Cologne to Mainz Boat & Bike Tour
Boat & Bike • 7 nights
VISITING: Germany
Overview
Why we love this tour
Historic cities with half-timbered houses
Castles, ruins and the legend of Loreley Rock
Rhine Valley vineyards and local cuisine
Easy cycling on gentle riverside paths
Guiding
Distance
Level
Standard
Departs
Runs
Code
Fly to
Good for
Return
The beautiful Rhine Valley boasts romantic castles, World Heritage sites and historic towns, some more than 2,000 years old. With gorges rising steeply on the river banks, this relaxing bike and boat tour is the best way to take it all in. You’ll live and dine aboard the spacious MS Olympia, setting off on scenic daily rides and stopping off at typical villages. From Cologne, you'll pedal to the city of Bonn, Beethoven’s birthplace, and the geyser in Andernach, before pushing on to the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine.
Suitable for all levels, you’ll be riding on paved or tarmacked cycle paths, with few gradients. Of the many hilltop castles you’ll encounter, Marksburg is the most intact, and ruined Rheinfels is the largest. Along the way, you’ll taste delicious regional delicacies and sample Rhine Valley wines from steep and scenic vineyards. Towards the end of the tour, look forward to legendary Loreley Rock and its fabled sirens. Mainz is your final destination, with its half-timbered houses and medieval market squares.
This one week tour can be combined with Mainz to Strasbourg to create a unique two week trip along the Rhine on the same boat.
The Trip
Route
Itinerary
or click on individual days
Accommodation
Cologne to Mainz
View full details of MS Olympia.
The superior class MS Olympia has 49 cabins with a maximum of 96 passengers. There are 21 main deck twin cabins (approx. 11m²) and 22 upper deck twin cabins (approx. 11m²) plus two single cabins (approx. 9m²). Four larger upper deck twin cabins located at the stern where engine noise is possible are sold with a reduction. All cabins are en-suite with shower and toilet, individually regulated air conditioning, fridge, hair dryer, small safe, TV and large panoramic windows (that open on the upper deck cabins only).
On the upper deck there is a panoramic saloon with a bar and the restaurant is on the main deck. The partly shaded large sun deck has deck chairs from which you can enjoy the beautiful scenery.
MS Olympia
Mainz to Cologne
This is the reverse route from Mainz to Cologne on the MS Olympia.
What's included
Price includes
7 nights accommodation on the MS Olympia
Board basis: Full board including breakfast, packed lunch for cyclists or light lunch on board (non-cyclists) and dinner
English speaking on-board guide with daily briefings of the bike tours
Maps and route information (GPS tracks available on request) - 2024 departures
Navigation app with maps, route notes & GPS tracks, electronic travel guide with points of interest - 2025 departures
Welcome meeting with drink
Local contact number for assistance
Daily cabin cleaning
Mooring fees
Coffee in the afternoon
Price excludes
Flights and transfers
Cycle helmets
Bike hire
Entrance fees and excursions
Drinks on board
Transfers to/from the docking place
Ferry fees & tips
Onboard - Purchase Helmets €40 (2025)
Onboard - Purchase Helmets €40 (2025)
Special dietary requests - see below
Bike hire and extras
Bike hire
Bikes come with a pannier and a handlebar bag, small repair kit with spare inner tube, pump and lock are given per cabin and are included at no extra cost when you hire a bike.
Hybrid bike
Hybrid bike with 7 gears
E-bike
Bring your own bike/E-Bike - (E-bikes need to have detachable batteries)
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Friendly service with expert knowledge
Easy to book and pay online
Full financial protection
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about this tour. Simply click on a question to reveal the answer.
Take the train (DB) from Mainz and fly from Frankfurt.
Your days will involve gentle riding, mainly on flat terrain and with minimal effort required. Easy cycling holidays are suitable for most people whether you are a regular cyclist or not, however we recommend at least a few practice rides before your holiday!
We are always on hand to offer advice, so please give us a call if you wish to chat about the tour’s grading.
For Boat & Bike tours the boat will generally keep to the advertised itinerary, however the captain may have to adapt the itinerary due to the river or sea conditions.
There is limited space in the cabins, so pack light and take a soft suitcase.
Please advise us of any special requirements at time of booking and we will notify the boat operator in advance. Understandably, kitchen galley space is limited and it may not be possible to provide specialist products (eg. Gluten free). We suggest you bring a few items with you and, in some cases, these can be provided at a supplement.
Yes, you can relax on the boat or explore when you arrive at each destination instead of cycling.
Although there is no organised group, self-guided guests regularly find they come across their fellow passengers along the route during the day and may even get together to form their own cycling groups.
Absolutely! Boat & Bike tours are very sociable and a good choice for single travellers wishing to mix with other guests and share your common interest of cycling.
Your on-board Tour Leader provides daily briefings ahead of the next day's ride. These are always beneficial, including information on the local area, main sights, and tips on good places to stop en route.