Around Lake Constance - 12 Day
Austria, Germany, Switzerland Bike Tours
Bike around one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length12 days
- Prices from€1473 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Bordered by three countries, Lake Constance occupies an extremely beautiful corner of Central Europe and provides the perfect backdrop for this scenic bike tour. This bike tour around Lake Constance includes the most important areas of interest.
You will have an active and enjoyable holiday between the Pfänder mountain and the Rhine Falls, the flower island of Mainau and the Appenzeller countryside.
Boat trips and ferry rides will allow you to experience the lake and numerous towns and villages are waiting to be discovered. This extended bike tour along Lake Constance is also suitable for those not accustomed to cycling long distances.
Highlights
- Island of Reichenau, Unesco World Heritage Site
- Arenenberg Castle, former residence of Napoleon III
- Spa town of Radolfzell
- Swabian Sea
- Old town of Meersburg
- Zeppelin Museum
- Bavarian town of Lindau
- Stunning Swiss countryside
- Hiking in in Appenzell
- Lake Constance Cycle path
Looking for more? Check out our full list of bike tours in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Constance
Day 2: Constance - Isle of Reichenau - Gailingen/Stein am Rhein, 16/22 mi. (25/35 km) + boat trip
Day 3: Overnight stay in Gailingen or Stein am Rhein, day trip to Rhine Falls, 19/31 mi. (30/50 km) + boat trip
Day 4: Stein am Rhein or Gailingen - Constance, 19/25 mi. (30/40 km)
Day 5: Constance - Isle of Mainau - Radolfzell, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 6: Radolfzell - Bodman - Ludwigshafen - Uhldingen/Meersburg, 22/25 mi. (35/40 km)
Day 7: Uhldingen/Meersburg - Friedrichshafen, 12/16 mi. (20/25 km)
Day 8: Friedrichshafen - Lindau/Bregenz, 16/22 mi. (25/35 km)
Day 9: Bregenz - Pfänder - St. Gallen, 31/37 mi. (50/60 km) + train ride
Day 10: Leisure day in St. Gallen or hiking in the Appenzell region
Day 11: St. Gallen - Constance, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 12: Individual departure or extension of stay*Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by construction or road repairs that cannot be foreseen.
Day 1: Individual arrival in Constance
After arrival in Constance, the largest city around the lake, there is free time to explore! The aquariums in the Sea Life Center and the Archaeological Museum are recommended.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Halm
Alte Post Konstanz
Kreuzlingen Am Hafen
HarbrDay 2: Constance - Isle of Reichenau - Gailingen/Stein am Rhein, 16/22 mi. (25/35 km) + boat trip
The first highlight is Reichenau Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, well-known for the vegetables produced here. You cross over the Höri peninsula by boat. Along the High Rhine you cycle into the medieval town of Stein am Rhein with its many frescoed houses. Depending on where you are staying the night, you cross the border again for Gailingen either during the afternoon or the next morning.Sample Hotels:
Rheingold
Adler SteinDay 3: Day trip to Rhine Falls, 19/31 mi. (30/50 km) + boat trip
Switching several times between Germany and Switzerland you reach the canton's capital, Schaffhausen. The town, whose citizens competed with each other in building gables on their houses, is overlooked by Munot fort. After just a few kilometers, you get to the Rhine Falls, one of Europe's biggest waterfalls. Going upstream along the Rhine, you return to Gailingen or Stein am Rhein.Sample Hotels:
Rheingold
Adler SteinDay 4: Stein am Rhein or Gailingen - Constance, 19/25 mi. (30/40 km)
You will cycle up along the Rhein today back to Constance. Numerous picturesque Swiss fishing villages lie along your return path through the peaceful countryside of the Lower Lake. Napoleon‘s stepdaughter, Hortense de Beauharnais, made this area her adopted home. We recommend a visit to her former home in Arenenberg, which is now a Napoleon museum.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Halm
Alte Post Konstanz
Kreuzlingen Am Hafen
HarbrDay 5: Constance - Mainau Island – Radolfzell, 19 mi. (30 km)
Today you have the option to explore the "flower island" of Mainau. Tickets are not included and can be purchased on your own. Bikes are not allowed on the island: simply park at the entrance and access the island via the bridge. The route takes you via Allensbach to the former Imperial and now spa town of Radolfzell.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Stadtgarten
Hotel SchmiedeDay 6: Radolfzell - Bodman - Ludwigshafen - Uhldingen/Meersburg, 22/25 mi. (35/40 km)
From here, you cross the Bodanrück range of hills and encounter a very short incline. Arriving at the so-called Überlinger See, part of Lake Constance, you are rewarded for your efforts with beautiful views of the lake, known here as the Swabian Sea. Enjoy a break in Überlingen and an ice cream on the pretty promenade. In Uhldingen, you visit a reconstructed pile dwelling and learn how settlers lived on Lake Constance in the Stone and Bronze Ages.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Knaus
Hotel Löwen
Hotel Bären
Hotel Schiff
Hotel PilgerhofDay 7: Uhldingen/Meersburg - Friedrichshafen, 12/16 mi. (20/25 km)
In Meersburg, make sure you take some time to stroll through the lovely old town. A guided tour of the castle is also a fascinating experience. Today's destination, Friedrichshafen, has a great Zeppelin Museum we can recommend visiting. It tells you everything there is to know about the history of these airships.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Waldhorn
Hotel City-Krone
Hotel Maier FischbachDay 8: Friedrichshafen - Bregenz, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today, the tour takes you through extensive orchards to the Bavarian town of Lindau, where you should not miss visiting the old town - situated on an island. Now it's just a few kilometers to Bregenz, the capital town of the Vorarlberg region of Austria and famous for its annual festival on the world's largest lake-stage.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Messmer
Hotel Germania
Hotel SchwärzlerDay 9: Bregenz - Pfänder - St. Gallen, 31 mi. (50 km) + train ride
In the morning you visit the Pfänder, Bregenz' "own" mountain. After that it's time to get back on your bike and cycle along the Alpenrhein to Altstätten. A train takes you up into Appenzeller Land and then you pedal through absolutely stunning Swiss countryside to St. Gallen.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Einstein
Sorell Hotel City Weissenstein
Hotel Metropol
Hotel WalhallaDay 10: Leisure day in St. Gallen or hiking tour in the Appenzell region
Today, you leave your bike at your accommodation and explore St. Gallen. The Abbey Church library is considered one of the most important historic libraries in the world. It is home to about 160,000 books - one of which is the oldest German book. You may prefer to hike in the Appenzell region.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Einstein
Sorell Hotel City Weissenstein
Hotel Metropol
Hotel WalhallaDay 11: St. Gallen - Constance, 28 mi. (45 km)
Enjoy the downhill stretch to Lake Constance and your arrival near Arbon. Following the banks of the lake almost all the way, you cycle through apple orchards and the small towns of Arbon and Romanshorn back to Constance. This stretch is flat and easy to cycle, unless in a stronger westerly wind. You will frequently pass places where you can go swimming and refresh yourself in the lovely cool waters of the lake.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Halm
Alte Post Konstanz
Kreuzlingen Am Hafen
HarbrDay 12: Individual departure or extension of stay
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Map
Accommodation
You will stay in good quality 3 and 4-star guesthouses and hotels with upgraded accommodations possible in some cities. Please note, it is not always possible to confirm rooms with two twin beds. A sample hotel list is available in the itinerary.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations for 11 nights in 3 and 4* hotels
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- 24-speed city touring bicycle (high handlebars and upright riding position). Available in men’s and deep step-through frames.
- Accessories: Luggage rack, rear pannier, handlebar bag, odometer, bike lock, and one repair kit with pump per booking
- Boat trip Reichenau-Gaienhofen incl. bike
- Boat trip to the Rhine Falls rock
- Entrances to Rosgartenmuseum, the Lake Dwelling Museum, and the Zeppelin museum.
- Journey by cable car to Pfänder excluding bike (bike transport is free between 8-10 am)
- Train ride Altstätten-Gais incl. bike
- Comprehensive cycling route description with maps (1 set per room)
- GPS tracks available. Please ask!
- 7-day service-hotline
What’s Not Included
- Individual arrive to hotel in Constance (train from Zurich airport, approx €21)
- Entrance to Mainau Island
- Remaining meals
- City tax, if applicable (to be paid at each hotel) approximately €2 per night
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2023
Daily arrivals from April 9 through October 1, 2023
Season A: April 9 to April 30, 2023 $ 2484 £ 1307 $ 2,156 € 1473 kr 218304 ₪ 6092 ¥ 237481 Mex$ 29460 NZ$ 2686 NOK 17202 kr 17795 $ 1,600
Season B: May 1 to May 10 | September 15 to October 1, 2023 $ 2737 £ 1440 $ 2,376 € 1623 kr 240534 ₪ 6712 ¥ 261664 Mex$ 32460 NZ$ 2960 NOK 18953 kr 19607 $ 1,763
Season C: May 11 to May 25 | June 11 to June 30 | September 1 to September 14, 2023 $ 2990 £ 1573 $ 2,596 € 1773 kr 262765 ₪ 7333 ¥ 285847 Mex$ 35460 NZ$ 3233 NOK 20705 kr 21419 $ 1,926
Season D: May 26 to June 10 | July 1 to August 31, 2023 $ 3243 £ 1706 $ 2,815 € 1923 kr 284995 ₪ 7953 ¥ 310031 Mex$ 38460 NZ$ 3507 NOK 22457 kr 23231 $ 2,089
Single supplement: $ 757 £ 398 $ 657 € 449 kr 66543 ₪ 1857 ¥ 72389 Mex$ 8980 NZ$ 819 NOK 5243 kr 5424 $ 488
Extra Options
Bikes
Electric bike $ 236 £ 124 $ 205 € 140 kr 20748 ₪ 579 ¥ 22571 Mex$ 2800 NZ$ 255 NOK 1635 kr 1691 $ 152 Child/teen bike $ 83 £ 43 $ 72 € 49 kr 7262 ₪ 203 ¥ 7900 Mex$ 980 NZ$ 89 NOK 572 kr 592 $ 53 Child seat Free Extra nights
Twin/double Single Bregenz $ 167 £ 88 $ 145 € 99 kr 14672 ₪ 409 ¥ 15961 Mex$ 1980 NZ$ 181 NOK 1156 kr 1196 $ 108 $ 234 £ 123 $ 203 € 139 kr 20600 ₪ 575 ¥ 22410 Mex$ 2780 NZ$ 253 NOK 1623 kr 1679 $ 151 Constance $ 133 £ 70 $ 116 € 79 kr 11708 ₪ 327 ¥ 12737 Mex$ 1580 NZ$ 144 NOK 923 kr 954 $ 86 $ 201 £ 106 $ 174 € 119 kr 17636 ₪ 492 ¥ 19185 Mex$ 2380 NZ$ 217 NOK 1390 kr 1438 $ 129 Friedrichshafen $ 133 £ 70 $ 116 € 79 kr 11708 ₪ 327 ¥ 12737 Mex$ 1580 NZ$ 144 NOK 923 kr 954 $ 86 $ 201 £ 106 $ 174 € 119 kr 17636 ₪ 492 ¥ 19185 Mex$ 2380 NZ$ 217 NOK 1390 kr 1438 $ 129 Radolfzell $ 116 £ 61 $ 101 € 69 kr 10226 ₪ 285 ¥ 11124 Mex$ 1380 NZ$ 126 NOK 806 kr 834 $ 75 $ 184 £ 97 $ 160 € 109 kr 16154 ₪ 451 ¥ 17573 Mex$ 2180 NZ$ 199 NOK 1273 kr 1317 $ 118 St. Gallen $ 167 £ 88 $ 145 € 99 kr 14672 ₪ 409 ¥ 15961 Mex$ 1980 NZ$ 181 NOK 1156 kr 1196 $ 108 $ 234 £ 123 $ 203 € 139 kr 20600 ₪ 575 ¥ 22410 Mex$ 2780 NZ$ 253 NOK 1623 kr 1679 $ 151 Stein / Gailingen / Wangen $ 116 £ 61 $ 101 € 69 kr 10226 ₪ 285 ¥ 11124 Mex$ 1380 NZ$ 126 NOK 806 kr 834 $ 75 $ 184 £ 97 $ 160 € 109 kr 16154 ₪ 451 ¥ 17573 Mex$ 2180 NZ$ 199 NOK 1273 kr 1317 $ 118 Uhldingen / Meersburg $ 116 £ 61 $ 101 € 69 kr 10226 ₪ 285 ¥ 11124 Mex$ 1380 NZ$ 126 NOK 806 kr 834 $ 75 $ 184 £ 97 $ 160 € 109 kr 16154 ₪ 451 ¥ 17573 Mex$ 2180 NZ$ 199 NOK 1273 kr 1317 $ 118 Children Discount*
0 - 5 years 100%
6 - 11 years 50%
12 - 17 years 25%*Children‘s discount is valid for accommodation in a room with two full-paying guests, no discount from 18 years and onwards. A shared room is usually a double room with an extra bed or folding sofa. No five-bed rooms possible.
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–Moderate
This is an easy to moderate self-guided bike tour on mainly flat, paved cycle paths along the shore of the lake or on paved rural roads. The total distance covered is approximately 181 miles with the opportunity for a 5-mile hike. The average daily distance is approximately 22 miles.
Airport Info
Fly to Zurich International Airport (ZRH) located approximately 8 mi. (13 km) north of Zurich City center.
Local Travel
Zurich Airport railway station (German: Bahnhof Zürich Flughafen) is a railway station serving Zurich Airport in Switzerland. The station is located underneath the Airport Center, the main ground-side passenger terminal of the airport. Train from Zurich airport to Constance (Konstanz), 1-2 hr. with zero to one transfers. Cost is approximately €25 per person
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. The warm season in Constance is from the end of May until mid-September with an average daily high temperature above 69°F. The hottest day of the year generally occurs in August with an average high of 77° F and low of 59°F.
Day of Rest
Day 10 is a designated day of rest.
Recommended
You should bring your personal helmet as helmets are not available to rent or borrow on this tour.
Remarks
Tandem, child bike, Intermediate bike (for teenagers), child’s trailer, E-cargo-bike with seats for 2 children are available. Children’s discounts available (apply for accommodation in rooms with two full-paying guests.) Ask us for pricing.
Important to know
Documents
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
*Important note: Please check on the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as once implemented 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.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
This tour is very flexible. The cycling days can be shortened or lengthened, and you can usually book an extra night in any of the towns. You can also begin in any of the towns listed in the itinerary.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Radweg - Reisen GmbH.
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
![Bike rest in beautiful marktplatz of Meersburg, Germany. Flickr:Stefan Jurca]()
![Around Lake Constance, Germany. @TripSiteGea]()
![Stein am Rhein, Lake Constance, Switzerland. Flickr:Luca Casartelli]()
![Bregenz on Lake Constance, Germany. Flickr:Stefan Jurca]()
![Island of Lindau on the Bodensee, Germany. Flickr:Kiefer]()
![Stein am Rhein, Switzerland. @TripSiteGea]()
![Cable car in Bregenz, Lake Constance, Austria. Flickr:Kiefer]()
![Meersburg, Lake Constance, aka Bodensee. Flickr:Patrick Nouhailler]()
![Schnitzel is a favorite in Austria & Germany. Flickr:travel junction]()
![Entrance into the harbor of Lindau Island, Bodensee, Germany. Flickr:Keith Roper]()
![Island of Mainau on Lake Constance. Flickr:Judy Dean]()
![Rosti, a traditional Swiss dish. Flickr:t-mizo]()
![Statue in Stein-am-Rhein, Switzerland. Flickr:stephanie kroos]()
![Meersburg is a medieval town on Lake Constance, Germany. Flickr:F Delventhal]()
![Birthplace of the Zeppelin, Friedrichshafen, Germany. Flickr:Waithamai]()
![Colorful Meersburg along Lake Constance! Flickr:Markus Tacker]()
![Lindau Island, Lake Constance, Germany. Flickr:Jura]()
![Shopping in Stein-am-Rhein in canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Flickr:Luca Casartelli]()
![Great local beers to try in Germany & Austria. Flickr:Leon Brocard]()
![Riesling wine is a favorite throughout this region. Flickr:M Hagemann]()
![Bridge in Stein-am-Rhein, Switzerland. Flickr:Luca Casartelli]()
![Meersburg, Germany. @TripSiteGea]()
![Friedrichshafen, Germany. Flickr:Kiefer]()
![Boat ride Rheinfall near Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Flickr:Stephanie Kroos]()
![The town of Constance on Lake Constance in Germany, south of Switzerland. Flickr:Kiefer]()
![Unterstadt in Meersburg, with 2 castles, Germany. Flickr:Stefan Jurca]()
![Reichenau on Lake Constance, Germany. Flickr:Annie Pilote]()
![Diessenhofen, Switzerland. @TripSiteGea]()
![Rheinfall near Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Flickr:Mondo79]()
![Meersburg is a medieval town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Flickr:F Delventhal]()
![Meersburg, Lake Constance. Flickr:Michael Coghlan]()
![Meersburg is the "Castle on the Sea" in Germany. Flickr:Stefan Jurca]()
![Rheinfall near Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Flickr:michel simeonidis]()
![Austria & Germany are known for great chocolate! Flickr:slgckgc]()
![Lindau Island on Lake Constance, Germany. Flickr:Blendeauf]()
![Graf Wilhelm Strasse in Bregenz, Vorarlberg, Austria. Flickr:Stefan Jurca]()
![Konstanz on Lake Constance, Germany. Flickr:Bernd Thaller]()
![Mainau Island, Konstanz, Germany. @TripSiteGea]()
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