For generations, Europe has held an almost cinematic pull for Indian travellers, cobbled streets, café terraces, and cathedrals that rise against endless summer skies. But while summer has long dominated the imagination (and the itineraries) of travellers, a quiet shift is underway. According to Cox & Kings, the world’s first travel house and one of India’s most iconic travel brands, more Indians are beginning to discover that Europe in winter is not only more affordable but often far more enchanting.
According to Cox & Kings’ analytics, average package costs across major European destinations drop by 25-40% between November and February compared to the June–August peak. A 7-night itinerary covering Paris, Vienna, and Prague, which typically costs ₹2.3-₹2.6 lakh per person in summer, falls to around ₹1.5-₹1.8 lakh in winter.
Airfares show similar savings, with India–Europe round-trip ₹25,000-₹35,000 cheaper. So essentially, the total cost of a European trip in winter is typically 30-35% lower than in summer. The math is simple, less crowded, less cost, more value.
The real charm of winter travel isn’t only about cost, it’s about character. Cox & Kings’ customer data shows that traveller satisfaction for European winter holidays is 8-12% higher than comparable summer trips.
Europe in winter feels different: softer, slower, more authentic. Streets glow under lights, Christmas markets fill historic squares, and locals reclaim their cities as the tourist tide ebbs away. Cities like Prague, Budapest, and Vienna transform into living postcards alive with music, mulled wine, and festive markets. In Paris, the Seine shimmers under the pale winter sun; in Berlin, open-air concerts play amid snow-covered plazas.
“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.”
If you prefer a gentler climate, Lisbon, Seville, and Barcelona offer sunlit European escapes, perfect for café-hopping and slow travel. Meanwhile, in Finland, Norway, and Sweden, travellers chase the Northern Lights, stay in snow cabins, and wake to frozen landscapes straight out of a fairytale. These destinations, though, tend to book up early due to their limited seasonal capacity.
For Indian travellers, the timing couldn’t be better. The Indian wedding season, peaking between November and February, aligns perfectly with Europe’s most atmospheric and affordable window. Honeymooners and families looking for year-end escapes can now pair romance and value, without compromising on experience.
