Cologne to Mainz by Bike and Barge
Operated by UTracks

Cologne to Mainz by Bike and Barge

From
CAD 2,990
Duration
8 days
Countries
Germany
Activity
moderate
Rating
4.6 · 22 reviewsvia UTracks

The adventure

Explore the Rhine Valley on the affordable Cologne to Mainz Bike & Barge Holiday in Germany. Enjoy cycling along the Rhine River & stay on a comfortable boat.

At a glance

Duration
8 days
Route
Countries
Germany
Activity level
moderate
Style
Cycling, Sailing & Marine
Group size
Ask
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Ask an agent

Day by day

Picturesque town by a calm river with dense forest hills in the background at dusk.
Your journey through

Germany

Day 1Day 1: Arrive Cologne, board the boatMake your way to Cologne and the boat for embarkation at 4:00 pm. The crew will be waiting on board to welcome you. Enjoy the evening on board or stroll to one of the nearby pubs with views over the river and enjoy a Kölsch beer. Don't miss a visit to the Dom, Cologne's UNESCO World Heritage listed Gothic cathedral. Time permitting, climb its tower for great views of the city and river. Cologne has a great night life - bars, cafes, restaurants and shops and is easy to get around. There are also some good art museums, and a chocolate museum!
Make your way to Cologne and the boat for embarkation at 4:00 pm. The crew will be waiting on board to welcome you. Enjoy the evening on board or stroll to one of the nearby pubs with views over the river and enjoy a Kölsch beer. Don't miss a visit to the Dom, Cologne's UNESCO World Heritage listed Gothic cathedral. Time permitting, climb its tower for great views of the city and river. Cologne has a great night life - bars, cafes, restaurants and shops and is easy to get around. There are also some good art museums, and a chocolate museum!
Day 2Day 2: Cycle to the city of Beethoven, Bonn (37km/23mi)Before heading out on the cycle today, you can take the opportunity to walk through Cologne's old town and cathedral. Afterwards you will cycle to Bonn, the city of Beethoven. This federal city and former capital of Germany still has international flair. Along the way you can visit the leisure island Groov amidst a vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb Porz-Zundorf. In Bonn there are museums of interest such as the House of History, the Bundeskunsthalle and House of Beethoven. You can also visit the Bundesviertel on the ‘Path of Democracy’ in the former Government Quarter of Bonn.
Before heading out on the cycle today, you can take the opportunity to walk through Cologne's old town and cathedral. Afterwards you will cycle to Bonn, the city of Beethoven. This federal city and former capital of Germany still has international flair. Along the way you can visit the leisure island Groov amidst a vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb Porz-Zundorf. In Bonn there are museums of interest such as the House of History, the Bundeskunsthalle and House of Beethoven. You can also visit the Bundesviertel on the ‘Path of Democracy’ in the former Government Quarter of Bonn.
Day 3Day 3: Continue to Andernach via Drachenburg Castle (45km/28mi)The cycle today will lead you to Andernach. Along the way you will pass through Konigswinter with its Drachenburg Castle on the Drachenfels (steep ascent), and the Sea Life aquarium with more than 6,000 sea inhabitants. Today's destination is Andernach, famous for the world's largest cold water geyser - it has an impressive 60m (196ft) fountain.
The cycle today will lead you to Andernach. Along the way you will pass through Konigswinter with its Drachenburg Castle on the Drachenfels (steep ascent), and the Sea Life aquarium with more than 6,000 sea inhabitants. Today's destination is Andernach, famous for the world's largest cold water geyser - it has an impressive 60m (196ft) fountain.
Day 4Day 4: Cycle to Koblenz (25km/15.5mi)On today's cycle you will find Engers Castle in Neuwied, built around the 17th century. Continue to the famous "Deutsche Eck" (German corner) where the Moselle river merges with the Rhine river at Koblenz. Another place of interest is the Ehrenbreitstein fortress, which you can reach by cable car across the river (tickets available for purchase on board).
On today's cycle you will find Engers Castle in Neuwied, built around the 17th century. Continue to the famous "Deutsche Eck" (German corner) where the Moselle river merges with the Rhine river at Koblenz. Another place of interest is the Ehrenbreitstein fortress, which you can reach by cable car across the river (tickets available for purchase on board).
Day 5Day 5: Through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley…Today you cycle through the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, known for its castles, historic towns and vineyards. Pass the romantic fortress Marksburg, the only hilltop castle of Middle Rhine which has never been destroyed. Continue to Boppard with its fortress Kurfürstliche Burg, before reaching St Goar. Here you will find the ruins of the fortress Rheinfels, the largest of its kind along the Rhine. Also worth visiting are the fortresses of Katz und Maus (cat and mouse) in St Goarshausen on the other side of the river.
Today you cycle through the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, known for its castles, historic towns and vineyards. Pass the romantic fortress Marksburg, the only hilltop castle of Middle Rhine which has never been destroyed. Continue to Boppard with its fortress Kurfürstliche Burg, before reaching St Goar. Here you will find the ruins of the fortress Rheinfels, the largest of its kind along the Rhine. Also worth visiting are the fortresses of Katz und Maus (cat and mouse) in St Goarshausen on the other side of the river.
Day 6Day 6: Pass beautiful castles en route to Rudesheim (32km/20mi)You will cycle past more beautiful castles today including Burg Reichenstein and Burg Rheinstein, and the famous rock Loreley, before reaching Rudesheim. Rudesheim has beautiful half-timbered houses and we recommend exploring the historic town on foot. Alternatively, treat yourself with a ride on the cable car (payable locally) up to the Niederwald monument, for beautiful views over the old town and the river.
You will cycle past more beautiful castles today including Burg Reichenstein and Burg Rheinstein, and the famous rock Loreley, before reaching Rudesheim. Rudesheim has beautiful half-timbered houses and we recommend exploring the historic town on foot. Alternatively, treat yourself with a ride on the cable car (payable locally) up to the Niederwald monument, for beautiful views over the old town and the river.
Day 7Day 7: Cycle to Mainz and explore its charming old town (32km/20mi)Today you will find the Rhine at its best (if you weren't already impressed!). Along the way is Eltville am Rhein with its castle Kurfurstliche Burg. The destination is Mainz, where you'll find numerous remarkable buildings including the cathedral Hoher Dom St Martin, one of the proud imperial cathedrals of Germany, and Kurfurstliches Schloss. In the old town you will find attractive alleys and squares including Augustinerstraße and the Kirschgarten with its lovely timber framed houses and wine restaurants. The Gutenberg Museum is also interesting.
Today you will find the Rhine at its best (if you weren't already impressed!). Along the way is Eltville am Rhein with its castle Kurfurstliche Burg. The destination is Mainz, where you'll find numerous remarkable buildings including the cathedral Hoher Dom St Martin, one of the proud imperial cathedrals of Germany, and Kurfurstliches Schloss. In the old town you will find attractive alleys and squares including Augustinerstraße and the Kirschgarten with its lovely timber framed houses and wine restaurants. The Gutenberg Museum is also interesting.
Day 8Day 8: Trip concludes in MainzTrip concludes after breakfast with disembarkation by 9 am. The itinerary operates in reverse from Mainz to Cologne every alternate departure - see below.
Trip concludes after breakfast with disembarkation by 9 am. The itinerary operates in reverse from Mainz to Cologne every alternate departure - see below.

Traveller reviews

4.6

Based on 22 reviews · via UTracks

Discover Germany

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

A picturesque view of a riverside town by a serene lake surrounded by verdant forests.
Stunning autumn view of Hohenschwangau Castle amid mountains, lake, and forest.
Charming architecture of Meissen town reflecting in the Elbe River at sunset.
Scenic view of lush green Bavarian Alps in summer near Kempten, Germany.
Lush green fields and trees in a rural landscape, Coesfeld, Germany, on a bright spring day.

Upcoming departures

DatesPrice / personAvailability
13 Jun 202620 Jun 2026CAD 2,990Sold outBook my trip
20 Jun 202627 Jun 2026CAD 2,990AvailableBook my trip
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