Skip the autobahn and you find a Germany most visitors never see: quiet countryside and canal towns connecting Hamburg and Berlin, two cities that couldn’t be more different. On this guided bike and boat tour, we cycle easy, mostly flat routes through that in-between landscape by day, while our ship carries us on to the next stop each evening—no repacking, no hotel changes, just the same cabin for two weeks straight. It starts in Hamburg’s harbor and ends beneath Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, or the other way around, with a Volkswagen factory tour in Wolfsburg thrown in along the way. It’s proof that the distance between two capitals can be the most interesting part of the trip.
This direction starts aboard ship in Berlin and ends in Hamburg, with Berlin explored on Day 2 and Hamburg's harbor tour saved for the final full day. All inclusions and the locations remain the same.
A 15-day, 14-night guided bike and boat tour connecting two of Germany's most different cities: the maritime port of Hamburg and the capital, Berlin. Eleven days of easy, mostly flat cycling trace rivers, canals, and heathland through Lüneburg, the Altmark, and the Havel lake country, with guided city walks in Hamburg, Magdeburg, Brandenburg an der Havel, and Berlin along the way. A rest day in Wolfsburg includes a Volkswagen factory tour at the Autostadt. Every night is spent aboard the Clair de Soleil, a 14-cabin premium-class ship, with breakfast, a packed lunch on riding days, and most dinners included.
This direction starts aboard ship in Hamburg and ends in Berlin, with Hamburg's harbor tour on Day 2 and Berlin explored on the final full day. All inclusions and the locations remain the same.
A 15-day, 14-night guided bike and boat tour connecting two of Germany's most different cities: the maritime port of Hamburg and the capital, Berlin. Eleven days of easy, mostly flat cycling trace rivers, canals, and heathland through Lüneburg, the Altmark, and the Havel lake country, with guided city walks in Hamburg, Magdeburg, Brandenburg an der Havel, and Berlin along the way. A rest day in Wolfsburg includes a Volkswagen factory tour at the Autostadt. Every night is spent aboard the Clair de Soleil, a 14-cabin premium-class ship, with breakfast, a packed lunch on riding days, and most dinners included.
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
In order to join this Hamburg-Berlin bike and boat tour, just basic fitness is required. The most you’ll cycle within a day is up to 59 km (36 mi), on flat terrain, with a rest day built in, and no obligation to ride every day.
If you’d prefer to cycle independently and at your own pace, you’re welcome to complete the routes on your own using our detailed cycling map and the handy Ride with GPS app. For more detailed information, check out the day-by-day itinerary—keep in mind that cycling route distances in the itinerary are approximate.
E-bike rental is available and encouraged, as this is a holiday and you should fully enjoy it.
This tour is especially well suited to travelers who enjoy active days at an easy pace, appreciate smaller ships, and a personal atmosphere, and like the idea of combining guided cycling with time to explore independently. It is also a good fit if you are curious about Germany beyond the best-known cities, but still want the comfort of a clear daily program, an experienced tour leader, and the option to stay on board when you prefer a quieter day.
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—this is an e-bike-only tour, so a rental is the way to go, and you can add it to your booking at checkout.
The e-bike is typically a Flyer Go Tour6 3.40, with Shimano Nexus 5 gears, five levels of pedal-assist, and hand brakes. The Bosch PowerTube 500 battery is integrated into the frame, and it comes with frame and seat suspension, a gel seat adjustable for height, a lock built into the frame, and puncture-resistant tires—built for comfortable, dependable riding day after day.
Bringing your own bike or e-bike isn’t possible on this ship, due to limited space on deck—exceptions are only made for special bikes, and only if arranged with your guides well in advance. Family-friendly options like children’s bikes, tandems, and trailers can also be arranged on request, if needed.
Group sizes and pricing
Berlin-Hamburg 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 Berlin-Hamburg 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 Hamburg or Berlin, depending on your chosen direction. To get there, most people fly into Hamburg Airport (HAM) or Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach the ship’s dock.
You will meet your guide and board the Clair de Soleil at 4 pm in Hamburg, or at 2 pm in Berlin, on Day 1.
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.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
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