Planning A European Holiday From India? Experts Share The Top Mistakes To Avoid

Come summer and talk of a European holiday gathers steam among travellers looking to enjoy their vacation away from the heat and rain of India. The continent remains a perennial favourite of people looking to soak in the arts and culture, landscapes, cuisine, history, and lifestyle of its 44 countries, out of which 29 are in the Schengen Area.

Outlook Traveller has previously reported on our top tips and tricks for booking a European holiday, including budget-friendly ideas. This time, we take a look at some of the common mistakes travellers are making when planning a trip to Europe with expert insights.

Mistakes To Avoid When Planning A European Holiday

Not Checking More Than One Flight Booking Website

If you’re loyal to just one flight booking website, you may miss out on better deals. Use a combination of websites like Google Flights, Expedia, Skyscanner, Booking.com and the airline’s website to compare prices. Sometimes, flights that appear on website aggregators don't actually exist or turn out to be more expensive once you get to the final booking page, whereas airline websites might have an even cheaper deal that didn't appear in a general search.

According to Rajeev Kale, the President and Country Head of Holidays, MICE and Visa at Thomas Cook India, booking international flights at least 60–75 days in advance not only helps lock in competitive fares but also offers access to preferred flight timings and smoother connections.

“Being mindful of layover durations—particularly for families, senior citizens or large groups—can help avoid unnecessary stress,” he says.

Not Checking The Baggage Policy

One of the top mistakes people make when booking a European holiday is not checking the baggage policies of the airline they travel with within the continent, says Utkarsh Bhardwaj, a professional based in Poland who has travelled to nearly 27 countries on four continents.

“If you have only booked a carry-on, you will have to pay extra if you have check-in baggage at the airport,” he says. Bhardwaj recommends travellers read the baggage terms and conditions when booking their flights to avoid these added costs.

Being Fixated On Travelling To One Destination

When travelling to Europe, it is worth considering flights to nearby airports from the destination you want to travel to. This is because you can save a fair amount of money on your tickets, says Bhardwaj.

“If you’re looking for a flight to Amsterdam and it’s either too expensive or you’re not able to get a flight for a particular date, then book a flight to Rotterdam or Brussels and take the train from these places to Amsterdam,” he says. “Consider alternate airports if you can’t get the best deal out of the desired place you’re travelling to.”

S D Nandakumar, the President and Country Head of Holidays and Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, agrees. “Opting for multi-city or open-jaw ticketing—such as flying into Paris and departing from Rome—helps save time, reduce travel fatigue and maximise sightseeing. For families travelling with children or senior citizens, choosing convenient flight times over red-eye options can make a significant difference in comfort. It’s also helpful to align your flight’s entry point with the country that issued your Schengen visa to ensure a seamless arrival process,” he says.

Not Checking The Visa Requirements If You’re Transiting

One of the most common mistakes people make when travelling to Europe is assuming they will not need a visa if they are transiting through one or multiple countries. Not every country requires Indian travellers to apply for a transit visa, but places like Germany and the Czech Republic do.

Bhardwaj says that failing to check whether you require a transit visa means that when you get to the airport, you will be denied a boarding pass, a problem he has seen happen often.

Not Having Travel Insurance And Insufficient Bank Funds

People travelling to Europe must purchase a travel insurance policy that meets the requirements for getting a Schengen visa. The policy should include medical travel insurance, including hospitalisation, medical coverage and repatriation for medical reasons. The minimum coverage is EUR 30,000 (approximately INR 3 million) and it must cover your entire stay.

“Not having a sufficient amount of travel insurance can flag your visa application with the immigration officer reviewing your case. This is a huge thing in Europe and [other] Western countries as well,” says Bhardwaj.

On a related note, he adds that having insufficient money as recorded on your bank statement can also flag immigration officers. Bhardwaj recommends that travellers maintain “a good and steady cash flow for three to six months because I have seen people who add balance to their account just a month before they travel. Sometimes this flags the [immigration] officer because of the sudden cash flow and no subsequent money coming into the account.”

“If you’re working a corporate job, it is a good idea that you get a letter from the company about the leaves you have applied for and the rejoining date. This demonstrates sufficient ties to the home country and that you’re bound to come back,” he says.

Kale from Thomas Cook India adds that carrying large amounts of cash is not advisable within the continent. “We recommend using a prepaid forex card to avoid fluctuating exchange rates with multi-currency loading options for peace of mind and financial security,” he says.

Filing A Visa Application Too Late

One thing to keep in mind when travelling to Europe is that Schengen Area countries do not have a standard processing time. “If you have a good profile and apply through France, they may give the visa in a week,” says Bhardwaj. “If you are going to Switzerland, their timelines are a bit longer—it may take two weeks or longer than that. If you want to travel in August, keep a buffer of 45 to 60 days for your visa application. If you’re an impulsive traveller [who spontaneously makes plans], keep a buffer of 20-30 days so that you have ample time to get the visa.”

Nandakumar says that for those travelling with minors, including notarised no-objection certificates (NOCs) and consent letters helps complete the formalities with ease.