Europe travel gets cheaper: Winter season gains Indian fans as travel costs drop by up to 40% - Report
Data from the report analytics shows that average package costs across major European destinations drop by 25–40% between November and February compared to the June–August peak
- Nov 4, 2025,
- Updated Nov 4, 2025 1:27 PM IST
For generations, Europe has held an almost cinematic pull for Indian travellers, cobbled streets, café terraces, and cathedrals rising under endless summer skies. But a quiet shift is underway. According to travel company Cox & Kings' report, a growing number of Indians are discovering that Europe in winter is not only more affordable but often more enchanting.
Data from the report analytics shows that average package costs across major European destinations drop by 25–40% between November and February compared to the June–August peak. A typical 7-night itinerary covering Paris, Vienna, and Prague, which costs around ₹2.3–₹2.6 lakh per person in summer, falls to ₹1.5–₹1.8 lakh in winter.
Airfares follow a similar trend, with India–Europe round-trip fares ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 cheaper, resulting in overall savings of 30–35% on European holidays during the colder months. For many travellers, the appeal is clear: fewer crowds, lower costs, and greater value.
But the growing interest in winter travel isn’t driven by savings alone; it’s about the experience. Cox & Kings reports that traveller satisfaction for European winter holidays is 8–12% higher than comparable summer trips, suggesting a deeper connection to the authenticity of the season.
“There’s a kind of authenticity that winter travel brings,” says Karan Agarwal, Director, Cox & Kings. “Travellers get to see the local side of Europe — they spend time in neighbourhood cafés, attend small concerts, and discover cities as residents experience them, not just as tourists.”
Across the continent, Europe takes on a softer, slower rhythm in winter. Streets glow under festive lights, and historic squares transform into Christmas markets filled with music, mulled wine, and handmade crafts. Prague, Budapest, and Vienna resemble living postcards, while in Paris, the Seine glimmers beneath the pale winter sun and open-air concerts brighten Berlin’s snow-covered plazas.
For travellers seeking mild weather, southern Europe offers a gentler escape. Lisbon, Seville, and Barcelona stay sunlit and warm enough for café-hopping and coastal walks. Meanwhile, those chasing adventure head north to Finland, Norway, and Sweden for Northern Lights tours, glass igloos, and frozen fairytale landscapes. These Arctic experiences, however, tend to book out months in advance due to limited seasonal availability.
The timing is especially convenient for Indian travellers. The Indian wedding season, which peaks from November to February, aligns perfectly with Europe’s most atmospheric and cost-effective travel window. For honeymooners and families alike, it’s a rare combination: romance, value, and magic, all in one journey.
For generations, Europe has held an almost cinematic pull for Indian travellers, cobbled streets, café terraces, and cathedrals rising under endless summer skies. But a quiet shift is underway. According to travel company Cox & Kings' report, a growing number of Indians are discovering that Europe in winter is not only more affordable but often more enchanting.
Data from the report analytics shows that average package costs across major European destinations drop by 25–40% between November and February compared to the June–August peak. A typical 7-night itinerary covering Paris, Vienna, and Prague, which costs around ₹2.3–₹2.6 lakh per person in summer, falls to ₹1.5–₹1.8 lakh in winter.
Airfares follow a similar trend, with India–Europe round-trip fares ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 cheaper, resulting in overall savings of 30–35% on European holidays during the colder months. For many travellers, the appeal is clear: fewer crowds, lower costs, and greater value.
But the growing interest in winter travel isn’t driven by savings alone; it’s about the experience. Cox & Kings reports that traveller satisfaction for European winter holidays is 8–12% higher than comparable summer trips, suggesting a deeper connection to the authenticity of the season.
“There’s a kind of authenticity that winter travel brings,” says Karan Agarwal, Director, Cox & Kings. “Travellers get to see the local side of Europe — they spend time in neighbourhood cafés, attend small concerts, and discover cities as residents experience them, not just as tourists.”
Across the continent, Europe takes on a softer, slower rhythm in winter. Streets glow under festive lights, and historic squares transform into Christmas markets filled with music, mulled wine, and handmade crafts. Prague, Budapest, and Vienna resemble living postcards, while in Paris, the Seine glimmers beneath the pale winter sun and open-air concerts brighten Berlin’s snow-covered plazas.
For travellers seeking mild weather, southern Europe offers a gentler escape. Lisbon, Seville, and Barcelona stay sunlit and warm enough for café-hopping and coastal walks. Meanwhile, those chasing adventure head north to Finland, Norway, and Sweden for Northern Lights tours, glass igloos, and frozen fairytale landscapes. These Arctic experiences, however, tend to book out months in advance due to limited seasonal availability.
The timing is especially convenient for Indian travellers. The Indian wedding season, which peaks from November to February, aligns perfectly with Europe’s most atmospheric and cost-effective travel window. For honeymooners and families alike, it’s a rare combination: romance, value, and magic, all in one journey.