How to Reach Europe

Most Indian travellers reach Europe by air, then move between cities by rail. Your choice of flight depends on your home city, your budget and how many countries you visit. Direct services are the simplest option where they operate, and one-stop routes through the Gulf, Istanbul or an Indian hub are common from other cities. This guide covers flight times, airlines, gateways and getting around once you arrive.

Which European airports do you fly into?

Major gateways include London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Rome Fiumicino and Istanbul Airport. The right gateway depends on your route. A trip that starts in Paris or Rome suits a gateway in that city, so you do not repeat the flight. Ask for an open-jaw ticket if you plan to arrive in one city and leave from another, since this avoids returning to the arrival point.

How long does the flight take from India?

Flight times are approximate, and they depend on the connection and season.

• Delhi: about 9 hours, with direct services to several major European hubs.
• Mumbai: about 9 hours, with direct schedules that depend on the gateway and season.
• Bengaluru: about 10 hours, with direct availability that varies by gateway.
• Ahmedabad and Hyderabad: about 10 hours, usually with one stop.
• Pune, Chennai and Kolkata: about 11 hours, usually with one stop.

Pune travellers commonly connect through Mumbai or a Gulf hub. Kolkata travellers often connect through the Gulf, Singapore, Istanbul or Delhi or Mumbai.

Which airlines fly from India to Europe?

Air India and IndiGo operate from Mumbai, and Air India, Lufthansa, Air France and British Airways operate from Delhi. Bengaluru has services from Lufthansa, British Airways and Air France. Gulf and Turkish carriers, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines, serve routes from cities such as Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Kolkata, often with one stop. Singapore Airlines is another one-stop option from Kolkata.

Schedules change by season, so check current timetables before you choose a flight. Our planners can compare options for your city and dates.

Tips for booking your flights

• Use one ticket where you can. A single-ticket itinerary gives better protection during missed connections.
• Avoid risky short layovers. Do not plan a same-day self-connection through Mumbai when the international ticket is non-refundable.
• Allow a generous connection margin when tickets are issued separately.
• Consider an overnight hub connection to reduce the risk of a missed flight.
• Check baggage rules carefully when you combine separate tickets with low-cost European flights.
• Compare open-jaw tickets if you do not want to return to your arrival city.

How do you get around Europe once you land?

Use high-speed and intercity rail for most connections between France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Benelux countries. Regional trains, coaches, metros and walking cover most city sightseeing. Coaches suit longer routes when price is the priority, and flights make sense for longer or poorly connected sectors.

Rail tickets are not one ticket for every train. Check whether each leg needs a separate booking, and reserve seats on popular routes early. Allow time for station-to-hotel transfers, since stations can be a long walk from the centre. Luggage is hard to carry on stairs and bridges, so choose a hotel with luggage-friendly access, and pack light for the rail legs.

What about luggage and low-cost flights?

Low-cost European flights often have strict luggage rules, including a small cabin bag and extra fees for checked bags. Check the limits for each flight, and weigh your bags before you leave for the airport. Combining a full-service flight with a low-cost sector adds risk if you miss a connection, so allow generous time between flights.

Which route suits your trip?

A Paris and Swiss route is usually a rail journey between two cities, with no flight needed inside the circuit. A three-country circuit through Paris, Lucerne and Italy uses rail for most legs. Longer routes or poorly connected sectors can need a flight, but they also add time. Choose the route that matches your pace, and avoid crossing the region more than necessary.

Entry and transit notes

Most Indian travellers need a Schengen visa for short visits, and the visa applies across the 29-country Schengen Area. Passing through airports on connecting flights can also require checks, so confirm your transit rules with your airline and the official mission. Read the Europe visa guide for Indians before you book flights, since the visa application may require your itinerary.

How was this guide compiled?

This guide is compiled from published transport information, airline route data and traveller reports. It was last checked on 2 November 2026. Flight schedules and airline routes change by season, so confirm your flights with the airline before you book.

Where to go next

Start with the Europe travel guide for an overview. Then compare the places to visit in Europe to decide your route, and the best time to visit Europe to choose your travel dates. Use Europe trip cost to plan your budget, and see our Swiss Paris Classic 7N package for a two-base route with rail between cities. Browse all routes on our Europe tour packages page.