Prague to Dresden - A Tale of Two Rivers
Czech Republic, Germany Bike Tours
Cycling along the Vltava and Elbe Rivers
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length7 days
- Prices from€730 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This bike tour in the Czech Republic and Germany from Prague to Dresden follows the flow of the Vltava and Elbe Rivers, through beautiful countryside, picturesque towns, and scenic parks. If you have biked the Danube and want something very similar, this is for you. The bike paths are well developed, flat, and very scenic and reveal centuries of history every day.
From the stout sandstone columns and cliffs of Bohemian Switzerland to the peaceful vineyards of Mělník, from the reality of the concentration camp, Terezin, to the silent, ancient volcanoes of the Middle Highlands, this trip will create profound memories and rich impressions. All this lies between two medieval capitals of utmost significance, Prague, "City of a Hundred Spires" and Dresden, every corner filled with recent and ancient stories!
As a bonus, you can enjoy a boat trip or hiking in the Czech Saxon Switzerland!
Highlights
- Picturesque towns of Melnik, Litomerice, & Bad Schandau
- Czech-Saxon Switzerland Natural Park
- Romantic region of former volcanoes of the Czech Middle Mountains
- Unesco Dresden Valley
- Vltava and Elbe River basins
Interesting in more bike tours in the Czech Republic?
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Prague
Day 2: Prague - Melnik, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 3: Melnik - Litomerice, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 4: Litomerice - Decin, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 5: Decin - Czech Saxon Switzerland - Bad Schandau, cycling 10 mi. (25 km) - additional cycling or hiking
Day 6: Bad Schandau - Dresden, 30 mi. (40 km)
Day 7: DresdenAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, on the route, you may find temporary deviations/detours due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the local directions posted on site.
Day 1: Arrival in Prague
After arriving in Prague and checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is up to you to explore Prague on your own. You can either relax or have a unique Prague by bike tour (not included in the tour price). The tour is guided by tour guides born and raised here who truly love the city. Perhaps you might want to think of booking an extra night before the tour as there is also opportunity for a bike tour to Karlstejn Castle or other one day excursions to important places of the Czech Republic (Cesky Krumlov, Kutná Hora, Karlovey, Vary, or Terezin. Please ask us for additional details about this tour! Be sure to end your day with a mug of good local beer.Preferred accommodations:
Standard: 4 * Denisa Hotel
Premium: Waldstein MonasteryDay 2: Prague - Melnik, 33 mi. (53 km)
Despite the first small ascent, today's route follows a nice trail to Melnik, the heart of the Czech wine region. Just before leaving Prague, pass the Troja Baroque Castle and continue to the North following the bank of the Vltava River. The river creates very interesting rock formations and deep valleys. Highlights of today include visits to castles in Nelahozeves and Veltrusy. End the day in Melnik with a glass of good wine from the region.Preferred accommodations:
Standard: 3 * Jaro Hotel
Premium: U RytířůDay 3: Melnik - Litomerice, 32 mi. (52 km)
Today’s route is fairly flat and leads through a calm Elbe region, one of the most fertile regions in the Czech Republic. At the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe Rivers, the river gains strength and slowly becomes a European major waterway. After passing the Libechov Castle, you'll arrive in the town of Roudnice nad Labem where you can admire an old church and a castle.From Roudnice it is only a short bike ride to the impressive 18th-century fortress of Terezín, also used as a Jewish concentration camp during the Second World War, bearing witness to the dark side of the 20th-century. The massive bastion of stone and bricks was built in 1780 by Emperor Joseph II to keep the Prussians back, and could accommodate up to 11,000 solders. The fortress was never used in wartime, instead, it was turned into a prison in the mid 19th century. In 1940, the Gestapo established a prison in the lesser fortress. The following year, all townspeople were evicted from the Main Fortress to accommodate a transit camp for European Jews. In total more than 140,000 passed through Terezin, 33,000 died and 88,000 were sent to Auschwitz. Less than 17,500 remained alive when the Red Army liberated the camp on 9th May.
Tickets can be purchased at the Museum of the Ghetto, or at each of the other venues and cost €180 for combination entry to the museum of the Ghetto, Magdeburg barracks, the Crematorium, and the Lesser fortress, or less for individual venues only. The museum has good multilingual self-guide and guides for hire. Since Terezín is located only 4 km from the overnight town of Litomerice, you can be very vlexible in regards to visiting this site.
More information can be found here.
The day concludes in the old town of Litomerice, a spiritual center of the region.
Preferred accommodations:
Standard: U Svatého Václava B & B
Premium: Salva Guarda
Day 4: Litomerice - Decin, 33 mi. (53 km)
Today is reserved for exploration of the romantic countryside of the Czech Middle Mountains. Even though this region is very hilly, the route mainly follows the banks of the Elbe River with hills with several old ruins surrounding you. This former volcanic region had always been an ideal terrain for building castles and fortresses, many of which have not been preserved. The Strekov Castle, which was built on top of a steep rock cliff, belongs among one of the most romantic castles in the Czech Republic. After an optional, strenuous climb, you will be rewarded by a magnificent view from its walls. The final point of this stage will be the Northern Gate of the Czech Republic and the town of Decin, which has the lowest altitude in the Czech Republic.Preferred accommodations:
Standard: Česká Koruna in 3* rooms
Premium: Česká Koruna in 4* RoomsDay 5: Decin - Czech Saxon Switzerland - Bad Schandau, cycling 10 mi. (25 km) - additional cycling or hiking
You'll have two choices today, you can choose to cycle or take a boat to Hřensko. This border town is situated in the heart of the Czech-Saxon Switzerland National Park and offers many attractive activities. If you enjoy hiking, you will want to take advantage of the touristic trails leading through the scenery of the rocky towns, and the mesas, passes, deep gorges, and hillsides. You'll also admire the wonder of the Pravcicka Gate, no doubt, the biggest natural rock bridge in Europe.Take a boat through the passes of Kamenice River or continue your bike tour on one of many marked bike trails through this wonderful country, or combine a boat trip with a ride through a romantic valley on a historical tram in Bad Schandau. After saying goodbye to the Czech Republic, cross the border to Germany just on the edge of the historic spa town of Bad Schandau.
Preferred accommodations:
Standard: Hotel Sigl's
Premium: Erbgericht ParkhotelDay 6: Bad Schandau - Dresden, 30 mi. (40 km)
This day is packed with historical sites! After leaving Bad Schandau, visit the Königstein Fortress and see the beautiful rock formation with a romantic rock bridge and Bastei Ruin. An optional hike to this unique, natural wonder is one of the highlights of this whole tour! It is definitely worth it and you'll be rewarded by an unforgettable panoramic view. As you continue cycling a few more kilometers by the town of Pirna, you will enter the region of the Dresden Valley. There are several beautiful castles and museums of music masters, such as Karl Maria Weber and Richard Wagner. Today's final destination is Dresden. There is probably no other town in Germany which better symbolizes the turbulent history of this country and shows many centuries of cultural and architectural boom combined with religious freedom and economic prosperity. A short admiration of Nazism was followed by a cruel punishment in the form of the biggest bombing during World War II, which turned almost the entire city into ruins overnight. After-the-war resurrection into forty years of communistic unimportance is followed by twenty years of renewal and reconstruction. Thanks to this renovation of the entire city, today you can admire the beauties of this place, which earned the nickname of “Florence upon Elbe”.
If you have booked the guided tour, you will say farewell to your guide(s).Preferred accommodations:
Standard: Nichtraucher Hotel Privat or Alttolkewitzer Hof
Premium: InnsideDay 7: Dresden
The official end of tour. You can always extend your stay to further explore Dresden. On request we can organize a transfer to Prague/Berlin by car/train or prolong your stay for an extra day. It is definitely worth it! (you can also do one-day loop trip to visit nearby Meissen and Moritzburg chateau!) Accommodations, guided city tours, and transfers can be arranged!Looking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
You will be accommodated in 3 and 4-star hotels during your tour. In each day’s detailed itinerary you will find the name of the preferred hotel. If the hotel listed is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered. Please note that the final hotel list will be based on availability. Premium accommodation upgrade is possible, but only on self-guided tours or special guided group bookings.
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 6 nights in chosen hotel category
- Breakfasts
- Welcome meeting
- Detailed maps & route descriptions
- 24-speed bicycle rental with helmet, handlebar bag, pannier, mudguards, & bike bell
- Luggage transfer
- Telephone support
- Dinners (except on day 1)
- Water and snacks during cycling
- Tour guide
- Support vehicle
What’s Not Included
- Lunches
- Dinners on self-guided tour
- Dinner on Day 1 of guided tour
- Entrance fees to museums, castles, chateaux, etc
- Bicycle protection
- Trip Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2021
Guided
Saturday departures
May 8, May 29, June 26, July 24, August 14, September 11, & October 2, 2021
All dates are confirmed departures. Other guided dates can be organized for groups of 6 or moreSelf-Guided
Daily departures
April 15 through October 30, 2021
Minimum of 2 people required to confirm a self-guided date, solo travelers will incur an additional supplement.
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Guided
Standard accommodations Twin/double $ 1651 £ 919 $ 1,590 € 1038 NZ$ 1778 kr 10727 $ 1,272 Single supplement $ 251 £ 140 $ 242 € 158 NZ$ 271 kr 1633 $ 194 Premium accommodations Twin/double $ 1914 £ 1065 $ 1,843 € 1203 NZ$ 2061 kr 12433 $ 1,474 Single supplement $ 262 £ 146 $ 253 € 165 NZ$ 283 kr 1705 $ 202 Self-Guided
Standard accommodations Twin/double $ 1161 £ 646 $ 1,119 € 730 NZ$ 1250 kr 7544 $ 895 Single supplement $ 251 £ 140 $ 242 € 158 NZ$ 271 kr 1633 $ 194 Premium accommodations Twin/double $ 1424 £ 793 $ 1,371 € 895 NZ$ 1533 kr 9250 $ 1,097 Single supplement $ 262 £ 146 $ 253 € 165 NZ$ 283 kr 1705 $ 202 Extra Options
Bikes
Electric bicycle rental: $ 100 £ 56 $ 97 € 63 NZ$ 108 kr 651 $ 77 Premium road bicycle rental: $ 41 £ 23 $ 40 € 26 NZ$ 45 kr 269 $ 32
Dinners included
Standard accommodations: $ 186 £ 104 $ 179 € 117 NZ$ 200 kr 1209 $ 143 Premium accommodations: $ 239 £ 133 $ 230 € 150 NZ$ 257 kr 1550 $ 184
Extra nights
Prague High Season* Low Season Standard double/twin room $ 100 £ 56 $ 97 € 63 NZ$ 108 kr 651 $ 77 $ 92 £ 51 $ 89 € 58 NZ$ 99 kr 599 $ 71 Standard single room $ 165 £ 92 $ 159 € 104 NZ$ 178 kr 1075 $ 127 $ 150 £ 83 $ 144 € 94 NZ$ 161 kr 971 $ 115 Premium double/twin room $ 130 £ 73 $ 126 € 82 NZ$ 140 kr 847 $ 100 $ 113 £ 63 $ 109 € 71 NZ$ 122 kr 734 $ 87 Premium single room $ 208 £ 116 $ 201 € 131 NZ$ 224 kr 1354 $ 161 $ 192 £ 107 $ 185 € 121 NZ$ 207 kr 1250 $ 148 Dresden High Season* Low Season Standard double/twin room $ 95 £ 53 $ 92 € 60 NZ$ 103 kr 620 $ 74 $ 87 £ 49 $ 84 € 55 NZ$ 94 kr 568 $ 67 Standard single room $ 154 £ 86 $ 149 € 97 NZ$ 166 kr 1002 $ 119 $ 148 £ 82 $ 142 € 93 NZ$ 159 kr 961 $ 114 Premium double/twin room $ 134 £ 74 $ 129 € 84 NZ$ 144 kr 868 $ 103 $ 116 £ 65 $ 112 € 73 NZ$ 125 kr 754 $ 89 Premium single room $ 242 £ 135 $ 233 € 152 NZ$ 260 kr 1571 $ 186 $ 208 £ 116 $ 201 € 131 NZ$ 224 kr 1354 $ 161 *High season: April, May, & June & September & October
Guided bike tour of Prague
2 people: $ 72 £ 40 $ 69 € 45 NZ$ 77 kr 465 $ 55 4 people: $ 64 £ 35 $ 61 € 40 NZ$ 69 kr 413 $ 49 6 people: $ 56 £ 31 $ 54 € 35 NZ$ 60 kr 362 $ 43
(E-bike surcharge): $ 16 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 NZ$ 17 kr 103 $ 12
Transfers
Airport/Railway station to hotel in Prague (price is per person)
1-3 people: $ 48 £ 27 $ 46 € 30 NZ$ 51 kr 310 $ 37 4-8 people: $ 64 £ 35 $ 61 € 40 NZ$ 69 kr 413 $ 49
From Dresden to Prague (total cost)
1-3 people: $ 239 £ 133 $ 230 € 150 NZ$ 257 kr 1550 $ 184 4-8 people: $ 318 £ 177 $ 306 € 200 NZ$ 343 kr 2067 $ 245Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy self-guided or guided bike tour with average daily distances between 30 and 33 miles. The route itself follows the rivers on dedicated cycle paths and silent back roads mostly through lush green, open countryside, passing by vineyards and through quaint villages. The first day has a small ascent, otherwise the route is relatively flat. Palaces and castles pop up every now and then, enticing you to take a closer look. This tour is also wonderful for families with children.
Airport Info
The closest international airport to your tour start in Prague is Václav Havel Airport (PRA), located 20 km from the city center.
Local Travel
The journey from the airport to the city center takes around 25 - 30 minutes by taxi or up to one hour by public transportation.
Public Transportation
The most convenient mode of public transportation from the airport to the city center is the Airport Express Bus. The bus station is at the parking lot right in front of Terminal 1. Tickets cost 60 CZK for adults and you can buy them at the terminal or directly from the bus driver. The bus terminates at Prague Main Station (Praha Hlavni Nadrazi).
Taxi
Fix Taxi (metered white taxis) are recommended and available at the airport. The company provides taxi service at guaranteed tariff prices which are equal to the maximum prices allowed for taxi services in Prague. Fees start at 40 CZK plus 28 CZK per kilometer, plus 6 CZK per minute waiting in traffic based on the number of km traveled. The estimated price from the airport to the city center is around 650 CAK to 700 CZK.Climate
The climate in the region is considered continental, with varying temperatures that are cooler and temperate. Please check local conditions before your arrival and don’t forget your raingear.
Recommended
We highly recommend a guided city bike tour of Prague. See pricing. We also suggest an extra day in Czech Saxony Swiss National Park, a sandstone paradise, perfect for walking and biking.
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
At the end of your tour in Dresden, you can request a transfer back to Prague or to Berlin by car or train or, prolong your stay. We think it is worth it! In Prague, you can enjoy a Prague by Bike tour and also do a one day bike tour to Karlštejn. If you are extending your stay in Dresden, you can bike to the nearby Meissen and Moritzburg Chateau to see more of the beautiful Elbe Valley. Accommodations, guided city tours, and transfers can be arranged!
Tour Operator
This tour is run by EBT.
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
Reviews
Phil M.
1 year agoVerified Reviewer
Maria O.
1 year agoVerified Reviewer
Horst K.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Teresa I.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
John C.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Paula G.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Peter L.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Margie H.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Heather W.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Rebeca I.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Con D.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Christopher Patrick O.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Trevor A.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Barry R.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Cody D.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Lyudmila S.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Sue & Fred H.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Elizabeth C.
2 years agoVerified Reviewer
Jenny B.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
Sherry
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
Lindsay Z.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
Brad C.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
Josephine S.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
Barbara
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
Dianne W.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
Ileana G.
3 years agoVerified Reviewer
Patricia M.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
Ileana G.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
Csop G.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
Ana Karla Oliveira
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
Csop Glew
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
Alan G.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
Cheryl W.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
Carolyn Gammel
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
Amanda Uthe
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
Phil M.
1 year ago
Verified Reviewer
Maria O.
1 year ago
Verified Reviewer