Rhine River Cruise Bike Tour

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

From $5,499 - $11,499 /person

+$224 Port Fee

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 1-3

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Small Luxury Ship

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

Rhine River Cruise Bike Tour

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 1-3

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Small Luxury Ship

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

2024: May-Sep 2025: May-Sep

From $5,499 - $11,499 /person

( +$224 Port Fee )

Basel to Amsterdam through Switzerland, France, Germany & the Netherlands

A four-country journey has never been this relaxed. And when you're this content, you'll want to say yes to everything. Pedal the lush Black Forest? Yep. Stroll through medieval Cologne? Ja. Sip brews at a biergarten, see Strasbourg's soaring Gothic cathedral and cruise through Amsterdam's canals like a local? Of course! 

... Read more

Highlights

  • Savor a rich and ever-changing tableau as you cruise the Rhine's mighty waters and pedal some of its most scenic stretches 
  • Explore the romantic streets of baroque Heidelberg, medieval Strasbourg and impeccably preserved Riquewihr 
  • Bike the evocative Route des Vins in Alsace, and stop to taste world-class Gewürztraminers and Rieslings 
  • Cruise through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, admiring its multitude of fortress ruins and castles  

See our Active Cruise Terms & Conditions.

Rhine River Cruise Bike Tour map

Switzerland, France, Germany & the Netherlands

Start Basel, Switzerland

End Amsterdam, Netherlands

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

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Itinerary

Days 1-3

Description

Cycle from a quaint village in the Black Forest toward the vineyards of the Rhine Valley • Enjoy superb riding and wine tasting along Alsace's famous Route des Vins • Pedal to the beautiful medieval villages of Riquewihr and Eguisheim • Soak up magical views in Strasbourg and admire the Gothic cathedral on a guided city walk • Spin along meadows and forests with views of France and Germany.

Accommodations

Nights 1-7

AmaWaterways Ship
Select a departure date for your ship details

A luxurious custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)

View sample deck plans

Days 4-5

Description

Bike to Heidelberg, a stunning German city dominated by impressive castle ruins • Meander its cobblestone streets, strewn with gorgeous buildings made with red limestone from the former fortress • Follow in the footsteps of Romans along the famed Weinstrasse (wine route) • Unwind at a local biergarten with a few new friends and a refreshing beer or RadlerPedal past fairy-tale towns, castles and vineyards through the Rhine Gorge, a spectacular World Heritage site • Take part in a wine tasting and enjoy a picnic lunch at a local family-owned winery.

Accommodations

Nights 1-7

AmaWaterways Ship
Select a departure date for your ship details

A luxurious custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)

View sample deck plans

Days 6-8

Description

Sail to Bonn, the former capital of West Germany and the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven • Feel dwarfed by Cologne's Gothic cathedral, shop for famed Cologne chocolate and learn about the local Brauhaus (brewery) culture • Amsterdam's lovely waterways, arched bridges and crooked canal houses are delightful • Two-wheel it through the serene Dutch countryside • Embark on a traditional canal boat cruise along the city's intricate channels.

Accommodations

Nights 1-7

AmaWaterways Ship
Select a departure date for your ship details

A luxurious custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)

View sample deck plans

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Ships
The ships we sail on are like a floating luxury hotel, so you can visit a new destination each day without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. These ships are vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 150 passengers on our river trips and up to only 250 on our ocean trips.
Backroads Support on Board and on Shore
We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests per group. Occasionally there may be more than one Backroads group onboard and you may cross paths with the other group on routes or at restaurants. When this occurs, each group will have their own dedicated onboard Backroads leaders.
Backroads Cruising Life
If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Our cruises are smaller, and much more intimate than a typical cruise. They are also quite lively, social experiences, shaped by both our Backroads group and the larger ship community. Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules that may occasionally limit our time on shore, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. If you love meeting new people, enjoy the ease of unpacking once, and don't mind a set schedule of port departure times, you'll love our approach to active river and ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.
Meals

On our active cruises, we seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and creative meals for onshore lunches, picnics and the occasional onshore dinner. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.

Itinerary Flexibility: Going with the Flow
Our daily itinerary is based on scheduled sailing and port arrival times and as a result some days have more opportunities for exploring on land while other days have more sailing time. Every river has its own unique temperament and for centuries water levels have shifted due to rain, temperature and agriculture. High water levels may mean the ship cannot pass under a bridge, low water levels result in slower sailing, and a disabled lock can also lead to some extra cruising time. Should any unforeseen change happen during your river cruise, we will work closely with AmaWaterways' Captain and staff, who are very experienced in going with the flow. Depending on the situation, we may use a bus or our bikes to get to the next destination and use a land-based hotel if needed, in which case our leaders will adjust the rides and activities as necessary.
Stateroom Categories

In contrast to our land-based trips, which have similar room categories, the AmaWaterways ships offer a wide range of stateroom categories. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast so book as early as possible if this is important to you.

Double-Docking

Most port conditions require that ships tie up alongside each other, in which case you may need to walk through another ship to access our ship. This is a part of river cruising due to its popularity. You may experience obstructed views from your stateroom when the ship is double-docked, but as soon as we set sail again your beautiful views will be restored.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

Request itinerary

From $5,499 - $11,499 /person

+$224 Port Fee

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Accommodations

Small Ships, Big Adventures

Our small ships feel more like boutique retreats, offering an experience a world away from the typical large cruise.

Ship may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Nights 1-7

AmaWaterways Ship
Select a departure date for your ship details

A luxurious custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. An Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Readers’ Choice cruise line. (pool)

View sample deck plans

From $5,499 - $11,499 /person

+$224 Port Fee

View Dates
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Bikes

Choose Your Perfect Bike

Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Backroads Performance Racer 2.0
Backroads Next Generation Performance Road Bike

Included in your trip price

  • Ideal for avid cyclists
  • Redesigned for 2024
  • Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
  • Responsive, efficient and comfortable
  • Drop handlebars only
Backroads Touring Bike
Backroads Touring Bike

Included in your trip price

  • Suited for a wide range of cyclists
  • Comfortable ergonomic seat
  • Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
  • Upright handlebars only
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike

Included in your trip price

  • One of the lightest e-bikes available
  • Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
  • Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
  • Upright handlebars only

Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Carbon Bike
  • $650 rental fee; subject to availability
  • Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS
  • Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package
  • Built for hard-core riders
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Tandem Bike
  • $400 rental fee
  • Hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed Cro-Moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train
  • Custom upgraded wheelset
  • Best for riders with some tandem experience.

From $5,499 - $11,499 /person

+$224 Port Fee

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From $5,499 - $11,499 /person

+$224 Port Fee

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Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy

Note: You may only reserve one Stateroom Category at this time. Your stateroom will be assigned based on availability. Please contact us if you are interested in booking multiple Stateroom Categories for your party, selecting a specific stateroom, or Single Supplement pricing.

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Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

Request itinerary

Book with Confidence

Backroads provides flexible booking policies so that you can plan your vacation with complete peace of mind.

Learn more

From $5,499 - $11,499 /person

+$224 Port Fee

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