Europe on a Budget from India
Europe has a reputation for being expensive, but Indian travellers crack it every year on surprisingly tight budgets. The trick is choosing the right countries, travelling in the right months and skipping the assumption that you must see London, Paris and Zurich on your first trip. Eastern and Central Europe deliver the same cobbled-street magic at half the price. With smart planning, a two-week Europe trip from India is achievable for around ₹1,50,000 per person — flights, stays, trains and food included.
This guide focuses on where your rupee stretches furthest. We cover the cheapest countries to base yourself, how to use budget airlines and rail passes, when to go for the lowest fares, and the honest cost of the Schengen visa. None of this means roughing it — it means being deliberate about where you spend and where you save, so you come home with stories instead of credit-card regret.
Opens the free Budget Planner pre-filled with ₹1,50,000 — tell us your dates and we'll build the whole trip.
Cheapest places to base your Europe trip
Prague, Czechia
~₹3,000/day all-inFairytale architecture, cheap beer and a walkable old town make Prague the perfect budget base. Meals cost a fraction of Western Europe and it connects easily by train to Vienna, Berlin and Budapest. Start here to ease into Europe without the price shock.
Photo: Jarod Barton / Pexels
Budapest, Hungary
~₹2,800/day all-inGrand riverside views, thermal baths and ruin bars — Budapest delivers big-city romance at small-city prices. Food, transport and stays are among the cheapest in the EU. It pairs beautifully with Vienna, just a short, scenic train ride away.
Photo: Aakash Goel / Pexels
Krakow, Poland
~₹2,500/day all-inMedieval squares, hearty food and famously low costs make Poland a budget traveller's secret. Krakow is compact, historic and a gateway to day trips like Auschwitz and the salt mines. Your rupee goes remarkably far here.
Photo: Piotr Kalinowski / Pexels
Lisbon, Portugal
~₹3,500/day all-inThe cheapest country in Western Europe — sun, seafood, trams and pastel streets. Lisbon and Porto offer beach-meets-city charm for far less than Spain or France. A great pick if you want Atlantic coastline without an Eastern-Europe-only trip.
Switzerland (the smart way)
splurge day ~₹8,000Yes, it is expensive — but you can sample the Alps on a budget with day passes, picnics and one or two nights instead of a week. Our Switzerland itinerary shows how to see the famous peaks without blowing your entire trip fund.
What ₹1,50,000 covers
- ✓Round-trip flights from India to Europe run ₹45,000–₹70,000 if booked 2–3 months ahead
- ✓Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, Czechia) costs roughly half of Western Europe day-to-day
- ✓Hostels and budget stays sit at ₹2,000–₹4,000 a night versus ₹8,000+ in pricier cities
- ✓A ₹1,50,000 budget covers 12–14 days if you base in cheaper countries and travel in shoulder season
Figures are realistic ballparks and vary with season, dates and how early you book. Use the planner for live prices.
Best time to visit
Shoulder season is where the savings hide. Aim for April to mid-June or September to October — the weather is still pleasant, the crowds thin out and flights plus hotels drop noticeably from peak summer rates. Peak July and August bring the highest prices and the longest queues, while November to March is cheapest of all but cold, with shorter days and some attractions closed. For the best balance of good weather and low cost, late September is a sweet spot, especially across Central and Eastern Europe where autumn lingers warm.
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Skip the spreadsheets. Tell us your dates and the Budget Planner builds a full trip that fits ₹1,50,000 — flights, hotels and experiences.
🎯 Build My TripGood to know before you go
- ›Visas vary: most of Europe needs a Schengen visa (₹8,000–₹10,000 in fees plus documents, applied 4–6 weeks ahead) — unlike visa-free Asian options
- ›Book flights and any scenic trains 2–3 months in advance; budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air connect cities for as little as ₹2,000
- ›Travelling in shoulder season (spring or autumn) instead of peak summer can cut your total trip cost by 25–35%
- ›Buy a regional rail pass or use buses like FlixBus for intercity travel, carry a refillable water bottle, and eat where locals eat to save big
Frequently asked questions
Can you do Europe on a budget from India?
Absolutely. By basing yourself in Eastern and Central Europe, travelling in shoulder season and using budget airlines and rail passes, a two-week trip is doable for around ₹1,50,000 per person including flights, stays and food. The key is avoiding the most expensive Western cities.
Which is the cheapest country in Europe for Indian tourists?
Poland, Hungary and Czechia are the cheapest, with daily costs roughly half of Western Europe. Portugal is the most affordable option in the west. Basing your trip in these countries keeps food, stays and transport remarkably low.
How much does a Europe trip cost from India?
A budget two-week trip costs around ₹1,50,000 per person — roughly ₹45,000–₹70,000 on flights, ₹2,500–₹4,000 a day on stays and food in cheaper countries, plus ₹8,000–₹10,000 for the Schengen visa. Western Europe and peak summer push this much higher.
Do I need a Schengen visa and how hard is it?
Yes, most of Europe requires a Schengen visa for Indian passport holders. It is straightforward but not instant — budget 4–6 weeks, prepare bank statements, flight and hotel bookings and travel insurance, and apply through the embassy of the country where you will spend the most time.