London & Paris

Indians need TWO visas for this trip:

• 1. UK Standard Visitor Visa: Required for London
• 2. Schengen Visa: Required for Paris (France)

UK Visa Details:

• Apply at VFS Global (vfsglobal.co.uk)
• Processing time: 15-20 working days
• Fee: ₹10,000-12,000 approximately
• Validity: Up to 6 months (standard)

Schengen Visa Details:

• Apply at French Embassy/VFS Global
• Processing time: 15 working days
• Fee: €80 (approximately ₹7,200)
• Validity: Usually matches travel dates

Our Support: We provide complete visa assistance including document checklist, form filling guidance, appointment booking, and cover letter drafting. 95% success rate!

Both cities can be visited year-round, each season has its charm:

• April - June (Spring): BEST time! Pleasant weather (15-22°C), flowers blooming, fewer crowds than summer. Perfect for sightseeing.
• July - August (Summer): Peak season, warmest weather (20-25°C), long days. Most crowded and expensive.
• September - October (Autumn): Beautiful fall colors, moderate crowds, comfortable weather (12-18°C).
• November - March (Winter): Cold (2-10°C), fewer tourists. December is magical with Christmas markets and lights! ✨

Our Recommendation: April-May or September-October for best weather and moderate crowds. December for Christmas magic!

Budget breakdown for 7N/8D London Paris trip:

• Package Cost: ₹1,45,000 - ₹2,75,000 per person (as per category)
• Flights (Return): ₹45,000 - ₹80,000 (varies by airline & booking time)
• Visa Fees: ₹17,000 - ₹20,000 (UK + Schengen)
• Travel Insurance: ₹2,000 - ₹5,000
• Daily Expenses: ₹3,000 - ₹8,000/day (meals, shopping, extras)

Total Estimated Budget:

• Budget: ₹2,50,000 - ₹3,00,000 per person
• Mid-Range: ₹3,00,000 - ₹4,00,000 per person
• Luxury: ₹4,50,000+ per person

Currency Tips: 1 GBP ≈ ₹105 | 1 EUR ≈ ₹90 | Carry mix of cards and cash

Yes! Both cities have excellent vegetarian options:

London:

• One of the most vegetarian-friendly cities in Europe
• Plenty of Indian restaurants (Dishoom, Gymkhana, etc.)
• Pret A Manger, EAT, and many chains have veg options
• Borough Market has amazing vegetarian street food

Paris:

• Growing vegetarian scene - look for "végétarien" restaurants
• Indian/Lebanese/Falafel restaurants are abundant
• Le Marais has famous falafel (L'As du Fallafel)
• Crêpes, cheese, pastries are vegetarian-friendly
• Specify "sans viande, sans poisson" (no meat, no fish)

Tips: Download Happy Cow app for vegetarian restaurant finder. Most restaurants understand "vegetarian" but be specific about fish/eggs.

The Eurostar is an AMAZING experience!

• Route: London St Pancras → Paris Gare du Nord
• Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Channel Tunnel: 20 minutes under the English Channel

Classes Available:

• Standard: Comfortable seats, power outlets, WiFi
• Standard Premier: More legroom, light meal included
• Business Premier: Lounge access, full meal, flexible tickets

Important Notes:

• Check-in opens 1 hour before departure (like airport)
• You'll go through UK exit and French entry immigration
• Arrive at St Pancras 90 minutes early for first-timers
• Luggage limit: 2 bags per person (no strict weight limit)
• The train goes 300 km/h - super smooth!

Our package includes Standard Premier class!

Yes! Both are safe major cities with normal precautions:

General Safety:

• Both cities are very safe for tourists, including solo women
• Well-lit streets, good police presence in tourist areas
• Public transport is safe even at night

Watch Out For:

• Pickpockets: Common in crowded tourist spots, metros
• Scammers: "Petition" scams, "gold ring" scam in Paris
• Keep valuables safe: Use money belts, don't flash expensive items

Safety Tips:

• Keep copies of passport and visa separately
• Use hotel safe for valuables
• Be aware of surroundings in crowded metro
• Avoid isolated areas late at night

Emergency Numbers: UK: 999 | France: 112 (EU emergency)

London: No issues - English is the native language!

Paris: Basic English is understood in tourist areas, but French is appreciated!

• Hotels, major attractions, restaurants - English spoken
• Metro staff, taxi drivers - basic English
• Local shops, cafés - may need some French

Helpful French Phrases:

• "Bonjour" (Hello) - ALWAYS greet before asking anything
• "Merci" (Thank you)
• "S'il vous plaît" (Please)
• "Parlez-vous anglais?" (Do you speak English?)
• "L'addition, s'il vous plaît" (The bill, please)
• "Où est...?" (Where is...?)

Tips: Download Google Translate offline. French people appreciate if you try to speak French first. A simple "Bonjour" goes a long way!

Flight duration from major Indian cities:

• Delhi → London: 8-9 hours (non-stop)
• Mumbai → London: 9-10 hours (non-stop)
• Bangalore → London: 10-11 hours (non-stop)
• Chennai → London: 10-11 hours (1 stop usually)

Airlines with direct flights to London:

• Air India: Delhi, Mumbai to London Heathrow
• British Airways: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad
• Virgin Atlantic: Delhi, Mumbai
• Vistara: Delhi to London

Airlines via connections:

• Emirates: Via Dubai
• Etihad: Via Abu Dhabi
• Qatar Airways: Via Doha

Typical costs: ₹45,000 - ₹80,000 return (book 2-3 months in advance for best prices)

Packing essentials vary by season:

Spring/Autumn (Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct):

• Layers - light jacket, cardigan, sweaters
• Waterproof jacket or umbrella (essential!)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Mix of casual and smart-casual outfits

Summer (Jul-Aug):

• Light clothes, t-shirts, dresses
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Light jacket for evenings
• Still pack an umbrella!

Winter (Nov-Mar):

• Warm coat, thermal layers
• Scarf, gloves, warm hat
• Waterproof winter boots
• Warm sweaters and layers

Always Pack:

• Universal power adapter (UK has different plugs!)
• Comfortable walking shoes (you'll walk 15,000+ steps/day)
• Daypack/crossbody bag (anti-theft recommended)
• Copies of passport, visa, travel insurance

Absolutely! We specialize in customized Europe trips. Popular modifications include:

• Add destinations: Amsterdam, Brussels, Switzerland, Italy, Scotland
• Day trips from London: Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Oxford, Cambridge, Cotswolds, Harry Potter Studios
• Day trips from Paris: Versailles, Disneyland Paris, Giverny (Monet's Garden), Champagne region, Mont Saint-Michel
• Extended stays: 10-14 day Europe tours
• Special experiences: Michelin star dining, cooking classes, private museum tours
• Shows & Entertainment: West End musicals, Moulin Rouge, Lido Paris
• Sports: Football matches (Premier League, PSG)
• Christmas markets: November-December special itineraries
• Honeymoon specials: Romantic dinners, couples spa, upgrade to luxury hotels

Popular Combo Packages:

• London + Paris + Switzerland (10 days)
• London + Paris + Amsterdam (9 days)
• UK Complete: London + Scotland (8 days)

Tell us your dream European holiday - we'll make it happen! 🇬🇧🇫🇷