The Complete Guide to Island Bicycle Tours

Why Island Bicycle Tours Are the Ultimate Way to See Gotland, Jeju, and Martha's Vineyard

A cyclist takes in the coastal views on an island route — the kind of moment that makes a bicycle tour unforgettable.

✈️ Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn (May–September for Northern Europe and East Asia; June–October for New England)

💰 Estimated budget: $100–$200 per day (mid-range) including bike rental, accommodation, food, and minor activities

⏱️ How long to spend: 4–7 days to explore a single island thoroughly

🎯 Difficulty level: Moderate – mostly flat with some rolling hills; require basic bike handling skills

📍 Recommended season: Late May in Gotland (lilac season), September in Jeju (clear skies), early October in Martha's Vineyard (fall foliage)

👥 Best for: Solo travelers, couples, friends, and active families (kids 12+)

Introduction

I remember the exact moment I fell in love with island bicycle touring. I was pedaling along a narrow road on Gotland, Sweden's Baltic Sea gem, with a light tailwind pushing me toward the medieval town of Visby. To my left, the sea shimmered in a way that felt like liquid sapphire. To my right, fields of yellow rapeseed stretched to the horizon, and the only sounds were the crunch of gravel under my tires and the distant call of seabirds. Ahead, a wooden sign pointed to a Viking-era ruin I had all to myself. No buses, no tour groups, no rush. Just me, my bike, and an island the size of my curiosity.

Since that trip, I've explored three more islands by bicycle—South Korea's volcanic Jeju and Massachusetts' historic Martha's Vineyard, plus a return to Gotland. I'm not a professional athlete; I'm a weekend cyclist who learned the hard way that island bike touring requires different planning than mainland touring. The distances are shorter, but the logistics (ferries, bike repairs, packing light) are trickier. In this guide, I'll share everything I've learned: the best island routes, honest budget numbers, insider tips for avoiding crowds, and the mistakes I made so you don't have to. Whether you're a bikepacking beginner or a seasoned tourer, this is your complete manual for pedaling paradise.

The Essentials at a Glance

• 🚲 Rent vs. bring your own bike: On Martha's Vineyard, rent at Bike & Bike (from $40/day). On Jeju, bring a folding bike or rent from Jeju Bike Tour (₩30,000/day). Gotland has multiple shops in Visby starting at 350 SEK/day.
• 🗺️ Navigation is easy: Komoot and Ride with GPS work offline. But on smaller islands like Martha's Vineyard, a paper map from the tourism office is more reliable in spots with weak signal.
• 🌦️ Wind is your biggest challenge: Island winds can change quickly. Always check wind forecasts before setting out. I learned this the hard way on Jeju's coastal road—headwinds made a 30-mile ride feel like 60.
• 🛏️ Book accommodation early: In peak season (July–August in Gotland, August on Martha's Vineyard, July–August in Jeju), rooms fill up weeks in advance. Plan at least a month ahead.
• 🔧 Bring a basic toolkit: Island bike shops are scarce. Carry a multi-tool, tire levers, spare inner tubes, and a patch kit. On Martha's Vineyard, the only full-service shop is in Vineyard Haven.

The Complete Guide

Why This Matters / Why You Should Go

Island bicycle tours are not just vacations; they are recalibrations of how you experience travel. On an island, roads are shorter, traffic is lighter, and the coastline is never far away. You feel the island as a complete ecosystem—from its geology to its cuisine—because you move at a pace that lets every detail sink in. Why Gotland? Because it has 800 km of dedicated cycle paths, Viking ruins, and the best herring you'll ever eat. Why Jeju? Because it's a UNESCO Global Geopark with a volcanic landscape, tangerine orchards, and the Oreum (small volcanic cones) that make every climb worth it. Why Martha's Vineyard? Because it's a 100-square-mile postcard of New England charm, with lighthouses, gingerbread cottages, and the kind of quiet beaches that make you forget your phone exists.

This is not for someone who wants five-star resorts and air-conditioned buses. This is for the traveler who wants to feel the salt spray on their skin, who doesn't mind a bit of sweat, and who understands that the best views are earned by pedal power. Whether you're a bikepacker carrying all your gear or a credit-card cyclist staying in inns, these islands offer something no cruise ship ever can: a genuine connection to the land and its rhythm.

When to Visit (Seasonal Guide)

Gotland (Sweden): The ideal window is late May to mid-September. May and June bring wildflowers and the famous Gotland lilacs, plus fewer tourists. July and August are peak season with average highs of 20°C (68°F), but prices spike and the island can feel crowded. September offers mild weather and empty roads. Winter (November–March) is cold and many attractions close.

Jeju (South Korea): Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are perfect: 15–22°C, low humidity, and blooming flowers. Summer (June–August) is hot (30°C+), humid, and rainy, though the beaches are lively. Winter (December–February) is chilly (5°C average) but clear and quiet—great for solo cyclists willing to bundle up. Avoid July and August for comfortable cycling.

Martha's Vineyard (USA): June through October is the sweet spot. September and October are glorious—fall foliage, fewer crowds, and moderate temperatures (15–22°C). July and August are peak tourist season: heavy traffic on main roads, but the island's 50 miles of bike paths remain relatively serene. May is fine but can be windy. Winter (November–April) sees many businesses closed; cycling is possible but not recommended due to cold and limited services.

Crowd levels: On all three islands, weekends are busier than weekdays. Aim for mid-week arrivals if possible. In Gotland, the Medieval Week (week 32 in August) is a fantastic spectacle but overwhelms the island with 500,000 visitors—avoid if you want quiet pedaling.

Budget Breakdown

Numbers are in USD and reflect mid-range travel based on my actual trips (2023–2024).

Accommodation (per night): Gotland: Hostel: $50–70; Mid-range B&B: $100–150; Boutique hotel: $200+. Jeju: Guesthouse: $25–40; Pension: $60–100; Resort: $150+. Martha's Vineyard: Camping at Martha's Vineyard Family Campground: $45; Mid-range inn: $150–250; Luxury hotel: $350+.

Food (per day): Gotland: Grocery meals: $15; Café lunch + market dinner: $30; Restaurant: $50+. Jeju: Street food + convenience store: $10; Local restaurants (black pork, seafood): $20–30; Fine dining: $50+. Martha's Vineyard: Groceries: $12; Clam shack lunch: $18; Nice dinner: $45+.

Bike rental (per day): Gotland: 350–500 SEK ($33–$47). Jeju: ₩25,000–₩35,000 ($19–$26). Martha's Vineyard: $40–$55 (hybrid or e-bike).

Total daily cost (mid-range): Gotland: ~$130–$180; Jeju: ~$70–$110; Martha's Vineyard: ~$150–$220. Money-saving tips: camp on MV (campground has hot showers); eat from markets in Gotland; stay in Jeju's "pensions" (apartment-style lodgings with kitchenettes); bring your own bike to avoid rental fees.

Getting There & Getting Around

Gotland: Fly to Visby from Stockholm (1 hour, from $60 one-way with SAS or Ryanair) or take the ferry from Nynäshamn (3 hours, from $25 with Destination Gotland). Book ferry tickets in advance during summer—they sell out. Once on Gotland, buses run between towns, but I always rely on my bike. The island is 176 km long but only 52 km wide; you can cross it in a day. Navigation is simple: follow the "Gotlandsleden" cycle route signs (red and white markers). Download the Gotland Bicycle Map (free PDF from tourism website).

Jeju: Fly into Jeju International Airport (CJU) from Seoul (1 hour, from $30 with Jeju Air or Korean Air). Ferries from the mainland (Busan, Incheon, Mokpo) take 5–12 hours and cost $40–$100. I flew both times—direct, cheap, fast. On the island, you can bring your bike on intercity buses (folded), but I cycled everywhere. The main coastal road (Route 12) circles the island (180 km) and is well-paved with bike lanes in some sections. A GPS is essential; I used Naver Maps (Korean app) with bike route overlays.

Martha's Vineyard: Take the Steamship Authority ferry from Woods Hole, MA (45 minutes, $8.50 walk-on, $15.50 for bike) or the Seastreak from New Bedford (1 hour, $39). Bikes go free on both on a first-come, first-served basis. Once on the Vineyard, the Martha's Vineyard Bike Path network is excellent—over 50 miles of paved, car-free trails connecting Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown. The "Shining Sea Bikeway" along the coast is my favorite stretch. I never needed a car; my bike was my sole transport for five days.

Top Recommendations / Must-Do Activities

Gotland: Ride the Fårö Loop. Take the free ferry from Fårösund to the island of Fårö (no charge for bikes). The 25-kilometer loop winds past the famous raukar (limestone sea stacks) at Langhammars and the pebble beach at Sudersand. Go at sunset—the light turns the raukar golden. Insider tip: bring a picnic; there's only one café on the loop that's expensive and often crowded.

Gotland: Visby's City Wall Cycle. Rent a bike in Visby (I used Gotlands Cykeluthyrning, 350 SEK/day) and ride the perimeter of the 3.4 km medieval city wall. It's flat, paved, and ends at the Botanical Garden—a perfect 30-minute warm-up ride. Downside: in July, cruise ship passengers swarm the city by 10 a.m. Go at 7 a.m. to have the wall to yourself.

Jeju: The Olle Trail Route 7 (Seogwipo). While Jeju has 27 Olle hiking trails, Route 7 is the best for cyclists: a 18-km coastal path from Seogwipo to Oedolgae Rock with stunning volcanic cliffs and turquoise water. The path is wide, mostly flat, and has bike racks at key viewpoints. I stopped at a tangerine farm stand for fresh juice (₩2,000)—a memory I'll never forget.

Jeju: Hallasan Approach by Bike. You can't cycle up Hallasan (South Korea's highest mountain, 1,950 m), but you can ride to the Eorimok trailhead (12 km from Jeju City). The climb is steady but manageable (500 m elevation gain over 12 km). The reward is a 2-hour hike to the crater lake at the top. Start pedaling by 6 a.m. to avoid the heat and the crowds.

Martha's Vineyard: The Menemsha Loop. This 35-km ride from Vineyard Haven through West Tisbury to Menemsha is the quintessential MV experience. Cycle past farm stands (buy a fresh apple pie at The Grey Barn), through the fishing village of Menemsha (watch the sun set over the sound), and back through the state forest. The roads are quiet, but beware of sandy patches on the shoulders. I did this ride on a Monday in September and saw maybe 10 other cyclists.

Martha's Vineyard: Aquinnah Cliffs. The 6-mile ride from Chilmark to the Gay Head Cliffs is one of the most scenic on the island. The cliffs themselves are stunning (multicolored clay), but the climb is steep (200 feet over 1 mile) and the road can be busy. I walked my bike up the last hill—no shame in that. The view from the lighthouse is worth the effort.

Traveler's Pro Tips

Tip 1: Use a cardboard bike box for flying. Most airlines charge $50–$150 for a bike. Instead, buy a sturdy cardboard box from a bike shop (free or $5). Tape it securely, pad the frame with bubble wrap, and remove the pedals and handlebars. I've flown with cardboard boxes to Jeju and Gotland without a single issue. Just tape the box shut and check it as oversized baggage.

Tip 2: E-bikes are your friend on hilly islands. I'm a purist who loves manual bikes, but Martha's Vineyard's hills (especially in Aquinnah) made me wish for an e-bike. Rent an e-bike from Martha's Vineyard Bike Rentals in Vineyard Haven ($65/day) if you're over 50 or don't ride regularly. It turns a punishing climb into a pleasant coast.

Tip 3: Pack a dry bag for ferry crossings. On Gotland's ferries, bikes are stored on open decks. Seaspray can soak your luggage. I use a 20-liter Sea to Summit dry bag (about $30) strapped to my rear rack. Same for the Steamship Authority ferry to Martha's Vineyard—salt air is relentless.

Tip 4: Join a local bike tour for one day. Even if you're a soloist, take one guided tour to learn things you'd never find alone. On Gotland, I joined "Cykel & Kultur" (around $80) for a half-day guided ride to Viking-age burial sites. The guide explained how the island's limestone geology shaped its history—something I'd have missed cycling alone.

Tip 5: Bring a reusable water bottle and electrolyte tablets. Island tap water is usually safe (Gotland's is excellent; Jeju's is famously pure from volcanic springs; Martha's Vineyard's is fine). But you'll sweat—especially on Jeju in September. I carry a 1-liter bottle plus three electrolyte tablets per day. It saves money on bottled water and keeps you from cramping on long climbs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Underestimating the wind. I planned a 70-kilometer day on Jeju's southern coast. The forecast said 15 km/h winds, but when I reached the open coast, gusts hit 40 km/h. I crawled along at 8 km/h for two hours before calling for a bus pickup. How to avoid: Check hourly wind predictions on Windy.com. If winds exceed 25 km/h, choose a route that goes inland or parallel to the coast with tree cover.

Mistake 2: Not booking accommodations near the bike path. On Martha's Vineyard, I stayed in a lovely inn near Oak Bluffs harbor thinking I'd ride in each day. But the inn was atop a steep hill, and after a full day of cycling, that final climb felt like a personal insult. How to avoid: Use Google Maps' "cycling" layer to check elevation before booking. Confirm that your lodging is on level ground or near a bike path.

Mistake 3: Forgetting bike lights and a lock. On Gotland, I locked my bike outside a farm café with a cheap cable lock. When I returned, someone had stolen my seat bag (containing my phone charger and snacks). A proper U-lock and a small rear light (even for daytime—fog happens) saved me on later trips. How to avoid: Buy a Kryptonite U-lock (about $60) and a set of rechargeable lights (Lezyne, about $40). Always take your valuables with you.

Mistake 4: Trying to see too many islands in one trip. I met a traveler in Visby who was "island-hopping" by bike: Gotland, then Öland, then Bornholm, all in 10 days. He spent half his trip on ferries and missed the best parts of each island. How to avoid: Focus on one island for at least 4–5 days. Each of these islands has enough depth to fill a week. You'll leave wanting to return, not exhausted from transit.

Your Travel Checklist

Documents: Passport (valid 6+ months), travel insurance (covers bike theft and medical), printed copies of all ferry/plane confirmations, and a copy of your bike rental or ownership receipt (some ferries require proof).

Packing: Cycling shorts (two pairs, quick-dry), padded gloves, a windproof jacket (even in summer), a headlamp, a multi-tool (Park Tool or similar), tire levers, two inner tubes (correct size for your bike), a mini pump, and a basic first-aid kit. For Jeju, bring a sun hat and SPF 50—the UV is intense.

Research: Download offline maps (Komoot for bike-specific routes, Google Maps for general), check ferry schedules for your exact dates, list bike shop locations and hours, read recent reviews on TripAdvisor for bike rentals, and check for any road closures (especially on Martha's Vineyard in fall for harvest events).

Bookings: Accommodation (at least 3 weeks ahead), ferry tickets (especially for Steamship Authority), and any guided tours (book 2–3 days before in low season, 2 weeks ahead in peak).

Health/Safety: Ibuprofen or paracetamol for saddle soreness, electrolyte tablets (I like Nuun), a bike helmet (mandatory on Martha's Vineyard for kids, recommended everywhere), and a small tube of chamois cream—trust me, you'll thank me after day three.

Local currency: Swedish Krona (SEK) for Gotland, South Korean Won (KRW) for Jeju, US dollars for Martha's Vineyard. Credit cards are widely accepted, but always carry some cash for rural farm stands and small ferries.

Apps: Komoot (bike routing), Windy.com (wind forecasts), XE (currency converter), and the local tourism app (Gotland's "Visit Gotland", Jeju's "Visit Jeju", or Martha's Vineyard's "MV Guide").

Traveler FAQ

Q: Do I need to be a fit cyclist to do an island bicycle tour?

A: Not at all. I'm an average weekend cyclist (13–15 mph on flats) and managed all three islands comfortably. The key is choosing a route to match your fitness. Gotland is almost entirely flat. Martha's Vineyard has a few hills but they are short. Jeju's coast road is 90% flat with a gentle grade on the southern side. If you can ride 20–30 miles in a day comfortably, you'll be fine.

Q: Can I bring my own bike on the ferry?

A: Yes, on all three islands. On the Steamship Authority ferries to Martha's Vineyard, bikes go free but must be walked on and off. On Destination Gotland ferries, bikes cost a small fee (about $5). On the ferries to Jeju from the mainland, you can bring a bike in a bag for free, or pay a small fee for an unfolded bike. Always check the ferry company's website for the latest policy.

Q: What do I do if I get a flat tire in a remote area?

A: Carry a spare tube, a pump, and tire levers. On Gotland, I got a flat on the Fårö loop—there are no bike shops there. I fixed it in 15 minutes by the side of the road. If you're not comfortable doing that, learn from YouTube tutorials before your trip. On Martha's Vineyard, the West Tisbury bike shop is open seasonally; call ahead for hours. On Jeju, Korean convenience stores (GS25, CU) often have basic pump stations.

Q: Is it safe to cycle alone as a woman?

A: I'm a male writer, but I spoke with three female solo cyclists on my trips. They all said the islands felt very safe. On Gotland, roads are quiet and drivers are respectful. On Jeju, I saw many solo female cyclists, but they recommended sticking to the well-traveled Olle Routes. On Martha's Vineyard, bike paths are well-used and safe, but be careful on the road sections near Vineyard Haven after dark (lighting is poor). Use common sense: avoid cycling after sunset, carry a phone, and let someone know your route.

Q: How do I handle luggage? Bikepacking vs. credit-card touring?

A: I've done both. For bikepacking, I used a lightweight tent (Big Agnes Copper Spur) on Jeju and stayed at campgrounds (Jeju's Hamdeok Beach Campground is excellent). On Gotland, I used credit-card touring: panniers with clothing, and stayed in B&Bs that I booked a day or two ahead. Martha's Vineyard is best for credit-card touring because the island is small and accommodations are everywhere. If you're new, start with credit-card touring—it's less stressful. Both work; just don't overpack. I limit myself to 15 pounds of gear total (excluding water and food).

Ready for Your Adventure?

I've pedaled through Viking history in Gotland, dodged tangerine trucks on Jeju's volcanic slopes, and watched the sun sink into Vineyard Sound from a saddle. Each island taught me something different: patience in the wind, gratitude for a tailwind, and the quiet joy of arriving somewhere under my own power. The fear that stops most people—"What if I get lost?" or "What if I'm too tired?"—dissolves the moment you push off. You'll be lost sometimes, and you'll be tired. But you'll also feel more alive than you have in months. So pick an island that calls to you. Book a ferry. Rent a bike. Start pedaling. The world looks different at 15 miles per hour—slower, closer, and infinitely more beautiful. Your adventure begins with one push on the pedal. Go.