Bike tours in Europe are a very popular holiday option. It's always best to book at least two months in advance of your planned cycling trip to avoid disappointment. This also allows you enough time to do any necessary training before your trip starts.

If you want to do a bike and boat trip, it's best to book as soon as you are sure you want to make the trip. There is a limited availability of berths to travel on and it's always advised to book well in advance for your preferred departure.

If you wish to do a seasonal bike and boat trip, e.g. to see the tulips in bloom in the Netherlands on the Tulip Tour, please be aware of the increased demand for this experience. Read our detailed article on when to book your bike and boat trip here.

Please refer to our bike and boat FAQ page.

Most cycling tours are family friendly, and some are specially designed to cater for families. Check for the family friendly icon on the trip page or view our range of family cycling trips here.

The bikes used differ from tour to tour, but they are generally a multi-speed bicycle fitted with brakes and a lock. You’ll also get a pannier (small bag that attaches to your bike) so you can store any gear you’ll need for the days’ activities. Check the Bike Information section on the particular trip page for more bike information.

We always recommend using a helmet on our cycling tours for your safety and this is a compulsory requirement on many of our tours. In some European countries it is required by law to wear a helmet.

On some tours it is possible to bring your own bike to use. Please get in touch with us for further information and confirmation.

All of our cycling tours use highly maintained bikes. For some tours there is the option to upgrade to a premium bike, e.g. a carbon road bike.

Electric bikes (e-bikes) are available on most UTracks cycling tours for an upgrade fee. Check the Bike Information section on the particular trip page for more information regarding availability.

Each morning starts with a breakfast at your accommodation to fuel your day. Breakfast details differ from tour to tour and from country to country, so please check the trip page for further information. If you're staying in a new location, you'll need to pack your luggage and leave it in reception so the luggage transfer service can collect it. Only take what you need for the day's cycling with you (warm clothing, water, snacks).

If you’re on a guided tour, your guide will lead the way as you pedal through Europe’s beautiful countryside. For a self guided tour, you are free to cycle at your own pace as you follow the route notes (maps, navigation apps) of your itinerary.

At the end of the days cycling adventures you’ll finish at your accommodation and once you check in your luggage will be waiting for you. Then the evening is yours to explore the town and recharge for the next day.

If you’d like to read some firsthand traveller experiences of a cycling tour with UTracks, find them in our Cycling Travel Stories section in our blog.

The accommodation on a cycling tour will differ from tour to tour as different lodgings are used. Generally, we stay at 3-4 star accommodation on a twinshare basis with ensuite facilities. Our accommodation is handpicked for its local charm, location, cleanliness and value. There is also the option to upgrade hotels on some trips, please check the trip page for details or get in touch with our staff for further information.

While unlikely to be necessary, if you encounter any issues you can call our support line which will be available to you in your tour information. On a guided tour our guides are well experienced and are on hand to help with any problems that arise.

The number of people on your guided cycling tour depends on the tour and what time of the season it is. Generally speaking there'll be less than 20 people on one tour.

People of all nationalities travel on our European cycling tours. In general, travellers come from Australia, New Zealand, North America, the UK and Europe. There can be a mix of languages however all of our tours are run in English.