How much is it? ITALY Cycling tour vs. unplanned trip.

Should you book an organized bike tour or wing it yourself? What are the price differences? Do you need help finding rides and places to eat? The pros and cons of a planned or unplanned bike vacation.

Here are some trip details.
Room in Italy:

Can be booked via Expedia and many other sites.

Some of our rides:

About me:

[louisrafaelcom]

Skipping the car would save over $900. I've done a cardboard box which allowed me to recycle at the airport and ride my gravel bike with luggage straight into town. You can certainly find something for a similar price in Bassano del Grappo, but probably not as big and definitely not with a pool.
To each their own, but it's important to mention in a price breakdown, that this is the easy luxury format of planning your own adventure. I flew to Barcelona, cycled from there to Lyon in about 8 days, and spent no more than $100 per day. Trains would have been available almost everywhere as a backup plan.

[drewcama]

I travel with my bike often, no need to rent a car, I have my bike, Watch out for Lufthansa airlines their bike charge is $300!

[arginchik]

Thanks for the helpful info.

Regarding bike theft, there’s always the option of insurance, but then it’s an extra expense that everyone can decide themselves.

[jennexk]

Visit Thailand! I did a 12 day cycling tour in 2022 and it was a lot of fun and convenient. However, since I’ve been cycling on my own more and more, the idea of exploring and navigating through Thailand or other countries, is appealing and cost effective! Btw, I’m also from the NY/NJ area! Happy riding.

[_Rafiki.]

Something to consider.... European bikes are set up with the front/rear brake levers connected to the other way to what you may be used to i.e left hand is for front wheel and right hand for rear wheel

[zachrichardson]

I've planned a solo cycling holiday for next summer and as a 17 year old with very limited budget, i've decided to go on a bikepacking route instead. I'll be cycling the rhine cycle route (eurovelo 15) plus some more to get all the way home (near to london). As long as i book far enough in advance, the total cost for a flight (bike as my only hold luggage) and train is less that £110 and the ferry back to England from the port of rotterdam is £55. I'll be stealth camping most of the way with a couple of budget hostel stops in basel and cologne to freshen up and do some sightseeing. The biggest expenditure will be food over the 18 day trip and in total (excluding kit) i expect to spend about £300 total on food, much of which will be pre-prepared.

[takeadeepbreath]

I love your channel. Just subscribed! Thanks for the amazing tips too😊

[poweredbyplants]

My wife and I do our own bike travel. It’s far more adventurous and we create our own itinerary depending on how we feel weather etc. We just did 10 days in Calpe. No tour guide required. Strava route creator and some google maps and good to go. We even found some side roads that made us feel like we were exploring the region.

[Maryam-uevw]

In the last 2 weeks of June 2024, We just did a Sea to Sea in the Pyrénées, on the Francevside for $80/day. 3 riders shared room.
This includes food, hotel, tolls, gas. Just add rental car

[rolk]

Very helpful and encouraging information, thanks!

[maxmxl]

I partially agree with you, my friend from California had his bike crashed during the way back (9k$ bike!) and he had only a partial small refound. So my personal taste is to rent a bike anyway, seen all the risks.
Then a local guide can work with groups or with just you and can customize the ride in real time, also a local guide can show you all the "less famous" stuff. Also, for my experience, not many people is able to organize and plan a trip in a foreign country, you risk to miss something and if you're in trouble (mech issues, lost credit cards, if you fall...) you're on your own.
So I'm saying it's not only a matter of money, but also it's about the different experience and you need to think to much less stuff.

[Maryam-uevw]

For one person, to compare with a cycling tour, how about dividing the car, hotel, gas and tolls by 2? $1641 for 7 days including, $684 flight

[jkzmuqs]

I sometimes do the first night/last night close to airport and leave bike box/packing materials in that hotel thing. Works best in family run hotels because they are their own boss. I ask before I book if they could look after my bike box until I will stay with them again before leaving...

[Verselet_Mantra_MTB]

You are travelling with your spouse, so for each person the hotel cost should be only half. Same half thing for rental car, diesel, and tolls.

[andreaslandixus]

Really a nice man. you invited your daughter to the trip.👍

[Maryam-uevw]

Any recommendation for road cycling routes while staying in one location?

[ferranteduardo]

Hi! What is your recommendation por rent a bike in Italy ? Thank you, sorry for my English.

[rider]

I clicked on the link for accommodations but there's really nothing available just pictures none of the links work can't see the price you can't see the map do you have a better link?

[GeoffreyEspin]

If stolen, rental bike might be covered? And a bike shipping box is > $200?

[chronic]

Hi, sweet vid! What do you think about spending multiple weeks riding the whole country with a touring setup?