How to Plan a Multi-City European Itinerary?

​​​​Are you planning a trip to Europe? Curate the best European tour itinerary with this guide.

Europe, one of the top tourist destinations, welcomes travellers from around the globe to explore its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, artistic marvels, and more.

However, when planning a​ trip to Europe, you must assess which of the 46 European countries you want to add to your trip itinerary to make a detailed travel plan. In addition to the choice of countries, you must complete several other steps to ensure a well-planned and inclusive Europe trip itinerary for a memorable experience.

To help you make the best Europe itinerary, find a detailed guide below highlighting the necessary steps and prerequisites you must follow before planning a trip to Europe.

Quick Step-By-Step Checklist for Best Europe Trip Itinerary​

To ensure your Europe trip itinerary aligns with your travel needs and budget and ensures the inclusion of all top tourist destinations for your chosen European countries, find a detailed guide below.

STEP 1- Choosing the Right Travel Destination

Assess Travel Budget, Needs and Style​

The first step in planning a trip to Europe is understanding your travel purpose and needs. Your choice of countries will depend on your personal exploration preferences and travelling style.

For instance, if you wish to explore history and culture, you should visit a place with numerous historical monuments. For nature and water lovers, choosing beach destinations would make more sense.

Thus, for the best Europe itinerary for a multi-country trip, you need to carefully select the countries you wish to explore based on your preferences, activity choices, and other factors to plan the other necessary bookings and transportation.​

Choose the European Countries​

Travelling for tourism is common, but given that Europe has 46 different countries, you must check and choose which countries you wish to explore from the European countries open for travel.

All the countries have something unique to offer and cater to varying traveller needs and interests.

From food delicacies and breathtaking landscapes to architectural marvels and stunning beaches, Europe has something for everyone, whether you are travelling solo, in a group, or with family members.

Here is a detailed list of countries for you to choose from to curate the best European tour itinerary.

Schengen Region (EU Countries)

Other Nations (Non-EU)

Review Seasonality

Once you have shortlisted the countries to add to your Europe trip itinerary, the next step is to check for the seasonal periods for your chosen countries. This will help plan the trip budget and activities more efficiently.

Peak Season

For every European country, the peak season is usually during summer when children have school breaks and the beaches make for the perfect getaway. During the peak season, here are some things to keep in mind.

• Flight tickets are the highest during the peak season.

• The country’s top tourist attractions are packed with crowds.

• Accommodations get booked very fast and are available at higher prices.

• The temperatures are usually hot.

• It is the best time for day activities, mountain treks, beach hopping, and other water activities.

• The peak season months can vary depending on your Northern, Southern, Western, or Eastern Europe itinerary.

Shoulder Season

The shoulder season is the period between the low and the peak season for European countries. During this period, spring or autumn brings pleasant to warm weather or the onset of the winter season, which brings cooler temperatures. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• During the shoulder season, flight tickets are more affordable.

• The tourist attractions are less crowded.

• More options for accommodation open up during this season at affordable prices.

• It is the best time to explore the hidden gems of different countries without any hassle.

• The shoulder season months can vary depending on your Northern, Southern, Western, or Eastern Europe itinerary.

Low Season

For most countries, winter is the low season when the temperatures are at their lowest. The weather is cold, and the crowds on the streets decrease around sunset.

The number of travellers visiting European countries also reduces, making it ideal for people looking for downtime. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• During the low season, the flight tickets are the cheapest as the crowd inflow is very low.

• Many tourist attractions have shorter opening and closing times, and some might be closed throughout the season.

• Accommodation choices and bookings are available at cheaper prices.

• It is the best time to enjoy the winter festivals and New Year's in any country, with numerous excursions and winter activities readily available.

• The low season months can vary depending on your North, South, Western, or Eastern Europe itinerary.

Check Flight Convenience

Whether you have planned an Eastern Europe itinerary or for any other specific region based on the seasons for different countries around Europe, you need to check for flight tickets.

To ensure maximum convenience without overspending your budget, here is how to book the required flights.

• Compare flight prices from different departure points in India to find the one that aligns best with your travel dates and budget.

• Be flexible with your dates to choose a cheaper time to travel and explore Europe on a budget.

• Search in Incognito mode.

• Based on your Europe travel itinerary, you must also compare flight tickets to different European countries to find the cheapest one before the final booking.

• Book flight tickets well in advance to avoid last-minute price inflation.

STEP 2 - Visa Application Requirements

Based on the choice of countries, your visa application requirements, forms, and processes can vary.

For the 29 EU countries in the Schengen region, you must apply for a Schengen visa to enter and explore as many countries as required. For the 17 non-EU countries, you must apply for a separate visa for the countries of your choice as per their visa requirements.

Standard List of Documents Required for a Visa

• A duly filled and signed visa application form.

• A valid passport with a validity of at least three months from the date of departure.

• Proof of flight tickets to and from the chosen destination.

• Proof of accommodation for the entire trip.

• Proof of travel insurance as per mandates.

• One clear passport-size photograph according to the ICAO standards.

• Proof of funds to cover the expenses for the entire trip.

• Applicant’s biometric information - fingerprints.

• Proof of travel history.

How to Apply for a Visa to complete your Europe trip itinerary?

The standard steps for visa application for any European country are as follows.

• Collect all the necessary documents.

• Visit the official website of the respective country’s Embassy in India.

• Find and download an application form. Alternatively, you might be required to book an appointment at the Embassy to submit the application in person.

• You might be required to visit the Embassy for an interview. If so, you can pay the fee in person and proceed with your application.

• For online applications, you must pay the application fee online and collect the receipt.

• Wait for visa application approval.

• If your Europe trip itinerary includes multiple Schengen countries, you need only apply for a Schengen visa for the first country you plan to visit.

Find the visa information and application submission links for all 46 European countries below.

Schengen Countries

Based on your European trip itinerary, you only need to apply to the first Schengen country as per the plan. You do not require a separate visa to visit the remaining 28 countries.

Other Non-EU Countries

Travel Insurance Mandates for a Schengen Visa

Based on your European trip itinerary, the mandate of travel insurance can vary from country to country for non-EU countries.

However, proof of ​Schengen travel insurance is one of the most crucial documents for any Schengen visa application. Without this documentation, your application will be considered incomplete.

Here are some mandates for the travel insurance you must comply with to ensure your visa application is accepted.

Coverage Requirements -Your Schengen travel insurance must offer a minimum medical coverage of at least €30,000 to provide necessary financial support in times of medical emergencies when travelling around the Schengen region. For any lesser coverage, your visa may be rejected.

Validity -The chosen travel insurance plan must also have the same validity for all the Schengen countries or the countries added to your European tour itinerary to avoid unnecessary visa delays and rejections.​Duration -Based on your Europe trip itinerary, you must ensure your travel insurance plan is valid for the entire trip, and not just a part, to provide peace of mind while travelling and exploring different EU countries.

STEP 3 - Pre-Booking Requirements

Once you have the overall flight and visa application documents in check and are ready to embark on your journey, you must make some pre-bookings for local and regional transportation along with visit passes where applicable.

Transportation Options

To move around the different European countries as per your travel itinerary, you must know the best transportation options to save time and money while enjoying stunning landscapes.

Trains

One of the most effective ways to travel to multiple European countries is via trains. With the Global Eurail Pass, you can explore the hop-on, hop-off train network available in 33 different countries.

With the Global Eurail Pass, you have the convenience of self-paced travel via regional, intercity, and high-speed trains. Moreover, this train pass ensures you take advantage of the breathtaking landscapes when commuting from one country to another.

You can buy the Global Eurail Pass in advance as part of your European tour itinerary to ensure a hassle-free travel experience for a memorable trip alone, with friends or family members.

Rental Cars

Another way to get around different countries is to rent a car and drive as per capacity. This allows you to have a more flexible Europe trip itinerary without overspending your budget.

Europe has some of the top car rental companies available, offering top-notch services, multiple deals and discounts, and easy availability with pick-up locations at most prime points around European countries.

Some of the top car rental companies in Europe include the following -

• Europcar

• Sixt

• Avis

• Hertz

• Alamo

• Thrifty

• Budget

Domestic Flights

Domestic flights are always available in Europe if you want maximum convenience and wish to avoid taking public transportation or driving. You can find domestic flights online and choose the one that aligns with your European tour itinerary.

The price range can vary depending on your destination and departure countries, and it might be more expensive than other modes of transportation between different countries.

However, pre-booking these flights can also help significantly reduce last-minute flight price inflation.

Top Places to Visit

Budgeting Tips for European Tour Itinerary

Seasonal Bookings

• The shoulder season is the best time to travel to most European countries if you want to enjoy cost savings and fewer crowds.

• However, if you are on a tight budget and enjoy winters, the low season for any country is the best time, except the ones that offer winter excursions, so plan accordingly.

• Book in advance and choose wisely during the shoulder season to get better deals on flights, tourist attractions and accommodation.

Accommodation Options

• Avoid booking fancy hotels, especially during the peak season.

• Explore shared accommodation options like hostels to enhance your trip experience and make endless memories with people from all walks of life. This is highly recommended for solo travellers.

• For big groups or family trips, look for rental apartments in or around your chosen countries. You will enjoy comfort at affordable rates and complete freedom to cook meals, host people, and more.

Transportation Tips​

• Pre-book the Global Eurail Pass at a reasonable price to explore different countries with easy commuting via the extension train network in Europe.

• If you enjoy walking, find and book different guided walking tours around the top tourist destinations in various countries. Remember to tip the guide at the end of the tour.

• Car rentals are a great option if you wish to drive between different European countries at your own pace at affordable prices without compromising the stunning landscapes on the way.

Conclusion​

If you are planning a trip to Europe with a detailed itinerary to explore different European countries, you must know how to plan right. With the guide provided above, you can ensure your European tour itinerary is planned as per your travel style, needs, and budget.

For the best Europe itinerary, you need to look into booking the right flights, applying for the required visas, purchasing travel passes, and investing in mandatory travel insurance where needed.

Reliance General Insurance offers a range of travel insurance plans to cater to different traveller and visa requirements. From Schengen travel insurance and Asia travel insurance to student travel insurance and senior citizen travel insurance, you can choose according to your requirements and buy a plan to secure your Europe trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the cheapest countries to travel to in Europe?

If you are looking for the cheapest countries to explore in Europe, choosing an Eastern Europe itinerary is highly recommended. With countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, and Poland, you can easily explore the beauty of Europe on a budget without exhausting your savings.

What are some must-try cuisines in Europe?

Europe is packed with diverse cuisines to ensure you have a great time exploring different food delicacies throughout your trip.

From the Italian feast in Italy and the baked goods of France to the endless seafood combinations of Greece and the Tapas culture in Spain, no matter where you go in Europe, you will find something new to devour.

Are entry passes/ permits necessary to visit all tourist attractions?

If you are planning a trip to Europe, you must know how to make the most of your time in different European countries without spending too much. For most tourist attractions, you can check for either of the following to plan your trip better.

• Free Admissions - Anyone who wants to explore Europe for free can search for free admission days to different tourist attractions. Many times, certain tourist attractions permit free admission during evenings or weekdays, so you can plan your travel itinerary accordingly.

• Bundle Tickets - In most European countries, bundled ticket/pass packages with transportation are often available for top tourist destinations. This ensures you explore the must-see places without spending beyond your budget.

• City Pass - Some cities also offer city passes that allow you to explore different tourist sights at a discounted price.