines given for keeping yourself healthy or tips for not spreading the "bug".
The dinners were the most disappointing food on this trip. Few fresh veggies, the entres were often not well prepared nor were they tasty options (eg fish was on the menu frequently and was soggy, or prepared the same way again and again).
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Denise M. 11 months ago
Really enjoyed getting to know the staff on the barge. This made the biking (which I found somewhat challenging) to be a more memorable experience. As a result, I would do this type of trip again.
Boat: MS Andante
Reply
Penny S. 11 months ago
My most memorable part of cycling along the Rhine River was seeing the beautiful country side hills with castles and fortresses and stopping for coffee and delicious baked goods in villages.
Boat: MS Andante
Reply
pam 2 years ago
The tour we did was aboard the MS Andante in late September. The riding was easy, and for the most part trail was easy to follow. A few times riders had to be rescued by Garrett, our tour leader,as the route had changed. The scenery was beautiful with rolling hills, castles, vineyards, and of course the majestic Rhine. The Andante is an old ship that could really use some refurbishing. The lounge feels like you're in an old Sinatra movie, the dining room is cramped and there's no option of sitting with other passengers. The chef did a very nice job with the dinners, they were not overly elegant but were quite tasty. I can't say the same for breakfast. It alternated between boiled eggs and greasy sausage, to scrambled eggs and greasy sausage. The staff was not overly friendly, the front desk girls seemed more interested in their afternoon smoke, than greeting passengers. The cabins were accessed by treacherous stairs, but once there they were not too bad. The carpet has seen better days, and the bathroom was shower/toilet combo. Overall, if given the choice I would definitely do this cruise again, but might look into a different ship.
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