Why You Should Bike Tour Germany

Why You Should Bike Tour Germany

When a person is dreaming of places to tackle bucket list adventures, I’m sure Germany tends pop up as an option. That’s because the country is packed with ton of fun and unique experiences. For most people, I am sure items like racing down the Autobahn, taking a river boat cruise down the Rhine River in Cologne, or dancing the Polka at Oktoberfest come to mind. But recently, we discovered a great activity you should add to your bucket list: to Bike Tour Germany.

Wait, you’re not 5, why on earth would you want to spend your day cycling in Germany? I mean aren’t you on Holiday?

Look, we get it! Exploring Germany by bike might sound hard but trust us riding German touring bikes are as easy as, well, riding a bike!

Cycling in Germany is Very Convenient

Eric Gamble Riding Donkey Republic Bikes by Bellevue Palace in Berlin Germany
Travelling around Germany isn’t necessarily hard with countless trains, underground rails, and bus routes. Yet, when you bike tour Germany, you no longer worry about crowds or timetables. Not to mention, often when you arrive by public transportation, you still have to walk to your desired destination.

Of course, you could always rent a car in Germany. However, you still face the challenge of traffic and finding parking. When cycling in Germany, you can easily just ride up to your desired destination and not have to worry about spending hours looking for a spot to park.

Whether it's seeing amazing palaces, admiring the Berlin Wall, or exploring along the Rhine River, cycling in Germany can get you there. See why you should add BIKE TOUR GERMANY to your Bucket List! #DonkeyRepublic #biking Click To Tweet

When You Bike Tour Germany You Discover More

Eric and Darcee Gamble cycling in Berlin on their bike share German touring bikes
With over 45,000 miles of bike paths throughout the country, it is definitely easy to take a cycling holiday in Germany. Whether it’s something in the main tourist section of a city or a palace on the outskirts of town, using a German touring bike can get you there. Like in Berlin, a lot of the hot spots are near the Brandenburg Gate in former East Berlin. But the famous Charlottenburg Palace is on the other side of town in the former West Berlin. According to Google Maps, from the Brandenburg Gate, you would need to hop on the S Bahn or a bus, then transfer to the underground or another bus, and then walk 5 to 10 minutes totaling about 40 minutes. A forty-minute trip may dissuade you from visiting this beautiful palace. But with a bike, it is an easy 20-minute ride over there from Brandenburg gate.

Also, while riding a bike in Germany, you get to find the hidden gems like a unique historical site or local hot spot. For example, in Munich, riding bikes allowed us to discover a unique World War II historical site often missed by visitors, behind the Feldherrnhalle known as Shirker’s Alley (Drückebergergasse).

You Save Money When You Explore Germany By Bike

two Orange Donkey Republic Bikes used to Bike tour Germany
While travelling, getting around can be a rather expensive add on to any adventure. With a car rentals, gas, and paid parking, it can often total as much as the plane ticket to get there. If you decide to skip the car rental, then you are forced to use public transportation which is great in Germany but can nickel and dime you every time you use it.

However, when you bike tour Germany, cost becomes less of a factor. Generally, with bike sharing services like Donkey Republic, you can easily find a bike for about €10 ($12 USD) for the full day. That is, it!

Germany Touring Bikes Are Good For Your Body

Rack where Eric and Darcee picked up their orange Donkey Republic bikes while cycling in Germany
It is hard to escape all of the sausages, schnitzels, pretzels, sauerkraut, and strudels in Germany. Then to top it off, there is a ton of great beer everywhere. This is why Germany is considered a food and beer heaven. However, all of that good food and beer can lead to some unforgiving vacation weight gain.

This is where exploring Germany by bike, may help. No sane person would deny a good beer and brat combo. So, riding one of those German touring bikes may help burn off some of those extra yummy calories you will be consuming. For example, according to myFitnessPal, a pint of pilsner is about 150-250 calories, and a typical bratwurst can be around 300 calories. Since most people burn about 500-600 calories an hour riding a bike like the ones offered by Donkey Republic, you just earned your lunch cruising around town.
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Cycling Holidays in Germany May Relieve Stress

Darcee Snider Gamble Exploring the Reichstag on our Donkey Republic Bikes in Berlin Germany
Vacations are supposed to offer you a much-needed break from life at work and home. But TSA lines at the airport, crowds of people bumping into you at Check Point Charlie, or dealing with jet lag can sometimes be very stressful. However, stress relief can happen in several ways when you bike tour Germany.

First, after an hour of any endurance exercise like riding a bike, hormones like serotonin and endorphins get released. This can give you a feeling of happiness while reducing anxiety and stress.

Second, riding a bike can help you get to sleep better at night and fight jet lag. Cycling holidays get you outdoors which exposes you to sunlight. This is great because that sunlight can help in resetting your circadian rhythms. With big, beautiful parks like the Englischer Garten in Munich or the Tiergarten in Berlin, you can set yourself up for a good night sleep as you soak up the vitamin D.

When people think of places with bucketlist adventures, Germany tends to offer a ton of opportunities. Perhaps that's why cycling holidays in Germany are so popular. But are they right for you? #Bikeshare #biking #donkeyrepublic Click To Tweet

You Can Bike Tour Germany Easily With Donkey Republic

Eric Gamble using his phone to unlock his orange German Touring Bikes in Munich
It is extremely easy to rent a touring bike in many cities in Germany with Donkey Republic. Just Follow the instructions below and start exploring:

  1. Visit www.donkey.bike and download the Donkey Republic app on iOS or Android.
  2. Once the app is downloaded, open it and search for bikes in your city. If you are planning ahead, see where what cities in Germany or anywhere in the world Donkey Republic has bikes by visiting www.donkey.bike/citiesA map on the Donkey Republic app that shows you where their rideshare bikes where located in Berlin
  3. Then locate the bikes you want to rent. When you get there, choose the number of bikes you need and click “Rent Now”.
  4. It will next give you Drop-off options. Then choose one of two options. Option 1 is where you return the bike to the original pick-up location. With Option 2, you can choose to return it to any other return location. This is great if you are just using your bike to get to a far-off location but don’t want to have to ride it back to your origination spot.
  5. It then takes you to the payment page, where, if you want, you can purchase theft insurance for the day.
  6. The payment page will also give you an option to add a Coupon Code. Don’t forget to enter BUCKETLIST to save an additional 15% off your rental!
  7. From there it will tell you the Bike Number that is yours for the day. You can see number on the bike by looking at the cell phone holder on the handlebars.
  8. Then make sure you turn on your phone’s Bluetooth. Then tap “Unlock” on your phone and the app will open the bike’s electronic lock. What is really cool is that you can lock or unlock your electronic bike lock whenever you want. So, if you are riding by the Chinesischer Turm beer garden in Munich’s Englischer Garten, you can easily lock up your bike and stop for a Beer and Brats. a Phone using Bluetooth and the Donkey Republic app to unlock their bikes
  9. Explore Germany by bike and have an unbelievable day seeing the sites.
  10. When you are done, return the bike, lock the electronic bike lock, and click end your rental.

NowGet on your bikes and ride!

Freddy Mercury’s command at the end of Queen’s famous song, ‘Bicycle Race’, always seemed pretty easy to follow. I mean, as a kid, who doesn’t want to ride their bike? So, it only makes sense that even as adults, cycling holidays in Germany sound bucket list worthy. But have you ever wanted to bike tour Germany before? Have you ever tried cycling in Germany on a bike from Donkey Republic? Which of the reasons why you should explore Germany by bike is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin “Why You Should Bike Tour Germany” to your Bucket List Board!Pinterest Picture of Eric Gamble taking a bike tour in Germany on his Donkey Republic Bike share

Disclosure: The Bucket List Project partnered with the bike-sharing company Donkey Republic in Germany. With that said, all opinions in “Why You Should Bike Tour Germany” are our own. This post may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

51 thoughts on “Why You Should Bike Tour Germany

  1. So nice that Germany is bike-friendly. Riding a bike around a new city is a good idea. You get to see more places but you do so in a relaxed manner.

  2. I love the idea of exploring Europe by bike! The European cycle network is amazing and it sounds lovely exploring at a slower place with more freedom. Maybe one for my post-lockdown list!

  3. This is a great idea. It’s not only budget friendly but also eco-friendly! I’ll definitely try biking when we go to Germany. Thanks for the recommendation of the Donkey Republic! I’m going to download their app so I won’t forget. Hehehe!

  4. I knew Germany was good for beers. However, your reason are pretty great why one should explore on a bike.

  5. I have never been to Germany so it would definitely be already exciting and the thought of bike riding scared me a little since it’s been forever since I have ridden one but would really like to.

  6. I have been to Germany once in my twenties. I never thought of exploring it by bike. It seems so much fun. By the way, the country is really pretty and has a load of beautiful places to explore. Definitely a must-do.

  7. It is definitely a healthier and cheaper way to explore Germany on a bike. And I haven’t been there but I have heard that they have a lot of bike paths, just like you mentioned. Not sure if I’ll be able to manage it though, I’ll be huffing and puffing a few kms in. Those of us living in dubai have been spoiled rotten and i am not proud of it. Need to get healthy !

  8. Even though I live in San Diego, we have used rental bikes to explore the beaches and islands, so I know that bicycling is a great way to discover new sites. And on a recent trip to Toronto, we took a guided bike tour — so much fun! You’re right! Bicycling does relieve stress and save money, too. I like that it lets you see things at a slower pace.

  9. I totally agree! We rode around Berlin on bike on a bike tour, and it was one of the best days. Germany is perfect for bikes. You can cover so much ground and it’s so bicycle friendly!

  10. Biking is the best, easiest and cheapest way to explore Germany. 45,000 km of cycling track is something new and interesting for us. Biking will help one not only see the hidden spots but also will keep one fit and relieve the stress. The Donkey Republic seems to have several stations and a great option for renting.

  11. Biking in Germany is probably the best way to get a really immersive experience of the place. Given the wonderful countryside and the amazing landscapes it is easy to be convinced to explore Germany on Bike, apart from the other reasons. Donkey Republic seems to be a nice option for renting bikes.

  12. This summer in Germany and also other parts of Europe we saw a lot of people cycling. 45k miles of bike tracks is quite something. For me the best way would be a combination of train or bus to go from city to city and then explore by bike.

  13. “45,000 miles of bike paths” – now that’s super impressive and should be a good enough reason to try biking there. However, I must confess I didn’t when I visited the country last. However, I think I will give Donkey Republic a shot next time 🙂

  14. Ya know, I think you could take your article and change a few words and it would be a suitable reasoning for exploring most destinations by bike. Bike riding is definitely a great way to see a place and improve your own outlook and health. Thanks so much for the information about Donkey Republic. I had no idea about this service and it’s definitely a good thing to know about.

    1. Its true…I guess it could be anywhere in the world & lucky for us, Donkey Republic is in tons of countries so we can explore all kinds of bucket list destinations!

  15. You have definitely some strong arguments to choosing exploring Germany by bike, plus all the benefits it brings with regards to economy and our health. I see more people travel around with their bikes, I love it. You avoid the parking, the transportation time with connections and you exercise while admiring the cities!

  16. Bike travel is always a good way to see around a country. I’m probably not fit enough to cope unless I’m somewhere flat – but I know there are some great places in Germany I could explore on a bike. Munich looks like more of a possibility than I’d expected.

  17. Funny- this made me realize that while I’ve explored lots of countries on two wheels, Germany isn’t one of them! I wonder if it’s because their bike culture isn’t quite as big as places like Copenhagen or Amsterdam, so I just never thought to do it?

  18. We always try to include some form of physical activity when sightseeing and cycling is of course one of the best ways to do this.

  19. I told my friend who lives in Berlin that the next time I visit her, I want to bike the perimeter of the old Berlin Wall. Now I know exactly where to get the bike to do that!

  20. Love reading your blog, I am more of a walker then rider… I love exploring cities by feet. I am definitely going to explore Germany by bike then I visit next. Love the photos.

    1. I love walking around Europe too but this was our first experience riding bikes and it was unbelievable plus they’re all over Europe and the UK. I hope you get a chance to try it one time it’s phenomenal experience

  21. I love cities that have bike lanes and respect the bike lanes. Walkers know where to walk, and cyclists know where to bike. Every place should be like that!

  22. Yes, yes, yes! I absolutely love Germany and wish I had more time for exploring by bike (usually very brief, one afternoon or so). Thanks for showing the photo of the app in use – I will definitely keep this company in mind on my next trip.

  23. Eric, agree Germany and other European countries should be explored by bike. I did Budapest by bike and the experience was phenomenal. The thing is that the countries have tons of trails and it is easy to move around on the bikes. This year I visited the Rhine area in Germany and I saw tons of bike paths. My dream is to stay in one of the towns and bike around for a day. The bikes are allow on the ferries so you can jump from one side to the other easily.

  24. That’s pretty cool how there’s an app to make rent biking easier. I will definitely check this company out if/when I go to Germany

    1. I wish more American cities were like that period here in New Orleans they’re trying to make it more bike-friendly but the city is just too compact so it’s really rough

  25. I explored Interlaken, Switzerland by bike and it was so much fun! Definitely need to bike more often.

  26. I’ve seen plenty of people riding bikes around Germany – seems like it is, indeed, prime cycling country. The benefits to yourself are obviously great, but it seems like you get a real feel for the country by taking this way as well 🙂

    1. Couldn’t agree more Joe. We were very excited when we were able to discover a lot of things that we would have missed riding around in a car or bus or even the train

  27. Can’t wait to visit Germany someday! Love your tips for bike travel, you can really take in the sights and the sustainability factor is great too.

  28. I’ve heard of bike tours that take you into the countryside too! Would be a fun way to see the small villages and landscapes outside the city!

  29. Exploring our beautiful country by bike really is a great option! I’m sure your article will be most helpful to fellow travelers! Ein toller Beitrag 😊

    Liebe Grüße aus Hamburg,
    Karo

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