France

A mid-range traveler should budget between €120 to €180 per day for meals, local transport, and sightseeing. You can significantly reduce costs by purchasing 'carnet' packs for the Metro and opting for fixed-price lunch menus known as 'le menu du jour'.

Indian citizens require a Schengen Visa to visit France, which must be applied for through VFS Global centers. You will need to provide proof of travel insurance with €30,000 coverage, flight itineraries, and bank statements from the last three to six months.

As of 2026, the French short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12, plus a VFS Global service charge of around EUR 32 per applicant, bringing the all-in cost to roughly Rs 11,500 to Rs 15,000. Applications are submitted only through VFS Global centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Puducherry. Standard processing is 15 calendar days, but it can stretch to 25 to 45 days during the April to August peak, so apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Fly Goldfinch prepares the full visa file, books the VFS appointment and provides the itinerary and hotel confirmations the consulate requires.

English is commonly understood in major cities and tourist hubs like Paris or Nice, though fluency varies. Learning basic French phrases for greetings and requests will greatly improve your interactions and is seen as a mark of respect by locals.

The high-speed TGV train network is the most efficient way to travel between major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux. Booking your rail tickets several weeks in advance via the SNCF website can save you up to 50% compared to walk-in fares.

Yes. Air India and Air France both operate non-stop flights from Delhi to Paris (Charles de Gaulle), with a typical flight time of around 9 to 10 hours. Air India runs up to 14 weekly direct flights from Delhi and Air France around 6, while travellers from Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities usually connect via a Gulf or European hub, taking 13 to 18 hours overall. Paris is the most common entry point, after which high-speed TGV trains reach Lyon, Nice and other cities.

Yes. Paris has a well-established Indian food scene, especially around Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis and the Gare du Nord area (Little India), with pure-vegetarian South Indian spots like Krishna Bhavan and Arya Bhavan that also offer Jain and vegan options. Beyond Paris, cities like Nice and Cannes on the French Riviera have Indian restaurants, and most French menus clearly mark vegetarian dishes. Tell Fly Goldfinch your dietary needs and we will build the itinerary around vegetarian, Jain or non-spicy preferences.