When you apply for a Schengen visa, you are asked to present a travel itinerary or a travel plan. But how to make a travel itinerary for Schengen visa ? How is this different from a flight itinerary for Schengen visa ? . This document is mainly needed when you apply for a Schengen tourist visa or Schengen business visa.
This article will show you how you can get a travel itinerary for Schengen visa in 5 minutes.
Is A travel itinerary needed for processing Schengen visa ?
Yes a travel itinerary is mandatory when you are applying for a tourist or business Schengen visa. If you are applying other types of Schengen visa, then you need not present a travel itinerary.
Use FlightGen app to generate a polished travel itinerary. With just 10$ subscription / month , Enjoy unlimited access to instant flight itineraries, cover letters, invitations, dummy tickets, Leave letter and hotel bookings for visa which are accepted by Schengen consulates or embassies.
What does a travel itinerary for Schengen visa mean ?
A travel itinerary is a day-wise breakup of what you intend to do once your visa is approved. So it will be a list of activities you will do or places you will visit once your Schengen visa is approved.
Consulates want proof you’ve planned every detail. No vague “maybe I’ll go to Paris or Berlin.”
They need dates, flights, hotels, and a clear travel schedule.
What Goes Into a Schengen Visa Itinerary?
Break it into 4 parts:
- Flights
- Round-trip flight reservations (even if you’re not booking yet).
- Include flight details: airlines, departure/arrival times, airports (e.g., Paris Charles de Gaulle).
- Show you’re leaving the Schengen Area before your visa expires.
- Accommodation
- Hotel bookings for every night. Example: “3 nights at Hotel Eiffel Seine, Paris.”
- If staying with friends, get a Schengen invitation letter.
- Internal Travel Plans
- Trains, buses, or flights between Schengen countries (e.g., France to Germany).
- Mention key activities: “Day trip to Versailles,” “Sightseeing cruise on the Seine.”
- Travel Insurance
- Policy covering €30,000+ medical costs.
- Ensure it’s valid across all Schengen states.
Example: A 20-Day Itinerary ( Switzerland, Italy, France)
Here is a sample template for a detailed travel itinerary for Schengen visa applicants . In this example the applicant is travelling for 20 days between September 10 to September 30 2025.
- Sep 10, 2025 : Depart from New York & Land in Zurich.Check in to my hotel
- Sep 11, 2025 : Day trip to Swiss Villages in Interlaken & Grindelwald with a local friend
- Sep 12, 2025 : Walk around Zurich touristic highlights . In the evening go on Felsenegg CableCar
- and Ferry Ride
- Sep 13, 2025 : Take a train to Bern and checkin to my hotel (Hotel EinstienHaus)
- Sep 14, 2025 : Take a day tour with a professionaltour guide and In the evening enjoy cheese and
- Fondue tasting.
- Sep 15, 2025 : Visit Einstein house and in the evening depart to Geneva
- Sep 16, 2025 : Take Geneva hop on Hop offtour.
- Sep 17, 2025: Visit st PierreCathedral & in the evening take a stroll around the city landmarks.
- Sep 18, 2025 : Take a rental car from Geneva to LakeComo.Checkin to my hotel (Olendra Inn)
- Sep 19, 2025 : Enjoy the day around LakeComo
- Sep 20, 2025 : Depart to Milan and visit Duomo.Check in to my hotel (Casa Dumo de Milano)
- Sep 21, 2025 : Take a train to Venice & check in to my hotel (Hotel deVenezia)
- Sep 22, 2025 : Spend the day around Venice & check out Academia.
- Sep 23, 2025 : Visit the islands in Venice like Murano Burano & Lido
- Sep 24, 2025 : LeaveVenice to Florence.Check in to my hotel (Titillia Inn)
- Sep 25, 2025 : Take a city tour with a professional guide around Florence. In the evening Enjoy
- local food and music.
- Sep 26, 2025 : Take a Day tour to Monaco.
- Sep 27, 2025 : Fly to France from Florence.
- Sep 28, 2025 : Enjoy Eiffel Tower and Sienna riverCruise in the evening.
- Sep 29, 2025 : Rent a car and visit Versailes
- Sep 30, 2025 : Leave Paris and back to my home in New York
Sample Travel Itinerary for Schengen Visa created using FlightGen App.
Why do I need to submit a travel itinerary when applying for a Schengen visa ?
The visa officer asks for a travel itinerary to determine if your visa should be approved. It helps them in the following ways:
- Entry Type: Your itinerary helps decide whether you need a single-entry or multiple-entry Schengen visa.
- Visa Duration: If your itinerary is for 10 days, the officer may grant you 15 days of validity.
- Correct Consulate: If you apply for an Austria Schengen visa but your itinerary shows most of your trip is in Switzerland, your visa could be rejected. You must apply at the consulate of the country where you’ll spend the most time.
What is the difference between Flight Itinerary and Travel Itinerary ?
A flight itinerary and travel itinerary are two different documents and they serve different purposes.
Flight itinerary contains the information of your most probable flight that you will take once your visa is approved and it included details such as flight number, departure date , arrival information and a return trip information including all layovers . This may include:
- Passenger’s first and last name.
- Flight number of the chosen airline.
- A reservation number or identifier.
- Departure and return dates (the ticket must be round trip)
- Flight hours.
- IATA airport codes.
- The total price of the ticket.
A Travel itinerary on the other hand informs the consulate about your travel plan. A day wise breakup of what you intend to do once your visa is approved . This will contain information like where you will stay and what activities you plan to do once your visa is approved .
So there is no relation between a flight itinerary and travel itinerary
Can I make my own Travel Itinerary ?
Of course !! . In fact it is recommended that you make your own travel itinerary rather than copy what you find online. If you have made any bookings or purchased a ticket voucher, you can submit that as part of your documentation and this will only make your visa application stronger in the eyes of the visa officer.
How do I create a Travel Itinerary for a Schengen visa?
- Plan your trip dates and duration. Decide when and how long you’ll travel.
- Choose destinations and check availability. Ensure attractions and accommodations are open on your travel dates.
- Book transportation and accommodations. Arrange flights, train tickets, and hotels at each stop.
- Structure your itinerary. Organise your trip details into a clear schedule.
- Include key events or sightseeing plans. A detailed itinerary makes your application stronger.
Or you can create unlimited Travel Itinerary or any other visa documents such as Cover letters , Invitation letter within seconds using FlightGen app with a small subscription fees.
Since a Schengen visa allows travel across 27 countries, your itinerary must be clear and detailed. A cover letter for Schengen visa should outline your plans, including departure dates, accommodations, destinations, and return dates.
More specifically, state how long you’ll stay in each country. The embassy will verify your travel plans and bookings, so they must be easy to check. A flight ticket is the best proof of your itinerary.
Where to add the Travel Itinerary for Schengen visa application?
Although many applicants submit a separate document either as a pdf of excel printout for Schengen visa, we recommend that you add your travel itinerary in your cover letter for Schengen visa . As this is the first document that the visa officer will read and it is possible to cover two requirements in the same document.
What are the supporting documents required for Travel Itinerary?
- Flight Itinerary : A booked (but not necessarily paid) round-trip flight ticket showing entry and exit from the Schengen Area.
- Hotel Bookings : Proof of accommodation for your entire stay, such as hotel reservations, Airbnb bookings, or a Invitation letter from a host.
- Internal Transport Reservations : If traveling between Schengen countries, provide train, bus, or domestic flight bookings.
- Invitation Letter for Schengen visa (if applicable) : If staying with a friend or family, a signed invitation letter confirming your stay.
- Travel medical insurance: Policy covering €30,000+ medical costs. Ensure it’s valid across all Schengen states.
Checkout the other documents required for Schengen visa application here.
Don’t Overcomplicate It
- Use itinerary-specific platforms (like FlightGen) to skip Excel hell.
- Double-check embassy requirements – some want hotel bookings in every city.
- Keep a buffer between actual travel dates and your visa application.
A travel itinerary for Schengen visa isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing you’ve thought through the trip. Nail that, and you’re halfway to visa approval.