A Europe trip from Bangalore sits at the top of the international bucket list for most Indian travellers. The architecture alone, from the medieval old towns of Prague to the Eiffel Tower to the Swiss Alps, delivers on the kind of travel moments that feel genuinely unlike anything available closer to home. But Europe is also the trip that gets abandoned most often in the planning stage because the Schengen visa process seems complicated, the costs seem unpredictable, and there are too many possible starting points.
This guide addresses all three of those blockers directly. By the end, you will know exactly what the Schengen visa process involves, what a realistic Europe trip from Bangalore costs per person, which countries to start with, and how to structure your first European itinerary in a way that is genuinely enjoyable rather than a frantic city-hopping exercise.
What Is the Schengen Visa and Do You Need One?
The Schengen Area is a group of 27 European countries that operate as a single zone for international travel purposes. Once you have a valid Schengen visa, you can travel freely between all Schengen member countries without separate visas for each one. This is the core logistical advantage of a multi-country Europe trip: one visa covers France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, and two dozen others.
Indian citizens need a Schengen visa for every visit to the Schengen Area. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry for Indian passport holders in the Schengen Zone. This visa must be arranged through the embassy or consulate of the specific Schengen country where you will spend the most nights on your trip. This country is called your “main destination,” and the visa is issued by their consulate.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa from Bangalore
Step 1: Determine Your Main Destination
If you are spending 5 nights in Switzerland, 3 nights in France, and 2 nights in Italy, Switzerland is your main destination, and the Swiss embassy processes your visa. If the nights are equal between two countries, the country of your first entry is usually considered the main destination. Plan your itinerary carefully before applying, because the consulate’s choice flows from this.
Step 2: Book an Appointment
Appointments with Schengen consulates in India must typically be made through authorised Visa Application Centres, not directly with the consulate in most cases. BLS International and VFS Global handle appointments for multiple European embassies. Appointment availability in Bangalore varies by season and by embassy. In peak summer months (April to June bookings for June to August travel), appointments can be scarce. Book your appointment 6 to 8 weeks before your intended travel date.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
The document requirements for a Schengen visa are more extensive than for a Dubai or Singapore visa, and this is the step where most rejections happen due to incomplete or inconsistent preparation:
- A valid Indian passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond your return date
- At least two blank pages in your passport
- Completed Schengen visa application form (available from the consulate website)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs (white background, biometric format)
- Confirmed flight bookings for your full trip (or a confirmed flight itinerary)
- Hotel bookings confirmed for every night of your Schengen stay
- Travel insurance covering the entire Schengen trip with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 (approximately INR 27,00,000)
- Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months showing a healthy, consistent account balance
- Income proof (salary slips for the last 3 months if employed; ITR and bank statements if self-employed)
- Cover letter explaining your travel purpose, itinerary, and intent to return to India
- Leave letter from employer (if employed) or business registration documents (if self-employed)
- Proof of ties to India (property ownership, family, or other evidence of reason to return)
Step 4: Pay the Fee and Biometrics
The Schengen visa application fee is EUR 90 per adult (approximately INR 8,100) as of 2024 revisions. This fee is non-refundable regardless of the visa outcome. The Visa Application Centre will also charge a service fee (approximately INR 1,500 to 2,500, depending on the centre).
All first-time Schengen applicants must provide biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph) at the Visa Application Centre.
Step 5: Processing Time
Standard Schengen visa processing takes 15 calendar days from the date of application receipt. In practice, some embassies process faster; others take longer during peak periods. Apply at minimum 4 to 6 weeks before travel. The consulate can take up to 30 days to process an application in exceptional circumstances.
How Much Does a Europe Trip Cost from Bangalore?
This is the most variable number in international travel. Europe spans everything from budget backpacker hostels to Michelin-starred restaurants and private Alps chalets. Here is a realistic framework by category:
Package-Based Europe Tour from Bangalore
Most Indian travellers book a Europe trip as a structured package through a travel agency rather than planning it independently, and for good reason: coordinating flights, hotels, inter-city trains, and sightseeing across 3 to 5 countries in a 10-day window is genuinely complex without local knowledge.
A 7-night and 8-day group-departure Europe package from Bangalore covering 3 to 4 countries (a common combination: Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Belgium) with economy class flights, 3 to 4 star hotels, inter-country coaches, and guided sightseeing typically starts around INR 1,10,000 to 1,40,000 per person.
A 10-night and 11-day package covering 4 to 5 countries (Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, Netherlands) starts around INR 1,50,000 to 2,00,000 per person on a standard group tour basis.
Custom private itineraries covering the same destinations but at 5-star hotels with private transfers can reach INR 3,00,000 to 5,00,000 or more per person.
In-Destination Daily Spending in Europe
Europe is significantly more expensive daily than Southeast Asia or the Middle East:
- A basic sit-down restaurant meal: EUR 15 to 30 per person (INR 1,350 to 2,700)
- Fast food or a meal at a cheaper cafe: EUR 8 to 15 per person (INR 720 to 1,350)
- Coffee: EUR 2 to 5 (INR 180 to 450)
- Public transport in major cities: EUR 2 to 4 per trip (INR 180 to 360); day passes EUR 8 to 14 (INR 720 to 1,260)
- Major attraction entry fees: EUR 15 to 25 per museum or tourist site (INR 1,350 to 2,250)
A realistic daily spending budget in Europe (excluding accommodation already covered by your package) is approximately EUR 60 to 120 per person per day (INR 5,400 to 10,800) for meals, transport, and one or two paid attractions.
Best Starting Countries for a First Europe Trip from Bangalore
Switzerland
Switzerland works exceptionally well as a first European destination for Indian travellers because it is visually dramatic in a way that requires no context. The Swiss Alps, the cogwheel trains, and the lakeside towns of Lucerne and Interlaken deliver the classic “Europe postcard” experience in concentrated form. Swiss trains are legendary for punctuality. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. The only honest caveat is cost: Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in Europe to spend a day in.
France (Paris, plus Loire or Normandy)
France is the most visited country in the world for a reason. Paris alone justifies an international trip: the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Seine riverbanks, and Montmartre collectively constitute one of the most concentrated cultural experiences available to a traveller anywhere. A first Europe trip that includes Paris for 2 to 3 days will almost always be considered a success, regardless of what else is on the itinerary.
Italy (Rome Plus Florence)
Italy offers the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage sites per square kilometre of any country, and the combination of Rome’s ancient history and Florence’s Renaissance art and architecture creates an itinerary that is genuinely overwhelming in the best possible way. Italian food culture is also a significant plus for Indian palates compared to some Northern European cuisines.
How to Structure Your First European Itinerary
The single most common mistake on a first Europe trip is covering too many countries in too few days. Three countries in 7 days sounds like a good value. In practice, it means 3 hotel check-ins, 3 sets of jet lag adjustments, 3 days of orientation, and not enough time in any one place to form a real impression.
A better structure for a first 10-day Europe trip: choose 2 to 3 countries maximum, spend at least 2 full nights in each major city, and build in one half-day with no fixed plan for recovery and exploration. The best memories from a first Europe trip almost always come from an unplanned afternoon in a neighbourhood you discovered by accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Europe tour package cost from Bangalore?
A 7-night and 88-day group Europe package from Bangalore covering 3 to 4 countries typically starts around INR 1,10,000 to 1,40,000 per person. A 10-night package covering 4 to 5 countries starts around INR 1,50,000 to 2,00,000 per person. Custom private itineraries at 5-star hotels can exceed INR 3,00,000 per person.
How long does a Schengen visa take from Bangalore?
Standard processing takes 15 calendar days from the date the complete application is submitted. Apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before your intended travel date to allow for appointment availability and processing time.
How much does a Schengen visa cost for Indians?
The Schengen visa application fee is EUR 90 (approximately INR 8,100) per adult, non-refundable. Add the Visa Application Centre service fee of approximately INR 1,500 to 2,500.
Which country’s embassy should I apply to for a Schengen visa?
Apply to the embassy of the country where you will spend the most nights on your trip. If nights are equal between two countries, apply to the embassy of your first port of entry in the Schengen Zone.
How many days is enough for a first Europe trip?
7 to 10 days is the recommended range for a first European trip. With 7 days, cover 2 countries comfortably. With 10 days, 3 countries at a reasonable pace.
What is the best European country to visit first from India?
Switzerland, France, and Italy are the three most popular starting points for Indian first-timers, and all three justify the billing. Switzerland is the most visually dramatic; France offers the most iconic single experience (Paris); Italy has the richest historical depth.