One of the big questions you will want to answer right off the bat is whether to bring your own bicycle to Germany or rent one there. It depends. Take this test:

Are you of average build (you can buy your clothes off the rack)? The chances are good that the rental bikes will fit you fairly well. If not, seriously consider bringing your own.
Do you ride long distances at home? Then you probably are fussy about how a bike fits and chances are you will not like the rental bikes. If you don’t ride much, you will not know the difference and the rental bikes will be fine.
Do you have a trick knee or an extra tender rear? You’ll probably have trouble with any bike -- even your own. Just bring your own pedals and your own saddle.
Are you afraid of the cost? Rental bikes cost about $3 to $12 per day depending upon the quality, type and the availability.
Are you bringing much baggage? Airlines limit checked bags to two per person. A boxed bike counts as one of those. Some airlines, charge for bikes (e.g., Lufthansa charges $50).
Are you nuts? Bringing your own bike is a huge hassle for 5 to 10 days of easy riding. Just read the information below about how to box your bike and get it through customs.
Want to know what to bring in any event? Your own helmet and gloves for safety. Perhaps you should bring your own saddle and pedals if you are fussy. And check the What to Bring list for other items to consider.
Finding a bike rental business near where you want to start your tour is not as easy as it once was. Low margins and bike theft are two of the culprits. Therefore, I have a separate page listing links to businesses that rent bikes in Germany. Unfortunately, this is nowhere near comprehensive so if you are a bike rental business, send me your link. Or, if you know of a bike rental business not on this page, again, send me the information.

Renting Bicycles in Germany

It is relatively easy to rent bikes in Germany if you can find a rental agency. The cost, as I stated, runs from about €10 per day for a single-speed or a three-speed bike to up to €25 per day for a multi-speed touring or mountain bike. Weekly and monthly rates are normally available. In a large city you probably will not need advance reservations for one or two bikes. Check with the service desk at the Bahnhof for the nearest bike rental agency. (I choose to call them agencies but they are not agents of the railroad company, they are actually private businesses that have contracted with the railroad to make the Bahn & Bike program described below possible.)

The following are my paraphrased translation of items listed as "tips" in the Haupka pamphlet included with each of their BDR Deutsche Rad-Tourenkarte maps:

It is wise to check with the rental agency before your trip so you know the opening times and the price you will be paying.
You will probably need photo ID, such as a passport, there is a damage deposit for most bikes to ensure you return them.
The rental price varies depending on the bike you choose and the policies of the agency. You should know that the cost of damage insurance is included in the rental price. You do not have to pay for additional insurance.
Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
If you are traveling in a group and you are all renting bikes, definitely make your wishes known beforehand.
If you have a reservation, the agency is free to rent the reserved bike or bikes after waiting only 15 minutes beyond the reservation time. So if you are going to be late, you better call.
You have to bring your bikes back. There is no such thing as a one way rental. Having said this, if you really. really want it to happen, ask. Many of these bike agencies know one another personally and they may be able to arrange something for the right price.
If you are going to be late turning the bike back into the agency, just call ahead. It is not normally a problem to extend the rental.
This tip is not in the guide pamphlet but if you do have problems with an agency, talk to the railroad "Service Point" I bet they can straighten things out because of their "economic power."

For additional information about bikes and trains read the Trains page in this web site.

Bring Your Bike With You

There are several considerations. First, unless you plan to abandon it, you also have to bring it back home (remember some airlines charge as much as $50 for bikes each way). Remember too, to save your boxing materials for the return trip. You may have to make special arrangement at a hotel for this.

Next, German Custom officials frown on bringing new bikes into Germany with out paying the duty. So, be prepared to prove that yours is a used bike. Or else they may charge you duty or worse, confiscate it. Also, be prepared to unpack it enough to show them that it is a used bike.

Give yourself plenty of time to get the bike through customs and onto the next form of transportation. Each bike box is heavy (about 40 lbs with packing material) and awkward. We found they do not fit on the escalators in the Frankfurt airport and if there were no elevators, we had to carry them up and down stairs. (I once knocked an overhead directional sign off its mountings by accident. I am sure I endeared myself to the airport maintenance staff with that smooth move.)

Taxi cabs without luggage or bike racks cannot take your bike. You may have to wait for a special (and undoubtedly more expensive) taxi vehicle. Buses can take you but they can be a slow form of public transportation after a five to ten hour flight.

The fastest trains, ICE, will not take bikes, even boxed. You are left with the Intercity and Interregional (Interregio) and local trains. They are somewhat slower but they will get you there. You be asked to pay a small fee for each bike on some trains. Be sure to tell the ticket agent that you have a bike – they will advise you. Also, read the page on Trains.

For detailed information about packing your bike for shipment to Germany on a plane or by other means, check out this page about packing your bike.

Revised: March 30, 2008