Europe tours have always fascinated Indians. The historical cities, quaint villages, unique cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious cuisines have attracted Indian nationals to European countries for several years. With the introduction of Schengen visa and frequent flights between the major cities of India and Europe, travel to the continent has also increased. But planning for a European holiday can be overwhelming, as there is so much to do, including applying for a visa, planning the logistics, preparing an itinerary, and packing your luggage. Here, we cover all the Europe travel essentials Indians need to know.
Europe Visa Requirements
Indians need to get a visa to visit any of the European countries. The good news is that with one Schengen visa, Indian tourists can visit 29 European countries.
Schengen Visa: These counties in the Schengen zone are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The Schengen tourist visa is a short-term visa, with a validity of 90 days. Indians can apply for the Schengen visa through the embassy of the country through which they are entering the Schengen zone. The documents required to apply for a Schengen visa are visa application form, Indian passport (with minimum 6 months validity), photographs, return flight tickets, hotel reservation or letter of invitation, travel itinerary, bank statements for financial proof, etc.
Non-Schengen Visa: If you are planning to visit a European country outside the Schengen zone, you need to apply for the visa of that particular country. For instance, if you want to visit the United Kingdom, you must apply for the UK visit visa. The visa process and documentation will be different for each country. In either case, it would be prudent to apply for the visa as early as possible, so that you can enjoy a hassle-free holiday.
Planning Your Itinerary
Technically, this is the first thing to do before you apply for your visa. A detailed itinerary is a document you need to submit while applying for a visa. Moreover, if you are applying for a Schengen visa, you need to mention all the countries you are planning to visit in your visa application.
Your itinerary should be practical. It is tempting to squeeze as many cities or countries as possible in your schedule. But this can be hectic and exhausting. Make a list of the European countries, cities, and places you want to visit, and narrow it down as per the number of days you are planning to stay in Europe.
Arrange Transportation
Once you are ready with a detailed itinerary, the next step is to book your flight tickets. You need to first book your tickets from India to the country you are visiting in Europe. Depending on where your holiday ends, you must book your return tickets as well.
The next step is to plan your travel within Europe. The easiest and the most efficient way of traveling within Europe is trains. The Eurail connects different cities of Europe and is popular among Europeans and foreigners. As these trains are highly in demand, it is important to book the train tickets in advance. An alternative would be budget airlines that connect different cities of Europe.
A cheaper alternative, albeit more time consuming, are buses. Europe has strong road networks, making it possible to travel within the continent by buses or even rented cars. If you have time in your hands, traveling by road (or bus) would be scenic and enjoyable. To travel within the European cities, there are buses, metros, and taxis. Moreover, most of these cities should be ideally explored on foot.
What to Pack for Europe Tour?
When your itinerary is ready, tickets are booked, and visa is approved, it is time to start packing. As you are traveling to a different continent, it is important to ensure that you have all the essential things. Here is a Europe travel checklist that will help you in packing.
Clothing: The outfits you carry will depend on the season you are visiting. Summers will require you to wear light and breezy clothes, while you will have to carry thick jackets and other warm clothing during your winter visits. Autumn and Spring in Europe would require you to dress up in layers, as the weather changes throughout the day during these seasons. Some basic outfits you carry are a few pairs of jeans/trousers, t-shirts, button-down shirts, skirts, and a few formal wear (if you are planning to visit fine dining restaurants or such other establishments). Do not forget to carry thermal wear during winters.
Footwear: A European tour involves lot of walking, and hence, a sturdy pair of walking shoes is a must. If you are planning to go hiking or trekking, make sure that you have appropriate shoes for the same. If you are planning to explore the nightlife of the European cities you are visiting or dining at a fine dining restaurant, you must have a pair of formal footwear as well.
Accessories: Keep your jewelry simple and minimal. Avoid flashy or valuable accessories as petty crime is rampant in several European cities. A few essential accessories that you must carry are sunglasses, hat, etc. If you are visiting during winter, gloves, cap, thick jacket, socks, etc., are necessary. Moreover, it may rain anytime in Europe, so carrying an umbrella or raincoat will be a good idea.
Travel Adapter: Gadgets are an important part of our packing list. To ensure that all your gadgets work seamlessly wherever you go in Europe, it is best to carry a universal travel adapter with you. Having a power strip would also be a good idea, as it helps you to charge multiple gadgets at once.
Toiletries, Health Essentials, and Medications: When it comes to toiletries, it is a good idea to carry travel size bottles of your body wash, shampoo, conditioners, moisturizers, sunscreen, lip balm, toothpaste etc. Do not forget to carry emergency medicines for fever, headache, stomach issues, etc. If you are on some prescription medicines, make sure that you have enough of them to last your entire trip. It would also be a good idea to keep the doctor’s prescription with you. Other health essentials you can carry are band aids, insect repellent, travel sickness tablets, sanitary napkins, painkillers, etc. You must also carry a reusable water bottle, which you can refill at hotels or at drinkable water taps.
Conclusion You can enjoy a hassle-free European holiday by knowing about the Europe trip planning essentials. If you feel the planning process is overwhelming, you can also hire a reputed travel company who will take care of all your travel requirements, including visa, flight tickets, accommodation, tours, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which is the best time to visit Europe for Indians?
This will totally depend on your travel preferences and the experiences you want to enjoy. Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to October) offer pleasant climates, lesser crowds, and better rates. Summer (July to August) is perfect for sightseeing, but can be crowded and expensive. Winter season (November to March) is ideal for those who want to enjoy snow and the holiday season in Europe.
Q. How to pack while traveling to Europe?
Always pack light while traveling to Europe. Carry clothes that you can pair and reuse in different ways. Use packing cubes to keep things organized and to save space.
Q. What are the common mistakes Indians should avoid while traveling to Europe?
- Applying late for a Schengen visa or other European visas
- Underestimating travel time between two cities
- Overpacking
- Not buying travel insurance
- Planning gruelling itineraries
Q. What are some of the safety precautions Indians should keep in mind while traveling to Europe?
- Keep your belongings safe at all times
- Be alert in crowded places
- Have multiple copies of all your travel documents
- Do not carry large amounts of cash or valuable jewelry
- Respect and follow local laws, customs, and etiquette
