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Prague to Dresden (Along the Elbe River)

  • Prague to Dresden (Along the Elbe River)

6-days / 5-nights / Guided or Self-guided

Czech Republic, Germany


6 days / 5 nights - 5 biking days
Guided group tour or Self-guided individual tour
Length 240 km / 145 miles

Easy
Self Guided
Guided Group
Premium
Standard
Touring Bike
E-bike
Road Bike
Own
Linear

The easiest route is suitable also for children. Distances are shorter than on other routes and there is only one short uphill on the first day. The rest of the route leads along Vltava and Elbe rivers. Thanks to huge investments within the last few years Prague Dresden tour had become best developed bike trail of Czech republic with more than half of a distance on special bike trails or on minor roads with marked bike lines! Not only for that this trail is highly recommended to families with kids!

Come with us down the Vltava and Elbe Rivers to visit two important cultural centers in Europe. Prague, since ancient times melting-pot of Czech, German and Jewish ethnic groups and Dresden, seat of the Saxon dukes and Florence of the North. Both towns have a very long history and visiting them will fill you up with very strong cultural memories for a long time. The same way as the rivers flow, we will ride along them through a beautiful countryside full of picturesque towns such as Melnik, Litomerice or Bad Schandau. The tour will take us through natural beauties of bizarre Czech-Saxon Switzerland NP, as well as through romantic region of former volcanoes of the Czech Middle Mountains. The last kilometers will take us through cultural regions of the Dresden Valley of the Elbe River. Connecting two European centers, as well as the beauties of the Vltava and Elbe River basins, yields a very attractive, but not physically demanding tour manageable even by less fit bikers. As a bonus you can enjoy boat trip or half day hiking in the Czech Saxon Switzerland.

Travel dates

01.04.2024 - 31.10.2024

A self Guided tour can start any day from 1st April till 31st October

26.05.2024 - 31.05.2024

Guaranteed departure

23.06.2024 - 28.06.2024

Guaranteed departure

07.07.2024 - 12.07.2024

Guaranteed departure

28.07.2024 - 02.08.2024
01.09.2024 - 06.09.2024

Guaranteed departure

22.09.2024 - 27.09.2024

Guaranteed departure

Itinerary

Day 1 - Prague - Melnik, 58-70km / 35-42 miles by bicycle

We pick you up at the airport or at the hotel on guided group tours or private tours.
We deliver bikes and all documents to your hotel in Prague. If you arrange your own accommodation please make sure there is a reception.

We recommend extending your stay in the Czech Republic in order to be able to visit Prague and all its beauties. We can arrange accommodation and tour guiding services for you in Prague as well as its surroundings.

Despite the first small ascent, today's stage follows a nice trail to the heart of the Czech wine region - the town of Melnik. It is a good warm-up for our further bike stages. Just before we leave Prague, we pass the Troja Baroque Castle and we continue to the North following the bank of the Vltava River. The river cuts into the ground here, which creates very interesting rock formations and deep valleys. Visits of castles in Nelahozeves or Veltrusy are the biggest highlights of this day. We will end this stage in an old wine town at the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe Rivers with a glass of good wine.

Day 2 - Melnik - Litomerice region, 50 km / 30 miles by bicycle

Today's stage leads us through a calm Elbe region and is without significant altitude changes. This region is one of the most fertile regions in the Czech Republic. Due to the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe Rivers, the river gains on its mightiness and strength and slowly becomes a European major waterway. After passing the Libechov Castle, we will get to the town of Roudnice nad Labem and we will have a chance to admire an old church and a castle. The most impressive stop on today's stage is the massive Terezin Fortress from the turn of the 18th century, which illustrates the military architecture of that time. The seamy side of its history is the World War II period. This era was filled with hatred and cruelty and dramatically spotted the history of Terezin. A place which the Nazis used as a Jewish concentration camp. We will conclude the day in an old town and spiritual center of this region - in the town of Litomerice, which is an antipole to the horrific Terezin Fortress.

Day 3 - Litomerice region - Decin, 52 km / 31 miles

The third day of this bike tour from Prague to Dresden is planned for exploration of the romantic countryside of the Czech Middle Mountains. Even though this region is very hilly, we will follow the banks of the Elbe River most of the time and hills with several old-time ruins will surround us. This former volcanic region had always been an ideal terrain for the building of castles and fortresses, many of which have unfortunately not been preserved till up to date. The Strekov Castle, which was built on top of a steep rock cliff, belongs among one of the most romantic castles in the Czech Republic. After a more strenuous climb, we will be rewarded by a magnificent view from its walls. The final point of this stage will be the Northern Gate of the Czech Republic and the town of Decin - town with the lowest altitude in the Czech Republic.

Day 4 - Decin – Czech Saxon Switzerland - Bad Schandau, 25 km / 15 miles

This day will be almost fully optional but always special! In the morning of this bike tour from Prague to Dresden you can decide, whether you prefer biking or sailing for last point in Czech republic - Hřensko. This border town is situated in the heart of the Czech-Saxon Switzerland National Park and offers many attractive activities. It is very good especially for hiking lovers. It offers many touristic trails leading through the scenery of the rocky towns, the mesas, the passes, deep gorges and hillsides. Special bonus to admire is the wonder of the Pravcicka Gate, no doubt, the biggest natural rock bridge in Europe.
You can also try sailing on the boats through the passes of Kamenice River, continue your bike tour from Prague to Dresden on one of many marked bike trails through this wonderful country, or combine a boat trip with ride through a romantic valley on a historical tram in Bad Schandau. Although it´s the lowest place in the Czech Republic, you will feel like being in the mountains all the time! After saying Good bye to Czech Republic cross the border to Germany just on the edge of the historic spa town of Bad Schandau.

Day 5 - Bad Schandau - Dresden, 48 km / 29 miles

This day is packed with historical sights! Shortly after we leave Bad Schandau we will see a scary looking Königstein Fortress and just past the curve a beautiful rock formation with a romantic rock bridge and Bastei Ruin. Optional is a sightseeing tour of the town with magnificent views and expositions. We recommend it, it is definitely worth it. Moreover, the effort needed for getting up to these high altitudes will be awarded by unforgettable view of surrounding panorama! A couple of kilometers down the road, by the town of Pirna, we will enter the region of the Dresden Valley. There are several beautiful castles and museums of music masters, such as Karl Maria Weber or Richard Wagner, which used to compose in this area. The final destination of today's stage, as well as of this tour, is the city of Dresden.

For guided group tours, the support vehicle with bikes and the tour leader leave Dresden on Day 5 in the afternoon.

Day 6 - Dresden

In case you are interested, we can arrange tour guiding services for you or help you to extend your stay. There is probably no other town in Germany which better symbolizes the turbulent history of this country and shows many centuries of cultural and architectural boom combined with religious freedom and economic prosperity. A short admiration of Nazism was followed by a cruel punishment in the form of the biggest bombing during World War II, which turned almost the entire city into ruins overnight. After-the-war resurrection into forty years of communistic unimportance is followed by twenty years of renewal and reconstructions. Thanks to this renovation of the entire city, today we can admire the beauties of this place, which earned the nickname of "Florence upon Elbe".


Suggestion:

Book two tours and get 5% discount on the second tour with us.


Special offer:

  • Spend a few days in Prague before the tour. We will send you the best available offer for the hotel you choose from www.avehotels.cz.

Possibility to book extra nights and extend the tour at any town where you stay overnight. Price on request.

Tour price list

Tour TypeAccommodation CategoryLuggage transportationRoom typePrice per person
GuidedstandardYESdouble room1.135€
GuidedstandardYESsingle room1.300€
Self guidedstandardNOdouble room490€
Self guidedstandardYESdouble room620€
Self guidedstandardYESsingle room785€
Self guidedpremiumNOdouble room690€
Self guidedpremiumYESdouble room830€
Self guidedpremiumYESsingle room1.020€
Solo TravellerstandardNOsingle room660€
Solo TravellerstandardYESsingle room880€
Solo TravellerpremiumNOsingle room860€
Solo TravellerpremiumYESsingle room1.090€

Included

What is included in the price

  • Pick up from any Prague hotel or from Prague Airport on the first day of the tour (Self Guided option)
  • Pick-up from AVE Prague hotel on the first day of the tour at an appointed time (Guided Group option)
  • 5 x accommodation in selected hotels and pensions according to chosen accommodation category
  • Buffet breakfast on all days
  • 3 x dinners (Guided Group option)
  • Refreshments in the supporting vehicle (soft drinks, snacks, sweets, fruit) (Guided Group option)
  • Detailed town maps (per room)
  • Detailed cycling maps (per room)
  • Programme and English route book (per room)
  • Transportation of participants, their luggage and bicycles from Prague to the starting point of the bike route and from the end of the route to Prague (according to the program of the tour)
  • Transportation of luggage between hotels
  • ON/Off-line map and GPX files of the recommended route
  • 24 hour hotline assistance service
  • Specialized AVE bicycle tour leader during all biking days (Guided Group option)
  • Practical bike ride safety training (Guided Group option)
  • Technical service on the route (Guided Group option)
  • First aid - health service on the route (Guided Group option)
  • Support minibus (Guided Group option)
  • Water for bike flasks from the support vehicle (Guided Group option)

Additional charge

  • Local tax payable on the spot (approx. € 1 - 2 per person/night). We recommend having small cash for these fees in local currency or Euros.

Optional

  • GPS device for 15 Euro per tour. Only if in stock. Has to be ordered in advance.
  • Transfer Dresden to Prague, daily departure at 8:30 a.m. - 65 Euro per person. Has to be ordered in advance.

Bike rental price list

Touring BikeE-BIKERoad/Gravel BIKEOwn bike
Bike typeLeader Fox – Point or Sumava4Ever Comfort SportTREK
Price per tour75€150€100€25€
BikeINCLUDEDINCLUDEDINCLUDED
HelmetINCLUDEDINCLUDEDINCLUDED
Handle-bar bagINCLUDEDINCLUDEDINCLUDED
100% water-proof rear pannierINCLUDEDINCLUDEDINCLUDED
LockINCLUDEDINCLUDEDINCLUDED
Repair kitINCLUDEDINCLUDEDINCLUDED
Bike transportationINCLUDEDINCLUDEDINCLUDEDn/a
New cycling water bottleOn request - free of chargeOn request - free of chargeOn request - free of charge5€
New helmet35€35€35€35€

Bikes

.

Women´s bikeMen´s bike4Eve Comfort sport 2023

Accommodation

Example of the accommodation on the tour.
Exact hotels depend upon availability at the moment of booking.

PREMIUM - Cat A
Do you like comfort at a higher level? When choosing the PREMIUM category, we will provide you with accommodation in 4 * hotels. In those cities where there is no 4 * hotel, we will provide accommodation in the best 3 * hotel or B&B. Accommodation is with breakfast.

Melnik - U zamku
Litomerice - U Borovicku
Decin - Ceska Koruna - premium rooms
Bad Schandau - Parkhotel
Dresden - Innside


STANDARD - Cat B
When choosing the STANDARD category, we will arrange accommodation for you in 3 * hotels or B&B. Accommodation is with breakfast.

Melnik - Jaro
Litomerice - Apollon
Decin - Ceska Koruna
Bad Schandau - Elbhotel
Dresden - Park Inn

Map and profiles

Prague to Dresden (Along the Elbe River)

Prague to Dresden (Along the Elbe River)DAY 1DAY 2DAY 3DAY 4DAY 5

Video

Travel Reports

Read what the participants of Ave cycling tours think about their experience.

The cycle ride from Prague to Dresden along the Elbe valley in July. Well paced distances of approx 40miles per day on (mostly) good surfaces to welcoming hotels. Excellent (if heavy) eBikes and guide notes.
Rob, UK, Prague to Dresden, Self Guided

My wife and I came from New York to do an exploration of the Elbe River, really not knowing what we were going to get. We were blown away by this "self-guided" trip - the excellent communication with the company, the reasonable price, the quality of the equipment, the quality of the bike trails and the sites! The company was always available on Whatsapp and very generous with their time. When our flight was cancelled and we missed a day, they were able to get our bikes to the day location and schedule a taxi from the airport to the day 2 start. Thank you Vlastimil!
Harris, USA, Prague to Dresden, Self Guided

A very successful trip with fantastic scenery and great cycling on mostly new cycle paths. We stayed in varied accommodation, from a chateau to a much more simple pension and ate at local restaurants enjoying far more varied Czech cuisine than the 'goulash and dumplings' quiche. A good sociable cycling group of ten so we had time to get to know our fellow travellers and excellent care from our guides. I particularly appreciated the pit stops from the support vehicle which met us with more water and fruit/snacks along the way, a lifesaver in the heatwave conditions. It was also good to have a shorter cycling day with a hike to a beauty spot to vary the pace. Worth extending your stay in Dresden by a day to get to visit some of the many many museums and sights there.
Sara, USA, Prague to Dresden, Guided Group

This tour really exceeded our expectations. The cycle tracks were really high quality, the route had loads of cafe stops by the river and the Czech and German towns were stunning. The little villages were so pretty and we saw so much wildlife along the way. Thoroughly recommend.
Rachel, UK, Prague to Dresden, Self Guided

Very well organised. Bikes were great, baggage transfer worked seamlessly and hotels are very good standard and well located for sightseeing, restaurants etc. Route maps and directions were clear.
Andrew, UK, Prague to Dresden, Self Guided

Thank you Vlastimil - we had a great trip. The e-bikes were great. We appreciate all the routes in the GPS. We will recommend you to our friends.
Sara & Alan, Prague to Dresden, Self Guided

I would like to provide my feedback/comments now that we have returned home from our cycle tour Prague to Dresden.

As always, the communication/booking process through Rad und Reisen was very efficient.

Overall, we were very happy with the tour. The best thing was that the luggage was always at our hotel, even in Bad Schandau where we arrived at about midday (short cycle day).

The quality of the bikes was good and we did not have any issues.

We could not find a GPS though in the items that were provided with the bikes. Maybe this was not supposed to be delivered as I had received the .gpx files beforehand? The .gpx files together with the booklet and local hotel maps made it very easy to find the route.

Now to the hotels: we had booked “Category A”, which should be 4-star or better rooms in the 3-star hotels. These criteria were met in all hotels, except Apollon in Litomerice. This hotel was well below the standard we expected and should be replaced.

Kind regards
Aline, Prague to Dresden Self Guided tour
-----
Dear Aline,
thank you for your feedback. It will help us to improve our services for the next clients.
GPS device - as we provide the gpx.files and instructions on how to use free off-line maps we provide GPS devices only if in stock and in these order:

  • to these clients who ask for it
  • on routes with more difficult navigation (as for example Prague to Vienna where clients do not follow the river)
  • on easy route as Prague to Dresden

So I am glad that with provided maps, town maps, and GPX files you find the route navigation easy.

Hotel in Litomerice - thank you for letting us know. We will check it out again. Unfortunately, the first premium hotel on the main square was shut down.
Wish you a tailwind on your next cycle.

Best regards
AVE
------


Dear Ave Team,
Grateful and hearty thanks to you,, your organization team and especially Michaela and Jan who accompanied us from Prague to Dresden, dep. 28.5.22.

We had a wonderful time, a good mixture of cycling and some cultural sights Jan and Michaela were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble for them, they were so kind, attentive and well informed.

I'll be happy to use your company fur future cycling holidays-

All the best
Rose, Prague to Dresden Guided tour

We had a great vacation, All worked as planned. Thanks for everything.
I'm sure we'll have more tours with u as well as recommend your services to our friends
Danny, Prague to Dresden Self guided

Quería comentaros que nos ha encantado el viaje. El recorrido es de los más bonitos que hemos hecho, muy sencillo con casi todo carriles bicis y los hoteles una maravilla, bien situados y muy cómodos. Las bicis también estaban fenomenal. La organización de este viaje nos ha parecido de las mejores y queríamos comentarlo. Hemos disfrutado mucho. Lo recomendaremos sin duda.
Un saludo y traslada nuestra satisfacción a la organización checa.
[I]Silvia, Prague to Dresden Self guided,/I]

This was the first cycling holiday we have done (two friends, early fifties). We thoroughly enjoyed this tour, and will definitely do a cycling holiday again. The route was just right for us, and we really appreciated the shorter cycling day on day four so that we could do some walking in the National Park on the Czech/German border. We met lovely people along the way, and seeing a country from a bike gives you a different perspective! The weather was roasting, but the breeze from cycling meant it was bearable (whilst we were moving!).
Rachel, Prague to Dresden Self guided, 2018

Great tour. Approx 50km per day so require minimal training. Nice hotels, mainly traffic free route and lots of stops for coffees, beer and food. Great views and interesting stops. Would recommend if you're looking for a bit of culture and some cycling, its very relaxed, and you go between 2 lovely cities.
Christabell, Prague to Dresden Self guided

We chose this trip as we were keen to visit both Prague and Dresden and it seemed like a good way to combine the two cities with a leisurely cycle ride along good riverside cycle paths. However, we were surprised to discover many fascinating places to visit and diversions along the way and our only regret was not having booked an extra night or two in order to explore in more depth some of the charming towns where we stayed. I would particularly recommend this in Litomerice and Bad Schandau.
[I]Catherine, Prague to Dresden Self guided,/I]

Very enjoyable cycling holiday, good paths very scenic with a well deserved rest in good hotels each night and a over whelming choice for breakfast. Easy to follow route with the provided GPS and maps. And a visit to the spa on the short day was a real treat.
Gillian, Prague to Dresden Self guided

Vlastimil
Finished the ride today in Dresden
Everything went very smoothly. Directions and gps very clear, hotels terrific, bikes and gear great
We had a really wonderful time...
Stephen, Prague to Dresden Self guided

We were well looked after on this trip, and didnt expect the luggage van to be supporting us all the way, providing morning tea etc. It was really great. When we arrived at the last hotel we were greeted with a wonderful celebration of food drink and music playing!. It was the best finish ever, of a tour I have done. As a single traveller, I had to pay a supplement for a single room. This was often very small, and as it was unusually hot, the room was often uncomfortable, as there would be no air con or often no fans - not a big problem though.

Fantastic trip, Milada and Pavel were terrific tour guides, sharing lots of information. There were only 9 on our guided trip and we had the added luxury of a support vehicle, providing fresh fruit for morning tea, and often afternoon tea. Not difficult riding at all, we saw some really interesting places, and our accommodation was very good.
Jenny, Australian, Prague to Dresden Guided Group

We combined the Elbe River to Prague and Prague to Dresden self-guide cycle tours and could not have been happier with the level of support, quality of the bikes and accommodation, reliable transfer of luggage and clear maps provided by AVE Czech Bicycle Tours. All communications we received from the cycle manager Vlastimil were prompt and clearly set out. We have undertaken many cycle tours in Europe over the past ten years — and this one was exceptional. The GPS provided with loaded cycle route was invaluable and in addition, they also provided detailed printed notes, maps with the route highlighted and separate maps showing the exact location of accommodation in each town and city. Unfortunately, we experienced an accident three days from the end of the ride that prevented us from completing the final sections in to Dresden and the support from Vlastimil and support staff was outstanding! Just can’t fault it and can highly recommend it.
Rob and Elise, Prague to Dresden Self Guided

We have just returned from two consecutive bike tours in the Czech Republic and Germany, the second tour being your Prague-to-Dresden self-guided tour. I thought you would enjoy seeing our album of photos taken during our most excellent adventure. The Prague-to-Dresden tour photos start around photo #147.
Julane, Prague to Dresden Self Guided

This is a long delayed thank you to you and your colleagues for providing us with an excellent cycling holiday! We enjoyed the accommodations and especially the bike routes/scenery. Thank you again for all your assistance. Sincerely, Diane
Diane, Prague to Dresden and SPA Triangle, Self Guided

Thank you for all your help during our cycling holiday. Amanda and I had a great time and are very appreciative of your help in our first (but not last now) longer cycling trip. We were able to leave our bikes in Hrensko as suggested and enjoyed our hike up to the rock arch. This gave us confidence and we asked a hotel to store our bikes so we could walk up to Rathen.
Mimy, Prague to Dresden Self Guided

Dad and I had a wonderful holiday, the highlight being the bike tour. The group size was ideal and the guides were great. The meals and accommodation were also very good. The tour was excellent value and we'll likely book another tour in the future.
Rhianna, Prague to Dresden Guided Group

I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated all that you did for our trip. You were a wonderful host and everything was planned perfectly; all the hotels and restaurants and water stops and cultural sites were perfect. I know that you were the one who arranged all that, so thank you. It was truly one of the most fun weeks I’ve had in many, many years. The group of 8 was an interesting mix, but it was you and Vitek and Lukas that made it so fun (and of course, Astrid!) I really fell in love with your country; something about it felt very special to me. My goal is to get back and explore more of it. So thank you again for helping create so many wonderful memories for me.
Helen, Canada, Prague to Dresden Guided Group

I have now returned home from our holiday, and I just want to let you know that we really enjoyed our trip. The hotels that you booked for use were all really excellent, and the breakfasts were also very good indeed. The maps you provided were very helpful, and the excel file of turns and places of interest were also extremely helpful. Personally, I am not familiar with a GPS, so I found that we did not use it at all. In my view, a more useful device would have been a simple bicycle computer which could measure the distance traveled.
So that is my only suggestion for improvement - change the GPS for a simple distance measure device. Other than that, everything was terrific. I hope that you found all your gear with the bikes in order when you picked up at the Dresden hotel (which was also a fantastic hotel, by the way). I'm happy to say that we had no punctures.
Best regards, and with our thanks.
Richard & Rashmi, USA, Prague to Dresden Self Guided

Comment by AVE. - GPS includes also a computer. Depends on the device you have to select different page or "computer view" from the main menu. We will make sure that manual to each GPS describes this option. Thank you and we wish you tailwind on your next cycling. AVE

Caroline and I would like to thank you and AVE Travel very very much for the superb organization of the trip. The satnav routes from hotel door to hotel door were superbly mapped and made life extremely easy for navigating. The luggage transfer worked perfectly. The hotels were all good. The only hotel that was slightly disappointing was the Czeska Koruna in Decin where the breakfast was poor and the staff not wonderful. In Decin, you might want to add Fabrika as a restaurant to eat at. We went there because it had good Tripadvisor reviews, and we also gave it a 5-star review.
Andrew, Prague to Dresden Self Guided

Cannot give this tour enough praise. Our accommodations were excellent, food was always great. Bikes were exceptionally well maintained, had a great deal of rain on the tour and whenever we stopped they were checked out. Every day was great fun and interesting made so by the awesome tour guide Milan Smitka. He is what made the tour so wonderful for John and I. Would most definitely book again with this tour guide again as I said we feel he is what made this so much fun. It was well organized, we were treated kindly and with great respect and we came away feeling like we had made friends. We feel that is the most important aspect of a guided tour. So in closing we have not one single complaint regarding our tour it will remain a wonderful memory. We would highly recommend.
Steward, Prague - Dresden, Guided Group

We enjoyed the tour. Tour leaders were very professional & entertaining. I will consider other tours with the company in the future.
Carlo, Australian

We had a great tour with Katerina in that beautiful weather. I really enjoyed it. Yes I know Katerina from 2008 when she guided us to another tour. Katerina was very cooperative and very friendly. I look forward to taking one of the big tours that last a week and I hope to bring friends with me this time. I want to thank you so much for all the arrangements and the cooperation.
Thrasos Ioannou, Cyprus

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Prague to Dresden (Along the Elbe River)

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