Discover our limited seasonal offers and travel Europe at its most beautiful
Find your tourLevel 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
The duration of the tour
Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
During this cycling holiday you will follow the rivers Rhine and Moselle from Amsterdam to Cochem. The history of the region along the banks of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers dates back to the Roman Era, some 2000 or so years ago. You will see and feel the rich history of these majestic rivers, from Roman times to the Industrial Revolution, and from WWII to German reunification. In the Netherlands you will cycle through flat, peaceful, farming countryside with the famous windmills along the way. Later on, in Germany, you follow the Rhine upstream, through cities like Ruhrort and DΓΌsseldorf. Next stop is Cologne, once one of the most important centers of the Holy Roman Empire. Cologneβs landmark is, of course, its monumental Dom cathedral, β¦
Monday to Friday
Amsterdam: 08:30 to 22:00
New York: 6:00AM to 7:00PM
During this cycling holiday you will follow the rivers Rhine and Moselle from Amsterdam to Cochem. The history of the region along the banks of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers dates back to the Roman Era, some 2000 or so years ago. You will see and feel the rich history of these majestic rivers, from Roman times to the Industrial Revolution, and from WWII to German reunification.
In the Netherlands you will cycle through flat, peaceful, farming countryside with the famous windmills along the way. Later on, in Germany, you follow the Rhine upstream, through cities like Ruhrort and DΓΌsseldorf. Next stop is Cologne, once one of the most important centers of the Holy Roman Empire. Cologneβs landmark is, of course, its monumental Dom cathedral, situated right next to the cityβs central station and railway bridge across the Rhine. Then you bike through a more romantic section of the Rhine valley, with strongholds, mansions and the first vineyards appearing on the hills. You will visit Koblenz, a lively and interesting city, where the Rhine and the Mosel converge. Your last day of cycling is along the Moselle river. You cycle through this magical region with its culturally rich towns and cities, soak up the sights of untouched nature and endless vineyards.
One thing is clear: youβll never be short of exciting things to do and see as you journey along the Rhine and Moselle.
The ship: Your floating hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. Youβll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. Itβs also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking.
Fully Guided
Accompanied by a competent, professional and multilingual tour leader, you and the group will visit interesting sights and places on the daily cycling tours. During the bike tour, they will explain the local history and culture behind the things you encounter along the way.
Tip for a two-week journey:
It is possible to combine two beautiful tours to create a particularly diverse 15-day boat and bike holiday. The week after this tour the ship will continue through the beautiful Moselle river valley into France. Partly in Germany, partly in Luxembourg and partly in France, along endless vineyards and the enchanting old cities like Bernkastel, Trier, Saarburg and Metz. You can find more information here
Embarkation in Amsterdam is at 2 pm. Please be sure to arrive on time! Following a welcome meeting with the crew, the barge will depart immediately. Dinner is served while sailing on the Amsterdam β Rhine Canal. Tonight, the ship brings us to dock at Wijk bij Duurstede; one of the oldest settlements in the lowlands.
Enjoy breakfast while sailing. Today your cycling tour will start in Wageningen. You follow a route over the high Veluwe nature reserve. You cycle through heathland and forest. The Netherlands is known for being flat but here you will find some slight natural height difference in the landscape (by Dutch standards). This was formed in the last Ice Age. In this period the βHoge Veluweβ area was right on the edge of the ice. In the afternoon we ride to Arnhem where we meet the barge. During dinner, the ship will sail upstream into Germany. Destination for the night is Rees.
The barge departs early this morning and over breakfast we sail to Wesel, where we disembark. Today we focus on the Ruhr area where Germany, and possibly Europeβs, largest industries are located. Cities like Essen, Duisburg, Oberhausen and Dortmund are intertwined together through a maze of highways, railways and waterways. This region was once very prosperous and therefore a target in 1923, when French and Belgian troops tried to occupy it to enforce Prussiaβs WWI reparation payments. From 1944-45 the Ruhr was also a top target for the Allies. After so much conflict and industry itβs hard to imagine that you can cycle here, but you can! The German government put a lot of effort into redeveloping the area after the closure of many factories. It may not always be scenic, but itβs an impressive and evolving post-industrial landscape not to be missed when visiting the Rhine. However, as we donβt want to cycle too long past factories, the ship picks us up at Duisburg and takes us on to DΓΌsseldorf. We dine while sailing. In the evening thereβs time to visit the Altstadt, where you can try the famous local dark beer, Altbier. Youβll be amazed what an international city DΓΌsseldorf is, with foreigners comprising almost a fifth of the population.
The bike tour starts from DΓΌsseldorf. There is also the option to start biking a bit later in the morning from Zons. We leave the Ruhr behind as we cycle towards Cologne. Today we follow the Rhine closely in order to arrive in Cologne early enough for some afternoon exploring. Founded by the Romans, Cologne is the oldest of Germanyβs larger cities. In 50 AD it was already granted city status as a gift from the Roman empress Agrippina. Later, Cologne became one of the most important centers of the Holy Roman Empire. Its landmark is, of course, the Dom cathedral, located right next to the central station and railway bridge crossing the Rhine. Construction on the cathedral began in 1248 and was only completed in 1880! The city was almost completely destroyed in Allied bombings of 1944-1945. The city hall however, dating from 1330, has been beautifully restored. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants of Cologne.
Today we follow the river again by bike in order to reach Bonn in time to explore West Germanyβs capital from 1945 until 1990. Berlin was re-established as capital after Germanyβs reunification, but Bonn continues to house six governmental departments. Like Cologne, Bonn was founded by the Romans, around the year 10 BC, as it was a good site to bridge the Rhine. Worth visiting are the old City Hall, the MΓΌnster Basilica, and the house where Beethoven was born. After dinner you can join a city walk through Bonn.
During breakfast we sail to Remagen. Your cycling tour starts here, but first thereβs time to explore this townβs rich historical past. Nowadays itβs best known for its once-famous Ludendorff Bridge, the only functional Rhine bridge captured by Americans in Operation Lumberjack in March 1945. After Remagen, a more romantic section of the Rhine valley begins with castle keeps, mansions and the first vineyards at the foothills of central Germany. We pass the beloved bathing resort of Bad Breisig and also Burg Rheineck. This stronghold, set in stunning scenery, dates back to 1100. We visit Andernach, once a Roman settlement. Itβs still a wonderful town with many historical sites. Shortly after Andernach we arrive in Koblenz. Its name comes from the Latin confluentes, meaning the merging of two rivers (the Rhine and Moselle). The statue of Emperor Wilhelm of Prussia at the intersection of the two rivers is an impressive landmark. Koblenz is a city cozily rebuilt after the damages of the Second World War.
We start the day by cruising to Alken where youβll set out by bike to Moselkern. The village of Moselkern is famous for its castle Burg Eltz. This stronghold is one of the most impressive medieval buildings of Western Europe. Itβs not easy to reach though, you need to hike the last section to reach the castle. After visiting Burg Eltz, you continue the bike tour to Cochem, one of the Moselle regionβs most frequently visited wine towns. Cochem is a cozy traditional town full of wine cellars and half-timbered houses.
Today marks the end of your tour. After enjoying a hearty breakfast youβll say your last goodbyes, and can disembark anytime up until 9.30 a.m.
The rental bikes on our ships are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. These are stable and dependable bikes, good for miles in the saddle. Decide which kind of bike you want to rent and simply fill in your preference with your reservation. Weβll make sure you get the right bike for you. On most of our tours, the bike rental cost is not included in the tourβs price.
Every Boat Bike Tour rental bike is well equipped. The bikes consist of a lightweight aluminum frame and have highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds, an adjustable gel seat, normal flat pedals (no clips), an easy-to-use lock attached to the frame, and special puncture-resistant tires. All told, this is a light, stable and reliable bike, very suitable for touring long distances pleasantly.
Our e-bikes also have at least seven speeds and handbrakes. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame, and sport anti-puncture tires. Note that some of the ships have their own bikes on board. They may look a bit different, but qualitatively they are equal to Boat Bike Toursβs e-bikes.
Bicycle helmets
The use of bicycle helmets is not required in the Netherlands, but for safetyβs sake they are suggested. If you wish to rent one, you can do so during the booking process. If you book a premium tour and rent a bike or e-bike, then the helmet and a βlimit of liability for damage or lossβ for your bike or e-bike is included in the rental price.
Other rental items
Other items such as childrenβs bikes, tandems, family tandems (child & adult), tag-along, trailers to carry toddlers and child seats are available on request.
Taking your own bike or e-bike?
The fee for parking your own bicycle is β¬10 per week. For an e-bike the fee is β¬25 to cover parking and charging the battery. For safety reasons it is not always possible to charge your e-bike batteries in your cabin. The crew will tell you where you can charge the battery on board the ship. Neither the crew nor Boat Bike tours is responsible in any way for any damage, loss or theft of a guestβs own bike or e-bike or its accessories. Note: not all the ships are suitable or have enough room for extra bikes, so make sure you check with us well ahead of travel.
Our bicycles have a lightweight aluminum frame and are furnished with highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds and a gel seat whose height can be adjusted. Attached to the frame is an easy-to-use lock and the wheels carry puncture-resistant tires.
Our e-bikes also have highly-responsive handbrakes and a minimum of seven speeds. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame and special anti-puncture tires.
It is possible to take your own bike or e-bike with you, as long as it doesnβt have mirrors or other elements that stick out. Thereβs only limited space available on board for guestsβ bikes. You can reserve a place for your bike for a small fee. Boat Bike tours is not responsible for damage to your bike or for theft.
2026:
Explore our Loyalty Discount!
After your tour, youβll receive an exclusive discount code:
Check your post-tour email for details. You can combine this discount with other promotions for additional savings. Join us again for another adventure by boat and bike!
From the Rhine and Moselle to the Main and Saar, youβll cycle through fairytale towns, medieval fortresses and rolling hills while enjoying authentic German hospitality. Savor world-class wines and hearty beer gardens along the way, and discover more tours in Germany.
The Netherlands is a paradise for cycling and sailing enthusiasts. Discover more tours in the Netherlands with routes through tulip fields, historic cities, and scenic countryside.
| 5 star | 3 (60%) | |
| 4 star | 0 (0%) | |
| 3 star | 1 (20%) | |
| 2 star | 1 (20%) | |
| 1 star | 0 (0%) |
The food was fantastic. Chef Roger was awesome. Dinners were delicious. Each day after our bike travels the crew set out a gorgeous and delicious snack. Our every need was meant by Jolene and Daniel. We met the first Captain and saw him on the first day. He left partly through our journey. The second Captain was amazing! He actually helped out the crew doing dishes behind the bar! And was always around for conversation. He was first class. We also loved the size of the boat. To only have 32 people and Not hundreds was a benefit. And yes, we will be going again! I think the only downside to the trip we would ve liked to have had more independence in biking.
Thank you for your review. Weβre glad to hear you enjoyed the atmosphere on board, the meals, and the crewβs support throughout the trip. It s nice to know the smaller group size suited you well and contributed to your experience. We ve noted your feedback about the desire for more independence during the rides we also offer semi-guided tours and would be happy to recommend you some of these tours. We look forward to welcoming you on board again! Kind regards, Boat Bike Tours
Advertise the trip as a repo tour, and reduce the price, or start the first trip from Cologne. The first few days were boring, cycling through industrial estates and time bound. There was very little time for village tours, and the villages were too few & far between. Due to Pentecost holidays very little was open, start times delayed and missed stops. It was obvious no one had cycled this trip for a long time due to detours, and dangerous ramping at times. Only e-bikes should be used, and training for new e-bike users. Franklin the guide tried desperately to come up with resolutions. I would not recommend this trip. Please note the tour started in Amsterdam, these first three days should be removed from the tour.
Hi Jen, Thank you for your feedback. Weβre sorry to hear the start of the Cologne to Metz tour didn t meet your expectations. While this was a repositioning tour, it should still offer an enjoyable and well-balanced experience we re sorry it fell short in this case. Your comments about the route, timing, and bike use are very helpful and will be reviewed internally. We d love to welcome you again, perhaps on our tour from Metz to Cochem, which offers a different and more scenic experience.
The overall experience was disappointing and did not meet our expectations. The trip we took was as actually a repositioning cruise which we were not aware of prior to boarding. Consequently we feel the trip commenced in Cologne, days later not Amsterdam where we boarded. The staff on board did an exceptional job with clean & comfortable cabins. Our guides seemed inexperienced in the route taken. At one point I was left stranded, by myself, on the outskirts of an unfamiliar town for 30 minutes waiting for the second group of the tour to arrive. This was due to a breakdown in communication between the two guides. This particular cruise I would not recommend to my family & friends.
Hi Hank, Thank you for sharing your feedback. Weβre truly sorry to hear that this trip did not meet your expectations. While it was indeed a repositioning cruise, it should still offer a smooth and enjoyable experience we regret that this was not the case. We understand your frustration about the lack of clear communication regarding the start point and the incident where you were left waiting alone. This should not have happened, and we re following up with our guide team to ensure better coordination in the future. We re glad to hear you appreciated the efforts of the onboard staff and the comfort of the cabins. We hope you might give us another chance for example, on our Metz to Cochem route, which many guests find more scenic and better paced.
Guides and all the staff were great. Barge was beautiful! Biking was on well maintained bikes and in interesting areas!
Thank you for your kind words! Weβre so happy to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful barge, the well-maintained bikes, and the interesting biking routes. Our guides and staff will be thrilled to know they made your experience special! Kind regards, Boat Bike Tours
Discover the best of Holland & Flanders
Fine German wines and rich Roman history
Receive new tours and travelling inspiration
Real stories and experiences from guests and guides β weekly inspiration in your inbox.
Our Tour Advisors are here to assist you:β¨Monday to Friday
Amsterdam: 08:30 to 22:00
New York: 6:00AM to 7:00PM
NL: +31 (0) 20 72 35 400
USA: +1 203 814 1249
with Visa, Bancontact, American Express & Mastercard
About tours, cities and countries.
Β© 2026 Boat Bike Tours B.V. All information on this website is subject to change. Any typographical and/or graphical errors are unintentional but cannot be excluded; only your travel confirmation is legally binding. Our General Traveller Terms and Conditions for package tours apply to all trips, programs, offers and travel confirmations.
Boat Bike Tours B.V. does not participate in a dispute resolution procedure before a consumer arbitration board.
Texts and images: copyright owned by Boat Bike Tours B.V. Images: Intellectual property rights may be held by various organizations.
This website is owned and operated by Boat Bike Tours B.V. Our contact details (head office): Aambeeldstraat 20, 1021 KB Amsterdam, The Netherlands, [email protected], Chamber of Commerce number: 37147084, VAT number: NL8203.26.513.B01
Please fill out the form below to receive tailored offers according to your preferences and availability. After completing the form, you will receive your personalized offers via email. You can expect a response within 48 hours on business days. Please enter your information. The required fields are marked with an * .
"*" indicates required fields
