Europe on a Budget: Cheapest Euro Tours for Indians

 For Indian travellers, Europe has always carried a certain appeal. The architecture, the public transport, the feeling of walking through streets that hold centuries of history — it’s different. But the idea of it being unaffordable still keeps many people from planning the trip. That’s changed in recent years.

Several travel operators in India now offer structured Europe tours that focus on cost efficiency without cutting out the essentials. These tours are not luxurious, but they are practical. The stays are clean, the schedules are tight, and most expenses are covered upfront. For a growing number of first-time travellers — solo, family, or group — this format works.

 

Where These Budget Tours Usually Begin

Most Indian travellers flying to Europe start from Delhi or Mumbai. Depending on the package, flights are either included or shared separately. In both cases, the main hubs are cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Zurich, or Budapest — places with good airport access and budget accommodation.

The tours often move by coach, covering multiple countries in one trip. For example, a 9- or 10-day tour might include France, Switzerland, and Italy. Some tours add Austria, the Czech Republic, or Germany. The idea is to maximise exposure without increasing cost per day.

 

What Makes These Tours Affordable

There’s a pattern to how these budget tours are planned. Hotel stays are usually on the city outskirts, where room rates are lower. Meals are often limited to breakfast and some fixed Indian dinners at pre-booked restaurants. Travel is by bus, not internal flights or trains. Sightseeing is guided but follows fixed routes, which helps reduce entry costs and delays.

The goal is not to give full freedom. It’s to provide access — safely, predictably, and with just enough comfort. For many Indian travellers, especially those going abroad for the first time, this structure is not a compromise. It’s a reassurance.

 

Cost Range and What’s Included

Most low-cost European tours from India range between ₹1.2 lakh to ₹1.8 lakh per person for around 9–11 days. This typically includes:

• Economy class return flights
  

• Schengen visa assistance
  

• Airport transfers
  

• 3-star hotel accommodation (twin/triple sharing)
  

• Breakfast and select dinners
  

• Guided sightseeing of key landmarks
  

• Intercity coach travel
  

• Travel insurance
  

Some budget packages also offer EMI options or early-bird discounts. Many start with fixed departure dates — meaning the entire group flies and returns together.

Travellers are usually responsible for their own lunches, optional excursions (like Mt. Titlis cable car or Seine river cruise), and shopping. It helps to carry some Euros in cash and keep an international forex card for backup.

 

Most Popular Budget Routes Among Indian Travellers

Tours that focus on Central and Western Europe tend to be the most affordable. Routes like:

• Paris – Brussels – Amsterdam
  

• Rome – Florence – Venice
  

• Zurich – Lucerne – Interlaken
  

Eastern Europe tours (Prague, Budapest, Vienna) are also gaining popularity due to cheaper hotel rates and less tourist congestion. These cities offer grand architecture and cultural value without the price tag of Western capitals.

Some operators also offer focused itineraries like:

• 5 nights in Italy
  

• 7 days covering Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna
  

• Short Switzerland trips with just 2–3 key locations
  

These are trimmed-down versions, ideal for those who want to explore without rushing but still stay within budget.

 

Visa, Currency, and Travel Tips

All tours that cover more than one country in Europe require a Schengen visa. Most Indian operators include visa processing as part of the package. It usually takes 15–20 working days after submission. Applicants need valid passports, income proof, hotel bookings, and return flight tickets (which are covered in the package).

Currency exchange is best handled through a mix of forex cards and some cash. Euros are accepted in most places, though countries like Switzerland use the Swiss Franc. Travellers should also expect city taxes, tipping charges, and a few paid toilets — common across Europe.

Keeping power adapters, SIM card arrangements, and lightweight clothing layers also helps, especially for spring and early autumn travel.

 

Who These Tours Are Best Suited For

Budget Europe packages suit first-time travellers, working couples, college groups, and senior citizens who prefer not to plan logistics on their own. They work well for people who want to see landmarks, take photos, eat safely, and return with stories — without worrying about how to get from one train station to another.

They’re not for people who want long café stops, flexible plans, or deep cultural dives. But for most Indian travellers with limited leave and a fixed budget, these tours open a door to something that previously felt too far away.

 

Final Thoughts

Seeing Europe doesn’t always need a five-star plan. For many Indians, a coach window, a packed lunch, and 10 shared days with a group of strangers who slowly become familiar is enough. These budget tours may not promise freedom — but they do promise entry. And for a continent that seemed out of reach for so long, that’s a good place to start.