Netherlands

Netherlands and Belgium Bike and Barge Tour: Amsterdam to Bruges in 11 days

11 days | Amsterdam or Bruges | Guided cycling, with a tour leader on board

Cycle and cruise from Amsterdam to Bruges in 11 days

This 11-day bike and barge tour takes you between Amsterdam and Bruges by bike and by ship. You can travel in either direction: Amsterdam to Bruges or Bruges to Amsterdam. The route is flat (level 1 out of 5) and crosses the Netherlands and Belgium, past Utrecht, Kinderdijk, Dordrecht, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. You sleep in the same cabin for all 10 nights, and a tour leader rides with the group. Prices start at €2,199 per person, without bike rental.

Prefer a shorter trip? Take a look at our 8-day bike and barge tour from Amsterdam to Bruges.

At a glance

Not included: bike rental, drinks, one dinner in Antwerp

Price: from €2,199 per person, depending on ship and date

Length: 11 days, 10 nights on the ship

Direction: Amsterdam to Bruges, or Bruges to Amsterdam

Level: 1 out of 5, no hills

Cycling: 20 to 57 km (12 to 35 miles) on most days, with a short and a long option

Style: a tour leader rides with the group. You can also ride alone with the cycling map and GPS routes

Ships: Flora, Fleur, Gandalf or La Mar, each with 20 to 24 guests

Both directions: the tour runs from Amsterdam to Bruges and from Bruges to Amsterdam, on set dates.

Dates: May to October

Included: breakfast, dinner on most nights, lunch packs, ferries and water bus

First time on a bike & barge tour?

New to this type of travel or wondering what to expect on board? Read our complete guide on how a bike and barge tour works to discover everything about daily life, routes, and ship amenities.

Cycling and cruising through the Netherlands and Belgium

Is this tour right for you?

This tour fits you if:

• you like cycling, but prefer flat roads and no stress
• you want to see two countries without packing and unpacking every day
• you enjoy museums, old streets, beer and good food
• you like a small group, not a big crowd
• you want a guide when you want one, and freedom when you do not

It is less suited for people who want long, sporty days or mountain climbs. For that, ask us about our other tours.

Highlights of this bike and barge tour

• Weesp and the Vecht: a small canal town and a river lined with 17th and 18th century houses. You also stop at a traditional cheese farm.
• Utrecht and Vianen: you meet the ship in Utrecht and sail on to the fortified town of Vianen.
• Schoonhoven and Kinderdijk: the “silver city” and the famous windmills, where you can visit one of the mills. A fast water bus takes you and your bike across the water to Dordrecht in about 10 minutes.
• Dordrecht, Willemstad and Tholen: one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, an old fortress town and a village that used to be an island.
• Wouwse Plantage: a forest ride in North Brabant, on the way to the Kreekrak locks.
• Antwerp: art, port life and the hometown of Rubens. Dinner is on your own this night.
• St. Amands and Dendermonde: quiet Scheldt country. Here the tide decides whether you travel by bike or by ship.
• Ghent: a student city with canals, a famous cathedral and a medieval tower. When you travel from Bruges, you can see the old harbor from a small canal boat.
• Bruges: medieval streets and canals, and a ride to the coast on a free day.
• Route details can change because of weather, water levels or other reasons. On the shorter rides you may skip some highlights.

What makes this route special

Rivers, polders and windmills

The first days follow the Vecht and the Lek. You ride past country houses, a working cheese farm and the long row of windmills at Kinderdijk, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Antwerp, with time to spare

The ship stays two nights in Antwerp. That gives you a full free day for the Rubens House, the cathedral, the MAS museum, a brewery tour or simply a long lunch.

The Scheldt

Between Antwerp and Ghent you cycle along the river Scheldt, through quiet villages and open country.

Ghent and Bruges

Ghent is lively and full of old buildings. Bruges is the quiet finish, with canals, cobblestones and a free day to explore.

How a day on the ship works

You have breakfast on board and get a lunch pack for the road. After a short briefing you cycle off with your group. On many days you can pick the short or the long ride. Around the middle of the day or in the afternoon you reach the ship again, or the ship sails ahead to meet you. In the evening you have a three-course dinner on board, and sometimes a short walk with your tour leader.

You can skip any cycling day and stay on the ship. You will not have lunch on board, but you can eat your lunch pack.

Route and day-by-day program

The route in short: this bike and barge tour runs between Amsterdam and Bruges in 11 days and 10 nights. The ship sails through Weesp, Utrecht, Vianen, Dordrecht, Tholen, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. You cycle about 285 to 380 km (175 to 235 miles) in total, depending on whether you choose the short or the long ride on the days with a choice. You can travel in both directions.

Amsterdam to Bruges or Bruges to Amsterdam: which direction should you choose?

You travel the same route with the same ships, the same level and the same length in both directions. The order of the highlights is different. The total distance is about the same: 285 to 380 km (177 to 236 miles), depending on whether you pick the short or long ride.

Amsterdam to Bruges by bike and barge: day by day

Bruges to Amsterdam by bike and barge: day by day

The exact route and order of stops may vary depending on the departure date and circumstances.

Choose Amsterdam to Bruges if you like to end your trip in the quiet medieval center of Bruges. Choose Bruges to Amsterdam if you like to start calmly in Bruges and finish with the windmills and the Vecht river near Amsterdam.

Route map for this 11-day bike and barge tour between Amsterdam and Bruges

Your ship – A floating hotel

During this varied bike and barge tour, you combine relaxed cruising with beautiful cycling days. While you explore the surroundings by bike, the ship sails on to the next destination. On board, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay with breakfast and dinner included. Each morning, a packed lunch is ready for you to take along.

You decide how active your day will be: choose a longer or a shorter cycling route. Prefer to take it easy? You’re welcome to stay on board and cruise to the next destination instead.

Renting a bike is possible on board, but of course you’re also welcome to bring your own.

What Does a Day on Board Look Like?

Your ship is your floating hotel. While you cycle during the day, the ship sails to the next destination. You have breakfast, dinner, and sleep on board.

A typical day:

• You receive a packed lunch in the morning
• You choose between a longer or shorter cycling route
• Prefer not to cycle one day? No problem — just stay on board
• Rental bikes are available on board, or bring your own

Guidance along the way: An experienced tour leader is on board. Each day, they go over the next day’s route and provide practical tips. You cycle independently, at your own pace, using:

• A clear cycling map
• Free navigation via the Ride with GPS app
• Printed route descriptions (available on board)

If you have questions or run into problems along the way, you can always call the tour leader.

Guided by a tour leader, or ride on your own with the map and GPS

Choose your ship

All four ships are small, so you travel with a friendly group of 20 to 24 guests.

Highlights along this bike and barge tour

New to the Netherlands?

Our travel guide has fun facts, tips on weather and bike paths, and the best time to visit. Read the Netherlands travel guide

Prices and departure dates

Included

• 10 nights on the ship, with bed linen, towels and daily cleaning
• 10 breakfasts and 9 three-course dinners
• A lunch pack for each cycling day
• Coffee and tea on board, and a welcome drink
• A tour leader and a daily briefing
• Ferry and water bus fees
• A cycling map (one per cabin) and GPS routes
• A waterproof bike bag and a reusable water bottle
• A helmet (on Fleur and La Mar)
• Wi-Fi

Not Included

• One dinner in Antwerp
• Drinks
• Bike or e-bike rental
• Helmet rental (on Flora and Gandalf)
• Personal insurance
• Tips
• Entrance fees and excursions
• Travel to and from the ship, and parking

Optional extras

E-bikes are limited, so book early. Fleur has only rental e-bikes. Spaces for your own bike are limited and must be booked in advance.

Tip: Book rental bikes, e-bikes, and helmets early — this isn’t always possible at the last minute.

Travel between Amsterdam and Bruges: there is a good train connection between the two cities. Visit www.nsinternational.com for timetables and tickets.

Good to Know

Freedom, comfort, and personal guidance Every day, an experienced tour leader is on hand during your bike tour. The route is discussed daily, and you’ll get useful tips and information about the sights along the way. After that, you set your own pace: you cycle independently and enjoy the freedom fully.

With detailed cycling maps, clear route descriptions, and handy tips, you’ll head out well prepared. You can also use a free GPS app. And if you run into any trouble along the way, the tour leader is always available by phone for questions, breakdowns, or emergencies.

Choose the cycling route that suits you On several days, you can choose between a shorter or longer cycling route. This lets you tailor the day to your own preferences and energy level. Note that on the shorter route, you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.

A relaxing day on board Not in the mood to cycle? No problem. You’re welcome to stay on board and enjoy the peace and comfort of the ship. As the landscape drifts by, the ship sails on to the next destination — a lovely way to give your trip an occasional relaxed pause. No lunch is served on these days, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

Flexible itinerary Stated cycling distances are always approximate. The itinerary may also change during the trip due to nautical, technical, or weather-related circumstances, or other unforeseen situations. We do everything we can to make your trip as enjoyable as possible and will find a suitable alternative where needed.

Relaxed boarding On the day of arrival, you can bring your luggage on board from 11:00 AM. This lets you drop off your belongings and relax before starting your cycling adventure.

Who is this bike and barge tour suitable for?

This tour is ideal for anyone who wants to combine cycling, culture, and relaxation. The routes are mostly flat and suitable for recreational cyclists.

You don’t need to cycle every day. If you’d like to skip a day, you can stay on board and relax while the ship sails to the next destination.

Cycling routes are approximate and may be adjusted due to nautical, technical, weather, or other circumstances.

Book your Amsterdam – Bruges bike and barge tour

Want to discover the Netherlands and Belgium in an active yet comfortable way? Choose this 8-day bike and barge tour from Amsterdam to Bruges, or from Bruges to Amsterdam.

Cycle through Zeeland, discover Antwerp and Ghent, admire the windmills of Kinderdijk, and finish your trip in historic Bruges. In between, enjoy the comfort of your hotel ship and unpack just once for the whole trip.

Step aboard and discover the Netherlands and Belgium by bike and by ship.

Practical information

• Getting to the ship: Amsterdam and Bruges are connected by a direct train line. Check NS International for timetables.
• Boarding: between 1:00 and 2:00 pm. You can drop your luggage off from 11:00 am.
• Bikes: the rental bikes have a low step-through frame, at least seven gears and a gel saddle. E-bikes have three support levels. Tandems and child seats are available on request.
• Weather: bring a rain jacket, because the weather in the Low Countries changes fast. See our packing list for bike tours for more tips.
• Your money is protected: Travel2Move is covered by VZR Garant.

Parking in Amsterdam – Valet Parking

Traveling to Amsterdam by car? Use the convenient valet parking service by CentralParking, recommended by Travel2Move. Your car is picked up, securely parked, and returned to you. Step aboard worry-free, without the hassle of parking, luggage, or public transport.

Benefits:

• No waiting or lost time
• No hauling heavy suitcases
• Direct boarding without a taxi or public transport
• Secure, monitored parking
• Licensed drivers with a certificate of good conduct
• Often more affordable than public parking garages in Amsterdam

Valet Parking Amsterdam Rates

Advance booking required. Last-minute booking on the day of departure is only possible for trips starting and ending in Amsterdam.

Please note: Valet Parking is a service provided by CentralParking, an external partner recommended by Travel2Move. Travel2Move is not responsible for the delivery of this service.

Frequently asked questions about this Amsterdam – Bruges bike and barge tour

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