Four Countries of Lake Constance
Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland Bike Tours
Bike Four Countries + Lake Constance, Lake Zürich & Lake Walensee
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1223 Rates
Overview
This cycle tour begins in Constance (Konstanz), which lies on the ever-so-beautiful Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Germany. It is the largest city on the lake and remains one of the best-preserved, major medieval cities in Germany.
From Constance, the tour will cross the Swiss border and cycle through small romantic villages to Stein am Rhein, a beautiful, small medieval town, before reaching Schaffhausen. As you pedal, your route crosses into a total of four countries.
After departing Walenstadt, the route runs north through Liechtenstein. Then, it is over the Austrian border to Feldkirch with a nice, medieval town center. Through more small villages and protected waterways, the route will lead you back to Lake Constance via the enchanting St. Gallen.
Come cycle these countries, rich in culture and history!
Highlights
- Lake Constance
- The town of Schaffhausen and the nearby Rheinfall or Rhine Falls
- Monastery of St. George
- Rapperswil, the Town of Roses
- Lake Zürich
- Lake Walen
Be sure to check out our full list of tours in Germany including small ship cruises and bike and boat tours.
Itinerary
Day 1: Individual arrival in Constance
Day 2: Constance - Stein am Rhein - Schaffhausen, 32 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Schaffhausen - Rhine Falls - Zürich, 35 mi. (55 km) + optional train ride or 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 4: Zürich - Lachen, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Lachen - Vaduz, 37 mi. (60 km) + boat trip
Day 6: Vaduz - St. Gallen, 37 mi. (60 km) + train ride
Day 7: St. Gallen - Arbon - Constance, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 8: Departure or extended stay in Constance.All distances are approximate. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as 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 route, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.
Day 1: Arrival in Constance
Individual arrival into Constance (Konstanz) with the afternoon free for sightseeing in this intriguing city. Take the opportunity to visit Mainau Island, stroll through the Old Town of Constance, or visit the aquariums at the Sea Life Center. The city is the largest on the lake and is still medieval in character to this day. Overnight in Konstanz.Sample Hotels:
ABC Hotel
Apartment Hotel
Ibis Konstanz
Waldhaus JakobDay 2: Constance - Stein am Rhein - Schaffhausen, 32 mi. (50 km)
Today is the first official day of cycling, and you will cross over the Swiss border and ride through small romantic villages to Stein am Rhein, one of the most beautiful remaining medieval towns in the German-speaking countries. Riding into Schauffhausen you'll see the Munot Fortress towering over the town. It is a beautiful town with many narrow streets decorated with Renaissance houses showcasing outdoor sculptures and frescos in addition to its impressive oriel windows and Munot fortifications. Be sure to enjoy a glass of local wine in the medieval Old Town. Schaffhausen became world-famous for the nearby Rheinfall or Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe that is said to be approx. 17,000 years old. You will have the opportunity to visit the falls on Day 3.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Park Villa
Hotel KronenhofDay 3: Schaffhausen - Rhine Falls - Zürich, 35 mi. (55 km) + optional train ride or 44 mi. (70 km)
After breakfast, set out for a short bike ride to the Rhine Falls, a highlight of today. You'll be able to get close to the falls by boat. Further along the romantic river valleys of the Rhine and Glatt Rivers, this tour will bring you to Zürich, the largest of all the Swiss cities. Its Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world’s most elegant shopping streets. The cycle route today can be shortened by taking the S-bahn (ticket not included) from Rümlang station.Sample Hotels:
Sorell Hotel Rex
Hotel Montana Zürich
Hotel Seefeld
Day 4: Zürich - Lachen, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today you can bike Zürich or you have sufficient time for a leisurely stroll through this great metropolitan city. Walk along the promenade, visit the beautiful old part of town and also one of its many museums or art galleries. Subsequently, you will bike following the banks of Lake Zürich which is locally known as the Gold Coast. You pass through to Rapperswil, a small town on the east side of Lake Zürich. It is frequently called Rosenstadt, the Town of Roses, and it won’t take you long to figure out why! Also of note are the 13th-century castle of Rapperswil, a wooden footbridge, and the Capuchin monastery from 1606, all mostly located within the medieval center.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Bären
Hotel MarinaDay 5: Lachen - Vaduz, 37 mi. (60 km) + boat trip
Cycling out of Lachen you will pedal along the man-made Linth Canal located between Lake Zürich and Lake Walenn, finally reaching Weesen. Here you will board a ferry which will take you to the other end of the Lake Walen to Walenstadt. The lake is 150 m deep and is towered by the Churfirsten Mountains, the highest peak being 1800 m high. You will then approach the valley of the Alpenrhein. From here, you will quickly reach the principality of Liechtenstein, where numerous, impressive castles decorate the valley.Sample Hotels:
Vaduzer Hof
Landhaus Am Giessen VaduzDay 6: Vaduz - St. Gallen, 37 mi. (60 km) + train ride
Today's route will begin by following along the banks of the Rhine, and then a cog railway will bring you through Appenzell countryside to Gais. Alpen meadows and cows, like those found in children’s books, will accompany you on your way to St. Gallen which is home to one of the former, most important monasteries in the region. The library here is a UNESCO world heritage site.Sample Hotels:
Hotel Metropol
Hotel Einstein
Sorell Hotel City WeissensteinDay 7: St. Gallen - Arbon - Constance, 28 mi. (45 km)
You will cycle downhill towards Lake Constance today, which you will reach at the town of Arbon. From here you will bike along the shoreline through Swiss villages and apple orchards on towards Constance.Sample Hotels:
ABC Hotel
Apartment Hotel
Ibis Konstanz
Waldhaus JakobDay 8: Individual return home or extension of your trip.
After breakfast, your cycling tour through four countries comes to an end.Map
Hotels & Bikes
You will be accommodated in 3-star hotels during your tour. Twin rooms are generally not available but have double beds with two separate mattresses. In each day’s detailed itinerary you will find the name of the preferred hotel(s). We strongly advise that you research the hotels listed and are satisfied with the accommodations. If the preferred hotels listed are not available, you will be informed and can make a decision accordingly, to proceed with the booking or cancel your reservation. However, if the hotel(s) listed are available, the tour will be confirmed and subject to the terms and conditions of the booking.
Bicycles
Men & women’s city touring bike
City touring bike
- 27 gear unisex or men's frame custom made by Velo de Ville
- Men's bikes from a body height of 1.75 m
- Anti-puncture Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires
- Hub dynamo
- Luggage rack
- Comfortable saddle
- Weight approx. 17 kg
*Please note: Saddles and pedals on rental bikes can only be changed in Constance with prior notice at our partner's workshop. There are no guarantees that private/personal equipment will fit.
Accessories
- Pannier
- Handlebar bag
- Odometer
- Bike lock
- Repair kit (one per booking)
- Pump
Electric bike
For those who would like to have the support of a motor when they're out and about, these stable and reliable e-bikes are recommended. The electric support can be added as you need it to assist with longer stretches or hilly sections.
- Pedelec (pedal assist)
- Deep step-through frame or men's frame custom made by Velo de Ville
- Upright riding position
- Minimum body height: 150 cm
- Maximum body height: 200 cm
- Bosch drive, 400 or 500 Watt, 21 Ampere/hour.
- Integrated push assistance
- Assistance modes: Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo
- Freewheel disc brakes/hydraulic rim brakes
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tires
- Weight: 25 kg
*Please note that the saddles and pedals are not interchangeable on electric bikes.
Accessories
- Pannier
- Handlebar bag
- Odometer
- Bike lock
- Repair kit (one per booking)
- Pump
Sporty bike - 30 gear
Sporty bike featuring:
- Sporty seating position
- 30-speed Shimano XT derailleur gears
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Suspension seat post
- Trapezoidal frame: suitable for body sizes from 1.60 m to 1.80 m
- Diamond frame: suitable for body sizes from 1.75 m to 1.95
Accessories
- Pannier
- Odometer
- Bike lock
- Repair kit (one per booking)
- Pump
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations in 3-star hotels. (The majority of hotels have only double bed rooms.)
- Breakfasts
- 27 gear touring bicycle
- Bike Protection
- Luggage transportation (max. weight 44 lbs / 20 kg per piece)
- Route descriptions & maps (1 set per room)
- Entrance to the Rosgarten museum in Constance, incl. 1 coffee
- Boat trip to the Rhine Falls Rock
- Train from Altstätten - Gais incl. bicycle
- Boat transfer Weesen - Walenstadt incl. bicycle
- GPS tracks available on request
- Service hotline available from 8 am to 8 pm
What’s Not Included
- Individual arrival to Constance
- Remaining meals
- Train ride on day 3 Rümlang – Zürich, approx. 15 CHF per person incl. bike
- City tax, if applicable (to be paid at each hotel) approximately €2 per person per night
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Sunday arrivals between April 14 to May 31 and September 29 to October 19, 2024
Daily arrivals from June 1 to September 28, 2024
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
Pricing
Season A
April 14 to April 19 | October 6 to October 19$ 2052 £ 1070 $ 1,828 € 1223 kr 187261 ₪ 5091 ¥ 208246 Mex$ 23022 NZ$ 2246 NOK 14674 zł 5382 S$ 1819 kr 14565 $ 1,338 Season B
April 20 to April 30 | September 15 to October 5$ 2303 £ 1201 $ 2,052 € 1373 kr 210228 ₪ 5715 ¥ 233788 Mex$ 25846 NZ$ 2522 NOK 16473 zł 6042 S$ 2042 kr 16351 $ 1,502 Season C
May 1 to May 6 | May 12 to May 14 | May 20 to May 25 | June 2 to June 29 | August 18 to September 14$ 2555 £ 1332 $ 2,276 € 1523 kr 233195 ₪ 6340 ¥ 259329 Mex$ 28670 NZ$ 2797 NOK 18273 zł 6703 S$ 2265 kr 18137 $ 1,666 Season D
May 7 to May 11 | May 15 to May 19 | May 26 to June 1 | June 30 to August 17$ 2723 £ 1420 $ 2,426 € 1623 kr 248507 ₪ 6756 ¥ 276356 Mex$ 30552 NZ$ 2981 NOK 19473 zł 7143 S$ 2414 kr 19328 $ 1,776 Single supplement* $ 586 £ 305 $ 522 € 349 kr 53437 ₪ 1453 ¥ 59426 Mex$ 6570 NZ$ 641 NOK 4187 zł 1536 S$ 519 kr 4156 $ 382 Important to know: Rooms typically have a double bed. Twin bed rooms are generally not available in every hotel. If your booking is contingent upon you having twin bed rooms in every hotel, please inform us accordingly. We will do our best to accommodate but cannot guarantee confirmation of this tour.
Extra Options
Bike rental options
Electric Bike: $ 268 £ 140 $ 239 € 160 kr 24499 ₪ 666 ¥ 27244 Mex$ 3012 NZ$ 294 NOK 1920 zł 704 S$ 238 kr 1905 $ 175
Sporty Bike (30-gear): $ 117 £ 61 $ 105 € 70 kr 10718 ₪ 291 ¥ 11919 Mex$ 1318 NZ$ 129 NOK 840 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 834 $ 77
Fenced parking spot in Constance (must be reserved and paid for in advance): $ 75 £ 39 $ 67 € 45 kr 6890 ₪ 187 ¥ 7662 Mex$ 847 NZ$ 83 NOK 540 zł 198 S$ 67 kr 536 $ 49
Child/Teen bike or trailer: $ 82 £ 43 $ 73 € 49 kr 7503 ₪ 204 ¥ 8343 Mex$ 922 NZ$ 90 NOK 588 zł 216 S$ 73 kr 584 $ 54
Child seat: Free
Extra nights
Zürich/Lachen/Schaffhausen/St. Gallen/Vaduz
Double: $ 166 £ 87 $ 148 € 99 kr 15158 ₪ 412 ¥ 16857 Mex$ 1864 NZ$ 182 NOK 1188 zł 436 S$ 147 kr 1179 $ 108
Single room: $ 250 £ 130 $ 223 € 149 kr 22814 ₪ 620 ¥ 25371 Mex$ 2805 NZ$ 274 NOK 1788 zł 656 S$ 222 kr 1774 $ 163
Adding additional nights will not change your tour start day. Official tour start day is always Day 1 on your itinerary.
Children's discount on request.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy self-guided hotel tour with variable daily distances from approximately 19 to 41 miles, mainly along bike paths and separate cycle routes. The route is mainly flat but you will encounter hills in Appenzeller Land.
Airport Info
Fly to Zürich Airport (ZRH), the largest international airport in Switzerland.
Local Travel
Zürich Airport has a railway station located directly under the terminal building and has excellent railway links. From Zürich Airport to Constance (Konstanz) by train, is approximately one hour and depending on time of departure, is either a direct train or will require on transfer.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival.
Remarks
Bike pick up takes place at the office of Radweg Reisen in Constance daily between 9 am and 7 pm. On request, bikes can be delivered to your starting hotel but you forego a personalized bike adjustment. At the end of your tour, bikes can be returned to the office in Constance or left at the last hotel.
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
Extra nights are available in Constance. Please ask!
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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