🗼 Destination guide
Europe Trip Planner — 12-Day Itinerary
A classic multi-country loop through Western Europe
Overview
A first Europe trip usually means choosing between going deep on one country or covering a classic multi-city loop — Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome remain the most popular combination for a first-timer, connected by cheap short-haul flights or high-speed rail, and each offering a distinctly different city character.
Because most Western European countries share the Schengen visa, one visa application covers the whole loop, which is what makes multi-country itineraries this efficient in the first place.
Highlights
- Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, Paris
- Canal cruise and Anne Frank House, Amsterdam
- Colosseum and Vatican City, Rome
- Day trip to Versailles from Paris
- Evening at a canal-side café in Amsterdam
Best time to visit
April–June and September–October offer mild weather and smaller crowds than peak summer (July–August), which is also the most expensive travel window.
Budget breakdown (12 days, per person)
- Flights (India round-trip)
- ₹55,000–₹80,000
- Stay (12 nights, mid-range)
- ₹60,000–₹90,000
- Intercity trains/flights within Europe
- ₹15,000–₹25,000
- Food & activities
- ₹50,000–₹70,000
Sample 12-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paris
- • Check in, evening walk along the Seine
- • Eiffel Tower at night
Day 2: Paris landmarks
- • The Louvre
- • Notre-Dame area
- • Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
Day 3: Versailles day trip
- • Palace of Versailles & gardens
- • Evening back in Paris
Day 4: Travel to Amsterdam
- • High-speed train to Amsterdam
- • Evening canal walk
Day 5: Amsterdam
- • Anne Frank House
- • Canal cruise
- • Van Gogh Museum
Day 6: Amsterdam day trip
- • Zaanse Schans windmills or Keukenhof (seasonal)
- • Evening free
Day 7: Travel to Rome
- • Flight to Rome
- • Evening at Trastevere
Day 8: Rome ancient sites
- • Colosseum & Roman Forum
- • Palatine Hill
Day 9: Vatican City
- • Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- • St. Peter's Basilica
Day 10: Rome free day
- • Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Spanish Steps
- • Evening gelato crawl
Day 11: Buffer / day trip
- • Optional Naples/Pompeii day trip
- • Or rest day in Rome
Day 12: Departure
- • Morning free
- • Fly out from Rome
This is a starting point — Wanderplanner's AI concierge Anya personalises pacing, budget, and activities to your actual dates, group, and interests.
Frequently asked questions
- How many days do you need for a first Europe trip?
- 10–14 days lets you cover 3 cities without feeling rushed. Fewer days works better focused on one or two cities instead.
- Do Indians need a visa for Europe?
- Most Western European countries are in the Schengen Area, which Indian passport holders need a single Schengen visa for, valid across all member countries.
- Is it cheaper to fly or take the train between European cities?
- Both are usually similar in price on this route; trains save airport transfer time, budget flights can be cheaper if booked early.
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