Home Bike and Boat Rivers and Waterways Rhine Cologne to Mainz, MS Olympia, 8 days

Cologne to Mainz: MS Olympia

Explore the Rhine Cycle Path by bike and boat

Experience the charm of the Rhine River as you journey between Cologne and Mainz, where numerous romantic castles and fortresses adorn its banks, each with fascinating stories to tell. Immerse yourself in the rich tales and adventures of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, known for its breathtaking beauty. Witness the Rhine as it carves its way through majestic rocks, passing ancient towns like Koblenz, with their well-preserved old towns featuring picturesque timber-framed houses. This idyllic landscape sets the stage for a truly beautiful and relaxing holiday. Moreover, the towns along the route between Cologne and Mainz are renowned for their noble wines and regional delicacies, making this journey a culinary delight as well.

The Rhine River stands as one of Europe's most impressive waterways, and the Rhine Cycle Path that runs along its banks is equally impressive. Offering approximately 1,230 kilometers of cycling pleasure, this path provides captivating river views throughout the journey. Known as EuroVelo 15 or the Rhine Radweg, it spans from Andermatt, Switzerland to the Dutch Hook of Holland on the North Sea.

As one of Europe's longest long-distance cycling routes, the Rhine Cycle Path offers a wealth of attractions. Explore the Alsatian city of Strasbourg, marvel at the grand Imperial Cathedrals in Speyer, Worms, and Mainz, and immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Cologne. Follow in the footsteps of the Romans, encounter legendary tales, savor regional specialties, and experience the blend of tradition and modernity along this internationally renowned river.

Embark on this remarkable cycling adventure along the Rhine, where history, culture, natural beauty, and gastronomic delights await at every turn.

Details about the Rhine cruise from Cologne to Mainz

Numerous romantic castles and palaces were built between Cologne and Mainz on the banks of the Rhine. And many bring exciting stories with them. The Upper and Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site is rich in legend and it is beautiful.

The Rhine often cuts through rocky areas here and flows past more than 2000-year-old towns such as Koblenz and other city centres. These are ideal landscapes for a relaxing and beautiful holiday. Last but not least, many of the Rhine-dominated places between Cologne and Mainz provide excellent wines, so the trip is also a real pleasure holiday with fine wines and many regional delicacies.

The highlights of the Bike and Boat holiday at a glance

Cologne: A city with a 2000-year-old history, visit UNESCO's Cologne Cathedral, cross the Rhine by cable car, pass the Hohenzollernbrücke taste the chocolate in the chocolate museum.
Koblenz: With its beautiful old town, the Altstadt and the headland Deutsches Eck where the Moselle flows into the Rhine with the 19th-century fortress Ehrenbreitstein, located on a high rock.
The romantic wine town of Rüdesheim: With its medieval centre and centuries-old half-timbered houses and the Drosselgasse with wine taverns, cafes, terraces and many souvenir shops.

Worth knowing about the Rhine bicycle cruise

You enjoy an extensive breakfast buffet in the morning, then get on your bike and cycle along the Rhine during the day to the next port where the ship sails to and awaits you.

In the evening you will board your cruise ship where you will be spoiled with a delicious dinner, in the evening you can enjoy live music in the lounge and sleep at night in your comfortable outside cabin. Only unpack your suitcase once, and every night the ship sails you a little further on the route.

Approximate timings (subject to sailing conditions)

Tour information

8 Days / 7 Nights
Self-Guided
Meals included
Total cycling distance: approx. 209 km

E-Bike

To the online version

Itinerary

Day

Arrival in Cologne

Individual arrival in Cologne. Embarkation from 4:00 PM. Enjoy the evening at your leisure on board or with a 'Kölsch' in one of the pubs overlooking the Rhine.

Day

Cologne – Bonn

approx. 37 km

Before your first bike ride, take the opportunity to take a short walk through the Old Town. Then you will cycle to the Beethoven city of Bonn, which as a federal city and former capital still has international flair. On the way, in good weather, a visit to the Groov Leisure Island in the vast Rheinauen landscape of the Porz-Zündorf district of Cologne is worth a visit. Bonn is home to several museums such as the Haus der Geschichte and the Bundeskunsthalle, as well as the Beethovenhaus, the Rheinaue amusement park and the Federal District with the Path of Democracy which is also well worth a visit.

ca. 37 km

Day

Bonn – Andernach

approx. 45 km

By bike, the tour goes in the direction of Andernach. Königswinter with Drachenburg Castle on the Drachenfels (steep climb) as well as Sea Life Königswinter with aquariums for a total of 6000 sea creatures is definitely worth a visit. Today's destination Andernach is known for being the world's largest cold-water geyser, whose water splashes in an impressive spectacle up to 60 meters high.

ca. 45 km

Day

Andernach – Koblenz

approx. 25 km

Neuwied with the interesting castle Engers is on the route to Koblenz. The Moselle flows into the Rhine on the famous Deutsches Eck with the equestrian monument of Kaiser Wilhelm I. Another attraction is the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, where you can also take the Koblenzer Rheinseilbahn cable car. Cable car tickets are available on board.

ca. 25 km

Day

Koblenz – St. Goarshausen

approx. 38 km

The route continues by bike along the Rhine through the UNESCO World Heritage Middle Rhine Valley. You pass the romantic Marksburg, the only undeveloped hill fortress on the Middle Rhine, as well as the town of Boppard with the Electoral Castle, before reaching St. Goar. Here you will find the ruins of Rheinfels Castle, the largest castle ruins on the Rhine. Worth seeing are the castles, Katz and Maus, in St. Goarshausen on the other side of the Rhine.

ca. 38 km

Day

St. Goarshausen – Rüdesheim

approx. 32 km

Once again you will pass very beautiful Rhine castles such as Reichenstein Castle and Rheinstein Castle. You will cycle along the famous Loreley rock and eventually reach Rüdesheim. Get to know the historically important sights of Rüdesheim. Or treat yourself to a funicular ride to the Niederwald monument. From there you have a wonderful view of the old town of Rüdesheim and the river.

ca. 32 km

Day

Rüdesheim – Mainz

approx. 32 km

In the last leg of this cycling tour, the Rhine once again shows its best side. Eltville am Rhein is the first stop. Worth seeing here is the princely castle, the symbol of the city. Mainz, today's final destination, presents itself with numerous impressive buildings. Perhaps visit the High Cathedral of St. Martin zu Mainz, one of the proud imperial domes in Germany, or the Electoral Palace. In the old town, you will find charming old streets and squares, such as Augustinerstraße and Kirschgarten, with beautiful half-timbered houses and wine taverns.

ca. 32 km

Day

Return from Mainz

After breakfast, disembarkation is until 09.30 am.

Route information

The quality of the bike paths is perfect. The cycle path usually runs on paved bicycle and service roads or quiet country roads with no significant inclines. That is why this trip is also suitable for inexperienced cyclists.

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights

Price calculation and check availability: Cologne to Mainz: MS Olympia

Price promise: If you receive a quote for the same tour elsewhere, please let us know and we will match it!

	Season 1 29.06.2024 \| 27.07.2024 \| Saturday
Cologne to Mainz: MS Olympia, Main Deck, DE-RHSKM-08I-H
Base price	1,139.00
Fixed price for double cabin in single use	1,659.00
Cologne to Mainz: MS Olympia, Upper Deck, DE-RHSKM-08I-O
Base price	1,309.00
Single cabin (fixed price)	1,359.00
Fixed price for double cabin in single use	1,659.00

Our rental bikes

Price

7-Speed Unisex Bike

Unisex E-Bike

Own Bike

89.00

199.00

29.00

Prices per person in GBP

Included services and travel information

Services

Including

7 nights in outside cabins on board the MS Olympia in the booked cabin category
Full board: 7x breakfast buffet, 6x packed lunch for cycling or lunch snack, 6x coffee and tea in the afternoon, 7x 3-course evening menu
Welcome cocktail
Travel folder 1 x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels)
GPS data available on request
SE-Tours tour guide

Not included

Bike rental
Excursions
Gratuities
Drinks
Personal expenses

Arrival information

Airport: Cologne
Train: Cologne station, approx. 2 km from the pier
Parking: Globus car park (guarded, only with reservation), approx. 6 km from the pier in Cologne, approx. €125 per week

General information

A minimum number of 75 people applies for this trip (at least 21 days before departure)
Embarkation takes place between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, disembarkation after breakfast no later than 09:30 AM
Bicycles on board are equipped with a hand brake, freewheel or coaster brake (limited availability, please specify when booking as a non-binding preference) and bicycle bag
It is possible to bring your own bicycles, due to the limited space on the sundeck you can only bring your own bicycle on request and only to a limited extent. Any damage to your bike is at your own risk
Daily cycling tours are individual and unaccompanied, the tour guide remains on board. It is not mandatory to cycle the route, you can also stay on board and sail to the next port
This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility

If the cycling stages and rest times allow, an excursion program is offered, this can only be booked on board and paid in cash. Depending on the composition of the participants, the excursions can be offered bilingually German-English
Sailing times, schedule and program changes are in principle reserved. For example, if a route cannot be completed due to low tide, high tide or bad weather, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety (this is not a valid reason to cancel your trip free of charge)
Engine and generator noises can be heard in the cabins at the front and rear of the ship
Please bring your own bike helmet (no onboard selling)