How To Plan a Europe Trip from India

Planning a Europe trip from India? You must be baffled about how to book tickets, which country to explore, what to pack, and how to visit. Although the process can feel daunting, with the right guidance, you can plan your Europe trip with confidence and ease, making every moment truly unforgettable.

Europe has always been a dream destination for Indian travellers. From the romantic streets of Paris and the scenic Swiss Alps to the historic ruins of Rome and the vibrant nightlife of Amsterdam, Europe offers an incredible mix of cultures, landscapes, cuisines, and experiences. However, planning an international trip, especially one that involves multiple countries, requires thoughtful preparation.

We have created a detailed guide to help you plan your Europe trip from India without any hassles. You will know everything step by step, from applying for a Europe Tourist Visa to booking tickets. Whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, with friends, or with family, this blog will help you make informed decisions and avoid common mistakes.

Essential Tips for Planning a Europe Trip from India

Planning is the key to a smooth and enjoyable Europe trip. Here are the most essential tips that will help you plan and prepare for your trip.  

Know Your Budget

Before selecting your dream destination, it’s essential to know that Europe is indeed an expensive destination for Indians. Even a basic meal can cost you INR 1000. Hence, it is essential to determine how much you will need to spend during your Europe tour.

Knowing how much you can spend always helps. Considering that you will have to set your budget for the Europe trip. For this, ask a few questions of yourself to determine your budget:

• Am I travelling on a budget, mid-range, or luxury?
• How much do I actually need to spend?
• Do I want a relaxed trip or a fast-paced one, covering almost every destination in my Europe tour itinerary?
• Will I cover only one country or more?
• Can I stay in a budget-friendly accommodation, or need a luxury one for my family?

Major Expenses to Consider

Let’s see how you will set your budget considering the major expenses of the trip:

• Flights: You need tickets to fly to Europe from India. And for this, consider your return flight costs as well. The return flights from India to Europe usually cost between Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 80,000, which may vary depending on the season and destination.

• Visa Fees: For a Europe trip, you need a Schengen visa, which can cost you around Rs. 7,000 – Rs. 8,000, excluding service charges.

• Accommodation: Europe is expensive, so the daily accommodation can range from Rs. 3,000 – Rs. 12,000 per night, depending on the type of hotels or hostels you choose.

• Food: Rs. 1,500 – Rs. 3,000 per day if you eat at budget restaurants.

• Transport: For a budget-friendly trip, tourists use local transport for commuting, like trains and buses, which can cost Rs. 1,000– Rs. 2,000 per day.

• Sightseeing & Activities: Rs. 10,000– Rs. 25,000 for the entire trip, depending on attractions.

Adding all these expenses, your Europe Trip from India can cost Rs. 67,000 to Rs. 1,20,000, excluding shopping and other personal expenses. So, for your Europe tour, you must have a budget of between INR 1 lakh to 2 lakh (per person).

Having a clear budget helps you choose the right destinations, trip duration, type of accommodation, and even the right season of travel.

Create an Itinerary

Once your budget is decided, the next step is to create a well-planned Europe tour itinerary.

Europe is the second smallest continent in the world. So, it may look small on the map, but travelling between countries still takes time and energy. Therefore, when you create an itinerary or get a Europe tour package customized by your tour operator, avoid including everything in a single trip. You cannot cover everything in just one trip. So, consider the most famous things that are worth visiting.  

How to Create a Good Europe Tour Itinerary

Here are the important things that you must consider while creating your tour itinerary:

• The number of days you will spend on your Europe trip, like 10,15, or 20 days. Some people plan their Europe vacation for as short as 1 week and as long as 1 month. This determines what attractions, destinations, and activities you can cover during the duration.

• Make sure to choose the countries that are geographically close to each other. This way, you can cover more destinations even in less time.

• You will need 2-3 days to explore the major cities. So, plan the trip duration considering this. However, do not forget about rest and flexibility during your trip.

Popular Europe Itinerary Ideas from India

The famous Europe tour packages itineraries offered by professional tour operators in India include:

• 10 Days: Paris – Amsterdam – Brussels
• 12–14 Days: France – Switzerland – Italy
• 15 Days: Spain – France – Netherlands – Germany
• 20 Days: Italy – Switzerland – France – Austria – Hungary

Apply for a Schengen Visa

When planning your Europe trip from India, you should understand the type of visa you need and its costs. It is one of the most important aspects of your Europe tour.

What Type of Visa is Required for A Europe Trip from India?

Tourists visiting Europe need a Schengen Visa, which allows Indians to travel freely across European countries with a single visa for 90 days.

Apply for the visa at least 4–6 weeks before your travel date. Remember that during peak seasons (April–September), appointments can fill up quickly. So, apply for the visa as soon as possible.

Documents required for a Schengen visa

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Visa application form
• Cover letter explaining your trip
• Flight itinerary
• Hotel bookings
• Travel insurance
• Proof of funds (bank statements)
• Employment or business proof

Buy Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a mandatory document for a Schengen visa and also important for your peace of mind as it secures your international trip. This helps you cover any unexpected expenses, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, loss of baggage or belongings, or passport loss. However, while buying the travel insurance, make sure your insurance covers all these.

Booking Flights from India to Europe

Now, after planning your Europe trip from India and creating a blueprint of your trip, it’s time for you to book the flight tickets. You should know that flights are often the most expensive part of a trip, especially when you are traveling to an international holiday destination. So, booking early by comparing fares is crucial.

For cheaper deals on flights:

• Book the tickets at least 2-4 months in advance to get the cheaper flights.
• Be flexible with dates. For example, weekend flights are way more expensive than tickets on any weekday.
• Use flight comparison websites to see which airlines are offering the best deal.
• Wait for the season when airlines offer sales.

Accommodation Options in Europe

From luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hotels, traditional hostels to B&Bs, and even apartments, Europe offers a wide range of accommodation choices to suit every budget. Even for some thrilling experiences, you get castles, monasteries, farmhouses, and even houseboats to stay in Europe. Considering your budget, purpose of visit, and number of members in your group, choose the type of accommodation in Europe.

However, the best way to ensure a safe and budget-friendly accommodation is to book a popular Europe tour package from a trusted tour operator. They customize the itinerary focusing on your pace, interests, and budget.

Getting Around Europe

Now that you are ready and well-planned for your Europe tour, let’s see how to travel inside Europe. Knowing the transport system and how to travel around saves you time and money. Europe has one of the best transportation systems in the world. So, traveling in European countries is quite easy.

• No immigration checkpoints: You can travel by bus, train, and cab. The best part is that between your arrival and departure, you won’t find any immigration checkpoints. Just board a train or bus and travel from one place to another that comes under the Schengen zone.

• City card for free public transport: Most towns in Europe offer city cards that provide free unlimited travel through public transport. If you are planning to move around the city through public transport and even visit museums, you should invest in a city card because this offers free public transport and free museum entry.

Best Time to Visit Europe from India

The best time to visit Europe from India is when you want to. Europe is a year-round holiday destination in the world, offering unparalleled experiences every season. The time of the year you will choose depends on your preferences. However, for first-time travelers, the ideal time to visit Europe is between May, June, and September.

April to June: The excellent time to plan your Europe tour is between April to June as you get pleasant weather, flowers, and festivals.

July to August: You get warm weather, which is ideal for outdoor activities. Also, it is the time of the cultural festivals. However, it’s the peak tourist season in Europe, and you find the top tourist destination in Europe crowded.

September to October: If you want fewer crowds, then you can plan your trip between September to October. The weather is also mild with not too cold.

November to March: Although cold, but great for Christmas markets and snow lovers.

Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Europe Tour from India

Q. Why is Europe a Favourite Destination for Indian Travellers?

Europe attracts Indian tourists for many reasons. From scenic vistas to stunning architecture, exotic beaches, scrumptious food, friendly people, vibrant nightlife, and excellent transport facilities, Europe is a dream destination for Indians for every good reason. It is compact, well-connected by trains and flights, rich in history, and offers something for every type of traveller. You can experience snow-covered mountains, pristine beaches, charming villages, modern cities, and world-famous landmarks in a single Europe tour.

Another major advantage is the Schengen Visa, which allows you to visit multiple European countries with a single visa. This makes Europe ideal for multi-country trips, especially for first-time international travellers from India.

Q. What to Pack for a Europe Trip from India?

Knowing what to pack for the trip makes your Europe tour a lot easier. Considering how many days you are going to stay, the destinations you will cover, and the activities you will enjoy, the essentials you should carry are:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Travel adapters
• Power bank
• Basic medicines
• Copies of important documents
• A small backpack for daily sightseeing

It may seem that everything is important to pack for an international tour from India. However, you should pack light as this makes traveling from one place to another comfortable for you.

Q. How much does a full Europe trip cost from India?

The cost of a Europe trip from India varies depending on duration, destinations, accommodation, and travel style. On average, a budget 10-day trip to Europe will cost Rs. 1.5 Lakhs to Rs. 2.2 Lakhs per person. This includes flights, visa, accommodation, food, transport, sightseeing, and insurance.

Q. Can I plan a Europe trip on my own from India?

Yes, you can absolutely plan a Europe trip on your own from India. Many travelers plan their trip to Europe on their own. This blog will also give you useful insights to plan your trip, even if you are not booking a popular Europe tour package.

Benefits of Planning on Your Own

• You get full flexibility to reduce or extend your trip duration, adding or skipping travel destinations, and also choose the type of accommodation of your choice.
• It saves you money as you will cut costs on accommodation, food, and sightseeing.
• The best advantage is that you create your own Europe tour itinerary by keeping whatever you like to explore or skip.

Q. Which European country is best for Indians to travel to?

There is no single “best” country, but we have compiled a list of the top tourist destinations in Europe that are more popular and best for first-time travellers. However, Switzerland and Italy are the best choices for first-time travelers.

France: officially called the French Republic, France is one of the most popular and most visited destinations in the world. It is famous for its rich history, vibrant culture, fashion, art, food, and landmarks

Switzerland: Remember the iconic scenic train journey from DDLJ? That unforgettable scene was filmed in Switzerland—a country celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, snow-capped mountains, impeccable cleanliness, and one of the safest travel environments in the world.

Italy: One of the premier tourist destinations in the world, Italy is famous for its stunning landscapes, rich history, food, and marvellous architecture. Italy’s pleasant climate and beautiful landscapes make it a perfect honeymoon destination for newlyweds.

Netherlands: it is one of the top European tourist destinations for families, friend groups, and solo travelers. The Netherlands is world famous for its iconic windmills, vibrant tulip fields, picturesque canals, and historic towns. The country is English-friendly, making it ideal for Indian tourists. Also, traveling is easy here.

Spain: The diverse landscapes of Spain, including beaches, mountains, and deserts, attract tourists from all over the world. Tourists enjoy Spain’s vibrant culture, beaches, and nightlife.

Q. How many days are needed for a Europe trip?

Most tourists on a low-budget plan their Europe trip from India for 7-10 days. It is the most popular travel duration for an international trip. However, the ideal duration for the Europe tour depends on how much you want to explore.

• 7–10 Days is ideal for exploring 1–2 countries
• 12–15 Days is ideal for exploring 3–4 countries
• 18–21 Days is ideal for exploring 5–6 countries

Final Thoughts

Planning a Europe trip from India may seem overwhelming at first, but with proper research and preparation, it becomes an exciting and rewarding experience. From understanding your budget and creating a smart itinerary to applying for a Schengen visa and buying travel insurance, each step brings you closer to your dream vacation.

Europe is not just a destination—it’s a collection of experiences that stay with you forever.

Contact us and start planning your trip today. We offer a wide range of popular Europe tour packages tailored to your specific desires.