✈️ Schengen Visa Travel Itinerary: Free Templates & Samples
A detailed travel itinerary is essential for your Schengen visa application. It shows embassy officials your exact travel plans, proving you're a genuine tourist with a clear purpose. This guide provides free templates, day-by-day samples, and explains exactly what to include for a successful application.
Table of Contents
What is a Travel Itinerary for Schengen Visa?
A travel itinerary is a detailed, day-by-day plan of your trip showing:
- 📅 Daily schedule - What you'll do each day
- 📍 Destinations - Cities and places you'll visit
- 🏨 Accommodations - Where you'll stay each night
- 🎫 Activities - Attractions, tours, events
- 🚂 Transportation - How you'll move between cities
⚠️ Important: A travel itinerary is NOT the same as flight tickets. It's your planned activities and destinations during your trip. Flight reservations are a separate document.
What to Include in Your Itinerary
Essential Information
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Your Information | Full name, passport number at top |
| Trip Dates | Start and end dates (must match visa application) |
| Main Destination | Country where you'll spend most days |
| Daily Breakdown | Day-by-day plan with dates |
| Accommodations | Hotel names and addresses for each night |
| Activities | Specific places you'll visit (museums, landmarks) |
| Transportation | Flights, trains between cities |
Level of Detail Required
💡 Perfect Balance:
Be detailed but realistic. You don't need to plan every hour, but show major activities. For example:
Be detailed but realistic. You don't need to plan every hour, but show major activities. For example:
- ✅ Good: "Visit Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum"
- ✅ Good: "Morning: Arc de Triomphe; Afternoon: Seine River cruise"
- ❌ Too vague: "Sightseeing in Paris"
- ❌ Too detailed: "09:00 - Wake up, 09:30 - Breakfast at Café XYZ, 10:15 - Walk to museum..."
Proper Itinerary Format
Template Structure
TRAVEL ITINERARY Schengen Visa Application Applicant Name: [Your Full Name] Passport Number: [Your Passport Number] Trip Duration: [Start Date] to [End Date] ([X] days) Main Destination: [Country where you'll spend most days] ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════ DAY 1 - [Date, Day of Week] Location: [City, Country] Accommodation: [Hotel Name & Address] Activities: - [Activity 1] - [Activity 2] DAY 2 - [Date, Day of Week] Location: [City, Country] Accommodation: [Hotel Name & Address] Transportation: [If traveling to new city] Activities: - [Activity 1] - [Activity 2] [Continue for all days...] ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════ SUMMARY: Total Days: [X] days Countries Visiting: [List] Main Destination: [Country] ([X] days) Total Estimated Cost: €[Amount]
Sample Itinerary: 10-Day Paris & Amsterdam Trip
DETAILED TRAVEL ITINERARY
Schengen Tourist Visa Application
Applicant: John Michael Smith
Passport Number: 123456789
Nationality: USA
Trip Duration: March 15, 2026 - March 24, 2026 (10 days)
Main Destination: France (6 days)
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
DAY 1 - Monday, March 15, 2026
Location: Paris, France
Accommodation: Hotel Le Marais
45 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris, France
Transportation: Flight from New York JFK to Paris CDG (Air France AF008)
Departs: 18:30 / Arrives: 08:45+1
Activities:
- Arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport (08:45)
- Check-in at hotel
- Rest and adjust to time zone
- Evening walk around Le Marais neighborhood
- Dinner at local restaurant
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DAY 2 - Tuesday, March 16, 2026
Location: Paris, France
Accommodation: Hotel Le Marais (same)
Activities:
- Morning: Visit Eiffel Tower (pre-booked 10:00 AM slot)
- Lunch at Champ de Mars area
- Afternoon: Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées
- Evening: Seine River dinner cruise (7:00 PM departure)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DAY 3 - Wednesday, March 17, 2026
Location: Paris, France
Accommodation: Hotel Le Marais (same)
Activities:
- Morning: Louvre Museum (pre-booked 9:00 AM entry)
- Lunch in Tuileries Garden
- Afternoon: Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior), Sainte-Chapelle
- Evening: Latin Quarter exploration, dinner
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DAY 4 - Thursday, March 18, 2026
Location: Versailles / Paris, France
Accommodation: Hotel Le Marais (same)
Transportation: RER train to Versailles (round-trip)
Activities:
- Full-day trip to Palace of Versailles
- Gardens of Versailles
- Return to Paris evening
- Free time in Montmartre
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DAY 5 - Friday, March 19, 2026
Location: Paris, France
Accommodation: Hotel Le Marais (same)
Activities:
- Morning: Musée d'Orsay
- Afternoon: Shopping at Galeries Lafayette
- Evening: Eiffel Tower light show viewing
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DAY 6 - Saturday, March 20, 2026
Location: Paris → Amsterdam, Netherlands
Accommodation: Hotel Amsterdam Centre
Damrak 96, 1012 LP Amsterdam, Netherlands
Transportation: Thalys high-speed train Paris-Amsterdam
Departs Paris Nord: 12:25 / Arrives Amsterdam: 15:40
Activities:
- Morning: Last-minute Paris sightseeing, pack
- Train to Amsterdam (3h 15min)
- Check-in to Amsterdam hotel
- Evening: Canal walk, Dam Square
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DAY 7 - Sunday, March 21, 2026
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Accommodation: Hotel Amsterdam Centre (same)
Activities:
- Morning: Van Gogh Museum (pre-booked 10:00 AM)
- Afternoon: Rijksmuseum
- Evening: Canal cruise, dinner in Jordaan
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DAY 8 - Monday, March 22, 2026
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Accommodation: Hotel Amsterdam Centre (same)
Activities:
- Morning: Anne Frank House (pre-booked 9:00 AM)
- Afternoon: Vondelpark, explore De Pijp neighborhood
- Evening: Red Light District tour (cultural/historical)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DAY 9 - Tuesday, March 23, 2026
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Accommodation: Hotel Amsterdam Centre (same)
Activities:
- Morning: Day trip to Zaanse Schans windmills
- Afternoon: Return to Amsterdam, souvenir shopping
- Evening: Farewell dinner
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DAY 10 - Wednesday, March 24, 2026
Location: Amsterdam → New York
Transportation: Flight from Amsterdam Schiphol to New York JFK
(KLM KL642)
Departs: 10:40 / Arrives: 13:15 (same day)
Activities:
- Hotel checkout
- Depart for Schiphol Airport
- Return flight to New York
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
TRIP SUMMARY
Total Duration: 10 days (March 15-24, 2026)
Countries Visited: France, Netherlands
Main Destination: France (6 days, 5 nights)
Netherlands: 4 days, 3 nights
Accommodations:
- Hotel Le Marais, Paris: €120/night × 5 nights = €600
- Hotel Amsterdam Centre: €110/night × 3 nights = €330
- Total accommodation cost: €930
Estimated Daily Expenses:
- Food: €50/day × 10 days = €500
- Transportation (local): €150
- Attractions/Museums: €300
- Miscellaneous: €120
- Total estimated cost: €2,000
Supporting Documents Attached:
✓ Flight reservations (AF008, KLM642)
✓ Hotel booking confirmations
✓ Museum pre-booking confirmations
✓ Train ticket reservation (Thalys)
Sample Itinerary: 7-Day France-Only Trip
FRANCE TOURIST ITINERARY Applicant: Sarah Johnson Passport: 987654321 Dates: April 10-16, 2026 (7 days) Main Destination: France (7 days) ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════ DAY 1 - April 10 (Thursday) Paris, France Hotel: Ibis Paris Bastille, 15 Avenue Ledru Rollin, 75012 Paris - Arrival from London (Eurostar 14:31) - Check-in, rest - Evening: Eiffel Tower area DAY 2 - April 11 (Friday) Paris, France Same hotel - Louvre Museum (morning) - Latin Quarter (afternoon) - Notre-Dame area DAY 3 - April 12 (Saturday) Paris, France Same hotel - Versailles day trip - Evening: Montmartre DAY 4 - April 13 (Sunday) Paris → Nice Hotel: Hotel Nice Riviera, 24 Rue de France, 06000 Nice Train: TGV Paris-Nice (06:26-12:03) - Afternoon: Promenade des Anglais - Evening: Old Town Nice DAY 5 - April 14 (Monday) Nice, France Same hotel - Morning: Castle Hill viewpoint - Afternoon: Beach time - Evening: Nice Harbor DAY 6 - April 15 (Tuesday) Nice → Monaco (day trip) → Nice Same hotel - Day trip to Monaco (30-min train) - Monte Carlo Casino, Prince's Palace - Return to Nice evening DAY 7 - April 16 (Wednesday) Nice → London - Morning: Last beach walk - Flight Nice-London (14:50-16:25) Summary: Paris: 4 nights | Nice: 2 nights Total cost: ~€1,200 (accommodation + food + transport)
Sample Itinerary: 14-Day Multi-Country Europe Tour
MULTI-COUNTRY EUROPE ITINERARY Applicant: Maria Rodriguez Passport: CD1234567 Duration: May 1-14, 2026 (14 days) Main Destination: Germany (5 days) - Applying at German Embassy ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════ FRANCE SEGMENT (3 days) Day 1 - May 1: Paris arrival, Eiffel Tower Day 2 - May 2: Louvre, Arc de Triomphe Day 3 - May 3: Versailles day trip Accommodation: Hotel Paris Centre, 45 Rue de Rivoli ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── GERMANY SEGMENT (5 days) - MAIN DESTINATION Day 4 - May 4: Paris → Berlin (train), Brandenburg Gate Day 5 - May 5: Berlin: Reichstag, Berlin Wall Day 6 - May 6: Potsdam day trip Day 7 - May 7: Berlin → Munich (train) Day 8 - May 8: Munich: Marienplatz, Hofbräuhaus Accommodation: - Berlin Hotel (3 nights): Alexanderplatz 1 - Munich Hotel (2 nights): Karlsplatz 25 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── AUSTRIA SEGMENT (2 days) Day 9 - May 9: Munich → Vienna (train), Schönbrunn Day 10 - May 10: Vienna: St. Stephen's Cathedral, Opera Accommodation: Vienna Inn, Kärntner Ring 16 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ITALY SEGMENT (3 days) Day 11 - May 11: Vienna → Venice (train), Grand Canal Day 12 - May 12: Venice: St. Mark's Square, Murano Day 13 - May 13: Venice sightseeing Accommodation: Hotel Venezia, Calle Larga 45 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── DEPARTURE Day 14 - May 14: Venice → Home (flight 15:30) ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════ COUNTRY BREAKDOWN: 🇫🇷 France: 3 days 🇩🇪 Germany: 5 days (MAIN DESTINATION) 🇦🇹 Austria: 2 days 🇮🇹 Italy: 3 days Total: 14 days in Schengen Area Estimated cost: €3,500
Pro Tips for Creating Your Itinerary
✅ Do's
- Be realistic - Don't plan to visit 10 cities in 7 days
- Include specific attractions - "Louvre Museum" not just "sightseeing"
- Match your cover letter - Ensure dates and destinations align
- Show main destination clearly - Embassy needs to see you qualify
- Include hotel addresses - Complete with street address, postal code
- Add transportation details - Train/flight numbers between cities
- Be consistent - All documents should show same dates/places
❌ Don'ts
- Don't be too vague - "Touring Europe" is not enough
- Don't overplan - No need for hourly schedule
- Don't contradict yourself - If cover letter says 10 days France, itinerary shouldn't show 5
- Don't include impossible schedules - Paris to Rome in 3 hours isn't realistic
- Don't skip days - Account for every single day of your trip
Common Questions While Planning
How detailed should activities be?
Moderate detail is best. Example for one day:
- ✅ Good: "Morning: Louvre Museum; Afternoon: Eiffel Tower; Evening: Seine cruise"
- ❌ Too basic: "Paris sightseeing"
- ❌ Too detailed: "09:00 Wake up, 09:30 Breakfast at X, 10:15 Metro to Y, 10:45 Enter museum..."
Should I book everything before visa approval?
No! Use flexible/refundable reservations:
- ✅ Flight reservations (not tickets - use reservation services)
- ✅ Hotel bookings with free cancellation
- ✅ Pre-book major attractions if they require it (refundable)
Flight Booking vs Travel Itinerary - What's the Difference?
| Aspect | Travel Itinerary | Flight Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Shows daily activities & plans | Proves entry/exit dates |
| Format | Day-by-day document you create | Airline reservation confirmation |
| Content | Hotels, attractions, cities, activities | Flight numbers, dates, routes |
| Required? | Strongly recommended (sometimes required) | Mandatory |
| When to get | Create before application | Reserve (don't buy) before application |
Both are separate documents: Your application typically needs BOTH a detailed travel itinerary AND flight reservations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a travel itinerary mandatory for Schengen visa?
It depends on the embassy, but it's highly recommended for all applications. Some embassies (Spain, France) explicitly require it. Even if not mandatory, it significantly strengthens your application by showing you're a prepared, genuine tourist.
Can I change my itinerary after getting the visa?
Yes, your itinerary is a PLAN, not a binding contract. Embassy understands plans can change. However, you should still:
- Enter/exit on similar dates (±1-2 days okay)
- Spend most time in the country that issued your visa (main destination rule)
- Stay within Schengen Area as approved
Do I need to book hotels before visa approval?
You need hotel RESERVATIONS, not paid bookings. Use Booking.com or hotels with FREE CANCELLATION. Make reservations, get confirmation emails, and submit those. If visa is rejected, cancel for free. Never pay non-refundable bookings before visa approval.
How do I show "main destination" in multi-country trip?
Count the nights in each country. Example:
- France: 5 nights ← Main destination (apply to French embassy)
- Germany: 3 nights
- Italy: 2 nights
Should I include prices in the itinerary?
Optional but helpful. You can add a summary section with estimated costs:
- Accommodation: €900
- Food: €500
- Transportation: €200
- Attractions: €150
- Total: €1,750