Best European Bike Tours: Routes, Prices and How It Works

What is Best European Bike Tours?

Best European Bike Tours is a small tour company that leads groups of cyclists on multi-day road rides through Europe. Each tour moves from town to town, with a different hotel most nights. A guide and ride leaders ride with the group, a support van follows with the luggage, water and snacks, and the van can pick up anyone who wants a break.

The company says it started running European tours in 2005 under the name Czech Active Tours, at first in the Czech Republic and its neighbors. As it added routes in other parts of Europe, it set up Best European Bike Tours as a "sister touring company" with a name that fits the wider map. Its scheduled tours, in its own words, focus on Germany, Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden and Finland), Central Europe (Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia) and Spain. The current list also includes Portugal, Sardinia, the Baltic states and a London to Paris route.

It describes itself as "an American company with most of its staff born in Europe," and says it runs every tour itself with a long-standing bilingual crew rather than outsourcing to local operators. The testimonials it publishes come mostly from riders in the United States and Canada. Prices are shown in both US and Australian dollars, and the company has an office in each country.

Who owns and runs Best European Bike Tours?

The About Us page names the team. Here is how the site describes each person:

• Ludvik: co-founder and owner of Czech Active Tours. Born in Prague, lived in the US for 10 years and now lives in Perth, Australia. He spends every European summer running the tours, and most published testimonials thank him as ride leader.
• Laura: Ludvik's wife and the other co-founder and owner. Born in the US, she lives in Perth, where the site says she teaches at a university. She helps organize the tours.
• Margo: handles logistics from the Michigan office and is the US contact person.
• Tomas: lives in Prague, where the company says its European center is, and handles arrangements on the ground.
• Alvaro: the guide on the Andalucía tours, described as very knowledgeable about history, art and literature.
• Jindra: born in the Czech Republic, studied in the US and lives in Prague.
• Pavel: lives in Brno, Czech Republic. The site says he holds a master's degree in civil engineering.
• Zdenek: a tour guide and friend of the founders since university. The site says he has a PhD in history.

The site does not publish guide certifications such as first-aid training, so ask if that matters to you.

Is Best European Bike Tours legit?

Here is what you can check before sending a deposit:

• Two real addresses and phone lines. The site lists a street address and phone number in Kalamazoo, Michigan and another in South Lake, Western Australia, each with a named contact person.
• A named legal entity. The waiver names Best European Bike Tours, LLC as the company you are dealing with.
• A history it states plainly. The company dates its start to 2005 under the Czech Active Tours name. One published testimonial describes a tour with Czech Active Tours in June 2008.
• Named staff. The owners and crew are named on the About Us page, and riders name the same people (Ludvik, Tomas, Pavel) in their testimonials.
• Written terms. Payment deadlines, cancellation rules and a liability waiver are published before you register.
• Testimonials. The site publishes letters from past riders, most from the US and Canada,, chosen and published by the company itself.

The site does not show an independent review score, and we have not quoted one. If outside opinions matter to you, ask the company to put you in touch with past riders from the route you are considering.

Which tours does Best European Bike Tours offer?

The site lists 13 guided tours. Six have fixed 2027 dates. The other seven run "upon request," which the tour pages say needs a minimum of 8 participants. Prices are in the cost table below.

The 2027 scheduled departures, one by one

These six tours run on fixed dates in 2027. The details below come from each tour page.

Best of Sardinia (7 to 17 May 2027)

A loop around the north of the island from Olbia, through Palau, Castelsardo, Alghero and Bosa (with a rest day), then across to Orosei and San Teodoro on the east coast. Stages run about 30 to 85 km (19 to 53 miles). Breakfasts, 6 dinners, a walking tour of Olbia's old town and entry to selected castles, including the Doria Castle in Castelsardo and Malaspina Castle in Bosa, are included. Graded Demanding.

London to Paris (23 May to 3 June 2027)

Framed around the 83rd anniversary of D-Day. The route runs from London to Salisbury and Stonehenge, then Portsmouth, where an included overnight ferry crosses to Saint-Malo. In France it visits Mont Saint-Michel (with a day off), Utah and Omaha Beaches, Lisieux and Rouen before Paris. The price covers 11 nights, breakfasts, 6 group dinners and entry to Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge and Mont Saint-Michel. Stages run about 48 to 103 km (30 to 64 miles).

Berlin to Krakow (8 to 18 June 2027)

Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. The route leaves Berlin through lake country to Dresden (day off, Zwinger palace tour), follows the Elbe, takes a bus transfer to Olomouc, then rides through Štramberk, Cieszyn and Żywiec to Krakow. Includes 10 nights, breakfasts and 6 dinners. The FAQ puts a typical day at 60 to 80 km (40 to 55 miles).

Tour of the Baltics (31 July to 11 August 2027)

From Vilnius, Lithuania through Riga, Latvia (day off) and up the coast through Pärnu and Haapsalu to Tallinn, Estonia. Includes 11 nights, breakfasts, 6 dinners, walking tours of Riga and Tallinn, and entry to selected castles. Most stages are about 80 to 90 km (50 to 56 miles).

Prague to Budapest via Vienna and Bratislava (17 to 27 August 2027)

Four countries and four capitals: southern Bohemia, the Moravian wine country, a day off in Vienna, the Danube to Bratislava, and on through Esztergom to Budapest. Includes 10 nights, breakfasts, 7 dinners, walking tours in Prague, Vienna and Bratislava, castle entry fees, an evening of wine tasting or folk music, and a thermal spa visit. The FAQ puts a typical day at 60 to 85 km (40 to 60 miles).

Andalucía, Spain (28 September to 7 October 2027)

From Seville to Granada through the Sierra Norte, Córdoba (day off), Baena, Jaén, Baeza and Guadix, where the group sleeps in a cave hotel. One stage follows the Vía Verde del Aceite rail-trail. Includes 9 nights, breakfasts, 5 dinners, the Mezquita in Córdoba, the Alhambra in Granada and an olive oil museum or mill. The longest stage is 125 km (78 miles), and the highest point is 1,297 m.

Tours that run on request

Seven routes have no fixed 2027 date. The tour pages say they run on request with a minimum of 8 participants, which suits a club or a group of friends.

• Vienna to Prague (8 days, Easy): along the Danube to Krems, the Wachau Valley and Melk Abbey, then north to Třeboň, two nights in Český Krumlov, a brewery tour in České Budějovice and a transfer to Prague. Includes 7 nights, breakfasts and 5 dinners.
• Jewels of the Czech Republic (9 days, Moderate): a loop from Prague through southern and eastern Bohemia, including Český Krumlov, Třeboň, Telč and Kutná Hora. Includes 8 nights, breakfasts, 5 dinners and castle entry fees, including Český Krumlov Castle.
• Munich to Prague via Salzburg (11 days, Moderate): Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, with days off in Salzburg and Český Krumlov (each with an optional ride). Includes 10 nights, breakfasts and 6 dinners.
• Berlin to Copenhagen (10 days, Moderate): lake country north of Berlin, Schwerin, a day off in Lübeck, then a ferry from the northern tip of Germany to Denmark. Includes breakfasts, 6 dinners, walking tours in Berlin and Lübeck and a boat tour of Copenhagen.
• Copenhagen to Helsinki via Stockholm (15 days, Moderate): Denmark, Sweden and Finland, with days off in Jönköping and Stockholm, a ferry to the Åland Islands and another to Turku. Includes 14 nights, breakfasts and 7 dinners. The site says this tour often runs right after Berlin to Copenhagen, so the two can be combined.
• Porto to Lisbon (10 days, Demanding): along the coast and inland through Aveiro (boat tour included), Coimbra (day off), Tomar, Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré, Óbidos, Peniche and Ericeira. Includes 9 nights, breakfasts and 4 dinners.
• Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Berlin (23 days, Moderate): the longest route, described as designed for groups who want an extended time on the bike together. No itinerary or price is published. Contact the company for a quote.

How much does a Best European Bike Tours tour cost?

These are the per-person prices published on each tour page on 22 October 2026. The single supplement is the extra charge for a room to yourself.

Currency clause. Each tour page says the company's costs are mostly paid in euros, so it reserves the right to raise the trip price based on exchange rates at the time of your final payment. The stated trigger is a USD/euro rate above 1.20 or an AUD/euro rate above 1.50. If you are budgeting tightly, ask where the rate stands when your final payment is due.

Extras you pay for yourself: flights to the start and home from the finish, lunches, travel insurance, rental bikes, extra nights before or after the tour, and personal spending. Some tours offer a picnic lunch on request for an extra cost, and the Andalucía tour offers a paid airport pick-up. The site also publishes region-by-region cost guides that help you budget around the tour price.

Financing. No financing plan is published; payment is split into a deposit, a second installment and a final balance (see payments).

What's included, and what isn't

The general What's Included page lists the standard shape of every tour:

• Lodging in selected hotels, pensions and bed and breakfasts
• Breakfast every morning and a set number of dinners (the count varies by tour)
• Guides and ride leaders on the road
• Van support with snack stops, and luggage moved between hotels
• Walking tours, boat tours, sightseeing, and on some tours wine tastings, spa visits, brewery visits or museums
• Mechanical support
• Detailed daily itineraries, with GPS navigation on most tours
• Emergency phone numbers
• Optional extra riding on some tours
• The option to add nights before or after the tour
• Bike rental, as an optional paid extra

Inclusions vary by route, so the company suggests reading each tour's own list before comparing prices.

Not included: airfare and getting to the start city, lunches (the van carries water and snacks), travel insurance, bike rental, and anything you buy along the way. The terms also say the company is not responsible for airfare or expenses caused by an itinerary change.

How hard are Best European Bike Tours tours?

The company says about 95% of its routes are on paved roads, suitable for road bikes and hybrids. It uses three levels:

The site's test: can you ride the lower end of a level's range and do it again the next morning? Demanding tours also ask for confidence on long, steep descents.

On any tour, you can ride in the van for part of a day or a whole day without arranging it ahead. The company says some guests do not ride at all, such as the non-cycling partner of a keen rider. If you are between levels, its advice is to book the tour you want and use the van for the rest.

The registration form asks how often you ride, your typical distance and terrain, your touring experience over the past three years, whether you can fix a flat, and how you plan to train. The waiver adds that riders who cannot keep to the standard of the tour may be subject to early termination at the company's discretion, so be honest on the form.

What a day on tour looks like

Mornings. Breakfast at the hotel is included every day. Your luggage goes into the van, so you ride with only what you need for the day.

On the road. The group follows routes the company says it scouts and pre-rides itself, using bike paths and small roads with little traffic where possible. Riders follow GPS files and printed cue sheets; one testimonial mentions RideWithGPS files. The van (called a SAG van on the site) stops with water and snacks such as cookies, fruit and nuts, carries tools and spares, and gives lifts.

Lunch. Not provided. You can stop at a restaurant along the way if there is one, and some tours can arrange picnic lunches for an extra charge.

Evenings. Some evenings are group dinners, buffet style or set menus, and the company says it takes dietary needs into account. Other evenings are free, and the guides recommend places to eat.

Where you sleep. The Accommodations page says tours use 3- and 4-star hotels, pensions and B&Bs, always with a private en-suite bathroom. The company says it prefers local, bike-friendly hotels near town centers over large chains, uses secure storage for the bikes, and sometimes books wellness hotels with a sauna or massage. Each tour includes 7 to 14 nights depending on the route.

Renting a bike or bringing your own

You can bring your own bike or rent one. The Bike Rentals page lists these models:

• Fuji Absolute 2, 3 and 4, with flat handlebars
• Fuji Newest 1 and 2, with drop handlebars
• Fuji Roubaix 1.3, with drop handlebars
• Fuji Sportif 2.1, with drop handlebars

Each rental comes with a rear rack, bungee cord, spare tube and tire levers, bottle cage, pump, lock and odometer. Rental costs $200 to $270 on most tours (flat bar or drop bar), $180 or $250 on Vienna to Prague, and $250 or $300 on Copenhagen to Helsinki. Rentals are reserved ahead: tell the company your height and handlebar preference when you book. Helmets are not included, so bring your own; the waiver requires an ANSI or Snell approved helmet whenever you ride on tour. Many riders also bring their own pedals and saddle.

If you bring your own bike, the company asks that it be recently serviced. Mechanical support from the van is included either way.

How booking works, step by step

The Reservations page sets out the process:

1. Check for space. Groups are limited in size, so email first to confirm there is room on your chosen tour.
2. Register. Fill in the online registration form, one form per person. It asks for your contact details, date of birth, passport details, an emergency contact, medical or dietary notes, dinner preferences, riding experience and T-shirt size. If you are traveling alone, you can name a roommate or ask the company to find one.
3. Accept the terms. The form requires you to accept the terms and conditions and the waiver and release of liability.
4. Pay the deposit. North American riders can mail a check to the US address, and Australian and New Zealand riders to the Australian address. Bank transfer is also accepted (ask for account details), and the terms list Visa and Mastercard.
5. Get your confirmation. Once your registration and payment arrive, the company emails a confirmation with more trip details.

Payments, cancellations and the waiver

Payment schedule

• $400 deposit per person with your registration.
• A second $400 installment at least 120 days before the tour starts.
• The final balance at least 75 days before the tour starts. Missing a payment counts as a cancellation.

Cancellation by you

Cancellations must be in writing, and the date the company receives them is what counts.

The company says it will try to find someone to take your spot, but cannot promise to. There is no refund or discount for arriving late or leaving early.

Cancellation by the company

If the company cancels a tour, it says it will tell you at least 60 days before the start and refund all trip payments in full. That refund is the full settlement: it does not cover airfare or other costs. Each tour page also says the itinerary may change without notice, especially for safety reasons.

Travel insurance

The company strongly advises travel insurance covering cancellation, delays, injury, emergency medical treatment and lost luggage. The waiver goes further: by signing, you agree to provide your own insurance and to make sure it is valid in every country on the tour.

The waiver

Every rider signs a waiver and release of liability. In it you accept the risks of cycling on public roads, release the company from liability (including for negligence, as written), agree to wear an approved helmet, and agree the company can remove a rider it judges to be riding unsafely. It also lets the company use your name and photos for promotion. Read it in full before you register; this guide is not legal advice.

Custom and private group tours

Any of the tours can be run on different dates for a group. The Custom Tours page says the company will tailor the itinerary, budget, length and activities for families and groups of friends, at any level from easy to demanding. The on-request routes list a minimum of 8 participants. No separate custom-tour pricing is published, so ask for a quote with your group size, dates and preferred region.

Where is Best European Bike Tours, and how do you reach it?

The company has no storefront to visit. Its tours start in European cities, and its offices handle bookings:

• United States: 4136 Persianwood Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49006. Contact person: Margo. Phone 269-760-6349.
• Australia: 4 Colgrave Mews, South Lake, WA 6164. Contact person: Ludvik. Phone (+61) 450 347 096.
• Email (both): info@besteuropeanbiketours.com
• Online: a contact form on the Contact Us page.

Office hours are not published, so email is a sensible first step.

How it compares with other ways to bike Europe

Here is how a guided, van-supported group tour like this one differs from other common choices. These are general categories, not specific companies.

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

Questions to ask before you book

• How many spaces are left on my departure, and what is the maximum group size?
• Who will lead this departure, and how many staff will be on the road?
• How many nights are included, and which nights are free for dinner on my own?
• Where does the exchange rate stand compared with the price trigger, and how would an increase be calculated?
• Which rental bike suits my height and riding style, and can I bring my own pedals and saddle?
• Can you book extra nights before or after the tour at the same hotels?
• What happens if I get sick or injured mid-tour?
• Is there a minimum age for riders? (The site does not publish one.)
• Can I pay by credit card, and how?

How to get started

1. Read the guided tours list and pick a route and level that fits your riding.
2. Check the tour page for the dates, price, single supplement and What's Included list.
3. Email info@besteuropeanbiketours.com (or call 269-760-6349 in the US) to confirm there is space.
4. Complete the registration form, one per person, and accept the terms and waiver.
5. Send your $400 deposit by check, bank transfer or card.
6. Buy travel insurance, book your flights, and start training.

Visit Best European Bike Tours

Frequently asked questions

Sources

All pages checked on 22 October 2026.

1. Home page: besteuropeanbiketours.com
2. About Us: besteuropeanbiketours.com/about-us/
3. Guided tours list: besteuropeanbiketours.com/guided-tours/
4. Plan Your 2027 Tour: besteuropeanbiketours.com/plan-your-tour/
5. Tour pages: Best of Sardinia, London to Paris, Berlin to Krakow, Tour of the Baltics, Prague to Budapest, Andalucía, Berlin to Copenhagen, Copenhagen to Helsinki, Munich to Prague, Porto to Lisbon, Jewels of the Czech Republic, Vienna to Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Berlin
6. What's Included: besteuropeanbiketours.com/whats-included/
7. Accommodations: besteuropeanbiketours.com/accommodations/
8. Dining: besteuropeanbiketours.com/dining/
9. Bike Rentals: besteuropeanbiketours.com/bike-rentals/
10. Difficulty Levels: besteuropeanbiketours.com/difficulty-levels/
11. Custom Tours: besteuropeanbiketours.com/custom-tours/
12. Reservations: besteuropeanbiketours.com/reservations/
13. Registration form: besteuropeanbiketours.com/registration-form/
14. Terms and Conditions: besteuropeanbiketours.com/terms-and-conditions/
15. Waiver and Release of Liability: besteuropeanbiketours.com/waiver-and-release-of-liability/
16. FAQ: besteuropeanbiketours.com/faq/
17. Testimonials: besteuropeanbiketours.com/testimonials/
18. Contact Us: besteuropeanbiketours.com/contact-us/