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EuropeCultureHistoryCity BreakBudget Europe

Eastern Europe

Prague, Budapest, Kraków, Warsaw — a circuit of extraordinary cities that cost half what their western counterparts do.

Europe
🏰 Castles🌆 Capital Cities🍺 Craft Beer🎭 Culture

Backpacking Eastern Europe

Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania — the underrated Eastern European circuit does everything Western Europe does at half the price with better nightlife and way less tourist overcrowding. Krakow alone justifies the Eurolines ticket.

£30–55/day avg daily budget
Key Info
Various (EUR/PLN/HUF/CZK)Various (Polish/Czech/Hungarian/Romanian)Type C/E/F (EU)Drive Right
10% at restaurants — increasingly expected
Weather
Best: May–Sep
Summer (Jun–Aug)Long warm days, festival season, open-air markets
Cold winters, warm summers. Spring and summer ideal for city exploration.
Health
Tap water safe — Tap water safe in all major Eastern European cities
No vaccines requiredrecommended
Transport
UberBoltFlixBus/RegioJet
✈️ Warsaw (WAW) / Prague (PRG) / Budapest (BUD) / Bucharest (OTP)
Metro in Warsaw, Prague, Budapest and Bucharest — all cheap
Emergency
👮 Police112
🚑 Ambulance112
🔥 Fire112
The Highlights

8 Things to Do in Eastern Europe

01
Get lost in Prague's old town at night when the crowds have gone
02
Take the boat along the Danube between Bratislava and Budapest
03
Soak in Budapest's Széchenyi thermal baths at midnight
04
Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau from Kraków — essential, devastating, important
05
Descend into the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Kraków — an underground cathedral
06
Take the night train from Prague to Warsaw or Budapest
07
Eat chimney cakes, pierogi, langos, and trdelník from market stalls
08
Explore Ceský Krumlov — a castle town so pretty it barely seems real
Where to Go

Breaking Down Eastern Europe

Each region has a completely different character. Here is what to expect.

🏙️Prague

One of Europe's most beautiful medieval cities. The Old Town Square, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle are magnificent. Go in November-February for fewer tourists. Czech beer (Pilsner Urquell, Budvar) is the world's finest at £1.50-2 in a local pub.

🎭Budapest

Buda and Pest on either side of the Danube — Buda's castle district, Pest's Art Nouveau architecture, the thermal bath culture (Szechenyi, Gellert), and a ruin bar scene in the Jewish Quarter that is genuinely excellent.

🇵🇱Krakow and Warsaw

Krakow's medieval old town is Poland's finest — Wawel Castle, the Kazimierz Jewish quarter, and the essential Auschwitz-Birkenau visit 90 minutes away. Warsaw was completely rebuilt after WWII — the POLIN Museum of Polish Jews is world-class.

🌲Romania and Transylvania

Bran Castle, the painted monasteries of Bucovina, the medieval citadels of Sibiu and Sighisoara, and the Carpathian Mountains. Romania is the least-visited and most rewarding country in this region.

Money Breakdown

What to Budget For

Budget Tip

Eastern Europe offers excellent value.

Daily Total

Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary £25-40/day.

Daily Total

Romania and Bulgaria £20-30/day.

Eating Out

Meals in local restaurants £5-10.

Snacks & Drinks

Beer £1-2.

Travel Responsibly

Eco and Community Tips

Eastern Europe's forests and river systems contain Europe's last significant wolf and brown bear populations in the Carpathians. Choose walking and cycling holidays in rural areas to distribute spending away from the most crowded centres.

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