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Cycling Copenhagen to Berlin

Cycling Copenhagen to Berlin

A Northern European tour extraordinaire, cycling from one vibrant city to another, both renowned for their urban cycling culture among other things, our new Copenhagen to Berlin cycling tour promises to be a winner. Spend four days in Denmark, pedaling across some of the country's quintessential islands and along the Baltic Sea before traversing it to reach the "Continent." Connecting some of the most important trading towns of the Hanseatic League which from 1400-1800 dominated the trade routes and economies of the Baltic countries. Our ride in Germany touches upon several important cities including Hamburg which considers itself a trendsetter for the rest of Germany (perhaps all of Europe), and Lübeck (home of the Hanseatic League), Potsdam, and finishes with Berlin!

If this sounds great but you prefer a shorter tour, check out our Cycling Copenhagen to Hamburg or Cycling Hamburg to Berlin tours.

Tour Dates & Prices

Date
Price
Private Room Fee
Note
Jul 15-28, 2023
USD$6795
USD$650
 Departure confirmed to go!
Book It

* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.

** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.

Tour Style: Classic Hold A Space Request Private Departure Download Itinerary Tour Map
  • Trip At-A-Glance
  • Tour Summary
  • Daily Itinerary
  • Travel Information
  • Map
  • Reviews
  • Similar Tours
Trip At-A-Glance

Trip At-A-Glance

  • Length / 14 Days
  • Total Distance / 651 km (407 miles)
  • Avg. Distance / 59 km (37 miles) per riding day
  • Tour Level & Tour Style / 1.5 Classic
  • Countries / Denmark, Germany
  • Begin/End / Copenhagen / Berlin
  • Price / From USD$6795
More Photos
Tour Summary

Tour Summary

  • Highlights
    Copenhagen and its cycling path network, Beaches along the Baltic, Lübeck - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Best marzipan in the world, Guided tour of Hamburg harbor, The Iron Curtain, Birding opportunities, Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace

    Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

    We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available since they haven't been needed traditionally. Read more on the use of air conditioning in Europe here.

    Separated twin beds are rare in many places; instead there will be two mattresses together that sit on the same base.
  • Includes
    14 days, 13 nights' accommodation; meals as noted in itinerary; ferry crossings, guided tours of Hamburg and Berlin; and the usual (see below).

    Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
  • Arrive / Depart
    Copenhagen (CPH) / Berlin (BER)
  • Overall Tour Level
    1.5 difficulty level 1.5
  • Daily Ride Summary

    Day

    Distance/Gain
    mi/ftkm/m

    Terrain

    Day Level

    Notes

    1
    Test ride
    2
    79km / 203m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    3
    58km / 346m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    4
    39km / 343m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.0
    5
    69km / 656m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 2.0
    6
    50km / 249m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    7
    69km / 364m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 2.0
    8
    Rest day
    9
    71km / 422m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 2.0
    10
    55km / 408m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    11
    69km / 298m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    12
    58km / 222m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    13
    40km / 271m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.0
    14
    Last day

Terrain Legend

Gentle Gentle

Rolling hills Rolling hills

Hilly Hilly

Very hilly Very hilly

Mountainous Mountainous

Daily Itinerary
Download Itinerary

DAY 1: Welcome to Copenhagen

Highlights: Copenhagen considered the "most livable city and bike capital of the world"

The Danes are well known for their love of cycling and cities all around the world are now trying to emulate their bicycling success. It really is a biking heaven with over 390 kilometers (241 miles) of designated bike lanes. The world also looks to Copenhagen for the latest innovations in design, architecture, fashion and savors the extraordinary culinary revolution that has taken place here over the last decade. Enjoy an avant-garde Danish welcome dinner tonight.

DAY 2: South Zealand

Highlights: Kalvebod Fælled, Mosede Fort & Beach, Køge oldest half-timbered house in Denmark

Leave Copenhagen on one of its many extraordinary bike paths to the Kalvebod Fælled nowadays one of the biggest recreational areas around Copenhagen. Stop for lunch in Køge, a century old market town with an impressive medieval section surrounding the central square which is home to the oldest dated half-timbered house in Denmark. Continue cycling south, past Stevens Klint to our hotel on the Baltic beach of Rødvig.

  • Distance: 79km (49mi)
  • Gain: 203m (666ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 3: The southern edge of Zealand

Highlights: Præstø Fjord and town, Baroque mansion of Nysø, and Vordinborg

Continue pedaling south to Præstø Fjord and stop to view the famous Nysø Mansion, one of Denmark's first and finest examples of baroque architecture overlooking the Fjord. Gather picnic supplies in the small town of Præstø which began as a merchant village in the 14th Century. Keep cycling over small country roads to our hotel in Vordinborg.

  • Distance: 58km (36mi)
  • Gain: 346m (1135ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.5
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Lodging:

DAY 4: Southern Seeland to Oldenburg continuing to Bad Malente

Highlights: 4 different modes of transportation - walk, train that goes on the ferry, and bike!

A short walk to the nearby train station gets you going this morning-you'll travel on the iconic Berlin-Copenhagen line which goes directly onto the ferry to cross the Fehmarn Belt to enter Germany. Continue by train across the Fehmarn Sund bridge to the town of Oldenburg where you'll switch modes of transportation to hop on your bike and pedal to our two night stay in this German lakes region. Enjoy your first night in Germany with some bratwurst and beer!

  • Distance: 39km (24mi)
  • Gain: 343m (1125ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.0
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Lodging:

DAY 5: Loop ride in "Holstein Switzerland"

Highlights: Loop ride, rolling countryside and lakes, Plön

Your loop ride today is in this area of Germany, nicknamed "Holstein Switzerland" since it has some hills. In the 19th century it was very fashionable to go to Switzerland for vacations. We're not sure it quite fits its moniker as the highest "mountain" is only 550 feet! Pedal through an ever-changing landscape of the Young Drift moraines formed during the last ice age. Small woods alternate rapidly with hedged, arable fields and the terrain is characterized by its many lakes nestle amongst low hills. Enjoy Plön and its castle, or, for those not wanting to bike today, relax in town or at the hotel.

  • Distance: 69km (43mi)
  • Gain: 656m (2152ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 2.0
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 6: Bad Malente to Lübeck

Highlights: Lübeck - Queen of the Hanseatic

You'll bid farewell to the Baltic today. Ride along the beach and enjoy the waterfront of the Timmendorfer Strand before heading southwest inland to Lübeck. Before entering town, catch a free bike shuttle bus that takes you through the Herrentunnel underneath the Trave river. Lübeck is referred to as the Queen of Hanseatic cities. Its extensive Brick Gothic architecture is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. And make sure you enjoy Lübeck's beloved delicacy - one of the best marzipan's in the world made by Niederegger.

  • Distance: 50km (31mi)
  • Gain: 249m (817ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.5
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Lodging:

DAY 7: Lübeck to Hamburg

Highlights: Free and Hanseatic City, "Gateway to the world"

"The gateway to the world" might be a bold claim, but Germany's second-largest city and largest port (despite being located on a river 100 km from the coast) has never been shy. Hamburg has engaged in business with the world ever since it joined the Hanseatic League back in the Middle Ages, and this "harbourpolis" is now the nation's premier media hub and its wealthiest city.

We'll enjoy a special dinner this evening with riders who are doing the Hamburg to Berlin stage of the ride.

  • Distance: 69km (43mi)
  • Gain: 364m (1194ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 2.0
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 8: Hamburg

Highlights: Guided harbor cruise of the Hamburg Port

Enjoy a harbor cruise this morning and some free time to visit some of the local attractions like the impressive Rathaus (city hall) or one of the museums in the newly popular warehouse district. Or perhaps you'd like some shopping in the main streets around the train station, or a stroll along the Alster River and harbor to see the bustle.

DAY 9: Hamburg to Lüneburg

Highlights: Storybook German brick gothic town Lüneburg, town hall

Take a ferry out of Daily Hamburg and find yourself transported to another world - the "Alte Land" a rural paradise famous for its orchards. As the landscape changes we'll ride through the Lüneburg Heath, a nature reserve, on our way to Lüneburg town whose prosperity for centuries came from its salt. The town sat upon a massive salt dome which was mined, sold/traded throughout Northern Europe. Though salt is no longer the primary economic driver, Lüneburg has more than that going for it. For instance our hotel is the location for the German TV series, "Red Roses". Stroll around and enjoy this fairy tale setting.

  • Distance: 71km (44mi)
  • Gain: 422m (1384ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 2.0
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Lodging:

DAY 10: Lüneburg to Hitzacker and shuttle to Tangermünde

Highlights: Elbe River, Iron Curtain, Baroque gardens at our lodging

Today’s ride follows the Elbe river along a natural area of the Lower Saxony Elbtalaue. With such a picturesque landscape it's difficult to imagine that you are traveling along the Iron Curtain. We'll regather in Hitzacker and take a 1.45-hour shuttle to the final destination of the day, Tangermünde. Our hotel for the night is the former residence of the emperor of Tangermünde, the castle’s unforgettable charm casts a spell on all who visit. Enjoy the pool or spa this afternoon.

DAY 11: Tangermünde to Brandenburg

Highlights: Elbe valley - bird watching

You will continue riding along the Elbe valley, a paradise for bird watchers because its extensive alluvial flats offer perfect conditions for a wide variety of birds. After crossing the Elbe by ferry we will be heading toward the next river, the Havel. Actually, it is more of a series of lakes rather than a river that you will be following as you enter the town of Brandenburg.

  • Distance: 69km (43mi)
  • Gain: 298m (977ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 12: Brandenburg to Potsdam

Highlights: Havel River Bike Path, Sanssouci Palace and Park

Today you will follow bike paths along the Havel River to the final destination for the day, Potsdam. This was the royal residence for Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until 1918. The palace's name Sans Souci, translates to "without concerns". King Frederick set-up his summer residence here in the 18th century to relax and escape the spectacle of the Berlin court. You'll pedal through the city’s impressive park itself to reach our hotel in the center of town. Take the rest of the day to enjoy the town, its many palaces, and parks.

  • Distance: 58km (36mi)
  • Gain: 222m (728ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 13: Potsdam to Berlin

Highlights: Cycle to our final destination: Unified Berlin

Today we cycle to our final destination and Germany’s largest city, Berlin. Our route will take us across the bridge of spies, through the Grunewald, past the Olympia Stadium of 1936, and along bike paths to the Victory Column, through the Tiergarten Park to the Brandenburg Gate and back on bike paths to the Reichstag!

  • Distance: 40km (25mi)
  • Gain: 271m (889ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.0
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 14: Berlin

Highlights: Berlin guided visit

Your cycling adventure is complete, but we will spend our last morning together with a guided visit through the city. Once we finish our tour back at the hotel at around 1 p.m., we hope you have a bit more time to spend in one of Europe's most cosmopolitan cities. It offers a little of everything for its many visitors -- Happy travels!

If you must depart, we recommend you book your home bound flight for the next day as most international flights leave in the morning.

  • Meals: Breakfast
Travel Information

Travel Information

Day 1: Arrival Information

Welcome to Copenhagen

Meeting time 1:15 p.m. - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary.

Note:

As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.

The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.

We recommend flying into the Copenhagen Airport (CPH).

From the Copenhagen Airport to the Day 1 Hotel

  1. Metro to Norreport station (15 min/DKK 36; we recommend using the ticket machines, credit card only)
  2. walk from Norreport station Day 1 Hotel (7 mins)
  3. Or Taxi from the airport to the hotel (20 min/DKK 250-300)
    4.  

Day 14: Departure Information

Berlin

Your trip ends on the final day after the city tour around 1 p.m. back at the hotel. 

We recommend you plan your homebound flight for the next day

The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. 

Your closest departure airport is Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).

There is a variety of options available to get to the airport, and you should check how long your chosen option takes as the trip length can vary from 1 to 1.5 hours total. You may check the public transit BVG website or ask the hotel about departing.

From the ending hotel to the BER Airport 

  • Taxi (30min/EUR 50)

or

  • Public transportation: 
    • Walk or take a taxi to Alexanderplatz (10 min/EUR 10)
    • Regional trains RE7, RB14 and other lines (25 min/EUR 4). 
    • Note: Many ticket-machines are cash only. Remember to validate your ticket at one of the red boxes on the platform. Not all stations have escalators, so you might prefer a taxi. 

Keep in Mind

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available since they haven't been needed traditionally. Read more on the use of air conditioning in Europe here.

Separated twin beds are rare in many places; instead there will be two mattresses together that sit on the same base.

Pre-Trip Planning Checklist

To do right after you booked!

6 to 3 Months Prior to Tour Start Date

  • Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
  • Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
  • Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
  • Begin your chosen training program.
  • Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.

6 to 2 Weeks Prior to Tour Start Date

  • Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Reading and Movie Lists: https://www.experienceplus.com/blog/travel-planning/
  • Plan what you are going to pack and start packing! Refer to the Packing Lists on our website at https://www.experienceplus.com/blog/travel-planning/packing/.
  • We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).

Day of Your Flight

Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!

What to Expect on Tour

Classic Tour Style

Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic page.

Map

Map

Reviews

Reviews

  • What was your favorite experience? There were many. For pure biking: Day 4, our first day in Germany. For the unexpected: Berry stop on Day 4 in Germany. For the novel: the tour of the private bike museum in Brandeberg. For hotels: Henri's in Hamburg. For the food: our meals together the first day in Copenhagen and again in Bad Malente beside the lake in the sunshine.

    Brad H., Falls Church, VA - July 2019

  • A tour that is challenging enough to know you have exercised but not so much that you are too tired to enjoy the sights.

    Nora B., Junction City, OR - July 2019

  • What was your favorite experience? There were many. For pure biking: Day 4, our first day in Germany. For the unexpected: Berry stop on Day 4 in Germany. For the novel: the tour of the private bike museum in Brandeberg. For hotels: Henri's in Hamburg. For the food: our meals together the first day in Copenhagen and again in Bad Malente beside the lake in the sunshine.

    Brad H., Falls Church, VA - July 2019

  • A tour that is challenging enough to know you have exercised but not so much that you are too tired to enjoy the sights.

    Nora B., Junction City, OR - July 2019

  • Great cycle paths & quiet roads a “perfect Sandy Tour”

    Sandy T., Matcham, NSW - July 2019

  • Easy riding on well maintained bike paths, rural roads - traffic around the cities to be expected. Hotels cozy and unique. A 5 Star customer experience.

    Valya K., Fredericksburg, TX - July 2018

  • This is my second trip with ExperiencePlus and I will be looking forward to my next trip!

    Dorothy C., Hong Kong, China - July 2018

  • Priceless memories.

    Leanne C., Kooyong, Victoria - July 2018

  • Excellent social and cultural experience, well organized, easy riding, arrows excellent, leaders superb. Thanks for a great trip!!

    Mike A., Vancouver, Canada - June 2018

  • Cycling along the Baltic Sea and through fairy tale forests and fields of golden grains between two culturally and historically rich cities. Thanks for a really wonderful cycling route, great guides, adventures along the way, and the chalk arrows! We have already booked the next trip - France Sep 2019.

    Joan M., Redwood City, CA - June 2018

  • Excellent guides and the routes were fantastic. Always a pleasure, looking forward to next time.

    Nino M., Kanata, Ontario - August 2017

  • Wonderful cycling, scenery, food, guides, and fellow guests.

    Pat W., Arlington, VA - June 2017

  • Some beautiful rides and lovely scenery; extraordinary history that takes on a whole new dimension when you are right there! Flat, windy, some rolling segments; good tour for more casual cyclists.

    Trisha D., Seattle, WA - June 2017

  • How would you describe this tour to a friend? it was just a wonderful travel and cultural experience.

    John S., Peregian Beach, Australia - June 2017

  • How would you describe this tour to a friend? Great scenery; interesting variations on cycling (train on ferry over Baltic Sea); relatively easy (201); somewhat windy but easily handled because of the flat terrain. I traveled with three other cycling tour companies (all good) before finding ExperiencePlus, and have stayed with ExperiencePlus ever since my first tour. I have seven under my belt now, and they have all been excellent.

    Guy C., Brentwood, CA - June 2017

  • Another wonderful ride. We''ll see you again next year.

    Charlie P., Los Angeles, CA -June 2017

  • Biking with ExperiencePlus! is one of the highlights of my year, can''t wait for my next trip. Thanks to the entire staff for helping your guests experience their dream trips!!

    Mike T., West Caldwell, JH

  • Wonderful cycling routes, many on bike paths, varied scenery, interesting history, visiting two countries, being in places that value the bicycle as a respected mode of transportation. Thank you for a great tour!!

    Linda M., Livermore, CA

  • I thought this was a great trip! Lots of fun, relatively flat terrain on good roads/bike paths, a few longer back-to-back days, and very interesting to see the difference between the former halves of Germany. Can''t wait til next year!

    Kathy S., San Ramon, CA

  • How would you describe this tour to a friend? Fun, educational, cultural. Great tour.

    Frank B., Dayton, OH

  • Very well planned and executed with great staff. Overall an excellent experience.

    JJ Tremblay, St Albert, Canada

  • Twelve days of great rides with excellent companions and guides, delicious food and wonderful scenery and sights. A wonderful route through beautiful towns, woods, and seashores. ExperiencePlus! is first class in every way. This was my third trip and I know I''ll do more.

    Jane T., Milwaukee, WI

  • Fabulous!

    Estelle K., Aurora, CO

  • Most fun you''ll have on two wheels-the only way to vacation!

    John and Stacey M., Newport, OR

  • This tour had some of the most beautiful rides of any ExperiencePlus! trip to date. Miles of car-free bike paths through farms, along rivers, and through towns. Seeing first hand the differences between West and East Germany. Every ExperiencePlus! trip we do is a new favorite and this one was no exception.

    Sari R., Glastonbury, CT

  • Love the arrows, guides, route, 4 and 5 star hotels, picnics, other bikers, history lessons from guides, attention to we bikers on the road, and my bike being ready the next morning!!! Seeing the country slowly.

    Jeanne E., Centerville,OH
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