Barge and bike tours Europe: 11 essential tips for beginners

1. Start with a classic barge and bike tour in Europe

Starting with a classic barge and bike tour route will ensure that you explore some of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes and scenic waterways, enjoy traffic-free cycling, lovely scenery and some gorgeous sights.

The Netherlands and Belgium are among the most popular bike and barge destinations. One of the best-loved routes is the River Danube, which offers a gentle cycling holiday that’s jam-packed with cultural gems, including Budapest, Vienna, Passau, Austrian monasteries, medieval castles and characterful villages.

Also popular is an Amsterdam to Bruges bike and barge tour. This is an iconic city-to-city tour that typically includes a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kinderdijk, the village known for its iconic 18th Century windmills.

Finally, the Dutch tulip fields are spectacular in April, while the Rhine River in Germany is also a favourite, offering castles, vineyards and many fascinating historical cities.

Take a look at this article to discover the best bike and barge trips in Europe and this to find out more about a Danube bike and boat tour.

Vineyards and characterful buildings on the Rhine Valley in Germany

2. Check the quality of the boats and facilities

The standard of accommodation varies significantly between different boats.

Traditional barges offer a cosy, more informal atmosphere, while larger river cruise boats typically provide more space and usually more onboard amenities such as spas, larger cabin options and more communal relaxation spaces.

Be aware! Cabins can be quite compact, so it is worth understanding the size of your cabin and specific needs before booking. Also doublecheck you’re getting an ensuite (assuming this is important to you)! See more information about this below.

Top tip! If you prefer more comfort or luxury, look for premium options which usually offer upgraded dining experiences and larger cabin sizes with lounges and private balconies.

3. Research the best time to go

Spring is an excellent time for barge and bike tours, particularly in the Netherlands. Between April and May you can enjoy soaking up the country’s abundant colourful, tulip fields in the Dutch countryside. The famous Keukenhof Gardens are also at their peak.

Alternatively, for those who prefer their wine, early autumn is a lovely time to explore Europe’s famous wine regions, such as the Moselle Valley. During this time the vineyards will be a hive of activity as they undergo their annual harvest.

Be aware! Some destinations can experience very warm cycling conditions in the middle of summer, particularly in France and on the Danube. So pack accordingly or consider a different time of year if you struggle with cycling (and sleeping) in the heat.

Colourful blossoming tulips in Keukenhof park in the Netherlands

4. Take advantage of off-peak rates

For those looking to avoid peak-season prices and busier routes, late spring and early autumn are ideal.

April, May, September, and October generally offer a good balance of pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and better availability.

Many bike and barge tour operators also offer discounts for early or late-season trips, making it a cost-effective option for those on a tighter budget.

5. Check what bike hire options are available

Most barge and bike tours in Europe offer bike rentals.

But it’s always worth checking what kind of bike hire is included before booking and whether extra charges apply if you want to ride an e-bike.

Regular bikes (hybrid style) are the most common bikes offered by bike and barge operators, though some trips offer electric bikes or road bikes as an option.

Be aware! If you would prefer to bring your own bike, check with the operator about storage on board and whether this is possible.

Top tip! If hiring, find out whether panniers, water bottles, and bike helmets are included, or if you need to bring your own.

6. Prepare for cosy accommodation

Be aware! Cabins on barges and boats are often compact and smaller than your typical hotel room.

I would describe both of the rooms I have stayed in on boats as snug. However, though small in size, they were well designed and came with all the essentials, including an ensuite and plenty of places to store your luggage.

Whilst this is enough space to comfortably rest for the night, don’t expect to be doing cartwheels in your cabin!

However, the boat’s communal spaces are usually much bigger and provide plenty of space to relax and unwind at the end of the day.

Top tip! You might want to consider the size and type of luggage you bring. For example, a soft bag, rather than a hard case is often easier to store. It’s also worth considering your packing essentials.

Take a look at this guide for more information about what staying aboard a barge is like.

A double bed cabin on IRIS (photo credit: BikePlanet Tours)

7. Get ready to socialise

Bike and barge tours are great for meeting like-minded people.

Depending on the size of your barge, you’ll be travelling with other guests from around the world and you will have plenty of opportunity to get to know each other during your holiday.

On the bike and boat tour I joined in Croatia, I was joined by fellow Brits, Americans, Canadians, Germans and Austrians. Our cycling guides were also local Croatians who not only provided loads of great local knowledge, they also kept us entertained each evening with music and stories. The captain of the boat, chefs and crew were also local Croatians who were very friendly and accommodating.

Most barges have a large communal dining area where guests eat their breakfast and dinner together. These mealtimes are a great opportunity to meet fellow travellers and share stories from your day of cycling.

Daily group cycle rides are also a fun opportunity to get to know others.

8. Be mindful of other users on bike paths

Many bike and barge tours in Europe involve cycling on popular cycle paths during the day. These can sometimes get busy with other cyclists and walkers.

Take care when you meet other cycle path users and try to avoid cycling as a big compact pack of cyclists, as you then become hard to overtake and a bit intimidating for other users of the bike paths. Allow some space in between other riders in your group.

9. Consider your packing essentials

You’ll be cycling each day so bring along gear that you feel comfortable sitting on a bike for several hours in. A couple of pairs of padded shorts and several lightweight, breathable layers are always a good option.

A packable waterproof jacket is also worth bringing in case of any heavy downpours. Alternatively, sunglasses and suncream for hotter days.

When I cycled in the Netherlands in early September we unfortunately had quite a lot of rain each day. I wished I had packed some waterproof shoe covers to keep my trainers dry! The week before it was 30ºC and wall-to-wall sunshine…

Be aware! Whilst it’s fine to wear cycling attire at breakfast before morning rides, evening meals are usually enjoyed in normal attire. So don’t forget to pack some comfortable clothes and shoes for the evenings.

For more information about what to pack on a cycling holiday see this article.

Cycling amongst the beautiful green landscapes of the Danube cycle path (photo credit: BikePlanet Tours)

10. Check the daily rides in advance

Be aware! Most bike and barge tours include daily routes that are catered towards more leisurely cyclists. The rides don’t usually exceed 30 to 50 kilometres per day and include many flat stretches.

So if you are a seasoned MAMIL road cyclist looking to push the pace and mileage each day, this kind of cycling holiday probably won’t satisfy your goals.

Top tip! It is worth noting that you can get some hillier bikes and barge holidays. So check the elevation gain of each days ride to understand the level of challenge involved. For example, Croatia’s Southern Dalmatian islands feature lots of hilly routes.

11. Relax and enjoy!

One of the best parts of a bike and barge tour is the combination of cycling on generally flat terrain and downtime to unwind each evening.

The cycling pace is usually relaxed, with plenty of stops for sightseeing at historic cities and towns, coffee breaks, and local experiences. These routes are also thoroughly researched and developed in advance taking the hassle out of planning them for yourselves.

Make the most of your time on board by unwinding on the sun deck with a drink, chatting with fellow travellers, or simply enjoying the scenery as the boat moves to the next destination.

Unlike a traditional place-to-place cycling holiday, there’s no need to rush—just enjoy the ride and the journey. This is the perfect holiday for anyone who is new to cycling, has a partner or friend who is not as fit as you, or for anyone who simply wants to explore at a more leisurely pace.

And if you really don’t fancy riding one day, you can always let the others go and enjoy a chilled out day of cruising on the boat!

The Iris barge and bikes set up ready to ride! (photo credit: BikePlanet Tours)

What’s next?

Have you been on a bike barge holiday before? Let us know in the comments below!

Like the sound of barge and bike tours in Europe? Don’t miss this FAQs article for more useful information.

• For anyone interested in a bike and boat river cruise on the Danube, including the beautiful city of Budapest, we think you might like this article.
• Like the idea of exploring France’s beautiful waterways? Don’t miss this bike barge tours in France article.
• Or for the chance to cycle and sail in Croatia, we think you’ll like this guide. This guide to Croatia’s bike and boat tours is also a must-read.
• How about island hopping in Turkey? Check out this guide to Turkey cycling tours.
• We think you’ll also like this guide to island hopping in Greece.

Fran is a North East based cyclist with a particular passion for cycle touring. Her love for cycling has seen her take on some of the UK and Europe's best-known multi-day cycle routes, including the Hebridean Way, Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena. Beyond exploring on two wheels, Fran is a key member of the Epic Road Rides team and is usually found writing travel guides for other cyclists who also want to explore the world by bike.