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Medieval castle on a forested hillside overlooking the Rhine River near Koblenz. The river curves through green hills under a blue sky.

Bike cruise on the Rhine: Mainz-Koblenz

8 Days / 7 Nights
Easy
Medieval castle on a forested hillside overlooking the Rhine River near Koblenz. The river curves through green hills under a blue sky.

The essentials at a glance

Cruise the Rhine from Mainz to Koblenz on this easy self-guided bike and boat tour. Cycle approximately 160 km over 6 days through the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, passing vineyards, historic castles like Marksburg and Stolzenfels, and charming wine towns including Rüdesheim and Nierstein. The route follows mostly flat, traffic-free paths along the river, with full board accommodation on board.

Your journey through some of the most beautiful wine-growing areas along the Rhine begins in Mainz. From here, the boat carries you towards Koblenz through a landscape of rolling vineyards, historic towns and castles perched high above the river. This is a wonderful way to experience a cycling holiday in Germany, with the freedom of cycling during the day and the comfort of returning to the same floating hotel each evening.

Both from the saddle and from the deck, you travel through the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, where colourful half-timbered houses, vineyard-covered slopes and legendary castles create an ever-changing backdrop. The relatively short cycling stages leave plenty of time to explore the towns along the way, making this one of our most relaxed bike and boat holidays.

Please note that guests taking part in the walking cruise also stay on board. This means that couples can share a cabin even if one person chooses the cycling programme and the other the walking programme.

Cycling guests are also welcome to swap a cycling stage for a walk. Likewise, walking guests can rent a bicycle on board for a day, subject to availability. See more about the walking cruise here.

There is a version of this tour going from Koblenz to Mainz.

 

Highlights on this tour

  • Cycling through the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley
  • Vineyards, castles and historic wine towns along the Rhine
  • Short and manageable cycling stages with plenty of time for sightseeing
  • Seven nights aboard MS Switzerland

The route

This is an easy cycling tour, mainly following traffic-free paths, quiet country roads and paved cycle tracks. There are also some sections on gravel and unpaved farm roads, as well as a few short stretches near busier roads. The terrain is predominantly flat, although there are some rolling sections and a small number of steeper climbs and descents. The routes are ideal for enjoying the surroundings at a relaxed pace, and if you would like a rest day, you can always remain on the boat instead of cycling.

Itinerary

See the day-by-day itinerary below.

You arrive at the boat in Mainz and settle into your cabin. Embarkation takes place between 16:00 and 17:00. The evening and night are spent in Mainz.

A short cycling stage with plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings. You cycle directly along the Rhine, following the well-developed and comfortable Rhine Cycle Route all the way to Nierstein. It is a gentle start to the journey, with the landscape and the calm flow of the river providing a wonderful backdrop along the way.

With almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards, Nierstein is the largest wine-growing municipality along the Rhine, and wine traditions are very much part of the town's character. You can also explore the historic old town with its medieval market square and beautiful stately houses, which reflect the town's long history.

In the afternoon, you can sit back and enjoy the boat journey from Nierstein to Worms. This gives you the chance to experience the landscape from the river and relax after the day's cycling.

Today's cycling begins in Worms – the city of the Nibelungs, famous for the legends of the Nibelungenlied and its rich historical significance. From here, you set off on a longer and varied ride along the banks of the Rhine, once again surrounded by beautiful vineyards and a changing landscape of open countryside and peaceful green sections.

During the day, you cycle north towards Nierstein, also known as the Riesling town because of the excellent wines produced in the area. The town's strong wine-growing traditions and relaxed atmosphere are evident throughout.

From Nierstein, you board the boat again and cruise towards Mainz, giving you time to relax and enjoy the scenery as the day's impressions settle in.

Today, the Rhine and its surrounding landscape show you exactly why the Upper Middle Rhine Valley has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautiful river islands, steep slate slopes and sun-drenched vineyards characterise the area around Rüdesheim and create an impressive and varied landscape.

On today's cycling stage, you pass through charming wine towns such as Eltville, with its Electoral Castle, before continuing to Oestrich-Winkel. Here, one of the town's best-known landmarks is the historic wine-loading crane, a reminder of the region's long wine-growing and trading traditions.

Your route continues to Rüdesheim, where the atmosphere is both lively and full of character. It is well worth visiting the world-famous Drosselgasse, a narrow and charming street lined with wine taverns, restaurants and music, and one of the town's most distinctive places to experience.

In the morning, you leave Rüdesheim by bike. The route takes you through dense forests and past beautiful vineyards while the Rhine remains a constant companion. Along the way, you pass sights such as the impressive Niederwald Monument and the beautifully situated Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, which rises like a small fortress from an island in the middle of the river.

Today's stage continues to Oberwesel, where you reach your destination after a day filled with nature, history and the distinctive atmosphere of life along the Rhine.

From Oberwesel, you set off on a short and pleasant cycling stage along the Rhine towards Boppard. Along the way, you pass several beautiful viewpoints where there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the varied landscape.

From the riverbank, the many castles and the legendary Loreley rock form an atmospheric, almost storybook-like backdrop to the ride. Here, nature, history and legend come together in a particularly memorable section of the Rhine Valley.

You cycle from Boppard to Koblenz, today's destination. Here, the Moselle flows into the Rhine, creating an impressive meeting point between two of the region's most important rivers.

For the final time on the journey, you cycle past striking historic landmarks such as Marksburg Castle and elegant Stolzenfels Castle. Both stand prominently above the surrounding landscape and offer a reminder of the region's rich history.

Round off the day at Deutsches Eck – the famous “German Corner” where the two rivers meet – or make your way up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, where you can enjoy panoramic views across Koblenz and the surrounding river landscape.

You leave the boat no later than 09:00 and begin your journey home or continue your travels elsewhere.

It is possible to take the train back to Mainz. The journey takes approximately one hour and costs around €25–30 per person.

See the boat

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

The price includes

ACCOMMODATION

  • 7 nights in an outside cabin on your selected deck

 

MEALS & DRINKS

  • Full board on the boat (breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee and dinner)
  • Welcome drink

 

CYCLING AND EXPERIENCES

  • 6 days of cycling (approx. 160 km in total)
  • Daily briefing about the following day's route
  • Detailed route descriptions, maps and other materials (in English)
  • Guide on board the boat who can provide advice and assistance

OTHER

GENERAL

  • Transport to/from Germany
  • Handling fee (€25)
  • Cancellation and travel insurance
  • Drinks on board the boat
  • Tips

OPTIONAL
The following can be selected in the booking form, when you book the tour.

  • Rental of bicycle/e-bike (selected when booking the tour)

 

Use the button "Calculate price" on this page to see what the tour will cost with your wanted inclusions.

PARKING
It is possible to park at the harbour or nearby. Parking can be reserved in advance and must be arranged before arrival.

Bikes

You can choose from these bikes on the tour.
Red unisex touring bicycle with 21-speed gearing, equipped with bright yellow panniers on front and rear, parked on grass.
7-speed Unisex Bike
Hub gears with coaster brake

High-quality unisex touring bike with coaster brake on the rear wheel.

Body size approx. 155cm - 190cm.

46cm
51cm
56cm
Red electric bicycle with yellow panniers parked on green grass. The e-bike has a front basket and rear pannier bag, both in bright yellow.
Unisex 7-speed E-bike
Hub gears with freewheel

High quality unisex e-bike with comfortable low entry.

Body size approx. 148cm - 195cm.

46cm "XS"
46cm
51cm
56cm

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about your trip
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It is possible to alone on this tour and stay in a double room. This can be selected on the booking form.

All departures require at least 75 guests. Departures are cancelled minimum 21 days before departure (which rarely happens)

Upon request, it is possible to bring your own bicycle on this tour. Approval from the boat is required, as there is a limit to the number of bicycles that can be accommodated. Your bicycle must be insured, and you must understand that it will be stored together with rental bicycles, packed tightly, and handled by the onboard staff.

Please note that the boat disclaims responsibility for damages and theft of privately brought bicycles.

If bringing an e-bike, it is required that the battery can be removed and brought into the cabin.

There will be a handling fee for bringing your own bicycle - see details on the booking page.

The flights to/from Frankfurt am Main (closest airport) are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.

Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.

It works like this:

  1. You book your chosen holiday with us
  2. We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-4 business days)
  3. You arrange your transportation

Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.

Train from Frankfurt
There are many train connections from Frankfurt to Mainz in just 25 minutes
There are also trains from Mainz to Koblenz. The journey takes about 1 hour. 

Parking in Mainz
Car Park at the central station (unguarded, cannot be booked in advance) in Mainz. Parking fee approx. € 55,- per week.

 

On this journey you will stay on the boat. The price on this page is based on cabins on the main deck, but on the booking form you can choose to upgrade to cabins on the upper deck. The cabins are approximately 11 square metres in size and have a private shower/toilet.

The following is included in the price

  • 7x breakfast
  • 6x packed lunch for cyclists or lunch snack on board (non cyclists)
  • 6x afternoon coffee break
  • 7x 3-course-dinner
  • 1 x welcome-drink
  • For a stress-free start to your trip, it is recommended to arrive at the starting point early in the evening of the day before. The individual return journey will take place on the last day of the trip.
  • The indicated cycling distance is an approximation and may differ from the actual distance.
  • This journey is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

 

Spoken language on board
On cycling cruises, German is typically the primary language on board, as a large proportion of the participants are German-speaking, and the crew is generally also most comfortable communicating in German. At the same time, participants come from a wide range of countries, making English a natural supplement. The guides speak good English and can, when needed, conduct briefings and provide practical information about the day’s cycling tours in English. You therefore do not need to speak German to feel well informed and take an active part in the tours.

 

Further important information about your trip by bike and boat
There is always a possibility of changes in the schedule and programme. In the event of extremely high or low water levels, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of the route with a bus or to cancel the trip at short notice without liability (water level is force majeure). The same applies in the case of officially arranged lock and/or bridge repairs not previously announced or in the case of engine damage not caused by the fault of the ship.

Also be aware that your riverboat is both your "holiday hotel" and a working machine, constantly moving with engine power, even at night (sometimes with lock and bridge passengers and consequent ejection and retraction of structures). Particularly noise-sensitive guests are advised to bring earplugs. Lock passages are particularly associated with noise nuisance - it is the same on all boat trips - and unfortunately cannot be changed!

Please note that storage space in the cabin is very limited. In your luggage you should pack good rainwear (jacket and trousers), a helmet, sun hat and sun cream and sports shoes.

Tips are not included in the price.
It is customary to tip the crew of the riverboat at the end of the trip. The level is about 7-10€ from each participant. per day. On a trip like this of 7 days duration, about 50-70€ per person would be appropriate - depending on your experience.
There will typically be an envelope in the cabin for this purpose, or information will be provided to this effect at the end of the trip.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

Join the special ‘Bering Cycling Holidays’ group on Facebook. Here you'll be notified about new holidays, special offers and much more.

Link to the group

Note: you need to request membership, but everyone is approved.

When you book a trip with us, we plant a tree in Kenya.

Bering Travel partners with Growing Trees Network, which has been planting trees in Kenya since 2020 in collaboration with Seniorer uden Grænser (Seniors Without Borders). The trees are planted with small-scale local farmers in the Mount Kenya region, as well as at schools, where the fruit helps supplement students’ diets and is incorporated into their learning.

The trees are planted using the shamba method – a sustainable approach that combines reforestation with agricultural crops. This keeps the soil covered with vegetation throughout the year, helping to prevent nutrient loss and reduce erosion.

The contribution to tree planting comes directly from Bering Travel’s own earnings and is not added to the price of your trip.

This initiative is not intended as a carbon offset for travel, but as a way to make a positive contribution.

Read more

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