What is a Hotel & Bike Cycling Holiday?

If you love the idea of exploring at your own pace while still enjoying the comforts of a well-organised trip, a Hotel & Bike cycling holiday is a wonderful option. With your luggage transferred for you and accommodation waiting at the end of each day, it’s a relaxed and flexible way to experience the culture, scenery, and food of your chosen destination - all on two wheels.

At Freedom Treks, we know all the ins and outs of Hotel & Bike holidays, so we’ll introduce you to how these holidays work and why they might be the ideal holiday type for you.

Browse all of our Hotel & Bike cycling holidays to start planning your next trip, or for personal advice from our friendly team, enquire online or call +441273224066.

Simply put: a Hotel & Bike cycling holiday involves riding a set route during the day and staying in a hotel each night.

These trips usually include a mix of cycling days and rest or sightseeing days. You’ll have time off the bike to enjoy wandering around local towns, lunching in scenic spots, or discovering larger cities.

Whether you enjoy more time on the bike or would prefer a 50/50 split between cycling and sightseeing, our Hotel & Bike tours have a wide range of itineraries to suit every pedaller. We appreciate that there are many tours to choose from, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re a friendly, small group of bike-lovers that can help you make the right decision using first-hand experience!

And if you’re not sure about tackling any potential hills, don’t worry - over 90% of our tours offer high-quality e-bike hire to give you an extra boost. They are a game-changer for anyone wanting to go further with less effort. Read our team’s ten reasons to hire an e-bike on your next Freedom Treks holiday to learn why!

On a Freedom Treks Hotel & Bike holiday, you’ll stay in a selection of bed & breakfast hotels, ranging from standard to deluxe quality, depending on your tour.

Our hotels are well-located along the route, cyclist-friendly with secure storage, and a comfortable place to rest after a day on the bike. We work with a pool of trusted hotels to widen availability, even at peak times.

Luggage transfer is always included on a Freedom Treks Hotel & Bike holiday. Just bring your bags down to the hotel foyer each morning, and then your bags will be safely transported to your next hotel at the the allocated time. All tour bikes feature pannier bags, so feel free to pack any small day essentials (sun cream and water!).

Luggage arrival times depend on the local provider, but you can typically expect your bags to arrive between 5pm and 6pm. We generally advise each customer has one item of luggage per person and that it is clearly labelled using instructions and labels provided.

If you prefer to stay at one hotel for the duration of your holiday, you can opt to ‘Tour from One Hotel’.

The majority of our Hotel & Bike holidays are self-guided. There’s no fixed group or guide, and you’ll follow a clearly planned route at your own pace with the freedom to stop, explore and enjoy the journey on your own terms.

We also offer a small selection of guided Hotel & Bike tours. These guided options are ideal if you'd prefer to have a guide on hand for local insight and support, or simply want to pedal with other like-minded cyclists. 

Most of our guided Hotel & Bike tours take place in Asia, with options in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan and Sri Lanka. These tours include a friendly English-speaking guide, a support vehicle throughout, and accommodation, typically in locally owned 3* to 4* hotels.

Every tour is graded from Easy to Challenging, so you can quickly get a feel for what’s right for you. If you're not sure which grade of cycling is suitable, feel free to contact our team of mixed-ability cylists for a better idea!

You’ll also find different route patterns depending on how you like to travel:

A to B (linear) routes
A linear journey, staying in a different hotel each night. It’s a great way to see more of a region, often crossing into several countries. Our Danube - Vienna to Budapest Bike Tour is one of our customer favourites. Freedom Treks Chairman Richard shares his experience cycling this tour in 2023 in his Vienna to Budapest trip report.

Loop (circular) routes
Loop route cycling holidays start and finish in the same location, which is super handy if you want to fly in and out of the same airport. You’ll still get to stay in different hotels and explore new places along the way. A popular tour within our team and amongst our customers is our 4 Countries & 3 Lakes Bike Tour, which guides you through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Germany.

Stay put tours
Cycling holidays from one hotel are perfect if you’d rather unpack once and settle in. You’ll stay in one hotel for the whole trip and ride out each day on circular routes, discovering the area in every direction. Our customers’ favourites include: 

• Loire Valley - Vineyards & Chateaux Bike Tour From One Hotel
• Lake Constance Bike Tour From One Hotel

Fuel up at breakfast, gather your things, and drop off your luggage at the hotel reception to be transferred (typically by 9am). Then head out when you’re ready! Your bike will include a pannier bag to carry your daily essentials and any equipment provided (puncture repair kit, bike lock).

Most riders hit the road by mid-morning, with around 3 to 4 hours of cycling ahead - depending on how many photo stops (or coffee and cake breaks) you take.

Follow a local guide or self-navigate with route maps provided - no compass skills required!

Expect stunning views as you pedal, whether it's dramatic coasts, vineyards, forests, and charming little villages or towns. Stop off to look around historical buildings, swim in lakes or enjoy an ice cream in the sun.

You'll then arrive at your next hotel, usually by mid-to-late afternoon. You can head straight out to explore your new destination, whether that’s wandering local streets, unwinding in welcoming restaurants with delicious food, or enjoying drinks in a nearby bar.

If freedom and flexibility are high on your holiday wishlist, a Hotel & Bike tour is for you. Stay in a new location and a different hotel each night and travel light without worrying about transporting your luggage.

Stop as often as you want and take time to explore new locations your way. Want to have a long breakfast after dropping off your luggage, or fancy a detour to a quiet lake for a swim and a picnic? Just lock up your bike and take your time - no one’s waiting, and no one’s rushing you.

Not what you're looking for?

Like most of our tours, a Hotel & Bike tour will require you to pack light - this isn’t the holiday for a different outfit every evening! On a Hotel & Bike tour, risers might fare better than dedicated lie-in lovers - luggage usually needs to be in reception by around 9am. That said, you're welcome to hold back your toothbrush or any neccessities and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before pedalling off for the day!

Alternatively, a Boat & Bike cycling holiday could be an even better fit. You unpack once and settle into your floating hotel with no early-morning luggage deadlines. You can enjoy slower mornings, a relaxed breakfast on board, and return to the same comfortable cabin each evening. To find out more detail from our team, read our blog What is a Boat & Bike Cycling Holiday?.

Explore all that Amsterdam has to offer, such as the city’s impressive Anne Frank and Van Gogh museums and the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, before cycling south towards Bruges (in Belgium) along some of the world’s best cycle paths. Ride beside tree-lined canals, open meadows, picturesque countryside and beautiful historical towns along the way.

Highlights include the windmills at the Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage site, the wetland landscapes of Biesbosch National Park and the island of Zeeland. Arrive in Bruges and appreciate the city’s cobbled lanes, impressive medieval square and inviting restaurants and cafés.

You could also do this tour in reverse. Alternatively, if you’d like to travel by water instead, take a look at our popular Amsterdam to Bruges by Boat & Bike tour.

View: Amsterdam to Bruges Bike Tour

This circular route starts and finishes in the historic city of Constance. Cycle easy terrain along the upper and lower shores of Lake Constance, following safe and well-marked cycle routes through Germany, Austria and Switzerland on this easy circular route. You’ll pass green vineyards and orchards against a backdrop of the shimmering Alps. Enjoy scenic ferry rides that allow a moment to take in the sights, and with a leisurely pace, you have plenty of time to stop for a swim in the lake or explore nearby lidos.

Highlights include the Lake Dwelling Museum, Langenargen’s fairy-tale castle and the medieval walled town on Lindau Island. After pedalling across the River Rhine and into Switzerland, spot the ancient chapels and half-timbered houses of Arbon.

View: Lake Constance Leisurely Bike Tour

Cycle the prettiest section of the Danube River from Passau to Vienna, Austria. Ride along flat terrain and traffic-free cycle paths through riverside towns, alpine foothills and the lush landscapes of the Great Loop.

Highlights include beautiful meadows, the fairytale castles like Burg Clam and Greinburg, and the UNESCO-listed palaces of the Wachau Valley. Pedal past apricot trees, abbeys and the medieval centre of Krems - the oldest settlement of the Danube! 

Travel by train from Tulln and continue by bike to the picturesque city of Vienna.

View: Danube - Passau to Vienna Bike Tour

Cycle through three countries on the Istrian Peninsula. Starting in Italy’s Muggia, cycle the length of Slovenia’s tiny coastline and pedal into Croatia for stunning beaches, towns and nature reserves. You’ll pass hilltop villages and see shimmering saltpans, and can optionally detour to the Zlatni Rat peninsula coves.

Expect a few undulations and gravel paths along the way as you follow the Adriatic shoreline past ports and vineyards stopping to sightsee and sleep in different hotels in fishing villages and historic towns. An optional rest day gives you the chance to sail to the Brijuni archipelago to explore its pine-cloaked islands.

Read our team's Istrian Coast trip report to learn more about cycling this tour, or if you’re interested in a shorter version of this route, take a look at the Istrian Coast - Trieste to Porec Short Break tour.

View: Istrian Coast - Trieste to Pula Bike Tour

Cycle Portugal’s stunning west coast between two of Portugal’s most captivating cities. You’ll follow the shoreline on scenic coastal trails beside pristine beaches, stopping for views of spectacular cliffs. Explore delightful towns or simply bask under the warm sun on the beach.

Highlights include the pretty canals and saltpans of Aveiro, birdwatching in São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve, and wandering the streets of Figueira da Foz. End your adventure in colourful Lisbon and head to a viewpoint to witness the gleaming white-walled buildings glowing orange in the sunset light.

Looking for more of a challenge? Try the extended 11-night version of this tour with extra coastal riding and steeper climbs. Darryl and Evan had a fantastic time on this tour in May 2025. Read their Porto to Lisbon Bike Tour trip report to learn more about the cycling, views and food.

View: Porto to Lisbon Bike Tour

View all Hotel & Bike Cycling Holidays, or if you’d like some help choosing the perfect tour, our friendly team can help! Give us a call on +441273224066 or enquire online - we’re always happy to help you plan your perfect two-wheeled adventure using our first-hand experience.

Or, if you’d like to try something different - or perhaps you prefer water to dry land! - check out our Boat & Bike cycling holidays online, or read our blog What is a Boat & Bike Cycling Holiday? to find out more.

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