Is the Schengen visa fee included in the France trip cost?

Yes, the base cost includes the €80 (~₹7,200) visa fee plus ~₹2,000 VFS service charges. This is mandatory for all Indian travelers.

What is the most expensive part of a France trip for Indians?

Return flights (₹65K–₹1.1L) and Paris accommodation (₹8K–₹15K/night) are the highest expenses. Provincial cities like Lyon, Nice, and Bordeaux offer 20-30% cheaper lodging.

Can I do France on a budget of ₹1.5 lakh?

Yes, but it requires strict budgeting: book flights 4-6 months early, stay in hostels/budget hotels (€40-60/night), use public transit passes, eat at bakeries/market stalls, and limit paid attractions to 2-3 per day.

Euro banknotes, Eiffel Tower model, and a calculator showing travel expenses on a marble table

France Trip Cost from India

Q: How much does a 7-day France trip cost from India?

A 7-day France trip costs approximately ₹1.8–₹3.2 lakh per person including return flights (₹65K–₹1.1L), Schengen visa (~₹9.2K), 6 nights mid-range hotels (₹45K–₹1.1L), daily food & transport (₹25K–₹50K), and attraction fees.

Q: Does Destination To Plan offer France packages under ₹2 lakh?

Yes. We offer group and customized France tour packages from India starting at ₹1.8 lakh for 7 days, including flights, visa assistance, 3-4 star hotels, TGV bookings, and guided tours.

Realistic 2026 budget breakdown for flights, Schengen visa, hotels, food, and daily spending across Paris, Riviera, and Alps.

Written by Bilas Munda — Europe Travel Specialist

Reviewed by Vijay Prasad · Europe Travel Reviewer

Last updated after reviewing:

France Schengen visa fee remains €80 for adults in 2026
Paris tourist tax increase to €3.25/person/night (April 2025)
SNCF dynamic TGV pricing requires 2-3 months advance booking

Fact-checked April 2026

France Trip Cost from India (2026 Estimates)

A 7–10 day trip typically costs ₹1.8–₹3.2 lakh per person. Here’s exactly where your money goes.

Budget Tiers (7 Days)

Budget (Hostels/Flats): ₹1.4L – ₹1.8L
Mid-Range (3★ Hotels + 1-2 TGVs): ₹1.8L – ₹2.6L
Premium (4★ Hotels + Guided Tours): ₹2.6L – ₹3.5L+

Paris commands a 25–30% premium over provincial cities. Combining Paris (4 days) + Nice/Lyon (3 days) offers the best balance of experience and cost. For detailed routing, see the France Itinerary Guide.

What’s Included?

✈️ Return Flights (DEL/BOM to CDG/NCE)
🛂 Schengen Visa + VFS Service Charges
🏨 6–9 Nights Accommodation
🍽️ Meals (€30–€60/day average)
🚇 Local Transit (Metro/Tram/Bus)
🎟️ Attraction Entries (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles)
📱 SIM/eSIM & Travel Insurance

Flight Costs from India to France

Return airfare is the largest single expense for most Indian travelers.

Departure City	Route	Avg. Return Fare	Booking Window
Delhi (DEL)	Direct / 1-stop (DXB/FRA)	₹60,000 – ₹95,000	3–4 months ahead
Mumbai (BOM)	1-stop (DXB/DOH/FCO)	₹65,000 – ₹1,05,000	3–4 months ahead
Bangalore (BLR)	1-stop (DXB/LHR)	₹75,000 – ₹1,15,000	4–5 months ahead

Open-jaw tickets (Arrive Paris CDG, Depart Nice NCE) cost ₹3,000–₹8,000 more but save ₹5,000+ in backtracking TGV fares and time.

France Schengen Visa Cost for Indians

Visa fees are fixed, but processing requires planning and documentation.

Visa & Service Fees

Schengen Visa Fee: €80 (~₹7,200)
VFS Service Charge: ~₹1,800 – ₹2,200
SMS/Courier (Optional): ₹300 – ₹600
Travel Insurance: ₹1,200 – ₹2,500 (Mandatory)

Total visa-related cost: ₹10,500 – ₹12,500. Fees are non-refundable even on rejection. Apply 4–6 weeks before travel. Full documentation checklist: France Visa Guide.

Accommodation Costs in France

Hotel pricing varies drastically between Paris, provincial cities, and coastal resorts.

City vs Provincial Rates

City	Budget (Hostel/2★)	Mid-Range (3★)	Premium (4★+)
Paris	₹4,000 – ₹6,500	₹8,000 – ₹14,000	₹18,000 – ₹35,000+
Lyon / Bordeaux	₹3,000 – ₹5,000	₹6,000 – ₹10,000	₹14,000 – ₹25,000
Nice / Cannes	₹3,500 – ₹6,000	₹7,000 – ₹12,000	₹15,000 – ₹30,000+

Prices are per room/night. Book 3–4 months early for 15–20% savings. Summer (Jul-Aug) and December peak pricing is 20–30% higher.

Daily Food & Transport Budget

Realistic daily spending for Indian travelers in France, excluding accommodation.

Food & Drink

Bakery Breakfast: €3 – €6 (Croissant + Coffee)
Lunch (Menu du Jour): €15 – €25
Dinner (Bistro): €25 – €45
Water & Snacks: €5 – €8

Daily Food Budget: €45 – €80 (~₹4,000 – ₹7,200). Tap water is safe. Ask for "une carafe d'eau" in restaurants for free water. Check our France Food & Cuisine Guide for dining etiquette and vegetarian tips.

Local & Intercity Transit

Paris Metro/Bus Pass: €30 – €40/week
TGV (Paris–Nice/Lyon): €40 – €120 (one-way, booked early)
Riviera Bus/Train: €5 – €15/day
Airport Transfer (CDG–Paris): €12.50 (RER B) / €55 (Fixed Taxi)

Daily Transit Budget: €10 – €30 (~₹900 – ₹2,700). SNCF TGV prices surge 3-6x closer to departure. Book 2-3 months ahead.

Money-Saving Tips for France

Practical ways Indian travelers can stretch their budget without compromising the experience.

Proven Budget Hacks

🎫 Paris Museum Pass: Covers 50+ sites for €75 (2 days) / €99 (4 days). Break even after 3 major museums.
🏨 Stay outside Zone 1: Paris hotels near Porte de Versailles or Montreuil cost 25–30% less with easy Metro access.
🥪 Market meals > Tourist traps: Buy fresh bread, cheese, fruit from local marchés. Picnic at Luxembourg/Tuileries.
🚆 SNCF Oui.sncf alerts: Turn on price drop notifications. TGV fares are cheapest exactly 3-4 months out.
💳 Forex card > Cash: Load €500–€800 on a zero-forex markup card (Niyo, Scapia). Avoid airport currency exchange.
📱 eSIM over Roaming: Airalo/Holafly eSIMs cost ₹1,200–₹2,500/week vs. ₹600/day bank roaming fees.

Want a pre-negotiated France package with flights, 3★/4★ hotels, and TGV included?

Check Group Tour Packages →

Frequently Asked Questions — France Trip Cost

Direct answers to budgeting questions from Indian travelers.

1How much does a 7-day France trip cost from India?

Approximately ₹1.8–₹2.8 lakh per person, covering flights (₹65K–₹1L), visa (~₹9.2K), mid-range hotels (₹50K–₹90K), food/transit (₹30K–₹50K), and attraction fees.

2Can I visit France on ₹1.5 lakh?

Yes, but only if you book flights 5-6 months early (₹60K), stay in hostels/budget hotels (₹3.5K/night), rely on bakeries & supermarkets for meals, and limit paid attractions. Total comes to ~₹1.45–1.6L.

3Is it cheaper to travel in France during winter?

January–February hotel rates drop 15–25% outside Christmas markets. Flights remain similar. Cold weather (3–8°C) reduces outdoor activities but indoor museums are less crowded. See Best Time to Visit France for seasonal pricing trends.

4What is the cheapest way to travel between French cities?

OUIGO (SNCF's low-cost TGV) offers fares from €19–€39 if booked 2-3 months ahead. BlaBlaCar (rideshare) and FlixBus are alternatives, but OUIGO is fastest and safest for tourists.

5Does Destination To Plan offer France packages under ₹2 lakh?

Yes. Our customized group packages start at ₹1.85L for 7 days, including flights, visa support, 3★ hotels, breakfast, and intercity transit. View packages here.