Everything about this tour—the ship, the meals, the inclusions—is the same in both directions; only the start and end points switch. Choose this version to begin in Stuttgart and finish among Frankfurt's skyscrapers.
This 8-day, 7-night bike and boat tour follows the Main, Rhine, and Neckar rivers between Frankfurt and Stuttgart. Independent cycling on mostly flat terrain connects vineyard villages and medieval river towns, with a tour manager on board—not on the road—reachable by phone for questions or route support. Highlights include Heidelberg Castle, the half-timbered lanes of Bad Wimpfen, and Rhine vineyards near Mannheim. Every night is spent aboard the MS Casanova, with breakfast, most lunches, and dinner included, while the ship carries you and your luggage on to the next stop.
You board the MS Casanova in Bad Cannstatt during the afternoon, with embarkation from 3 pm. Once everyone’s settled in, the ship gets underway on an evening cruise to Lauffen, with dinner served on board as you go.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: MS Casanova ship
Your first day of cycling is a leisurely one, riding through gentle wine villages from Lauffen to Bad Wimpfen, with time to explore the town’s half-timbered old town on arrival.
Cycling: 30 km (18 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: MS Casanova ship
From Bad Wimpfen, you ride toward Eberbach, with an optional detour up the Katzenbuckel, the highest peak in the Odenwald hills, along the way.
Cycling: 45 km (27 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: MS Casanova ship
Today’s ride follows the Neckar through the Odenwald, past Hirschhorn and its castle-topped hillside, before reaching Heidelberg and its own hilltop castle overlooking the city.
Cycling: 34 km (21 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: MS Casanova ship
From Heidelberg, you ride through Ladenburg and Mannheim to where the Neckar meets the Rhine, finishing the day in Worms, one of Germany’s oldest cities.
Cycling: 50 km (31 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: MS Casanova ship
You continue along the Rhine through vineyard country to Nierstein, with a chance to stop for a wine tasting along the way. In the evening, the ship carries you onward to Mainz while you relax on board.
Cycling: 37 km (22 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: MS Casanova ship
Your last day of cycling follows the Main Cycle Route from Mainz to Frankfurt, passing the Schwanheimer Düne, an unusual stretch of inland sand dunes, before Frankfurt’s skyline comes into view.
Cycling: 45 km (27 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner
Accommodation: MS Casanova ship
You disembark in Frankfurt after breakfast, by 9 am, closing out the week.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
In order to join this Frankfurt–Stuttgart bike and boat tour, basic fitness is required. The most you’ll cycle within a day is up to 60 km (37 mi), on mostly flat terrain with some gentle hills, and route-length options are available on most days.
Since this is an independent cycling tour, you set your own pace using the provided map, route descriptions, and GPS tracks—there’s no group to keep up with. A tour leader rides the same route each day and is reachable by phone if you need anything. This is ideal for people who like their freedom, but also love having the support if necessary.
If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place. E-bike rentals are available as well if you’d like to take it even easier.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Germany bike tours here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
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Yes, touring bikes and e-bikes are both available to rent for this Frankfurt-Stuttgart bike and boat tour and can be added to your booking at checkout—you can choose between a freewheel or backpedal break. Bike insurance can also be added.
A helmet isn’t included by default, but can be rented, but please indicate your interest for rental/purchase at checkout.
Bringing your own bike — you’re welcome to bring your own bike or e-bike, as long as it doesn’t have mirrors or other parts that stick out. Space on board is limited, so reserve a spot in advance—you can tell us you’re bringing your own bike at checkout (charging included if bringing an e-bike). Damage to or theft of your own bike isn’t covered.
This Frankfurt-Stuttgart bike and boat tour sits between a fully guided trip and a self-guided one. There’s no group riding together at a set pace—you cycle independently each day, following a detailed cycling map, printed route notes, and GPS tracks provided for your cabin.
An experienced tour leader rides the same route as you every day, though not directly alongside you. They’re reachable by phone the whole time, so help is close by if you have a mechanical issue, take a wrong turn, or just have a question.
The tour leader will travel with you on board, and daily briefings before each ride cover the day’s route options and anything worth knowing before you set off.
In short: you get the freedom of cycling at your own pace, minus the worry of doing it entirely on your own.
Group sizes and pricing
Frankfurt-Stuttgart bike & boat tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Yes, of course! Non-cycling guests are more than welcome to join. The price stays the same, as all inclusions are identical apart from the guided cycling tours themselves. Our tour guides can give you tips on how to enjoy your holiday without taking part in the daily rides—and while the boat travels between harbours, you can simply relax and enjoy the peace and quiet on board. It’s a lovely option for mixed groups!
The price for this Frankfurt-Stuttgart bike & boat tour is based on twin-share cabins, but a single occupancy cabin can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
Solo travelers are welcome to join, but securing a single occupancy cabin for themselves is mandatory—you’ll be able to add it to your booking at checkout. It’s not possible to join as a solo traveller and share a cabin with another guest.
The starting point of this tour is either Frankfurt or Stuttgart/Bad Cannstatt, depending on your direction. To get to Frankfurt, most people fly into Frankfurt Airport (FRA), one of Europe’s best-connected hubs. To get to Stuttgart, most people fly into Stuttgart Airport (STR). From either airport, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach the ship’s dock.
You will board the MS Casanova from 3 pm on Day 1, in Frankfurt or in Stuttgart/Bad Cannstatt depending on your direction.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
The price of the tour includes the 5 euro SGR Insolvency Protection. This is mandatory consumer contribution called the SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme.