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€1198 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.Day 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.Day 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.Day 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.Day 5: Constance - Mainau Island – Radolfzell, 19 mi. (30 km)
First you explore the "flower island" of Mainau. Bikes are not allowed on the island: simply park at the entrance and access the island via the bridge. Next a short ride takes you via Allensbach to the former Imperial and now spa town of Radolfzell.Day 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.Day 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.Day 8: Friedrichshafen - Lindau/Bregenz, 16/22 mi. (25/35 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.Day 9: Bregenz - Pfänder - St. Gallen, 31/37 mi. (50/60 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.Day 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.Day 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.Day 12: Individual departure or extension of stay
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Map
Accommodation
Overnight stays in good quality 3 and 4 star guesthouses and hotels with upgraded accommodations possible. We can provide a sample hotel list for you upon request. Please note: it is not always possible to confirm twin bed rooms.
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 very 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, Mainau Island, 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)
- Remaining meals
- City tax, if applicable (to be paid at each hotel) approximately €2 per night
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2022
Daily arrivals from April 14 to October 16, 2022
Season A: April 14 to May 14 + September 18 to October 16, 2022
Season B: May 15 to May 21 + May 29 to May 31 + June 19 to June 30 + August 21 to September 17, 2022
Season C: May 22 to May 28 + June 1 to June 18 + July 1 to August 20, 2022Season A: $ 2080 £ 1176 $ 1,861 € 1358 ₪ 4914 NZ$ 2295 kr 14470 $ 1,442
Season B: $ 2386 £ 1349 $ 2,136 € 1558 ₪ 5638 NZ$ 2633 kr 16601 $ 1,655
Season C: $ 2616 £ 1479 $ 2,341 € 1708 ₪ 6181 NZ$ 2886 kr 18199 $ 1,814
Single supplement: $ 611 £ 345 $ 547 € 399 ₪ 1444 NZ$ 674 kr 4252 $ 424
Extra Options
2022
Bikes:
Electric touring bike with high handlebar and upright seating with deep step-through frame: $ 168 £ 95 $ 151 € 110 ₪ 398 NZ$ 186 kr 1172 $ 117
Tandem bike rental: On request
Teenager's bike: $ 69 £ 39 $ 62 € 45 ₪ 163 NZ$ 76 kr 479 $ 48
Child's bike from 20 to 26 in. frame height: on request
Child trailer, up to 2 children with a combined weight of 45 kg: on request
Trail-Gator bicycle tow bar (converts child bike into a towable trailer bike) with capacity of 28 kg: on request
Wehoo (a type of tagalong) with a capacity up to approx. 30 kg, 2 - 7 yrs. of age: on requestChild's seat, capacity 22 kg: Free
Extra nights:
Constance:
Double: $ 121 £ 68 $ 108 € 79 ₪ 286 NZ$ 134 kr 842 $ 84 Single: $ 176 £ 100 $ 158 € 115 ₪ 416 NZ$ 194 kr 1225 $ 1222021
*Children Discount
0 - 5 years are Free
6 - 13 years 50 %
14 - 17 years 25 %*If booked in triple or quad room.
2022
*Children Discount
0 - 5 years are Free
6 - 11 years 50%
12 - 17 years 25%*If booked in triple or quad room.
Please Note
- Rates are 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
Easy to moderate self-guided bike tour on mainly flat, paved cycle paths along the shore of the lake or on paved rurual roads. Total distance covered is approximately 181 miles with the opportunity for a 5-mile hike. 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
Extra booking requirements during Covid
Applicable from November 8, 2021, until further notice, bookings will only be accepted from vaccinated or recovered guests. If you travel without a valid Covid certificate or proof of recovery from Covid, you do so at your own risk. Any trip interruption or cancellation due to insufficient documentation will be at the client's expense, regular cancellation fees apply.
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?
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