Europe is the most visited tourist region on earth — and for good reason. In a single month you can walk through Roman ruins, watch the Northern Lights, eat the world's best croissants, and see the painting that inspired a thousand memes. For Indian travellers, Europe is expensive but achievable on a budget with the right planning. This guide is everything you need.
The Schengen Visa: Everything Indians Need to Know
- ›What is it: A single visa that covers 27 European countries. One application, multiple countries.
- ›Where to apply: At the embassy of the country where you spend the most nights (or your first entry if equal).
- ›Documents needed: Passport (6+ months validity), bank statements (₹3–5 lakh recommended), flight bookings, hotel/hostel bookings, cover letter, travel insurance (mandatory).
- ›Approval time: 2–4 weeks. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel. Appointments fill up fast in summer.
- ›Cost: ~₹9,000 (€80) for a standard visa. Non-refundable.
- ›Important: Apply for the correct country as first point of entry — applying at the "easier" embassy is grounds for rejection.
Cheapest Countries in Europe for Indians
| Country | Daily Budget | Currency | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic (Prague) | ₹2,500–4,000/day | Czech Koruna | Stunning medieval city, cheap beer, great hostels |
| Hungary (Budapest) | ₹2,000–3,500/day | Hungarian Forint | Beautiful Danube city, thermal baths, nightlife |
| Poland (Krakow) | ₹1,800–3,000/day | Polish Zloty | Medieval charm, Auschwitz day trip, extremely cheap |
| Portugal (Lisbon) | ₹3,000–5,000/day | Euro | Atlantic coast, fado music, pasteis de nata |
| Greece (Athens) | ₹2,500–4,500/day | Euro | Ancient history, islands, cheap food |
3-Week Europe Budget Backpacking Route
- 1Lisbon (3 days) — Start here. Cheap flights from India, beautiful city, easy to navigate.
- 2Madrid → Barcelona (3 days each) — Train between them. Gaudi architecture, tapas, La Liga.
- 3Paris (3 days) — You must. The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, best baguette of your life.
- 4Amsterdam (2 days) — Canals, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum.
- 5Prague (3 days) — The most beautiful Old Town in Europe at a fraction of Western prices.
- 6Vienna (2 days) — Mozart, Sachertorte, imperial palaces.
- 7Budapest (3 days) — Ruin bars, Széchenyi thermal baths, Danube sunsets.
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The Eurail Global Pass ($380–600 for 15 days) is worth it if you are doing 4+ countries. For fewer countries, individual point-to-point tickets booked 2–3 months ahead on local rail apps are often cheaper. Flixbus is the budget alternative.
3 Weeks Europe Budget for Indians
| Expense | Budget Amount |
|---|---|
| Return flights from India | ₹40,000–70,000 |
| Schengen visa | ₹9,000 |
| Travel insurance | ₹3,000–6,000 |
| Accommodation (hostels) | ₹2,000–3,500/night × 21 = ₹42,000–73,500 |
| Food (mix eating out/supermarket) | ₹1,500–2,500/day × 21 = ₹31,500–52,500 |
| Transport (Eurail / buses) | ₹30,000–45,000 |
| Activities & entrance fees | ₹15,000–25,000 |
| TOTAL | ₹1,70,500–2,81,000 (₹1.7–2.8 lakh) |
