Dazzling, artistic, phenomenal, romantic, gorgeous, historic, splendid, and inspiring, Europe means to travel. We’ll stop with that considering the fact that there aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe the beauty of Europe. But if you are a newbie to the world of international travel, you might be a little lost when it comes to planning a Europe trip! Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with How to Plan a Europe Trip from India? Complete Guide With Packing Tips, Hacks, and more to help you navigate every step of the way.

Don’t worry! We have put in all our efforts to create a Europe trip itinerary planner that will help you plan a trip to Europe right from scratch and experience the continent to the fullest.

Read it, bookmark it, share it, and pack your bags. Here’s how to plan a Europe trip from India.

Plan your budget

One of the first things to do before you start narrowing on a destination is establishing a proper budget. Thinking of a budget figuratively is different and putting it on paper is different. Write your budget on a whiteboard and then plan your trip around it. So, every time you plan on doing something related to your trip, you will actually find it easier to arrive at a conclusion given you already know your budget.

Interesting read: Top 10 affordable destinations in Europe for the budget traveller

When to go

Going on a Europe vacation or any vacation for that matter is greatly dependent on the number of days you can take off. With stringent holiday policies at workplaces, we Indians find it difficult to go on a long vacation, Euro trip included. Bring out that calendar and try to plan around long weekends and holidays that you may have. We have a solution right here for you.

Europe has four different seasons. Generally spread out like this: March to May – Spring, June to August – Summer, September to October – Autumn, and November to February – Winter. While the peak season in Europe is during the summer, the prices and the crowd will be on the higher side as well. The best time to visit Europe is during the shoulder season (Spring and the Autumn season) when the crowds are fewer with good day-light. Thereby giving you a chance to enjoy the perks of both peak-season and off-season.

Don’t miss out on these Europe packages from different departure cities:

Choose a destination and work on an itinerary

Now that you know your budget and the season you will be traveling, start looking for destinations that will best suit your interest. While you are at it, also ask yourself these questions. Are you a person who loves history or art or culture? Or perhaps adventure?

Moving on, look for the list of popular festivals celebrated in Europe and see if you really want to be a part of one of those. Next comes planning the itinerary. While you are planning your itinerary, make sure you give ample time to explore each destination. You will never be able to travel at breakneck speeds all the time. Especially, when you are in a major destination like Paris, London or Barcelona, you will have to stay a minimum of 4 days to experience the city. Also, never underestimate the time that it takes to travel between destinations.

With so many things to do in each destination, it is very easy to get lost and wonder what you should actually be doing. If all this seems like a tedious task, then try Pickyourtrail. You can create your itinerary to wherever you want to go, customise it according to your interest, and get the split pricing for each activity with the budget Europe tour package. All this is done within 5 minute tops!

Look for flights and finalize the best route possible

Ready with a rough itinerary and destinations to visit? Start looking for flights. While there is no standard time to book flights, booking it 10 to 12 weeks prior is the ideal time to do it. Look for standard round-trip flights that work perfectly if your itinerary is a proper loop with the start and the end being the same destination. Standard round-trip flights are generally cheaper than one-way flights. On the other hand, if you want to add more flexibility to your plan then one-way flights are the best bet.

If you are looking to strike a deal while booking flight tickets, then the best way to do it is by constantly checking the flight prices from time to time. Also, red-eye flights are cheaper than ordinary flights. A frequent flyer who has earned decent Airline Miles? Then you can save a lot using reward points.

Get your documents ready

So you are planning your Europe trip and wondering what all visas you have to apply for. The answer is this, you just have to apply for a Schengen visa for Indians. We have written an entire article that will enlighten you on the visa front. Further, if you are planning to travel to multiple countries within Europe, then you have to apply for a multiple-entry Schengen visa. And remember to apply the visa to the country where you will be staying for the longest. In case, you stay in two different countries for the same duration, then address your visa to the country you will be entering first. VFS Global has also announced a helpline number which you can use to gain assistance on your Schengen visa. So, a Schengen visa from India is just a call away!

Travelling between destinations

Traveling within a single European destination simplifies transportation planning.
Local transportation, particularly metros, is favored by locals and efficient for navigating cities.
Obtain a transit map from tourist offices, subway ticketing offices, or hotels for city navigation.
Utilize city-specific transport apps for comprehensive information.
Consider purchasing metro passes for unlimited travel, reloadable cards, or multi-ticket deals based on travel frequency.
Tourist offices or subway ticketing offices are reliable sources for understanding transportation options.
Experience the city’s culture by riding buses; locals can provide insights into bus timings.
Many European cities are bike-friendly, offering affordable bicycle rental options for exploring, such as Amsterdam, Strasbourg, Copenhagen, and more.
Alternative transportation options in European cities include trams, taxis, and rental cars.
For travelers visiting multiple European destinations, a variety of transportation options are available for convenience and flexibility.

Flight

If time is a huge constraint in your Euro trip and not money, then flight is the best way to get around destinations in Europe.
Some of the budget-friendly airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, Norweigan, Wizz Air, Air Berlin, and Eurowings have deals running all the time and it is not that difficult to strike a bargain. Remember that the ticket prices increase with your baggage.

Train

Thanks to the effective Eurail system, train travel is one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. Not to forget the wonderful landscapes that you get to see as you travel along.
Western Europe is so well connected that you can get through even small towns on a train. In Central Europe, you can visit all the major cities on the train.
On the other hand, travelling within Eastern Europe on Eurorail is let alone a problem. It isn’t as well connected as Western or Central Europe. If you have plenty of time on your itinerary, try taking the overnight train. They are cheaper. And if you are planning to travel extensively on Eurail? Get a Eurail Pass.

Bus

Looking to cut down on your expenses? Travelling on the bus is the best way to do it. The luxury, the extra legroom, the fascinating views, WIFI options, and the cheaper updates are few of the perks of travelling on a bus. Just make sure, the destinations you are looking for is covered on your bus journey. There might be frequent hopping in and hopping off. If you can bear it and have the time? Then, you can save huge by opting for a bus. There are also package bus excursions which you can opt for.

Some of the major long-overhaul bus companies include Eurolines, FlixBus, Polskibus, Alsa, Avansa, and Hello.

Car

Renting a car in Europe allows for flexible exploration but can be costly.
Prices vary by country, generally leaning towards the higher end.
Prioritize rental car insurance to cover any unforeseen incidents.
Avoid renting directly from the airport to dodge additional fees like airport taxes.
Selecting the right car rental company involves considering rates, car selection, service options, and pickup/drop-off locations.
Automatic cars are pricier than manual ones, and European cars typically have less legroom but larger trunk space.
European car rentals operate on a 24-hour basis, so returning the car even slightly late incurs an extra day’s charge.
Driving in Europe follows right-hand side rules.
Some companies permit pick-up and drop-off at different locations, offering added convenience.
Prepaying often secures discounts.
Ride-sharing presents an alternative to renting for some travel needs.

Plan your accommodation

From luxury hotels to mid-range accommodations to bed & breakfasts, the range of accommodation in Europe will amaze you. While hotels always cost a little extra, our Europe trip planner also suggests you with some of the cheaper accommodation options.

Hostels

Think budget, think hostels. A popular choice among the backpackers and the youth, hostels are highly budget-friendly and provide you with the option to interact with travelers from all around the world. And there is often a common misconception when it comes to hostels that they will be shabby and are suited only for young people. On the contrary, modern-day hostels are clean and carry rooms that are suited for solo travelers, couples, and family-travelers as well.

Stay with locals

Wondering if staying with locals is actually possible? The answer is yes, totally. Sites like Couchsurfing are a great place to connect with locals and finding accommodation during your travel. What’s more interesting is you get to understand the culture and experience the local part of the destination. Just make sure, the profile checks out on Couchsurfing and you are good to go.

House Swapping

While the concept of house exchange has been there for a long time now, not many people are actually aware of it, until recently. This is how it works – you offer your house to someone visiting your hometown and in exchange they offer theirs. House Exchange might not work for you all the time but if you find like-minded people, then house swapping is a great option to consider.

Monasteries

Staying in a monastery may come in as one of the offbeat things to do but it is a real money saver. While some monasteries demand rent or a donation, some offer free accommodation.

Short rentals

Priced somewhere between the hotels and the hostels, short rentals offer the comforts of home while in a new destination. Plus, most of the short rentals come with a kitchen so you can prepare your favourite even when you are in Europe.

At the end of the day, the type of accommodation that you want to stay depends on the budget and the type of people you will be traveling with.

Europe trip planner – Few essentials

European Language

One of the major issues, most of us Indians face when we are traveling to Europe is language. While Europeans can speak & understand multiple languages, English isn’t actually their cup of tea. So be prepared to be surprised. If you still want to get away with speaking English, then consider speaking slow and be sure to use internationally popular words.

Further, start with learning the basic phrases that you will be using during your travel. Duolingo is one of the many apps you can use to do this. Further, you can listen to podcasts and watch movies as well to cultivate the habit better. The locals appreciate you trying to learn the local language and will generally be more than willing to help you out.

European Food

Europe has a wide range of cuisines to choose from and you will be literally spoilt for choice. Eating out is generally costlier than eating out in India. Looking to save money on food? Always eat like the locals do, at cheap eateries and other local hot spots. While Europe has a decent chunk of Indian restaurants to eat from, the food is a bit expensive than what we normally pay in India. Alternatively, you can shop for local produce at the markets and prepare it by yourself to save money.

Drinking is not a taboo in Europe, except for a few countries. The legal drinking age is somewhere between 16-18 and the Europeans love to wine and dine.

Adventurous Switzerland getaway

Exciting 11-day itinerary to Lucerne, Zurich, Interlaken, & Zermatt

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Clothes

What to pack for your Europe trip? A major question on any traveller’s mind. With each destination having its own style and culture, it is hard to come up with a default set of things to pack. But based on the season, we have tried our best to compile some of the essentials that you should be packing on your Europe trip. And remember, always try to pack light.

Spring

2 pair of casual comfy tops
4 bottoms (pants/skirts)
5-6 pairs of innerwear
5-6 pairs of socks
Sunglasses
Light scarf
Ankle boots
Waterproof jacket
Light shaded trench coat

Summer

4 shorts/skirts
1 pair of sandals
1 pair of casual walking/running shoes
2 pair of tank tops/casual tops
Sunglasses
Swimwear
5-6 pairs of innerwear
5-6 pairs of socks

Fall

Thermals/long johns
1 sweater/fleece
Tights
Layered tops
Rain-friendly boots
Thicker scarfs
5-6 pairs of innerwear
5-6 pairs of socks

Winter

1 pair of thermals/long john
More layers
Warm sleepwear
Gloves
Winter boots
Thicker Scarf
Woollen Socks

European Currency

There is a common tendency to feel insecure and rush straight to the ATM to withdraw cash the minute you land at the airport. It’s a reflux reaction. It can happen to anyone but don’t ever drop by the currency exchange booths at the airport in Europe (any destination for that matter). The currency exchange booths at the airport have the worst exchange rates. Avoid them at all costs. For best exchange rates, either head on to an ATM or use your credit card. Also, make sure to inform your bank that you will be travelling outside India and that you will be using your credit card. This will prevent your card from getting blocked if the bank detects any fraudulent activities.

How much to tip?

Tipping is not customary in India, but it’s a cultural norm in many other countries.
In Europe, there isn’t a fixed standard for tipping, unlike the U.S.
European waitstaff are usually well-compensated, so tipping is optional.
If the bill includes a service charge, additional tipping may not be necessary.
If you choose to tip, 5–10% of the total bill is considered sufficient.
Give the tip directly to the waiter when paying the bill, rather than leaving it on the table.
For counter service or takeout, tipping is generally not expected.
Tipping for extra services beyond dining is discretionary, not obligatory.

Voltage requirements

The standard voltage in Europe is 230V and the frequency is 50HZ which is the same in India. But the socket type varies from country to country in Europe. In France, the socket type is C & E. In Germany, it is C & F and so on. While you don’t require a voltage converter, you will definitely require power adapters to help you use your electrical appliances.

Tips for traveling in Europe

Don’t try to explore too many destinations in a short frame of time. You will end up missing the essence of the place.
Look for offbeat/local things to do in each destination rather than the same touristy stuff.
Put in an effort to blend in with the locals. This will help you get the best of the destination, not to forget the money-saving tips and the authentic experience.
Avoid taking too many photos and rather try to be there at the moment.
Keep your passport and other valuables safe.
Do not skip travel insurance.

Planning an Europe trip from India all by yourself can be a little stressful. But, we are sure this Europe trip planner would have addressed all your issues. If you are still not sure about planning, then go Pickyourtrail for a hassle-free customized Europe honeymoon package.