Self-Guided Koblenz to Saarburg Moselle Cycle Path Bike and Barge Tour

Experience the beauty of Germany’s Moselle and Saar river valleys on this relaxed 8 day bike and barge journey from Koblenz to Saarburg. Combining scenic cycling with the comfort of a river cruise, this itinerary is perfect for travelers who enjoy gentle activity, historic towns, and vineyard landscapes.

Ride along mostly flat, well paved cycle paths as you pass charming wine villages, half timbered houses, and Roman landmarks in cities like Trier. Highlights include Cochem’s picturesque old town, Bernkastel Kues’ medieval market square, and the waterfall in Saarburg, often called Little Venice. Each day brings a new stretch of countryside to explore while your floating hotel, MS OLYMPIA, awaits you at the next stop.

With full board included and an easy route suitable even for inexperienced cyclists, this tour offers a relaxed and immersive way to discover one of Germany’s most scenic regions.

Tour Type

Self-Guided

Level

easy to moderate

Avg. Daily Distance

38 km / 23 mi

Cycling Days

6

Lodging

Casual+ Inns

Group size

Min. 1, Max. 12

Highlights

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Cycling Through the Moselle Wine Region

Ride along one of Germany’s most scenic river valleys, surrounded by vineyards and charming wine villages. The route follows mostly flat, well paved cycle paths, making it enjoyable even for relaxed and inexperienced cyclists. Along the way, you’ll pass places like Zell and Piesport, known for their long winemaking traditions.

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Roman Heritage in Trier

Explore the ancient city of Trier, one of Germany’s oldest cities. Discover impressive Roman landmarks such as the Porta Nigra, the Konstantin Basilica, and the Amphitheatre, all reflecting the region’s 2,000 year history.

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Fairytale Towns and Half Timbered Houses

Visit picturesque towns like Cochem and Bernkastel Kues, known for their historic market squares, narrow streets, and beautifully preserved half timbered houses that showcase classic Moselle architecture.

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Saarburg, the Little Venice

End your journey in Saarburg, often called Little Venice. This charming town is known for its 20 meter waterfall right in the center, surrounded by baroque buildings and traditional fisher houses. It offers a picturesque and memorable finale to your cycling adventure along the Saar River.

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

Meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

Listed hotels are subject to availability and may be replaced with similar alternatives of equal standard.

DayPlaceCasual+ InnsMealsDistanceActivity
DAY 1KoblenzMS OlympiaD
DAY 2CochemMS OlympiaB,L,D29 km / 18 micycling
DAY 3ZellMS OlympiaB,L,D39 km / 24 micycling
DAY 4Bernkastel-KuesMS OlympiaB,L,D43 km / 27 micycling
DAY 5RiolMS OlympiaB,L,D48 km / 30 micycling
DAY 6TrierMS OlympiaB,L,D27 km / 17 micycling
DAY 7SaarburgMS OlympiaB,L,D39 km / 24 micycling
DAY 8DepartureB

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Koblenz

Arrive in Koblenz, where embarkation begins at 4:00 p.m. After boarding MS OLYMPIA, settle into your outside cabin with private facilities and enjoy a welcome drink. Koblenz is located at the meeting point of the Moselle and Rhine rivers, known as the German Corner. Depending on your departure date, the ship may sail toward Andernach in the evening.

Use this time to relax on the sun deck or explore the historic old town before departure. This first evening allows you to familiarize yourself with life onboard and prepare for the cycling days ahead.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: MS Olympia
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Day 2: Cochem

After breakfast, the ship sails to Alken where your first cycling stage begins. You ride along the Moselle River toward Moselkern and continue to Cochem. The route follows well maintained riverside paths with scenic vineyard views and charming villages along the way. Cochem welcomes you with its picturesque old town and traditional half timbered houses.

Less experienced cyclists may choose to remain onboard and spend more time exploring Cochem in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 29 km / 18 mi
Accommodation: MS Olympia
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Day 3: Zell

Today’s ride leads through one of the most scenic vineyard landscapes along the Moselle. You first pass Beilstein before riding past Bremmer Calmont, known as Europe’s steepest vineyard. Despite dramatic vineyard scenery, the cycle path remains mostly flat and comfortable. The day ends in Zell, a traditional wine village famous for its local varieties.

Take time to stroll along the river promenade or enjoy regional wines before dinner onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 39 km / 24 mi
Accommodation: MS Olympia
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Day 4: Bernkastel-Kues

Leaving Zell, you cycle toward Traben Trarbach, known for its elegant Art Nouveau architecture. The Moselle valley continues to offer vineyard covered hills and classic wine villages. By afternoon, you reach Bernkastel-Kues, where the medieval market square and timbered houses create a charming atmosphere. Explore the historic center before rejoining the ship in Kues.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 43 km / 27 mi
Accommodation: MS Olympia
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Day 5: Riol

Today’s route takes you through some of the Moselle’s most historic wine communities. You cycle to Piesport, considered the oldest winegrowing community along the river, and continue to Neumagen Dhron, known as Germany’s oldest wine town. Roman wine cellars and vineyard landscapes highlight the region’s long history. After a lunch break, you continue toward Riol where the ship awaits.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 48 km / 30 mi
Accommodation: MS Olympia
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Day 6: Trier

A shorter stage today leads you along the river via Pfalzel to Trier, one of Germany’s oldest cities with strong Roman heritage. Upon arrival, you may explore landmarks such as the Porta Nigra, the Konstantin Basilica, and the Roman Amphitheatre. The blend of ancient architecture and lively streets makes Trier a cultural highlight of the tour.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 27 km / 17 mi
Accommodation: MS Olympia
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Day 7: Saarburg

Your final cycling stage begins in Trier as you follow the river landscape toward Saarburg. The route passes via Wasserbillig in Luxembourg and continues along quiet, well maintained riverside paths. The terrain remains easy and mostly flat, making for a relaxed final ride through green valleys and vineyard scenery.

You arrive in Saarburg, often called Little Venice. The town is known for its 20 meter waterfall located in the center, surrounded by baroque buildings and traditional fisher houses. Enjoy time to explore before your final dinner onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling Distance: 39 km / 24 mi
Accommodation: MS Olympia
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Day 8: Departure

After breakfast onboard MS OLYMPIA, disembarkation takes place at 9:00 a.m. This marks the end of your 8 day bike and barge journey along the Moselle and Saar rivers. Following breakfast, you begin your individual onward travel arrangements by train or transfer according to your plans.

Meals: Breakfast

Ready to plan your adventure? Download a print-ready detailed itinerary.

Map

Accommodation

Each accommodation has been thoughtfully selected to ensure an exceptional and memorable experience for guests. Should the listed hotel be unavailable, we will ensure an alternative of similar quality.

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Your Floating Boat Hotel – MS Olympia

MS Olympia is a comfortable and cozy river ship with a welcoming, family style atmosphere. Built in 1984 and refurbished in 2015 and 2016, the ship accommodates up to 96 passengers. Onboard facilities include a panoramic salon with bar designed in a gentlemen club style, a bright and friendly restaurant, and a spacious sun deck that is partly shaded. There is dedicated storage space for bicycles, making it ideal for active travelers exploring the Rhine Valle

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Outside Cabins

The ship features 49 outside cabins, each designed for comfort and functionality. Cabins include a private bathroom with shower and toilet, hair dryer, telephone, TV, safe, fridge, and individually controlled air conditioning and heating. Upper Deck cabins are approx. 11 sq. m in size and have panoramic windows that can be opened.

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Panorama Salon & Sun Deck

Relax in the elegant panoramic salon with bar, offering comfortable seating and a warm atmosphere. The large windows provide excellent views of the passing Rhine landscapes. The sun deck is spacious and partly shaded, perfect for enjoying vineyard views, castles, and riverside towns while cruising between destinations.

Dates and Prices

Book with Confidence: For scheduled group departures, your 20% deposit is fully refundable until 60 days before departure. Solo travellers booking 120+ days in advance can avoid a mandatory Single Supplement. See terms & conditions.



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Essential Info

Inclusions

LODGING

All hotels as mentioned in the tour details or similar (subject to availability).

bike

Immaculately maintained bike with helmet, suited to a terrain.

Luggage Transfer

Transportation of luggage from one hotel to another.

meals

Meals as per itinerary. Guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently.

Exclusions

Airport pickup

We recommend to book direclty from airport.

Airport drop

We recommend to book direclty from your last hotel.

Beverages

Beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, juice at a hotel or restaurant.

Gratuity

Gratuities for your guide team are not included in the trip price.

A great ride begins with a great bike. Our tours typically include the models listed below, though in some cases—due to height or availability constraints—we may provide an equivalent alternative.

Bike Image

Velo de Ville SEB 890 or similar

ebike

Available at a surcharge

We want you to have a fantastic experience on your tour, so we aim to be upfront about what to expect along the way. Here are key details to keep in mind:

About MS Olympia

Built in 1984 and thoughtfully refurbished in 2015–2016, MS Olympia combines classic river-ship character with modern comfort. Registered in Switzerland, the vessel measures 88.5 metres in length and 10.5 metres in width, with a shallow draft of just 1.5 metres—ideal for navigating Europe’s waterways. With a professional crew of around 21, MS Olympia accommodates up to 96 passengers, offering an intimate and well-serviced onboard experience.

Upper Deck Cabins

The prices indicated on our website are for the upper deck cabins which are 11 sq m in size and have a panoramic window that opens out to the sea.

Start

Koblenz

Finish

Saarburg

Fly-In

Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Fly-Out

Luxembourg Airport (LUX)

ARRIVAL

Your tour begins in Koblenz, where embarkation takes place at 4:00 p.m. Koblenz is easily accessible by train from major German cities. If arriving by air, the most convenient airport is Frankfurt Airport. From Frankfurt Airport, direct trains run to Koblenz Hauptbahnhof in about 1.5 hours. Cologne Bonn Airport is another option, with train connections taking approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.

From Koblenz main station, you can take a short taxi ride to the pier. Please note that cars cannot be loaded or unloaded directly in front of the ship.

DEPARTURE

Your tour ends in Saarburg, with disembarkation after breakfast at 9:00 a.m. For onward travel, regular trains connect Saarburg to Koblenz in about 2 hours. If flying out, Luxembourg Airport is the closest airport, approximately 40 to 45 minutes by car. Alternatively, you may travel by train to Frankfurt Airport in around 2 to 2.5 hours.

We recommend booking a taxi from your hotel or the pier to the train station or airport for a smooth departure.

For cycling along the Moselle and Saar rivers, the best weather is typically from late spring to early autumn. May to September offers comfortable riding temperatures between 18 to 26°C or 64 to 79°F, with long daylight hours and pleasant vineyard scenery. July and August are warmest, sometimes reaching 28°C or 82°F. April and October are cooler at 12 to 18°C or 54 to 64°F, which can still be enjoyable with light layers.

Winter months are cold, often between 0 to 8°C or 32 to 46°F, and less suitable for cycling. Rain is possible year round, but late spring and early autumn usually provide the most balanced conditions.

January

Offseason

February

Offseason

March

Mixed

April

Good

May

Best

June

Best

July

Best

August

Best

September

Best

October

Good

November

Offseason

December

Offseason

Best

Good

Mixed

Offseason

Packing smart is essential for a safe and enjoyable cycling adventure. From essential biking gear to clothing and travel necessities, this guide ensures you're prepared for any terrain or climate.

Recommended Bicycling Clothes & Gear

  • Bicycling shoes or stiff-soled sneakers.
  • Padded cycling shorts.
  • Short-fingered cycling gloves (personal gloves are ideal).
  • Brightly colored cycling jerseys or synthetic T-shirts for visibility.
  • Synthetic cycling socks.
  • Sunglasses with UV protection.
  • Personal helmet (recommended even though provided).
  • Personal saddle (optional for added comfort).
  • Rain jacket or windbreaker.
  • Cycling water bottle (to reduce plastic waste).

Note: Helmets, gloves, and water bottles are personal items, so bringing your own is recommended for maximum comfort and hygiene.

Clothing

  • Light, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
  • Full-sleeved clothing for sun protection.
  • Warm layers for chilly mornings and evenings (if traveling in winter).
  • Comfortable footwear for non-cycling time.
  • Bring a compact rain jacket in case of sudden weather changes.
  • Ethnic or modest clothing for exploring towns and temples.

Other Necessities

  • Toiletries: Basic hygiene essentials, including insect/mosquito repellent and sunscreen.
  • Hand sanitizer and wet wipes.
  • Plug socket adaptor.
  • Binoculars for wildlife spotting or desert landscapes.

Pro Tips

  • Pack light but plan for the varying temperatures: warm days, chilly evenings, and desert winds.
  • Use brightly colored clothing for visibility on roads.
  • Pack light to leave room for shopping.

Luggage

Please limit your luggage to one medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on bag. Mark your luggage with your name, address, and phone number.

Before venturing on your adventure, make sure you're equipped with essential travel advice, including security updates, local laws, and crucial passport and visa information. Start by visiting the official government website of your home country for accurate and reliable guidance:

Note: Passport and visa regulations can change at any time. Stay proactive by checking for the latest updates to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.

Medical insurance that covers medical costs in case of an accident during the trip is mandatory to participate in our tours.

We recommend purchasing adequate travel insurance to protect yourself from unforeseen events. Our experience shows that guests who purchase travel insurance—including coverage for all activities on the itinerary, trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage damage, loss or theft, personal accident, death and repatriation costs, medical and emergency expenses (including Covid-19), and personal liability—travel with greater peace of mind.

Is proof of medical insurance required?

Yes. You must provide your insurer's name, policy number, and emergency contact via our reservation form. This is mandatory. If you cannot provide proof, you’ll need to purchase insurance before traveling with us.

Can I use my credit card insurance?

Yes, as long as it meets our requirements and provides adequate coverage. Ensure you have an emergency contact number and policy number available.

When should I buy travel insurance?

Purchase travel insurance as soon as you've paid in full or booked your flights.

Does Art of Bicycle Trips sell travel insurance?

We do not sell travel insurance directly, as we believe our customers should have the freedom to choose a policy that best suits their needs. However, we recommend Insured Nomads as a great starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

A self-guided bike tour allows you to explore independently using our detailed app-based navigation and pre-arranged logistics. We provide route notes via app, luggage transfers, hotel bookings, and emergency phone support. There is no local guide riding with you, so you manage your own navigation and basic bike upkeep.

For self-guided tours, the fitting process is designed to be simple and flexible while ensuring you start with a bike that suits your measurements.

Before Your Tour

When you book, we ask for your height. This allows our local partners to select the correct frame size and prepare the bike in advance so it’s close to your ideal fit when you arrive.

At the Start of the Tour

The setup experience varies by destination:

  • In some locations, you may receive an in-person handover with basic adjustments made by the local partner.


  • In others, especially in more remote regions, you may receive a bike that is pre-set based on the measurements you provided.


All self-guided bikes include basic tools, so you can make simple adjustments such as raising or lowering the saddle yourself.

During the Tour

You can adjust the bike as you ride using the provided tools. If anything feels off and you need assistance, our local partners are reachable and will support you as promptly as the location allows.

What to Expect

The self-guided bike fit is practical and rider-adjustable. It ensures:

  • You start with the correct frame size

  • You can fine-tune your comfort easily

  • You have the flexibility to adjust as needed along the route


It’s not an in-depth professional fitting, but it’s perfectly suited for multi-day touring comfort.

We provide an app-based navigation system that includes all your daily routes, points of interest, and important trip notes. You can download the app to your phone in advance, and we’ll share your login details before your trip.

Yes. Once the routes are downloaded, the app works completely offline, so you don’t need mobile data while riding. You can even use it in airplane mode, which helps conserve your phone’s battery.

To extend battery life further, we recommend reducing screen brightness and carrying a small power bank for longer days on the trail.

A mobile holder is not provided. Since you’ll be using your phone for navigation, we strongly recommend bringing your own sturdy, handlebar-mounted mobile holder to ensure a safe and comfortable riding experience.

We do not provide GPX files separately. All routes are available within our navigation app, which is the most reliable and up-to-date source for your trip. Once you receive the login details for the navigation app — generally shared about one month before your departure — you can explore the routes and, if needed, also download the GPX files directly from the app for use with your personal Garmin or GPS device. We recommend getting familiar with the app and its features before your tour starts to ensure a smooth experience on the road.

For minor issues like punctures, the guests are provided with a self-repair kit, which includes tools to help them fix such minor issues. The exact contents of the kit depend on the type of bike, terrain and other factors, and will be communicated to you closer to your date of departure. However, usually such a kit includes tire levers, a spare tube, a patch kit, and a pump, allowing riders to fix the problem themselves. In some cases, the kit may only include a pump or a repair foam.

Self-guided riders are expected to be independent in handling these minor problems. While there are some bike shops along the route, they are limited. If you are unsure about how to repair a puncture, we recommend considering a guided or van-supported trip instead.

For major mechanical failures, such as a cable break, the guests can contact the emergency support number provided. The support team will help coordinate a solution, which could include dispatching a local mechanic, suggesting a nearby bicycle shop for repairs, or sending a vehicle to pick up the rider. Please note that all support services will be provided on a chargeable basis, and assistance may take time, so we advise being prepared for potential delays.

Yes, each rider will be provided with at least one pannier to carry personal items during the tour. Please note, road bikes do not support panniers.

Yes, we provide helmets. However, we recommend that guests try to bring their own helmets, as these are items of a personal nature.

Your luggage will be picked up at the reception of your hotel every morning by 9.00am.

It will be delivered to the next hotel before 5pm. Most of the time it is delivered in the early afternoon itself.

We recommend that you carry no more than 2 bags together weighing up to 15kgs for this trip. You can have one large bag, which contains all your clothing and gear needed for the trip, and one small bag that contains essential items you will frequently need such as passport etc. Please note that once a bag gets loaded in the luggage transfer vehicle, you may not have access to it till later in the evening when you reach the hotel for the night.

We provide local support by phone for any medical emergencies during the tour. Our local team will assist in coordinating medical care, guiding you to the nearest healthcare facility, and ensuring you receive the necessary support. The national emergency system is reliable and effective, and in the event of a serious accident, contacting them is highly recommended. However, due to our distance from certain areas, response times may be longer. We strongly recommend having appropriate travel insurance, and we will do everything we can to ensure your safety and well-being during an emergency.

Airport transfers are not included unless specifically mentioned in your trip inclusions.

For airport pickup, we recommend booking directly from the airport upon arrival — most airports have reliable taxi, shuttle, or app-based options.

For airport drop, please book a transfer through your last hotel — they can easily arrange it for you.

We focus on delivering exceptional experiences during your tour. For logistical simplicity and flexibility, we do not handle pre- or post-tour hotel bookings. However, we’re happy to share a list of recommended hotels near the starting and ending points of your trip so you can plan your stay independently.

We are happy to pass on your room preference for a twin or double setup, and our hotel partners do their best to accommodate these requests. However, room configurations are always subject to availability at each property.

On some of our trips—especially those that travel through remote regions or small boutique inns—room types may be limited. In such cases, despite our best efforts, you may need to stay in a double room instead of a twin, or twin instead of a double, depending on what is available.

Given the nature of our journeys and the unique places we visit, we kindly ask for your understanding and support if such adjustments are required.

We will always inform you in advance wherever possible and work closely with our partners to ensure the most comfortable arrangement for your stay.

The fitness level required for each trip is indicated by the "level" of the tour, which in turn is mentioned on each tour page right next to the price and the trip duration.

Easy: The terrain is mostly flat with a few gentle climbs.

Moderate: The terrain is either mostly flat or consists of rolling hills with a few challenging climbs. There could also be a few days with longer riding distances of up to 75 kms (45 miles)

Difficult: The terrain is mostly hilly with strong elevation gains and/or has long days on the bike. Such trips are recommended for intermediate to advanced cyclists.

Please note that we usually bike around 4-5 hours per day irrespective of the level of the trip.

You can exchange currency at the airport itself, or at ATMs in larger cities. Most commercial establishments will accept international credit cards for payments, though its good to carry some local currency with you at all times.

The meeting time on Day 1 is mentioned in your travel planner shared with you. You can arrive either on the morning of Day 1 depending on the meeting time, or book a pre-tour night to arrive a day earlier.

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