Quick Jumplinks to Navigate
Frankfurt and Amsterdam are among the most convenient arrival cities in Europe for Indian travellers, particularly for direct flights, onward connections and easy first-day travel. Frankfurt is well connected to Delhi and Mumbai, while Amsterdam has strong connections with Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Your choice of arrival city should ultimately depend on your flight availability, visa requirements, onward route and final destination. Frankfurt is a practical starting point for travellers heading towards Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Central Europe, while Amsterdam works well for routes covering the Netherlands, Belgium, France and nearby countries. Both cities offer efficient public transport and widespread use of English, making the initial days of your trip easier to navigate.
London is another strong arrival option for Indian travellers because of its extensive direct flight network and large Indian community. However, as it is outside the EU, travellers need a separate UK visa.
For work or relocation, entry requirements are different from those for tourists. Germany offers the EU Blue Card route, while the Netherlands has skilled migrant pathways. Therefore, your purpose of travel should also influence your choice of arrival city.
If you want to simplify the planning process, Thrillophilia’s Europe tour packages bring the main parts of your trip together instead of requiring you to arrange everything separately. Packages can include 3-star to 4-star hotels, daily breakfast with vegetarian options, airport transfers and intercity travel by high-speed train, flight or private transfer. A 24/7 on-ground coordinator provides ticket details, checklists and daily guidance.
Which Arrival City Should You Choose for Your Europe Trip?
Best for Western Europe: Amsterdam or Frankfurt
For a Western Europe trip, Amsterdam is usually the better arrival city. Schiphol Airport has efficient immigration and e-gates for many eligible non-EU travellers. The airport train station is directly below the terminal, and trains reach Amsterdam Central in around 15 minutes. From there, you can easily continue to Brussels, Paris or London.
Frankfurt is better if Germany, Austria or Switzerland is your focus. Immigration can be stricter, and officers may ask detailed questions about your hotel, return ticket and travel plans. Frankfurt Airport also has direct S-Bahn connections to the city, but the airport is larger, and transfers can involve more walking.
Best for Central Europe: Frankfurt or Munich
For a Central Europe trip, Frankfurt is better if you want more flight choices and easy train connections. Frankfurt Airport is a major international hub, so you can find direct flights from many cities. Immigration can be busy, especially when several large flights arrive together, and officers may check your documents carefully. The airport is also very large, so expect more walking.
Munich is better if you want a smoother arrival. Immigration is generally quicker, and the airport is easier to navigate. However, reaching Munich city centre takes around 40 minutes by S-Bahn. From there, you can catch trains to other Central European cities. Munich is especially convenient for Bavaria and the Alps.
Best for Northern Europe: Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a convenient arrival city for Northern Europe, especially for Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Immigration is generally well organised, with automated passport gates available for eligible nationalities. Indian travellers will normally use regular passport control. Denmark is part of the Schengen Area, so you can travel to other Schengen countries without routine internal border checks after entry.
Airport connectivity is a major advantage. Copenhagen Airport is only 8 km from the city centre. The M2 Metro runs 24 hours and reaches central Copenhagen in about 15 minutes. Direct trains connect the airport with Copenhagen, other Danish cities and Malmö in Sweden.
You can easily plan Copenhagen → Malmö → Stockholm or Copenhagen → Oslo → Bergen. Frequent flights also connect Copenhagen with Scandinavia and Europe.
Best for UK and Ireland: London or Dublin
For a UK and Ireland trip, London is better for flight and onward connectivity, while Dublin is easier if you want a simpler arrival experience.
London uses e-gates for eligible nationalities, which can make entry quick. Indian passport holders need to follow the applicable UK entry and passport-control process. Dublin immigration is usually more straightforward, with a shorter, more conversational process.
The connectivity of London airport is excellent as it has several major airports and direct flights from cities worldwide. It is also well connected to Europe through Eurostar trains to Paris and Brussels. Dublin has good flights to the UK, Europe and North America, but there is no rail connection to mainland Europe. You need a flight or ferry to continue your trip.
Best for Multi-Country Trips: Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a strong arrival city for multi-country Europe trips because of its large international airport and high-speed rail connections. If Frankfurt is your first Schengen entry point, you complete immigration there. Queues can be long during busy arrival periods, and officers may check your hotel bookings, return ticket, and proof of funds.
The airport has a long-distance train station (Fernbahnhof), making onward travel easier without entering Frankfurt city first.
FAQs
If you are planning to move from India to Europe, Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland are good options. Germany has strong jobs in IT, engineering and manufacturing. The Netherlands is good for tech and finance, with English widely used at work. Ireland is especially convenient for English-speaking professionals, with strong tech and pharma sectors.
Serbia is one of the easiest European countries to visit for Indians because it allows visa-free stays of up to 30 days. For Schengen travel, France, Switzerland and Iceland are often considered easier options when your documents and itinerary are complete. Portugal and Italy also have straightforward visa processes.
Albania, Serbia and Bulgaria are among the more affordable European countries. Accommodation, food and local transport generally cost less than in Western Europe. For a budget trip, choose cheaper stays, public transport and local restaurants to keep daily expenses manageable.
The cheapest way is to book your India-Europe flight 3 to 6 months early and compare dates. Look for cheaper fares to major hubs like London, Paris or Istanbul. Travel in shoulder months like April to June or September to October. Within Europe, use FlixBus, RegioJet and budget airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet. Choose countries such as Poland, Hungary, Czechia or Romania for lower food and accommodation costs.