Houseboat rentals in Germany

LP Houseboat Rental in Germany

Do you like to float along in complete tranquility and explore new places? Have you ever thought that in addition to sailing the seas, you could also travel along rivers and lakes? Discover a new way of sailing aboard a houseboat and enjoy your first river cruise in Germany with Nautal!

A houseboat holiday is the ideal way to relax, admire beautiful landscapes and rediscover a more direct connection with nature. The advantage of this type of boat is certainly freedom of movement. You decide where and when to go. Stop every time you come across something that catches your attention, while passing by the things that don’t interest you. The houseboat particularly lends itself to spontaneous anchoring in comparison to other boat types.

Take your time. Glide along idyllic shores and enjoy the slow pace of an out-of-the-ordinary holiday. Do you prefer to share it in the company of your family or friends? Whether it's a one-day or week long adventure, the important thing is to make unforgettable memories.

How much does it cost to rent a houseboat in Germany?

The cost of renting a houseboat varies depending on several factors. Firstly, the price can fluctuate according to the season in which you want to rent the boat. The cost is also affected by the model, size, technical specifications of the boat, the number of passengers and the power of the engine, as well as where you want to rent the boat.  Below is a list of prices based on location.

Renting a houseboat in Brandenburg during high season will cost you about $1270 per week, but only $843 per week in low season.

In Havel, you can expect to pay around $1161 per week in high season and $1026 per week in low season.

During high season in Berlin, prices will start at $1281 for a week, but will drop to $1048 for a week during low season.

In Moselle river, the cost of a houseboat charter in high season starts at around $2406 a week, but dips to around $1734 a week in low season.

In Malchow, you will pay around $341 for a day or $2390 for a week in high season, but only $200 for a day and $1400 for a week in low season.

Prices in Muritz stay fairly consistent for most of the year, starting at around $641 per week.

Is it possible to rent a houseboat in Germany with or without a skipper? 

Yes, it is possible to rent a houseboat in Germany either with or without a skipper.  However, depending on which boat you pick to charter and what its specifications are, you may need a licence to rent without a skipper, so you will have to check the legislation regarding boating licences before going.

Renting with a skipper is ideal for those who don’t feel confident in charge of their own boat, or who want someone local to guide them to all the best spots.  If you want a little more privacy and freedom for your holiday, however, you should rent without a skipper and sail the German rivers by yourself.

What is the weather like in Germany?

Most of the country has a temperate seasonal climate, dominated by humid westerly winds.  The North Atlantic Drift, which moderates the climate mostly affects the areas bordering the North Sea and causes an Oceanic climate in these regions.  Generally speaking, however, most consider Germany a fantastic destination all year round, with warm summers and mild winters.  On average, Germany sees 789 mm (31 inches) of precipitation a year, with no consistent dry season.  It should be noted, though, that during the summer months when the temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F), is when the majority of the rain falls.

When is the best time for boating in Germany?

This can be a difficult question to answer as it very much depends on what activities you want to participate in whilst there. In order to fully enjoy your first experience on a houseboat, it is essential to carefully consider the time of year in which you intend to sail as unfavorable weather conditions could ruin your holiday.

Our suggestion is to choose the summer months as the higher temperatures and sunnier days are ideal for exploration. Alternatively, spring and autumn could also offer wonderful moments on the boat, although sunny days could be less frequent and the probability of rain could increase.

Generally speaking, you will experience the best weather from May to September but with the good weather comes the tourists and hence higher boat prices which is why some prefer to go in the shoulder months of April and October.  During these months, you will experience good weather conditions but without the hoards of tourists that the summer months bring.

Surprisingly, winter is not a bad time to rent a houseboat in Germany, as although temperatures can get quite cold, most houseboats are rather cosy.  During the winter, you can take part in many different seasonal activities, including shopping at one of the Christmas markets.  These Christmas markets are the perfect place to buy keepsakes or even presents for your friends and family.

What to do with a boat rental in Germany?

The Mecklenburg Lake District is one of the most popular areas in Germany. You will be impressed by the wide choice of leisure activities in which you can participate there while discovering over 1000 lakes and their many waterways. In addition, if it is your first time on board a houseboat, this area is particularly suitable, because it has few bridges and locks. The largest and best known lake is the Müritz. Let your gaze wander over the wonderful landscapes while completely surrounded by nature.

In addition to the Mecklenburg Lake District, Brandenburg is also an excellent destination for your houseboat river cruise. Discovering this unique area from a different perspective, aboard a houseboat, is truly a magical experience that everyone must do at least once!

Finally, the city of Berlin cannot be missed on your houseboat tour. You will have the opportunity to sail right in front of the Reichstag, catch a glimpse of the beautiful Museum Island and pass through the most beautiful districts of Berlin, such as Charlottenburg or Kreuzberg. And around Berlin? Don't miss Potsdam with its Dutch Quarter or the Spree Forest.

What are the best ports and sailing areas in Germany?

There are plenty of fantastic sailing areas for you to enjoy during your houseboat rental.  A few of the best sailing areas include:

• The North Sea
• The Baltic Sea
• Mecklenburg Lake District
• Berlin
• Havel
• Lake Constance
• Peene
• Schwerin
• Mainz

Some of the best ports to visit during your sailing vacation are:

• Port of Hamburg
• Port of Wilhelmshaven
• Duisburg Ruhrort
• Port of Bremen and Bremerhaven
• Port of Rostock
• Port of Emden
• Lubeck Port
• Port of Kiel
• Port of Frankfurt am Main
• Port of Brunsbuttel

Of course, there are many more ports and sailing areas that you can visit and we feel sure that you will find the perfect area for you to explore during your boat charter in Germany.  While some of these may not be suitable for exploring in a houseboat, maybe you can come back a second time in a different type of boat to discover these in the future.

What to bring on board a houseboat?

For your houseboat holiday in Germany, make sure you bring comfortable clothing that makes you feel warm. When packing your suitcase, don't forget some rain gear: having the right equipment and clothing can make all the difference.

Are you planning to spend your houseboat holiday with your family? Bring toys and games on board, they will help you pass the time and will be appreciated especially by the little ones.

Will you travel with your friends? Bring a Polaroid. You will be able to collect unforgettable memories and make them unique together with the people you care about.

How to get to Germany

There are over two dozen international airports in Germany, with Frankfurt and Munich being the largest.  Every year, tens of millions of passengers travel to and from these busy, bustling cities. The smaller airports that you may fly into are Zweibrücken Airport and Hanover Langenhagen Airport. 

Most mainstream airlines such as Lufthansa fly into Germany, but there are also trips on low-cost and charter airlines such as RyanAir, Germanwings, Air Berlin, TUI, and Condor. They often offer substantial numbers of direct flights between cities throughout Germany and the rest of Europe, including France, Switzerland, Spain, and London in the UK.  There are also direct flights from Canada and the USA.

There is also a very successful program to link air travel to rail travel at certain large hub cities. Currently, high-speed InterCity trains go directly to and from the Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart airports.

If you want to take a slightly more adventurous route, you can also get to Germany by train, bus, car and boat from many European countries.