How to Plan a Euro Trip from India Under ₹1.5 Lakhs (2025 Edition)
Dreaming of exploring Europe but worried about the budget? You’re not alone.
Contrary to what many believe, you can plan a Euro trip from India under ₹1.5 lakhs — yes, flights, stay, food, transport, and sightseeing included!
In this 2025 guide, we break down how you can make your European dream a reality without going broke.
✈️ Step 1: Choose Budget-Friendly Countries
Skip the expensive spots like Switzerland or Norway and go for these budget Europe destinations:
- Czech Republic (Prague) 🇨🇿
- Hungary (Budapest) 🇭🇺
- Poland (Krakow, Warsaw) 🇵🇱
- Portugal (Lisbon, Porto) 🇵🇹
- Slovakia 🇸🇰
- Romania 🇷🇴
- Bulgaria (Sofia) 🇧🇬
These countries offer:
- Schengen access
- Low cost of food and stay
- Rich history and culture
👉 Bonus Tip: Start and end in the same country to get cheaper round-trip flights.
💸 Step 2: Budget Breakdown (Approximate)
Here’s how your ₹1.5L can be spent:
| Category | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Flights (round-trip) | ₹45,000–55,000 |
| Visa (Schengen) | ₹7,200 |
| Accommodation (10–12 nights, hostels + Airbnb) | ₹25,000–30,000 |
| Local Transport (buses, trains, metro) | ₹10,000–12,000 |
| Food (budget meals, groceries) | ₹10,000–12,000 |
| Attractions & Entry Fees | ₹8,000–10,000 |
| Miscellaneous/Buffer | ₹5,000–7,000 |
Total: Approx. ₹1.45–1.5 Lakhs
🛂 Step 3: Apply for a Schengen Visa
- Visa Type: Short-stay Tourist (Type C)
- Validity: Up to 90 days in a 180-day period
- Documents Needed:
- Flight bookings
- Travel insurance
- Proof of stay
- Bank statements
- Leave letter (if employed)
- Travel itinerary
👉 Apply via VFS Global or through the consulate of your first country of arrival.
🏨 Step 4: Book Budget-Friendly Accommodation
Use platforms like:
- Hostelworld (great for solo/group travelers)
- Booking.com (filter for free cancellation)
- Couchsurfing (for zero-cost local stays)
- JoinYourTrip Trips (group tours with shared accommodation)
✅ Look for hostels that offer free breakfast + kitchen access.
🚆 Step 5: Travel Smart Inside Europe
Avoid flights. Use:
- Intercity buses (FlixBus, RegioJet)
- Budget trains (book early for discounts)
- Walking tours (free in most cities!)
- Public transport cards for metro/bus discounts
Bonus: Travel overnight to save on accommodation.
🍽️ Step 6: Eat Like a Local
To keep costs down:
- Shop at local supermarkets (Lidl, Aldi, Carrefour)
- Try street food or university canteens
- Cook in hostel kitchens (many hostels offer this)
📅 Sample 10-Day Itinerary Under ₹1.5L
Day 1–3: Budapest (Hungary)
Day 4–6: Bratislava (Slovakia)
Day 7–10: Prague (Czech Republic)
🛏️ Stay in hostels
🚍 Use FlixBus for city-to-city travel
🎟️ Book city passes for discounts on attractions
🎒 Travel Hacks to Save More
- Book flights 3–5 months in advance
- Travel in shoulder seasons (April–May, Sept–Oct)
- Use a forex card to avoid currency conversion fees
- Look for combo museum tickets or city passes
- Join group trips to split transport and stay costs
🌍 Why This Is Possible in 2025
- Budget airlines like Wizz Air, Ryanair, and EasyJet continue to expand routes
- Digital travel tools (apps, booking engines, free city guides) make DIY travel easy
- Post-COVID recovery offers competitive deals and discounts in lesser-visited EU nations
🧳 Final Word
Europe isn’t just for luxury travelers. With smart planning, you can cover 3–4 countries, iconic cities, and historical wonders, all under ₹1.5 lakhs.
So if you're dreaming of sipping coffee in a café in Prague or walking across the Chain Bridge in Budapest — 2025 is the year to do it affordably!
