Schengen Visa Itinerary: Flight Itinerary and Reservations

The Schengen Embassies and Consulate's main concern is that foreign nationals might overstay in the Schengen Area. Your flight itinerary will help Embassy officials determine whether you will overstay in the Schengen Area. The best way to prove you won't overstay in the Schengen Area is to present a flight itinerary.

Your flight itinerary will show your departure and arrival times and dates to and from the Schengen Area. It will help assure Embassy or Consular officials that you don't exceed your allowed stay in the Schengen Area.

Depending on the purpose of your trip, authorities will need to decide the length of your Schengen Visa. For example, suppose you plan to travel to Spain for business purposes. In that case, you'll be granted a single entry visa that is valid for the number of days you need to conclude your business in Spain.

Not only does your flight itinerary help prove the purpose of your trip, but it also allows embassy officials to make a more informed decision on the amount of time you're allowed to stay in the Schengen Area

The Schengen Agreement has specific rules regarding the port of entry. All Schengen countries must obey these rules. If you plan to travel to multiple Schengen Member States, you must apply for your visa at the correct Embassy. Sometimes, it can be unclear where you should apply for your Schengen Visa. A complete flight itinerary can help Embassy officials determine if you're applying at the correct Embassy.

For example, Suppose you plan to travel to Greece for 7 days, France for 10 days, and Portugal for 20 days. In that case, you must apply for your visa at the Portuguese Embassy/Consulate. If you apply at the Greece Embassy, authorities will kindly ask you to reapply at the correct Embassy.

Quick note: Remember that the flight itinerary is not the only document you must submit. In addition, you'll need to present other documents like proof of valid medical insurance, proof of accommodation, bank statements, and other relevant travel documents.

The primary purpose of your proof of accommodation is to prove to authorities where you'll be staying in the Schengen Area.

In Article 14 (1), the "Visa Code" specifies:

"When applying for a uniform visa, the applicant shall present:

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  Documents indicating the purpose of the journey;

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  Documents in relation to accommodation, or proof of sufficient means to cover his accommodation."

Suppose you do not submit a Schengen visa itinerary alongside your Schengen Visa application form. In that case, there is a very high probability that your Schengen Visa application won't be successful. In short, you probably won't get your visa.

Many applicants fail to understand the importance of the travel itinerary and don't bother to get one. 

If this is you, I recommend getting a travel itinerary as soon as possible. If you don't have the time to get one, reschedule your appointment and ensure you collect all the required documents for your Schengen Visa before attending your appointment.

When applying for your Schengen Visa, one required document is a complete travel itinerary.

Suppose you're planning to visit the Schengen Area. In that case, you'll need to apply for a Schengen Visa to enter the destination country.

The following 27 Counties in Europe form part of the Schengen Zone:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

US citizens benefit from visa-free travel to many countries, including the 27 Schengen Countries. They don't need to go through the tedious process of applying for a Schengen Visa. 

Instead, US citizens only need to gather documents like their passports and proof of sufficient funds. After that, they can travel to their desired destination. 

However, US citizens will still need to go through the country's border control, where their passports will be stamped for entry. During this process, authorities always have the right to ask a foreign national what the purpose of their trip is, and if they can't present a valid reason, they may risk being sent back to their home country.

So, to avoid any delays or frustrations, I highly recommend that you carry a complete travel itinerary that will help support the purpose of your visit. Furthermore, this will also indicate that you plan to travel back to your home country. 

Yes. Unlike US citizens, US Green Card Holders don't enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel to the Schengen Area. If their nationality does not enjoy visa-free travel they will need to apply for a visa.

Meaning they need to apply for a Schengen Visa. One of the required documents for the Schengen Visa is a complete travel itinerary.

The recommended answer would be no. It is possible to purchase your travel itinerary before your visa appointment. However, should you do this and your visa application is unsuccessful, you would have wasted a lot of money on a planned trip that couldn't happen.

Embassies/Consulates are aware of this matter. Therefore, they don't require you to submit fully purchased flight tickets or accommodation. During your visa appointment, you can present a reserved travel itinerary to cancel if necessary. Not making an official payment for your travel itinerary is highly recommended. Nonetheless, the option is always yours to make.

The Embassy won't require you to purchase proof of accommodation or an actual flight ticket in most cases. Meaning you can make a reservation instead of a purchase.

Obtaining a Free Travel Itinerary for Schengen Visa

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  Online Itinerary Generators: Several online tools and websites can help you generate a free Schengen Visa itinerary. Simply input your travel details, and they'll create one for you.

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  Travel Agencies: Some travel agencies offer free itineraries when booking flights or accommodations through them.

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  DIY Itinerary: If you prefer to do it yourself, use online templates. Ensure it includes your personal information, flight details, accommodation bookings, and daily plans.

Expedia is a convenient way to plan your next trip to the Schengen Area. It has a large number of vacation packages which you can choose from. 

When you select a package, you'll receive a complete flight itinerary and hotel booking, which you can submit during your Schengen Visa appointment. 

It's worth mentioning that if you wish to cancel your booking (and get your money back), you can only do this within 24 hours of purchasing the vacation package. 

This can prove to be a problem. Here's why:

When you've finally attended your Schengen Visa appointment, you'll need to wait for feedback from the Embassy. Unfortunately, receiving feedback can take more than 24 hours. Suppose you pay for your package and receive negative feedback after 24 hours. In that case, you'll have spent significantly on a trip that can't happen. Moreover, the amount paid back to you may not always be the full amount. In addition, Expedia will most likely pay your money back in credits, which you can only use through Expedia. Therefore, before using their services, I recommend reading through Expedia's T&Cs.

Some airlines will allow you to hold a reservation for up to 5 days. However, the purchase must be made using your airline miles.

Once you've made the purchase, you can print out your flight itinerary and present it during your Schengen Visa appointment. Then, if you receive unfavourable feedback, you can cancel your flight. Nonetheless, you'll still need air miles to make such a purchase, and not everyone is fortunate enough to have one.

Another option is purchasing a refundable flight ticket. This is a foolproof method of getting your flight itinerary. 

However, there is a cost that comes along with this. It isn't free.

First, you'll need to pay for the refundable ticket, which usually costs more than the standard ticket. Secondly, there is ordinarily a cancellation fee of around $100. Moreover, you'll need to wait a few days or weeks to receive your refund.

Some airlines and online booking websites offer a free-hold option for 2 days. However, if, for some reason, your feedback takes longer than 2 days, you'll need to pay a certain cancellation fee if you wish to cancel your booked flight.

No, you cannot change your itinerary after obtaining a Schengen visa. You are expected to follow the itinerary you provided when applying for the visa. Changing your itinerary completely, to the point where the information provided in the visa application is no longer accurate, is not permitted. In the cases of minor changes, be mindful of these key points:

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  Ensure it still fits within the visa's duration and validity.

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  Keep the main destination the same.

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  Stick to Schengen countries.

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  It's wise to inform authorities and update accommodation details to avoid issues during your trip.

Yes, it is often required by embassies or consulates as proof of your travel plans.

To demonstrate your itinerary for a Schengen visa, providing a flight itinerary is the most effective method. This itinerary will clearly display your departure and arrival details for your trip to and from the Schengen Area. By presenting a comprehensive flight itinerary, you can assure Embassy or Consular officials that you won't exceed your permitted stay in the Schengen Area.

The standard processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 calendar days. However, it's important to note that the processing period can be extended up to 30 days.

Your itinerary number is essential for managing your travel arrangements. It can be found in the itinerary documents provided to you, serving as a tracking number within the reservation system. By referencing this number, travel providers can quickly retrieve and track the details of your reservation, ensuring a smooth journey from start to finish. Keep your itinerary number handy for any communication or updates related to your trip.

It should include flight details (flight numbers, dates, and times), hotel reservations, daily activities, and addresses.

No, you don't need to book actual flights and accommodations. Reservations or itineraries with booking references are sufficient.

There's no standard format, but it should be clear, accurate, and well-organized, with all relevant details.

Your itinerary should align with the duration specified in your visa application.