The approximate budget for a Europe trip from India is ₹1.2 — 1.6 lakh per person for a lean 10-day trip, ₹2–3 lakh for a mid-range one, and ₹3.5 lakh or more for a comfortable one. Flights eat roughly a quarter of the total. Where you sleep and which countries you pick decide the rest. This guide breaks the numbers into flights, visa, daily costs and the Indian-specific charges that many budget pages skip. All figures are per person for 10 days, with two travelers sharing a room, unless stated.
Quick Budget Table (10 Days, Per Person)
| Trip style | Typical route | Estimated total |
| Lean | Prague, Budapest, Krakow; hostels or budget hotels | ₹1.2–1.6 lakh |
| Mid-range | Italy, France, Germany or Austria; 3-star hotels | ₹2.0–3.0 lakh |
| Comfortable | Paris, Switzerland, central 4-star hotels, rail passes | ₹3.5–5 lakh+ |
These are editorial estimates. I built them from the cost components below and compared them with 2026 budget guides. One guide puts a mid-range classic route at ₹2–2.8 lakh and a backpacker trip near ₹1.5 lakh, with comfort trips crossing ₹4 lakh. Your own number will move with the season and booking date.
Where the Money Goes
Flights: ₹45,000–85,000 return
Flights are the biggest cost you can control. One planner lists return fares between ₹45,000 and ₹80,000. Gulf carriers and one-stop routes through Istanbul often cost less than direct flights. Book three to four months ahead and fly in shoulder season, which runs April–May and September–October. A multi-city ticket (fly into one city, out of another) can save a day of backtracking.
Schengen visa, VFS fee and insurance: about ₹12,000–15,000
Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for short stays. The fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12. Children under 6 pay nothing. At ₹108 per euro, which is roughly the October 2026 rate, the adult fee comes to about ₹9,700.
You also pay extras:
- VFS service fee: Roughly ₹1,900–3,100, depending on the country you apply through.
- Insurance: Schengen insurance needs a minimum of €30,000 in cover. Plans for a 10-day trip often cost ₹500–1,500.
- Non-refundable fee: The €90 fee is not refunded if the visa is refused. Book flights and hotels with free cancellation until the visa arrives.
Daily costs on the ground
Europe is not one price zone. The same day costs about half as much in Budapest as in Paris or Switzerland.
| Region | Lean (per day) | Mid-range (per day) |
| Eastern Europe (Prague, Budapest, Krakow) | €50–70 (₹5,400–7,600) | €80–120 (₹8,600–13,000) |
| Southern and Central (Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany) | €70–100 (₹7,600–10,800) | €120–170 (₹13,000–18,400) |
| Paris and Amsterdam | €90–120 (₹9,700–13,000) | €150–200 (₹16,200–21,600) |
| Switzerland | CHF 120–200 | CHF 250–350 |
Those daily figures cover a bed, food, local transport and a few entry tickets. They are my rounded estimates, based on 2026 guides. One Budapest guide lists €40–60 a day for budget travelers and €80–120 mid-range. A Swiss guide puts mid-range travel at CHF 250–350 per person per day. That makes Switzerland the quickest way to blow a budget. Use it for two or three days, not ten.
Moving between cities: ₹10,000–35,000
Budget airlines and buses cost little if you book early. One guide lists budget flights at ₹2,000–7,000. High-speed trains and rail passes cost more but save time. Keep the number of cities low. Each extra stop adds both transport cost and a night in a hotel.
Costs Many Indian Budgets Miss
Tax collected at source (TCS). The rule changed this year. From 1 April 2026, TCS on overseas tour packages is a flat 2% with no threshold. Forex and travel-card spending stay free of TCS up to ₹10 lakh a year. A ₹2 lakh package therefore adds about ₹4,000 upfront. You can claim TCS back when you file your return on the Income Tax Department portal.
Exchange-rate swings. The euro ranged from about ₹104.7 in January to ₹112.6 in May 2026. On a €2,000 ground budget, that gap is roughly ₹16,000. Buy part of your forex early and keep the rest on a low-markup card.
New border checks. The EU’s Entry/Exit System has been fully live since 10 April 2026. It records fingerprints and a photo at the border, so allow extra time at airports. Indians who need a Schengen visa do not need ETIAS. The official EU travel site explains both systems.
Solo premium. A solo traveler pays for a full room. A couple splits it, but flights and visa fees do not halve. Expect solo trips to cost more per head.
How to Lower Your Europe Budget
- Pair one expensive country with cheaper ones. Three days in Switzerland plus Prague and Budapest costs far less than ten days in Switzerland.
- Travel in April–May or September–October. Summer hotel rates in Paris and Amsterdam climb sharply.
- Book flights and stay early, but pick free-cancellation rooms until the visa arrives.
- Stay near a metro or train stop instead of the city centre. Our Germany travel guide shows how rail links keep outer-area stays practical.
- Eat one big meal a day. Markets and supermarkets cover the rest.
Before you fly, set up offline maps and emergency contacts with the help of our guide to travel tech tools that improve safety.
FAQ,s
How much does a 10-day Europe trip from India cost?
Most travelers spend ₹1.2–1.6 lakh on a lean trip and ₹2–3 lakh mid-range. Comfortable trips start near ₹3.5 lakh.
Is ₹2 lakh enough for Europe from India?
Yes, for about 10 days if you mix in cheaper cities, book flights early and stay in budget hotels. It gets tight if you add Switzerland or Paris.
What is the cheapest time to go to Europe from India?
Late autumn through early spring usually has lower flights and hotels, except around Christmas. April–May and September–October balance price and weather.
How much is the Schengen visa for Indians?
The fee is €90 for adults, plus a VFS charge and insurance. Budget about ₹12,000–15,000 in total.
Which European countries are cheapest for Indians?
Hungary, Czechia and Poland cost the least on the ground. Switzerland, Norway and Iceland cost the most.
Conclusion
The approximate budget for a Europe trip from India depends more on your route than on the length of your stay. A lean trip through Central Europe can come in near ₹1.5 lakh. The same ten days in Paris and Switzerland can cost three times as much. Flights, visa and insurance add about ₹60,000–95,000 before you spend a euro on the ground.
Pick your countries first, then set a daily limit for each one. Add 2% TCS if you book a package and a cushion of 5–10% for exchange-rate swings. Check visa fees and border rules before you book, because both change.
