Europe in one trip — it is the ultimate travel dream for Indians and it is entirely achievable with the right planning. A well-structured 2-3 week Europe itinerary can cover 8–12 countries across Western and Eastern Europe, and with the Schengen visa acting as a single entry point, the logistics are simpler than you might expect.
Step 1: Getting Your Schengen Visa
The Schengen Area covers 27 countries with a single visa. Apply at the embassy of the country where you spend the most nights. For a multi-country trip starting in France, apply at the French Embassy via VFS Global. Read our complete Schengen visa guide →
Flights to Europe from India
The cheapest routes from Bangalore/Mumbai/Delhi to Europe are typically through Middle East hubs (Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, Etihad via Abu Dhabi) or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. Book 3–4 months ahead for best prices. Typical return fares: ₹40,000–80,000 from Bangalore to Paris or Frankfurt in economy.
Getting Around Europe: Rail vs Budget Flights
Eurail Pass
The Eurail Global Pass gives unlimited train travel in 33 countries. Cost: approx. €380 for 10 days within 2 months, €500 for 15 days. Best for Western Europe (France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria). Seat reservations (€3–35 extra) required on high-speed trains — book ahead for TGV, Thalys, Eurostar.
Budget Flights
For longer distances (e.g., Paris to Prague, or Amsterdam to Barcelona), budget airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet often beat trains on price and time. Book 6–8 weeks ahead; midweek flights are cheapest.
Classic 14-Day Western Europe Itinerary
| Days | City / Country | Must-See |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Paris, France | Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles |
| 4–5 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Anne Frank House, canal cruise, Rijksmuseum |
| 6–7 | Brussels / Bruges, Belgium | Atomium, medieval Bruges, chocolate & waffles |
| 8–9 | Zurich / Interlaken, Switzerland | Jungfraujoch, Alps, train journey |
| 10–11 | Venice / Florence, Italy | Grand Canal, Uffizi Gallery, David sculpture |
| 12–14 | Rome, Italy | Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, depart |
21-Day Grand Europe Itinerary
Add to the above: Barcelona (2 nights) via Ryanair from Rome or Nice — Sagrada Família, La Boqueria, Park Güell. Then Madrid (2 nights) — Prado Museum, Retiro Park. Then fly out from Madrid. Total: 6 countries, 21 days, and memories for a lifetime.
Europe Trip Budget (per couple, 14 nights)
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights from India | ₹70,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Eurail Pass (10 days, 2 pax) | ₹68,000 | ₹68,000 |
| 14 nights hotel/hostel | ₹70,000 | ₹1,60,000 |
| Food (bakeries + restaurants) | ₹45,000 | ₹80,000 |
| Attractions & city transport | ₹30,000 | ₹55,000 |
| Total per couple | ₹2,83,000 | ₹4,63,000 |
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Get a Free Quote →How to plan a Europe trip from India — in the order that saves money
Most couples book in the wrong order: hotels first, then flights, then panic about the visa. Reverse it. The Schengen visa decides your dates, the flight decides your entry city, and only then do hotels and trains make sense. Booking a non-refundable Paris hotel before your visa appointment is how people lose money.
- Visa window first. Appointment slots at the busier consulates fill weeks ahead in peak season. Fix your travel month around the slot you can actually get, not the other way round.
- Pick two or three countries, not ten. A 14-day trip across three neighbouring countries costs less and feels better than a 14-day sprint across eight. Every border you add is a train ticket, a hotel change and a lost half-day.
- Choose the entry city by fare, not by wish-list. Fares into different European hubs from the same Indian city can differ by tens of thousands of rupees for the same dates. Fly into the cheapest hub and take a train to where you actually want to be.
- Do the rail-pass maths honestly. A pass wins if you take several long journeys; point-to-point tickets booked early win if you take two or three. Our budget table above shows the pass cost — compare it with the actual legs you plan.
- Hotels last, and refundable until the visa is stamped.
Can you go from India to Europe by road, train or bus?
People search this every week, so here is the honest answer. There is no practical overland route for tourists. The land distance from Delhi to the nearest Schengen border runs to several thousand kilometres through Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, with border crossings and visa regimes that make it a months-long expedition, not a holiday. By air, Delhi to Paris is roughly 6,600 km and Bangalore to Paris roughly 7,900 km — about 9 to 11 hours direct. For every realistic purpose, a Europe trip from India starts with a flight.
The cheapest way to do Europe from India
- Shoulder season. April–May and September–October cut both airfare and hotel rates against July–August, with weather most Indian travellers find better than a European summer heatwave.
- Fewer countries, deeper. Three countries in 14 days is the value sweet spot.
- Central and Eastern Europe. Prague, Budapest and Vienna offer the architecture and the trains at a noticeably lower daily spend than Paris, Amsterdam or Switzerland.
- Apartments over hotels for stays of three nights or more — a kitchen for breakfast alone pays back the difference.
- Book flights 3 to 4 months out, as the fare range above assumes. Last-minute Europe fares from India are rarely a bargain.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Europe trip from India cost per couple?
Using our 14-night planning table, a budget trip lands around ₹2,83,000 per couple and a mid-range trip around ₹4,63,000, including return flights, a rail pass, accommodation, food and attractions. Fewer countries and shoulder-season dates pull both figures down.
Can you travel from India to Europe by road or train?
Not practically. There is no tourist-usable overland route; it would mean thousands of kilometres across Pakistan, Iran and Turkey with multiple visa regimes. A Europe trip from India begins with a flight, typically 9 to 11 hours direct to a major hub.
Which is the cheapest European country to visit from India?
Central and Eastern Europe — Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland — cost noticeably less per day than France, Switzerland or the Netherlands for comparable hotels and food, while still being fully inside Schengen on the same visa.
How many days are enough for a first Europe trip from India?
Ten to fourteen days across two or three neighbouring countries. Shorter than ten and the airfare dominates the budget; longer than fourteen and most first-timers are tired of packing. Our 14-day and 21-day itineraries above show both shapes.
When should I apply for the Schengen visa?
As soon as your month is fixed and no later than six to eight weeks before travel in peak season. Appointment availability, not processing time, is the usual bottleneck. Book nothing non-refundable before the visa is issued.