What is a Self-Guided Cycling Holiday?

With no fixed group or guide and luggage transfers all taken care of, our self-guided cycling holidays allow you to explore independently. If you want to linger in a vineyard, take a swim in a lake, or stop for that extra coffee break, you set your own pace - the road is truly yours!

In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about self-guided cycling holidays - how they work, what’s included, and why they might (or might not!) just be your ideal getaway.

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

Each day, you’ll ride along scenic cycling paths tailored to your ability level, typically using a navigation app. No need to spend time researching stops in advance; you’ll have detailed route notes (in print or app form) highlighting key points of interest along the way.

We encourage our Freedom Trekkers to read through these holiday documents before each leg of the journey to plan for coffee and lunch stops, plus extra sites to stop at and explore.

Most self-guided tours involve just a few hours of cycling each day, so you don’t need to pedal long distances. Instead, you'll have time to enjoy leisurely mornings, stop for coffee and cake stops, or spend a long lunch exploring local areas.

On all of our Freedom Treks tours, your luggage is taken care of - either stored safely in your hotel and on board your boat, or transferred separately if you are journeying between hotels. Most tours feature bikes with a pannier bag so you can easily bring along any small essential items - such as sun cream, a camera and water - so no backpacks required!

Cyclists usually finish riding by late afternoon, giving you time to unwind, freshen up, and enjoy a relaxing evening.

On all tours, you’ll also be equipped with a puncture repair kit and instructions, bike locks, and an emergency contact number should you need any assistance from local providers. You can hire a good quality bike that is the right size for you on all of our Freedom Treks tours - or why not try out an e-bike? Our team has listed ten reasons to hire an e-bike on your next Freedom Treks holiday.

At Freedom Treks, we offer two distinct styles of self-guided cycling holidays: Hotel & Bike and Boat & Bike.

Boat & Bike

Boat & Bike tours provide a floating base that travels with you from place to place, so you won’t need to repack your bags each day. 

Each morning, the crew will have your bike ready for you on the dock, and from there you’re free to cycle at your own pace, stopping whenever and wherever you like. Breakfast and dinner are typically served on board (with most tours offering a full board option by catering for packed lunches too), so feel free to lunch at scenic picnic spots along the way.

While the pace is relaxed, do keep in mind that boats have a set return time in the late afternoon.

Hotel & Bike

Hotel & Bike tours include pedalling by day and staying in charming hotels by night. Many of the accommodations are family-run or locally owned, offering a more authentic experience of the area.

As you cycle from one destination to the next, your luggage is transferred ahead for you (arriving usually by late afternoon), so if you’d rather have a spare change of clothes for a post-cycle wander, you could easily pack this into your day bag.

Alternatively, we also have From One Hotel tours, where you’ll stay in the same accommodation for the whole cycling holiday and ride out each day on circular routes, so you only need to unpack once and can explore your area from every direction.

If you enjoy travelling independently and setting your own pace, a self-guided cycling holiday ticks a lot of boxes. Your route, accommodation and luggage transfers are all organised for you - but each day, you decide how and when you ride.

You’ll follow easy-to-use navigation apps (maps or GPS Tracks) and you'll cycle at your own pace and stopping whenever something catches your eye. Long lunch by the lake? Extra coffee stop? A detour to a market, museum or swim spot? No problem!

Another bonus? Some of our self-guided trips cost less than guided ones. You still get lovely pre-booked accommodation and luggage transfers - just without paying the little extra for a guide or support vehicle. If you’re happy navigating independently, that saved budget is much better spent on excellent local food (or dessert… or both).

Not what you're looking for?

If you enjoy riding with others, want to hear more cultural insights as you pedal, or simply prefer not to think about navigation at all, a guided cycling holiday may suit you better. With a guide leading the way, you can relax completely and meet like-minded cyclists. If you're looking for more information, our blog: What is a Guided Cycling Holiday? provides all our best knowledge from our team.

Cycle Portugal’s stunning west coast between two of Portugal’s most captivating cities. Ride along coastal trails past pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs and charming seaside towns. Highlights include the canals of Aveiro, birdwatching in São Jacinto Dunes, and relaxing in Figueira da Foz. End your adventure in colourful Lisbon.

Looking for more of a challenge? Try the extended 11-night version of this tour with extra coastal riding and steeper climbs.

View: Porto to Lisbon Bike Tour

Enjoy a relaxing week of easy terrain cycling around Lake Constance, exploring Germany, Austria, and Switzerland along well-marked cycle paths.

Highlights include the Lake Dwelling Museum, Langenargen’s fairy-tale castle, Lindau’s medieval old town and Arbon’s historic streets. We suggest packing your swimming stuff in your pannier and stopping for a swim in the lake or nearby lidos!

Starting and finishing in the historic city of Constance, you’ll stay in a different hotel each night along the circular route. Some sections of the tour can be shortened by catching a boat if you’d prefer.

View: Lake Constance Leisurely Bike Tour

Discover the historic charm of The Netherlands and Belgium by bike and barge, cycling from Amsterdam to Bruges (or in reverse) through flat polders, riverside paths and lush forests. Highlights include Antwerp’s boutiques, Ghent’s art scene, and Bruges’ medieval charm. Opt for the exclusively self-guided cruiser MS Fluvius. A hotel-based version of the tour runs most days throughout the season if you prefer to stay on dry land.

View boats: De Holland and MS Fluvius (riverboats), Magnifique I, Magnifique II, Magnifique III, Magnifique IV Clair D’Etoile (premium barges)

View: Amsterdam to Bruges Boat & Bike Tour

Experience the magic of Central Europe on a cycling adventure through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, following the scenic Danube River. Explore Vienna’s grand palaces, Bratislava’s cobbled old town and Budapest’s romantic skyline. Discover castles and vineyards in Austria’s UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, and enjoy a rest day in Budapest to visit historic churches or cycle to the artistic town of Szentendre.

Choose between either the MV Vivienne or MV Lisabelle, which both feature floor-to-ceiling windows in luxurious styled cabins, along with comfortable communal areas and high-quality restaurants.

Read about our team's experience cycling this tour in our Passau to Budapest Boat & Bike Tour Trip Report.

View boats: MV Lisabelle and MV Vivienne.

View: Danube River - Passau to Budapest Boat & Bike Tour

Browse our full range of self-guided cycling holidays to find the route, region, and ride that suits you best.

Still unsure if self-guided is right for you? Our blog What is a Guided Cycling Holiday? breaks down how guided tours work to help you compare the differences.

If you’re new to cycling holidays, check out Best Tours for Your First Cycling Holiday for a few easy-going options for first-timers.

And if you’d prefer to chat it through, our friendly team is here to 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.

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