FAQ

For travel under 90 days, most citizens from the EU, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand do not need a visa. Check whether you need a visa or other travel documents (such as at this website: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/visa-required

In principle, the sooner, the better. Not only because of the availability of the tour, but also because of the availability of the best hotels and rooms. Also, flights to the Netherlands are usually better priced earlier than later. We adjust our tour prices for the next year right after the cycling season. That is usually in November or December. If you book the tour before those changes, you can book for the current price.

You can choose any date to start or finish the tour during the booking process. Both exact start and finish information of your tour are listed on your personal tour features. If you arrive in the Netherlands before the tour starts, or stay longer after the tour finishes, we can also book you extra nights with accommodation.

Yes. We always try to honor requests for adjustments to the itinerary. Our experts will help you create the perfect route for your wishes. For example; adding extra nights, extra routes or passing through specific places is often possible. You can also request a completely customized route via our website.

Yes. We always try to honor requests for changes in your booking. However, the possibility of these changes is dependent on the situation. Please remember that the earlier you request changes the better chance that we are able to arrange the change. In general, 14 days prior to the tour, changes are hardly possible.​

We use three levels of activity as a measure:
– Easy – you are untrained and in a normal physical condition
– Moderate – you cycle regularly, and you are in good physical condition
– Challenging – you are an experienced cyclist and you are well-trained
The level is indicated for each tour. For all tours, you can also choose a bike type that can influence the activity level. Such as an electric bike.

Yes, absolutely. Children often have surprisingly good physical strength and love cycling. Any recreational tour for 3-8 days and also the ‘easy’ level tours are particularly suitable for children. We have bikes and equipment for all ages. The Netherlands has a safe cycling infrastructure. For a route with child activities pointed out, check out the “cycling with kids” tour.

Yes, for groups of more than 10 people (cycling club, friends, company, large family), we can organize exclusive tours for your own group. Together with your representative, we identify your specific wishes regarding route, daily distances, support, accommodation, equipment and any other possible (cycling or non-cycling) activities.

The initial payment (deposit) is 10% of the tour price, or a minimum of €200 if this is lower. The final balance is due 3 months before the tour starts. Tours that are booked within this period are charged in full.

When canceling your tour 60 days or more before the tour starts, 90% of the total tour price will be refunded. If you cancel between 60 and 14 days before the tour starts, the refund is 50% of the tour price, and 0% if the cancellation period is less than 14 days.

We offer options for either 3 star (comfort) or 4 star (premium) hotels. If you want to upgrade to the most luxurious rooms or hotels, then let us know so we can customize this option for you. We always pay special attention to scenic location, authenticity, atmosphere and cleanliness, and we try to avoid business hotels which are located along highways or industrial areas. For all categories, a private bathroom (en-suite) and good breakfast are included. 

Most tours include the use of a bicycle. In some cases, bikes are rented as an option (road-bikes) or have an upgrade option (E-bike). The rental bikes are of high quality and well-known brands and are adapted to the type of tour. Information about the equipment options can be found with each tour. Of course, you can also bring your own bike to the Netherlands. If so, then please contact us for more information.

If you have chosen to travel with your luggage in panniers on your bike, then you’ll receive two waterproof panniers (50 liters / 10 gallons total, comparable to 1 hand luggage trolley) that are included with our touring bikes. Do you bring more luggage to the Netherlands than you take on the cycling trip? Then we advise you to pack your bag so you can easily pack your panniers at the tour start. We can store any excess luggage for you during your tour and/or bring it to the finish location. If you choose the daily luggage transfers, you will still receive one 20 liter / 4 gallon pannier each for your daily bits and pieces.

During the guided tours, either the guide or the support van crew will repair or replace the bicycle. During a self-guided tour, you can contact us by 24-7 phone hotline and use the toolkit provided for minor defects or visit one of the many local bicycle repair shops. In case of a major breakdown that prevents you from continuing your tour, we send out our quick response mobile repair service. The average response time is 60 minutes and the on-the-spot repair success rate is 95%. Where the 5% of breakdowns prevent the continued use of the bicycle, you will be taken to the next accommodation address where your bike will be replaced as soon as possible. The breakdown repair service is included in the tour price.

Spring and summer in the Netherlands are fairly dry, but we occasionally have rain too. If it rains, it almost never rains all day. So, most days there will be enough ‘dry time’ to get from A to B. We advise you download the free Buienradar App (Rain Radar) on your phone/tablet to be able to check the accurate forecast in the morning and plan around the rain.

Holland is a small country with few climatic differences. It is rarely too hot or too cold due to its maritime (North Sea, Atlantic Ocean) climate. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with a dryer period between April and September. Though it is always wise to bring good rain gear, sunscreen and dress in layers, so you are prepared for all situations. In April, we advise bringing a hat and gloves, since early mornings and evenings can be cold. 

The Netherlands has a great cycling infrastructure with over 37,000 km of designated cycling paths. Sometimes you are not on a bike path or lane, but you still will not encounter a lot of traffic due to smart cycling infrastructure planning. It is also good to keep in mind that almost everybody in the Netherlands is a cyclist. Also, all car drivers. Therefore, when learning to drive a car, learning to watch out for cyclists is a natural situation. Since there are a lot of cyclists, some bike paths in the cities can get quite busy, though you will get used to this quickly. We do think it is right to say that the Netherlands is a cyclist’s paradise!

The meeting at the start of your tour, or at the tour finish, usually takes place either at our office in Haarlem, at a railway station, or at your hotel. In your tour inquiry or the tour proposition request, you can ask us for the most efficient and most convenient transfer procedure. Transfers are recommended by train (the Dutch Railways infrastructure is excellent), by bus (also excellent) or by taxi. You can ask us for your most convenient transportation procedure. Traveling by train, bus, metro, or tram? You can simply tap in and tap out of public transport with your debit or credit card (Visa or Mastercard).

We organize your lodging, equipment and luggage transportation (transfer service or in panniers on your bike). We provide you with a lnk to access the Ride with GPS App with your daily routes on it. It will also point out information on highlights and restaurant suggestions along the way and in each overnight location. A breakdown support service van and a 24-7 phone hotline are also included.

The amount of phone memory required to download your tour package mas & routes will depend on the length and geographic scope of the route. On average, a typical tour file takes up around 30 MB of space. With a fast broadband connection, the download should only take about a minute. Once the download is complete, you’ll have full access to your tour, including all route details and information.

If you accidentally wander off-course, the app will notify you with a beep and provide instructions to help you get back on track. You can also view the map on your phone’s screen for a clearer understanding of how to return to the route.

Your tour package will automatically expire and be removed from your phone a few weeks after your tour ends. However, if you’d like to free up space sooner, you can delete the offline maps by either uninstalling the app.

We recommend carrying a portable power bank to recharge your phone while on the go. If you’re traveling internationally, you may also want to bring a local power adapter. Always charge your phone to full battery every evening in your hotel room. Don’t forget to check out the tips to preserve energy at the Practical Info app details.

Yes, we can export GPX files to your personal GPS device. However, please keep in mind that your experience may be limited, as GPS devices typically offer fewer features compared to the app. For instance, your GPS will not automatically display highlights or recommend restaurants along the route.

Start by checking the Help Document available here: http://ridewithgps.com/help/tour-participants. If the document doesn’t resolve your issue, feel free to reach out to us directly, and we’ll do our best to assist you.

We are proud to have many returning guests who choose to join us again and again. We’re always personalizing their tours to ensure every experience is completely unique and memorable. So come alone, or bring your family and friends and we’ll see you soon!

Each participant will receive a water bottle from our company that they can keep as a souvenir.

After your bike tour, you will receive a link via email to a review platform. You can follow the link and submit your review. You can also visit TripAdvisor, Yelp or Google to leave your feedback. We’d love for you to include photos in your review.

Your review on online review platforms can be read by potential future guests so they can read it and make up their mind. Our organization will also use the feedback to improve our services.
Some reviews are shown on our website to inform future guests about previous experiences on specific tours.

We’d love to stay connected with you! Here are three ways you can reach us:
Newsletter: Stay up to date with our latest offers, upcoming tours, and exciting news by subscribing to our newsletter. Simply sign up with your email on our website. We send out our newsletter 4 times a year.
Facebook: Follow us on Facebook for updates, photos, and news about our tours and events. You can message us directly on Facebook for quick responses as well.
Email: If you have any questions, need assistance, or simply like to stay in touch, feel free to contact us via email at [info@hollandbiketours.com].