If you’ve been dreaming of a crisp European autumn escape, now’s the time to make it happen. The cheapest European countries to visit from India this October promise golden landscapes, festive streets, and fewer crowds than summer. Picture yourself wandering through Sweden’s fiery forests, sipping wine in Austria’s Wachau Valley, cruising past Switzerland’s snow-dusted peaks, raising a stein at a Bavarian beer hall, or catching the last glow of a Santorini sunset. We’ve tracked one-way flight fares from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and done the math to bring you five destinations where October feels like a season-long celebration without draining your wallet. From vineyard trails to alpine hikes, and cultural capitals steeped in history, here’s where to go, what to do, and how much it will cost you:
Greece
Cheapest to fly from: Mumbai
Didier Marti / Getty Images
Greece in October is quieter, cooler, and bathed in soft autumn colours. The summer crowds have thinned, but the Aegean still holds its warmth, and the islands feel more intimate. In Athens, take advantage of the mornings to wander the Acropolis without the August throngs, then linger over a strong ellinikós kafés (Greek coffee) at a shaded cafe in Plaka. The National Archaeological Museum offers a deep dive into Greece’s layered history, while evenings are perfect for an open-air concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus under a mellow October sky. On the islands, Santorini’s sunsets are just as dramatic, but with fewer elbows nudging for the best view you will be able to book a table in Oia or find a quieter spot in Pyrgos to unwind. For a slower pace, head to Naxos or Paros, where beaches stretch empty and mountain villages like Apeiranthos invite long walks and lingering lunches. Crete is ideal for autumn hikes; the Samaria Gorge is less exhausting without its summer heat, and the harbours of Chania and Rethymno feel even more romantic with lantern-lit evenings. Whether it’s the wine harvest festivals in the Peloponnese, a ferry ride across glassy seas, or an afternoon in a family-run taverna with a plate of stifado, October in Greece is about slowing down.
One-way flight prices:
Mumbai-Athens flights from Rs18,592 on Saudia Airlines (via Riyadh)
Delhi-Athens flights from Rs20,488 on Air Arabia (via Sharjah)
Bengaluru-Athens flights from Rs22,954 on Etihad (via Abu Dhabi)
Average nightly cost for a city centre hotel: Rs20,000
Average daily cost for food per person: Rs8,004 (€80)
Sweden
Cheapest to fly from: Mumbai
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