Budget Backpacking Europe from India: Under 1.5 Lakh for 2 Weeks
By Priya Nair (Solo and budget travel writer — backpacking, hostel guides, student travel and first-time-flyer tips for Indian travellers.) · Published · 12 min read
A realistic guide to backpacking Europe for 2 weeks from India under INR 1.5 lakh — including flights, Schengen visa, hostels, food, and transport.
Quick answer
A 2-week backpacking trip to Europe from India can cost INR 1.2-1.5 lakh all-in if you focus on Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania), stay in hostel dorms, cook some meals, and book flights early. Western Europe (France, UK, Netherlands) pushes the budget to INR 1.8-2.5 lakh for the same duration. The Schengen visa itself costs approximately INR 7,000-8,000 including VFS fees.
Cheapest European countries for Indian backpackers
Not all of Europe costs the same. The cheapest countries for daily backpacker costs:
- Romania: INR 2,000-3,000/day (Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj are dirt cheap)
- Hungary: INR 2,500-3,500/day (Budapest has great hostels and cheap ruin bars)
- Poland: INR 2,500-3,500/day (Krakow and Warsaw are both excellent)
- Czech Republic: INR 2,800-4,000/day (Prague is stunning but getting pricier)
- Portugal: INR 3,000-4,500/day (Lisbon and Porto — cheaper than the Western Europe average)
Compare this to London (INR 6,000-9,000/day) or Paris (INR 5,000-8,000/day). Sticking to Eastern Europe makes a dramatic difference to your total budget.
Flight strategy: getting to Europe cheaply
The biggest single expense is the flight. Tips to minimise it:
- Book 8-12 weeks before departure for the best prices
- Delhi to Budapest and Mumbai to Prague via Middle Eastern carriers (Etihad, Qatar, Emirates) often offer the best value
- Open-jaw tickets (fly into Budapest, out of Prague for example) save backtracking — the price difference is often minimal
- Consider LCC connections: fly to Istanbul on a budget fare, then use Pegasus or Wizz Air within Europe
Avoid July-August if possible — flights and hostels are 30-50% more expensive than shoulder season (April-May, September-October). Use FlightGPT to compare dates and routes.
The Schengen visa reality check
Every European backpacking plan for Indians must account for the Schengen visa. Key facts:
- Apply at least 4-6 weeks before travel (processing can take 15-45 days)
- Total cost: approximately INR 7,000-8,000 (visa fee + VFS service charge)
- You need proof of accommodation for every night, a detailed day-by-day itinerary, and travel insurance with EUR 30,000 minimum cover
- First-time applicants may be called for an interview
For your first Schengen visa, apply to the country where you will spend the most nights. A clean application with genuine documents has a high approval rate — do not fake hotel bookings or bank statements. See our visa guides for detailed Schengen application tips.
Getting around Europe on a backpacker budget
Once in Europe, transport can eat your budget fast. Cheapest options:
- FlixBus: The backpacker lifeline. Budapest to Prague for EUR 15-25, Prague to Berlin for EUR 10-20. Book 1-2 weeks ahead.
- Wizz Air / Ryanair: Budget flights from EUR 10-30 if booked early with hand luggage only
- Rail passes: The Eurail pass is rarely worth it for backpackers unless you are covering 4+ countries in 2 weeks and want flexibility. Point-to-point tickets on Omio/Trainline are usually cheaper.
- Walking: European cities are walkable. You can cover most city centres on foot and save on metro tickets.
Sample 2-week Eastern Europe itinerary from India
Here is a budget-optimised route:
- Days 1-3: Budapest — ruin bars, thermal baths, Danube walk
- Days 4-5: Bratislava (1-hour bus from Budapest, free walking tours)
- Days 6-8: Prague — Old Town, Petrin Hill, beer culture
- Days 9-10: Krakow — Wawel Castle, Auschwitz day trip, cheapest nightlife in Europe
- Days 11-14: Vienna or Bucharest — fly home from either
This route keeps you in the Schengen zone (except Romania if you include it — Romania has its own visa for Indians as of mid-2026, but this may change with upcoming EU policy). Verify Romanian entry requirements before including it in your plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can I backpack Europe for under 1 lakh from India?
Under 1 lakh is very difficult including flights and the Schengen visa. Flights alone are typically INR 25,000-45,000 return, and the visa costs INR 7,000-8,000. A bare-minimum 10-day trip focusing on the cheapest Eastern European countries might just be possible at INR 1 lakh total with extreme budgeting.
Which is the cheapest European country to fly to from India?
Istanbul (technically transcontinental) and Budapest are typically the cheapest European destinations from Delhi and Mumbai. Search on FlightGPT for current fares — prices depend heavily on season and how far ahead you book.
Do I need a Schengen visa to backpack Europe?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for the 27 Schengen-area countries. Apply to the embassy of the country where you spend the most nights. The visa allows you to move freely between all Schengen countries during its validity.
Is Europe safe for Indian solo backpackers?
Europe is generally very safe for solo travellers including Indians. Pickpocketing is the main risk in tourist hotspots (Paris Metro, Barcelona, Prague Old Town). Use a money belt, keep your phone secured, and be aware of common distractions used by pickpockets. Violent crime against tourists is rare.
What is the best time to backpack Europe on a budget?
April-May and September-October offer the best balance of weather, crowds, and prices. Flights and accommodation are 30-50% cheaper than July-August peak season, and weather is still pleasant in most of Europe.