Driving in Czech, Hungary & Austria

Apart from watching for White Mice (cops)? Roadways in Czechy are well-maintained, better than in parts of Austria. I am sure you know some of the attractions along the route, particularly in Moravia (Jihlava, Telc, Brno - all towns with outstanding city centers). If you drop down to Bratislava, there is another must-stop. If you need to get to Buda quickly, take the freeway past Györ. There isn't much to see but flat plains, but once you get into the Buda Hills (Bakonyi)then it get's interesting. If you have time, get off the direct route and visit Esterhazy castles on the way.
For a more interesting routing, travel through Slovakia, drop into Eger (visit Old Town with mosque) and then maybe Gödöllö (Sissi's retreat) and then on the freeway into Pest.

Since you already live there, you probably already know this, but it doesn't hurt to say it: Make sure to stay in the right lane except for passing slower vehicles, and make sure not to speed. I have a 10 second rule when passing, because if there's a car I can just see in the distance in my rear view while passing I can count to 10 and they will be on my rear end flashing their lights at me if I'm not over again by 11. Some speed traps on the way to Brno from Prauge, but most speed traps I've seen are just inside small towns. Thankfully I follow all the rules and have not been ticketed. They love tourists and spot them by their rental cars. My Czech father in law had a rental one time while his Skoda was in the shop & got pulled over by a cop who "said" he was speeding. The cop wanted an inflated price for him to pay on the spot. My father in law said in Czech he'd pay it in town and needed the cop's name and number. The cop dropped it and told him to be more careful next time. HA!

Thank you, Martin & Debbie, for the good advice!

Speed anywhere you want in Europe....except Austria. The Austrian Police do not play, and they expect cash payments when they pull you over. Aslo, if you drive on there highways, you must stop and get a vinette (available in most gas stations before you cross the border). Allegedly, CZ requires the same thing, but I've never bought one and it's never been an issue in the 5 times I've driven there in the last 6 months. Austria, however, the 10,00 euros for teh vinette is much better than the 300-400 euro fine for not buying one...

Sopron, Hungary is a great place to stop and explore on your trip. It's on your way and only an hour from Vienna. Not only is the town worth exploring and cute, but a drive in the hills out to the countryside to the Austrian border where there was a historical mass border crossing is a great little side trip.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-European_Picnic

Not off your route to Budapest you will find Szentendre, which is great stop. Also you should look to see Esztergom on the Slovakian boarder as well as a stop on the Danube bend at Visegrad, and visit the castle. On your way to Vienna, I would NOT miss Sopron.
This is now the dental capital of the EU, so if you have any tooth work to be done, might as well stop and have this done here too. This is funny, but it is a huge draw from tourist all over western europe, to go on a relaxing vacation, visit the Esterhaz castle, thermal baths, and all the beauty of the Hapsburg influence while getting top notch detal work for the bottome dollar.
In Budapest check out the Raday bathhouse. Everyone recommends Szechenyi (Hapsburg), but for the authenic Turkish influence, go to this bathhouse. Newly renovated last year, all my friends who have been to both, say Raday blows Szechenyi "out of the water". I agree. But certainly I would do my best to check out both.